As someone who grew up in the vibrant ’80s, I was captivated by the teen dramas created by the legendary filmmaker John Hughes. His iconic films like Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful, and The Breakfast Club perfectly encapsulated the trials and tribulations of adolescence, from unreciprocated love to the stark divide between social classes—often set to unforgettable soundtracks. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pretty in Pink, a great reason to revisit the film featuring Molly Ringwald as the working-class Andie, Andrew McCarthy as the charming Blane, Jon Cryer as her quirky best friend Duckie, and James Spader as the arrogant Steff.
To celebrate this milestone, I delved into the film’s history and uncovered some fascinating tidbits:
- Imagine if Jon Cryer hadn’t played Duckie. Initially, producers considered Anthony Michael Hall for the role, but he was concerned about being typecast as a nerd. Robert Downey, Jr. was also on Hughes’ radar before Cryer ultimately won the part. Interestingly, Hall turned down a role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off as well.
- Molly Ringwald was initially offered the role of Andie specifically because Hughes had her in mind, but she turned it down at first. Other actresses like Jodie Foster, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tatum O’Neal, and Diane Lane were also in the running. After hearing about the struggles to replace her, Ringwald reconsidered and accepted the role.
- Ironically, of all her films, Ringwald now says that Pretty in Pink is her absolute favorite.
- James Spader, known for his villainous roles (hello, Blacklist), opted for the role of the antagonistic Steff instead of the nice-guy Blane. Notably, Charlie Sheen also auditioned for Blane’s part.
- The film’s soundtrack, filled with emo-infused new wave tracks, ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 25 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time.”
- Hughes got inspired to create Pretty in Pink after Ringwald shared the title of a song by the Psychedelic Furs. He penned the screenplay just a week after completing Sixteen Candles, according to an interview in Seventeen Magazine.
- Jon Cryer revived his iconic Duckie dance on a recent episode of The Late Late Show. A fun fact: he missed out on the chance to audition for Chandler Bing on Friends due to a customs issue while abroad.
- Did you know that Pretty in Pink and Grease were filmed at the same high school in Los Angeles?
- The original ending had Andie choosing Duckie over Blane, but test audiences preferred the latter pairing.
- Hughes was concerned that the original ending might imply that people from different economic backgrounds shouldn’t be together, prompting him to change it. When he called the actors back to reshoot, McCarthy had lost weight and shaved his head for another role, creating a mismatch in his appearance during the final scenes.
- Despite their on-screen tension, Ringwald admitted to having a crush on Spader in a candid interview.
It’s intriguing how our favorite films often come together through a mix of chance and creativity. Would Pretty in Pink still hold its classic status if Andie had ended up with Duckie? Thankfully, it all turned out splendidly. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for some popcorn.
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Summary: Explore fascinating trivia about the iconic film Pretty in Pink, from casting choices to changes in the storyline. Discover the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped this classic and why it continues to resonate with audiences today.