We interrupt this weeks posts for JOHN HUGHES


Oh ladies (and guys if you're reading),

Today is a sad day. John Hughes has passed away. He died in New York City, of a heart attack, at age 59. Maybe you were reading my 80's week posts and thought I was kidding about my love of Pretty In Pink and Sixteen Candles. I wasn't. It was because of these films that I wanted to write and make movies. It was because of John Hughes that I knew I had a voice to share my creativity. It was because of John Hughes that I knew I wasn't alone as a High schooler, and that what was happening to me was important (and sometimes funny). He understood my generation so well, I was convinced he was my age. He was a master at capturing the times, place and essence of teenage, as well as young adult life.

Imagine your life without seeing Molly Ringwald look up, see Jake waiting for her with his red porche and realize he had come for her.

Imagine your life without seeing Mary Stuart Masterson, tears streaming down her face, turn and see that Keith realizes he loves her.

Imagine your life without seeing six kids, all in detention, learning to get along while learning each others deepest fears. Like when Anthony Michael Hall says he brought a gun to school (okay it was a flare gun, but still).

John Hughes affected the culture in ways we can never forget.

The Home Alone wide open mouth, hands on the cheek stance.
Ferris Bueller dancing in the streets.
The giant pancakes, and giant heart of Uncle Buck.
Kevin Bacon trying to deal with his in laws, and his wife, in She's having a baby.
Chevy Chase strapping Grandma to the roof in Vacation.
Kelly Le Brock making two nerds into handsome cool guys in Weird Science.
Or
Michael Keaton drying his baby's butt on the bathroom hand dryer, in Mr. Mom (he wrote it).

Even though Pretty in Pink will always be my favorite (I told you I am in love with Steph in those linen suits, sauntering down the school halls like he owns the place), I'm amazed at his body of work. He'll live on forever through his films. And in my heart.

God Bless You John Hughes.
RIP.
Bueller? Bueller?




21 comments:

KatiePerk said...

I just heard this and am in mourning. He was such a talented guy! Tomorrow I shall wear my most Molly Ringwald-esque ensemble to pay homage and will tie my husband to the couch and make him watch all my favorite Hughes' movies this weekend.

*Pink Preppy Party Girl* said...

Ditto!

Anonymous said...

I will never forget the first time I saw Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I was 6 years old and brought to the theater by my mom and older brother. I clearly remember thinking, ok, that's what I want to be like. I want to live in the moment, be a cool kid with a big heart, and have a best friend I've known since I was 5. I want to be mischievous and lean my head against the glass at the Sears Tower and sneak onto a parade float! I quoted Ferris/John Hughes on my senior yearbook page, and today... "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it."

Elizabeth said...

Oh my goodness! I had NO idea!!!! And I had absolutely NO idea that he wrote Mr. Mom or was involved in Uncle Buck. I absolutely LOVE those films!!!

Seersucker Scrapper said...

I had no idea. What a terrible loss to the film community.

He will certainly go down in moviemaking history!

Suburban prep said...

Having grown up and still living on the North Shore of Chicago this struck close. my husband even went to Glenbrook North for high school. That is the school that Ferris Bueller was supposed to be at as was the Breakfast Club.
So young

LPC said...

Nice tribute. I was having babies in the late 80's and 90's so some of his work is a blur to me. But I loved The Breakfast Club. I always wondered, how did he make such a simple proposition so compelling?

Pretty Personal Gifts said...

There's not a loser in the bunch...how sad...he was a genius.

nanny said...

Oh My! I didn't know he wrote all of these wonderful scripts....I would hate to have to pick my favorite!!! Molly and the porche could still give me chills, but Chevy and grandma on roof...priceless!! Uncle Buck..what a guy!!!

Scarlet O'Kara said...

What a wonderful tribute. I have watched and loved every everyone of his movies over and over. My heart is sad at the loss of his genius.

AMY said...

Wow! I had no idea all of those films were his work. So many of those are favorites in this house. Can you imagine how funny his everyday observations must have been! Prayers for his family for the hole that must be left. He will be missed but always remembered for such rare talent.

WSU Laura said...

Couldn't have said it any better. Loved all those movies. He will be missed.

Preppy Mama said...

So sad. You pretty much summed it all up. Pretty in Pink is my all time favorite as well...have it memorized by heart.

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

What an extremely talented guy...I love all of those movies you listed...some of my all time favorites. My son have even taken a huge liking to Home Alone. We watch it all the time.

Life, Love And Lola said...

Fabulous post!!!!!

Debra said...

Very sad. Thanks for a great post. He will live on in all his great work.

Always Organizing said...

Wonderful post. I was very sad to hear of his passing, way too young.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I honestly can't imagine life without those movies. I'm off like a dirty shirt.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

I was completely shocked when I heard this! He has had an enormous impact on our generation! I will miss him and his amazing creativity as well...

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

I still can't quite believe it. So incredibly sad.

My absolute finito favorite is "Sixteen Candles". Every so often I peek out the window, just in case Jake is waiting out there for me with his Fair Isle sweater vest & Porsche . . .

Domestic Diva said...

OH no!!! Your posts had me purchasing all my favorite songs on Itunes..from his movies!! Have been away and did not even hear this. His movies were so much a part of my high-school years. So sad!!:((((
xxx me