Did You Know?
Because many of the actors were young enough to be subjected to child labor laws, most of the night scenes were shot during the day, with the set under a tarp.
Share this
When Amy Madigan read for the film, she read for the part of the lead character's sister. Madigan told Walter Hill that the best part in the script was the lead character's sidekick. That part called for a man and the character's name was Mendez. The part was rewritten for Madigan and was renamed McCoy.
Share this
The title came from a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen on his album "Darkness On The Edge Of Town". Original plans were for the song to be featured on the film soudtrack but when Springsteen found out the song would be rerecorded by other vocalists, he withdrew permission for the song to be used.
Share this
The tag line for the film was "Tonight is what it means to be young." When producer Joel Silver saw the poor box office numbers from the opening weekend, he quipped "Tonight is what it means to be dead."
Share this
The Attackers were the real-life band-mates of Laurie Sargent, who provided the singing voice for Ellen Aim. Their band was called Face to Face and they played mainly "new wave" music around the Boston area. The group split up in 1988.
Share this
An early incarnation of this screenplay was offered to Paul McCartney, whom the producers had learned was interested in playing a role in a dramatic motion picture. When McCartney passed on the film (he decided instead to star in his own screenplay, Give My Regards to Broad Street) the role of the kidnapped rock star was rewritten and Diane Lane was cast in the part, as Ellen Aim.
Share this
James Horner wrote three different original scores for this film before he ultimately left the project in favor of director Walter Hill's preferred composer Ry Cooder.
Share this
This was intended to be the first in a trilogy of action films starring Michael Paré as Tom Cody. However, its failure at the box office had put an end to the project.
Share this
During the last dialogue between Amy Madigan and Michael Paré, while referring to a a stolen car, she uses the expression "Finders keepers": this may be a reference to CHiPs: Finders Keepers where she had a part at the beginning of her career.
Share this
