In Memoriam: John Hughes
by habituallychic
08 . 06 . 09
When I heard that the director John Hughes had died today, I felt like a part of my youth died with him. I grew up watching his movies and could completely identify with all of his characters and their teenage angst. How many of us dreamed of finding our own Jake Ryan after seeing Sixteen Candles? I don’t know if any director will ever be able to fill his shoes but I do know that I will be watching his movies this weekend as a tribute. Rest in peace John.
If you were here
I could deceive you
and if you were here
you would believe
but would you suspect
my emotion wandering yeah
do not want a part of this anymore.
The rain water drips
through a crack in the ceiling
and I’ll have to spend
my time on repair
but just like the rain
I’ll be always falling, yeah
only to ride and fall again.
If you were here
I could deceive you
and if you were here
you would believe
but would you suspect
my emotion wandering, yeah
do not want to be a part of this anymore…
19 Comments
You summed it up perfectly. Yep, the teenage years were all about his movies.
Oh a rash of unexpected news this end of the week. I just watched 16 candles last weekend, they were playing it on the movie channel.
Touche, what a loss.
L
Great movie, gotta love John Hughes!
Ooooh, I just go the shivers! That song! When she sees him at the church–my most favorite movie scene EVER (and if that means that my emotional growth stopped at age 13, then so be it).
Thank you, John Hughes.
I have red hair so when Molly Ringwald got Jake Ryan I started to think well if he likes one red head he could like me… so I started looking for red porsches, convinced he would see me and immediately stop the car, get out and stand there waiting for ME. I wanted to be the tall beautifully dressed lawyer with the great apartment in Curly Sue. I actually bought a cartier watch like the one worn in Ferris Bueller. He really was the voice of my youth. He will be sorely missed. MB
A little piece of my youth died today. John Hughes shaped who I became as a young man – almost as much as my own parents did… he will be missed.
I loved that you put the lyrics to ‘If you were here’. Love, love, love that song (& scene). Have you heard the version by Cary Brothers? It’s amazing.
Thanks Heather!
That’s so sad, I adored his movies.
xx
His work marked my coming of age as well. Far too young to go, I say.
i have never seen that move but it sounds like a very romantic movie, like something that will make an impact. real impact…
i actually cried this morning watching clips of his movies. if you are of a certain age, there is no way those movies couldn’t have had a tremendous impact on your formative years.
16 candles, was, and always will be, one of my favorite movies of all time- hysterically funny, poignant and a tear inducing fairy tale romance ending. and oh, that jake ryan…
I am devistated! John Hughes not only got me through my teen years but has provided me with an endless source of quotes/entertainment well into my adulthood. I hope that future generations appreciate his movies as much as we did! Thank you JH!
I never dreamed of finding my own Jake Ryan. But I did dream of finding my own Farmer Ted. My boyfriend is somehow a mix of the two. RIP John Hughes.
You’ve hit the nail on the head. I didn’t even know him but his passing is a reminder of just how old those movies are and how we are all growing old too. So sad.
R.I.P. John!! great post H.C.!
RIP Mr. Hughes, he literally shaped my youth! Oh Jake…where are now?
RIP John Hughes. I loved loved loved Breakfast Club as well. He precisely hit the nail on the head over & over in his work.
I recently had a conversation with someone who said the actor who played Jake Ryan is no longer acting and is DESIGNING furniture….anyone know anything about this? Could his furniture be as hot as he was in that movie? This is something I must know!
For years, I’ve been convinced that the reason the name “Jake/Jacob” replaced “michael” as the #1 baby name around 1999/2000 is that women of my generation grew up watching (and loving) “Jake” from Pretty in Pink. Subconciously, they began to really like that name. When they started having babies in their mid 20’s, they said “How about the name Jake?” Of course, husbands agreed–it is a manly name.
That’s just my theory: All the 7-12 year old Jakes running around got their name because of a John Hughes movie from the 80’s.
A client of mine once told me that “Sixteen Candles” is her favorite movie. What she didn’t know is that Carole Cook (Grandmother Helen) is my aunt. When Carole was in Texas a couple of Christmases ago, I arranged with my client’s husband for us to be in their home when his wife returned from shopping. As she walked in the door, Carole emerged from the powder room and, walking over to her said “Oh, Fred, she’s gotten her boobies”. I could not have anticipated the reaction. My client became hysterical and screamed uncontrollably. Then she cried. Then she screamed some more. We were all a bit taken aback. Carole says she is forever amazed at the impact that movie had and continues to have.
Alice Olive – so much better than today’s teenage movies!
La Maison Frou – I think I need to buy it and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The Breakfast Club was good but hard to watch over and over.
The Consummate Hostess – so sad he’s gone now!
SGM- I am a sucker for a happy ending and that was the best happy ending EVER!
Mary Beth – if there were any red Porches in my small hometown, I would have probably looked for him too! Cute story!
David – I saw that version when I was looking for the lyrics. I will have to check it out!
Dustjacket Attic – soooo sad! I practically cried!
Blushing Hostess – way too young but at least we have his movies to remember him by!
Electric Geisha – you must watch it!
Maison 21 – i think they gave everyone hope and also let you know you weren’t alone in feeling out of sorts growing up.
Eclectic – I forgot to mention the quotes! My family still pronounces married like Long Duck Dong whenever anyone says it!
Joanna – you got very lucky then!
Mrs. Limestone – we all felt like we knew him. So sad!
Ivy Lane – thanks.
Dana and Anonymous – I did hear that the actor who played Jack is designing/making furniture. That makes my fantasy about marrying Jake even more funny since I am now an interior designer! We’ll have to google him and see what we can find out!
Beth – I agree! I love that name!
Mark – that is the best story I have ever heard! Your aunt is an icon! Love it! Lucky you! I love the scene where she has the cigerette and she’s trying to open the donuts! Cracks me up every time!