For those who grew up in the vibrant 1980s, John Hughes’ films, including Pretty in Pink, were a defining part of our adolescence. These stories captured the essence of teenage turmoil, from unreciprocated love to social class dynamics, often set against unforgettable soundtracks. As Pretty in Pink celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s a perfect time to revisit the film and its iconic characters—Molly Ringwald as the underdog Andie, Andrew McCarthy as the charming Blane, Jon Cryer as the quirky Duckie, and James Spader as the insufferable Steff.
To commemorate this milestone, here are some intriguing tidbits about the film that you may not know:
- Although Jon Cryer became synonymous with Duckie, producers initially envisioned Anthony Michael Hall for the role. Hall declined, fearing typecasting as a nerd, which led Hughes to consider Robert Downey, Jr. before ultimately choosing Cryer.
- Molly Ringwald was the first choice for Andie, but she initially turned the role down. Other actresses, including Jodie Foster and Tatum O’Neal, were in the running. After learning of the producers’ challenges in finding a replacement, she accepted the part.
- Ringwald now regards Pretty in Pink as her favorite of all her films, despite initially hesitating to accept the role.
- In a twist of fate, James Spader opted to portray the villainous Steff instead of the nice guy Blane, a role that Charlie Sheen also auditioned for.
- The film boasts a remarkable soundtrack that ranks No. 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time.”
- Hughes was inspired to create Pretty in Pink after Ringwald mentioned the song by the Psychedelic Furs. He wrote the screenplay just a week after completing Sixteen Candles.
- Jon Cryer recently revisited his iconic Duckie dance during an appearance on The Late Late Show. Interestingly, he once lost out on the role of Chandler Bing in Friends due to a mishap with his audition tape.
- Both Pretty in Pink and Grease were filmed at the same high school in Los Angeles.
- The original ending had Andie ending up with Duckie. However, test audiences preferred the romantic pairing of Andie and Blane, prompting Hughes to reshoot the scenes.
- Hughes was concerned that the original ending might suggest that people from different socioeconomic backgrounds should not be together. When he decided to change it, he faced challenges since McCarthy had lost weight and changed his hairstyle for a new role, resulting in a visual inconsistency in the final cut.
- Contrary to their on-screen tension, Ringwald had a real-life crush on Spader, as revealed in an interview.
It’s intriguing how many beloved films owe their success to unexpected turns and coincidences. Would Pretty in Pink have achieved classic status if the storyline or casting had been different? Thankfully, it all came together perfectly. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab some popcorn for another viewing.
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