Breakin' (1984)

A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.

Director:

Joel Silberg

Writers:

Charles Parker (story), Allen DeBevoise (story)

Stars:

Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lucinda Dickey	...	Kelly / Special K
Adolfo Quinones	...	Ozone / Orlando (as Adolfo 'Shabba-Doo' Quinones)
Michael Chambers	...	Turbo / Tony (as Michael 'Boogaloo Shrimp' Chambers)
Ben Lokey	...	Franco
Christopher McDonald	...	James
Phineas Newborn III	...	Adam
Bruno Falcon	...	Electro Rock 1 (as Bruno 'Pop N' Taco' Falcon)
Timothy Solomon	...	Electro Rock 2 (as Timothy 'Poppin' Pete' Solomon)
Ana Sánchez	...	Electro Rock 3 (as Ana 'Lollipop' Sanchez)
Ice-T	...	Rap Talker (as Ice T)
Peter Bromilow	...	Judge
Eleanor Zee	...	Judge
Scott Cooper	...	Judge
Eb Lottimer	...	Judge's Assistant
Teresa Kelly	...	Vicky (as T.C. Laughlin)

Storyline

A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.

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Plot Keywords:

breakdancing | rap music | psychotronic | cult film | hip hop | 

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Taglines:

For The Break Of Your Life!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Breakdance

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,047,686, 6 May 1984, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$38,682,707

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$57,456,707

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lela Rochon, Adolfo Quinones (Ozone)'s wife can be seen during the opening credits.

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Goofs

When Franco walks up to the Main Judge, he's holding his cigar away from his chest and in the next shot when he tells Franco to "Go Away" its up to his face.

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Quotes

Franco: And who might you be?
Ozone: Orlando. Choreographer. Dancer!

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Connections

Referenced in House Party (1990)

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Soundtracks

Showdown
Written by Ollie E. Brown and Joe Curiale
Performed by Ollie & Jerry
Produced by Ollie E. Brown for Brown Sugar Productions

User Reviews

A glimpse of what hip hop was to become

Back in 1984, hip hop as a social phenomenon didn't exist. Hip hop was still the "trendy" music from New York City that somehow was gaining the attention of Hollywood. For some, it was great, for others it was the beginning of something that has yet to be recaptured, the innocence of a new and fresh musical artform, and a culture.

Nonetheless, "Breakin'" is a film that takes place in California where Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) is hoping to make it with her dancing. He goes to the beach and catches a dance routine with a few breakdancers, Turbo and Ozone. She loves it, and eventually becomes their friend. One of them finds her attractive, the other chooses to pop his way through life. Kelly's family doesn't want her to be hanging around with the "hoodlums", but Turbo and Ozone simply want to hang out and have fun. Kelly finds herself learning the street-style of dance, and treats it as a serious artform rather than a bunch of guys dancing on cardboard for the hell of it. Looking back, it seems very much like a Hollywood version of what can really happen when two cultures clash (shades of "West Side Story"), but the film has good music, good dancing, a decent story, and it looks back at a time when hip hop as a whole was trying its hardest to gain respect.

Five extra points for Lucinda Dickey, who was easily one of the more beautiful actresses of the 80's.