Footloose (1984)

A city teenager moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.

Director:

Herbert Ross

Writer:

Dean Pitchford

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Ren
Lori Singer	...	Ariel
John Lithgow	...	Rev. Shaw Moore
Dianne Wiest	...	Vi Moore
Chris Penn	...	Willard (as Christopher Penn)
Sarah Jessica Parker	...	Rusty
John Laughlin	...	Woody
Elizabeth Gorcey	...	Wendy Jo
Frances Lee McCain	...	Ethel McCormack
Jim Youngs	...	Chuck Cranston
Douglas Dirkson	...	Burlington Cranston
Lynne Marta	...	Lulu Warnicker
Arthur Rosenberg	...	Wes Warnicker
Timothy Scott	...	Andy Beamis
Alan Haufrect	...	Coach Roger Dunbar

Storyline

Classic tale of teenage rebellion and repression features a delightful combination of dance choreography and realistic and touching performances. When teenager Ren McCormack and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small Midwestern town, he's in for a real case of culture shock. Though he tries hard to fit in, the streetwise Ren can't quite believe he's living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal. However, there is one small pleasure: Ariel Moore, a troubled but lovely blonde with a jealous boyfriend. And a Bible-thumping minister, who is responsible for keeping the town dance-free. Ren and his classmates want to do away with this ordinance, especially since the senior prom is around the corner, but only Ren has the courage to initiate a battle to abolish the outmoded ban and revitalize the spirit of the repressed townspeople. Fast-paced drama is filled with such now-famous hit songs as the title track and "Let's Hear It for the Boy".

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Plot Keywords:

teenage rebellion | small town | high school dance | church | cowboy boots | 

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Taglines:

All he wanted to do was dance.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Footloose

Filming Locations:

American Fork Community Presbyterian Church - 75 North 100 East, American Fork, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,556,935, 19 February 1984

Gross USA:

$80,035,402

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, IndieProd Company Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kevin Bacon broke out in hives around his midsection when he had to film the City Council scene where he makes the case for holding a prom dance. The actor says he is uncomfortable when speaking in public, but has never had a reoccurrence of hives.

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Goofs

The second breakdancer's jacket is on/off between shots.

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Quotes

Reverend Shaw Moore: [discussing Ariel] We're losing her, Vi. Don't you see that?
Vi Moore: No. I see you chasing after her and I see her running from you.
Reverend Shaw Moore: She's become so willful, so obstinate.
Vi Moore: She's like her father. The two of you were so wonderful once. You had so much to talk about. I was almost jealous.
Reverend Shaw Moore: It's not as if we don't talk. It's just that sometimes people run out of things to say.
Vi Moore: Shaw, it's 20 years now I've been a minister's wife. And I've been quiet, supportive, unobtrusive and after 20 years I still think ...

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Alternate Versions

U.S. release was originally rated "R", but edited down to earn a "PG" rating instead. It was shorn of the male frontal nudity, and the phrase "go fuck yourself" was altered to "go flack yourself".

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Connections

Referenced in Alien Uprising (2012)

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Soundtracks

Dancing in the Sheets
Music by Bill Wolfer
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Performed by Shalamar

User Reviews

A Truly Magical Film.

Footloose is a brilliant film. Kevin Bacon gives as usual an amazing performance as he plays Ren MacCormack here. Other great performances come from Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Chris Penn and Sarah Jessica Parker. The music is really good and the dance sequences are amazing. Footloose is a must see and it deserves a 10/10