Maddie James
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles is a comedy-romance that follows Samantha, played by Molly Ringwald, as she navigates the trials and tribulations of high school and approaches her 16th birthday, which her family forgets. The film is John Hughes' directorial debut and is considered a classic '80s film, with a mix of playful comedy, relatable social dynamics, and '80s style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1984 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Director | John Hughes |
| Writers | John Hughes |
| Stars | Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall |
| Rating | PG |
| Runtime | 1 hour 33 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
The film's 1984 release
The 1984 release of the film "16 Candles" is a significant milestone in the history of coming-of-age teen comedy films. Written and directed by John Hughes, it marked his directorial debut and the first of several films he would direct that centred on teenage life. The film was released in theatres in the United States on May 4, 1984, by Universal Pictures, with whom Hughes had signed a three-picture deal.
"16 Candles" tells the story of Samantha "Sam" Baker, a newly 16-year-old high school sophomore who deals with a seemingly unrequited crush on senior Jake Ryan while also being pursued by freshman Ted "The Geek" Farmer. The film explores the trials and tribulations of teenage life, with themes of romance, friendship, and self-discovery.
The film's cast included Molly Ringwald as Samantha, Michael Schoeffling as Jake, and Anthony Michael Hall as Ted. Ringwald and Hall were only 15 years old during filming, which took place primarily in the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois, during the summer of 1983. The film's exterior and some interior scenes were shot at Niles East High School in Skokie, with additional filming at Niles North High School and locations in Evanston, Glencoe, and Highland Park.
"16 Candles" received a PG rating from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) after Hughes successfully lobbied for a downgrade from the initial R rating. The film was a commercial success, grossing $4,461,520 in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, ranking second. The film has since become a cult classic, with many considering it one of Hughes's best works. It is often remembered for its portrayal of 1980s culture and fashion and its impact on teenage comedy films.
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John Hughes' directorial debut
Hughes began development on Sixteen Candles in 1982, and the film was shot in the summer of 1983. It was initially intended as a low-budget production, but after the success of Hughes' screenplay for National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), he attracted more interest in his work. Hughes signed a three-picture deal with Universal Pictures, allowing him to choose the cast and begin filming in July 1983.
The film was shot primarily in the Chicago North Shore suburban communities of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois. Most of the exterior scenes and some interior scenes were filmed at Niles East High School in Skokie, while other scenes were shot at Niles North High School and locations in Glencoe. The Baker house, where the main character lives, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston.
Sixteen Candles was Hughes' first film as a director, but he had previously written for stand-up comedians and worked on National Lampoon magazine. The film is considered a classic coming-of-age story and helped launch the careers of its young stars, including Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. It grossed $4,461,520 in its opening weekend and has since had multiple DVD and Blu-ray releases, including a 35th-anniversary edition in 2019.
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The cast's young ages
The coming-of-age comedy film *Sixteen Candles* was released in 1984 and centred on the life of a high school sophomore, Samantha, played by Molly Ringwald. The film also starred Michael Schoeffling as Jake Ryan, the boy she admires from afar, and Anthony Michael Hall as her geekier suitor, Ted. The story follows Samantha's disappointment when her family forgets her sixteenth birthday as they prepare for her older sister's wedding. It was written and directed by John Hughes, who was known for his teen comedy films of the 1980s, including *The Breakfast Club* and *Pretty in Pink*.
The cast of *Sixteen Candles* was made up of young actors, with Ringwald herself only 16 years old when the film was shot in 1983 (she turned 17 before its release the following year). Ringwald had already appeared in several films, including *Tempest*, *The Facts of Life*, and *Packin' It In*, but *Sixteen Candles* was her first leading role and the one that would come to define her career. Her co-star, Michael Schoeffling, was 23 years old at the time of filming, playing the older and more popular character of Jake Ryan. Schoeffling had previously worked as a model and a carpenter before landing the role, which was only his second film appearance.
Anthony Michael Hall, who played Ted, the awkward but lovable geek pursuing Samantha, was also 16 years old when the film was shot. Hall had already gained recognition for his role as Rusty Griswold in *National Lampoon's Vacation* in 1983 and would go on to star in several other John Hughes films, including *The Breakfast Club*. Hall's character in *Sixteen Candles* is a classic example of the type of roles he played in the 1980s, often portraying the quirky, eccentric, and underrated teen. Hall's real-life younger sister, Mary Stuart Masterson, also appeared in the film as Samantha's younger sister, Lucy.
The rest of the cast was made up of other young actors, many of whom were in their early twenties but played high school students. For example, Gedde Watanabe played Long Duk Dong, a foreign exchange student, and his character's over-the-top party antics became some of the film's most memorable scenes. Watanabe was 24 when he filmed *Sixteen Candles*, and this was his film debut. Similarly, Paul Dooley, who played Samantha's father, was 46 years old at the time, though his character was meant to be the father of high school-aged children.
The young cast of *Sixteen Candles* would go on to have varied careers, with some, like Ringwald and Hall, becoming defining stars of 1980s teen films. The film's success also led to a wave of similar coming-of-age comedies, and it is now considered a classic of the genre.
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The film's rating
The film "Sixteen Candles" was released in 1984 and received a PG rating. However, some viewers have expressed surprise at this rating, given the film's inclusion of swearing and nudity. The film has been described as "racy" and "drunken", with one review noting that it contains both sharply observed moments and painful stereotypes, including the racist portrayal of a Chinese exchange student, the movie's only non-White character. Another review states that women are treated terribly in the film, with male characters talking about women's bodies and aggressively hitting on them. There is also a side plot involving the sexual assault of a drunk girl, which is played for laughs. Despite these concerns, "Sixteen Candles" is considered a classic 1980s comedy, with a simple yet effective story and likeable performances, particularly from Molly Ringwald. It is noted for its funny and sweet portrayal of the awkwardness of adolescence.
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The song of the same name
"Sixteen Candles" is a song by the Crests, written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent and released in 1958. The song is a classic example of a doo-wop tune, with a catchy melody and harmonious vocals.
The lyrics of "Sixteen Candles" tell a sweet story of young love. They centre around a boy who is deeply in love with his "teenage queen" on her 16th birthday. He hopes that her love for him burns as bright as the sixteen candles on her birthday cake, as reflected in the opening lines: "Happy birthday, happy birthday, baby / Oh, I love you so / 16 candles / Make a lovely light / But not as bright / As your eyes tonight". The song continues with the boy pleading for his love to be reciprocated: "Blow out the candles / Make your wish come true / But make your wish on me, dear / That's all I ask of you".
The song was a commercial success, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #4 on the US R&B chart for 21 weeks in 1959. It has since become a enduring favourite, appearing on numerous compilation albums and being covered by various artists, including the Jackson 5, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Sha Na Na.
The song gained a new lease of life when it was featured in the 1984 coming-of-age film "Sixteen Candles", directed by John Hughes and starring Molly Ringwald. The movie also helped to introduce the song to a new generation, with the Stray Cats performing it on the film's soundtrack. The song's themes of young love and birthday celebrations perfectly captured the film's tone and storyline.
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Frequently asked questions
1984.
John Hughes.
Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall.
