Sixteen Candles (1984)

A girl's "sweet" sixteenth birthday becomes anything but special, as she suffers from every embarrassment possible.

Director:

John Hughes

Writer:

John Hughes

Stars:

Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Justin Henry

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Molly Ringwald	...	Samantha
Justin Henry	...	Mike Baker
Michael Schoeffling	...	Jake
Haviland Morris	...	Caroline
Gedde Watanabe	...	Long Duk Dong
Anthony Michael Hall	...	Geek
Paul Dooley	...	Jim Baker
Carlin Glynn	...	Brenda Baker
Blanche Baker	...	Ginny
Edward Andrews	...	Howard
Billie Bird	...	Dorothy
Carole Cook	...	Helen
Max Showalter	...	Fred
Liane Curtis	...	Randy
John Cusack	...	Bryce

Storyline

Samantha's life is going downhill fast. The sixteen-year-old has a crush on the most popular boy in school, and the geekiest boy in school has a crush on her. Her sister's getting married, and with all the excitement the rest of her family forgets her birthday! Add all this to a pair of horrendously embarrassing grandparents, a foreign exchange student named Long Duk Dong, and we have the makings of a hilarious journey into young womanhood.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | exchange student | dental braces | shower | high school dance | 

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Taglines:

Turning sixteen isn't easy, when you've fallen in love...for the first time.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Schoeffling was 23 years old when the movie was made, Haviland Morris was 24, Gedde Watanabe was 28, and Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall were both 16.

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Goofs

In the school auto shop when Farmer Ted tries to get into the car with Sam, he can't open the door because it is locked and Sam had to reach over to unlock the door for him. There is no door post for the lock to engage, so even if the door was locked, it would still swing freely.

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Quotes

Ginny: No, Sam, I think you're just being a little selfish... and immature.
Samantha: Oh, yes, that's it. That's *exactly* it.
[storms out]
Ginny: [to herself] Unbelievable. You make someone a bridesmaid and they shit all over you.

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Alternate Versions

VHS releases, cable TV broadcasts, and the initial DVD release change the majority of the soundtrack. The 2003 DVD and Blu-ray release restore the original theatrical soundtrack.

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Connections

References Young Frankenstein (1974)

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Soundtracks

Rebel Yell
Written by Billy Idol and Steve Stevens
Performed by Billy Idol
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records, Inc.

User Reviews

You own a church?

This movie is one of the most quotable I've ever seen. Everyone who has ever seen it knows this is true. Along with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "The Breakfast Club", this is the best of the John Hughes 1980's movies. The acting is perfection, down to the smallest parts, too. Standouts are Blanche Baker as the bride-to-be on too many painkillers, Justin Henry as the pain-in-the-neck little brother, Michael Schoeffling as hunk-deluxe Jake Ryan and last but never least, Anthony Michael Hall as Farmer Fred....I mean Ted.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 May 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sixteen Candles

Filming Locations:

1423 Sycamore Lane, Northbrook, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,461,520, 6 May 1984

Gross USA:

$23,686,027

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$23,686,027

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Channel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital (5.1) DTS (5.1)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1