"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - Intro

Written by: Josh Lansky

"TCM's Big Screen Classic Movies Series"

Intro:

Hi there, I’m Ben Mankiewicz. On behalf of TCM, Fathom Events, and Twentieth Century Fox, welcome to the first of the “TCM Big Screen Classic Movies Series” of 2019. We continue next with one of the all-time-great wise guy comedies. From Paramount Pictures in 1986, it’s the cult-classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Ferris Bueller, the story of the handsome and charming northshore teen (played by Mathew Broderick) who has the uncanny ability to get away with…well, just about whatever he wants. Through cunning ploys and successful cons, Ferris outsmarts his parents and plays hookie for the day in the streets of downtown Chicago. Accompanying him are best friend Camron Frye (played by Alan Ruck) and long-time girlfriend Sloane Peterson, played by the beautiful Mia Sara. Making a cameo in the film, a young Charlie Sheen, playing the drugged-out, punk-rocker in the police station. In preparation for his role, Sheen abstained from sleep for more than forty-eight hours to get the red eyed, drugged out, effect necessary for his character in the film. Sheen was recommended by Jennifer Grey who plays Feris’s sister. Grey and Sheen met on the set of “Red Dawn” during its production in 1984. Director, Producer, and Writer of the film, John Hughes, over the course of his career, helped to establish a new perspective in the world of film. The perspective of the teen. Hughes helped to pioneer what became a new genre all together, the Modern Teen Movie. With titles like “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Pretty in Pink” John Hughes established himself, as one critic called him, “The Philosopher of Adolescence.” From director John Hughes featuring Mathew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and Mia Sara, with a special cameo from Charlie Sheen, here’s “Ferris Buller’s Day off.”

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"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - Outro

Written by: Josh Lansky

"TCM's Big Screen Classic Movies Series"

Outro:

When “Ferris Buller’s Day Off” was released in 1986 the film was met with mixed reviews from critics. Well, mixed reviews or not the film did enjoy moderate success at the box office, ranking as the tenth highest grossing film of 1986. But it wasn’t till leaving the theater that “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” began to be seen as the well renowned film it is seen as today. The legacy and allure of the film steadily strengthened and was established as a cult classic, emblematic of American Cinema in the 1980s. Audiences of all ages connect with the innocence and joy the film conveys. References to the film have permeated pop-culture over the course of multiple decades, in her 1990 commencement address at Wellesley College, First Lady Barbara Bush quoted the film in saying “Life moves Pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around you could miss it.” Despite earning no major awards at the time of its release in 1986 “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” has now established itself as one of the pillars of American Cinema from the 1980s. As is reflected, when in 2014, it was selected to be preserved in the national film registry after being deemed “Culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” We hope you enjoyed this special screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Next month, the ‘TCM Big Screen Classics Series’ dips into the world of noir, with the 75th anniversary screening of “The Maltese Falcon,” starring Humphrey Bogart, who also wasn’t the first choice to play the part. To find out more about the ‘TCM Big Screen Classics Series’ go to fathomevents.com. For ‘Turner Classic Movies,’ ‘Fathom Events,’ and ‘Twentieth Century Fox Films,’ I’m Ben Mankiewicz. Thank you for coming and we’ll see you next time.