John Hughes—What Was Your Favourite Film?

The legendary John Hughes, the director, producer and screenwriter of some of the most successful films of the 1980s and the 1990s. He firmly cemented his feet in Hollywood with the success of National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983, which John Hughes wrote. The film, a road trip comedy, starred Chevy Chase as Clark W Griswold. American John, was born in Lansing, Michigan, on February 18th, 1950. Sadly he died of a heart attack in New York on August 6th, 2009; he was only 59.

What a legacy of films he leaves us with; feel good comedies, to be enjoyed by future generations too. I believe his greatest films were made in the 1980s. Let's take a look at a selection of his hit 1980s films..

What a fantastic place to start with Mr. Mom, which was written by John Hughes in 1983. A fish out of water comedy, starring Michael Keaton as Jake Butler, who becomes a stay-at-home Dad to his three children while his wife returns to work. His wife, Caroline Butler, is played by Terri Garr. Jake very quickly discovers the duties of the home like washing, cooking, cleaning, land ooking after the children aren't as easy as he thought they would be! Jake really has no clue what he is doing! The adventures begin…

My personal favourite is Planes, Trains and Automobiles, directed, produced and written by Hughes. It was released in 1987. It stars Steve Martin and John Candy, who was close friends with Hughes. John Hughes wanted to do a film away from the teen comedy genre. This film, a comedy, follows two men with very different personalities as they encounter one disaster after another on their journey home for Thanksgiving. Steve Martin is Neal Page, a grumpy, non-talkative business man. Del Griffith (John Candy) is a shower ring curtain salesman, who is outgoing and chatty. Martin and Candy’s comedic chemistry on screen is hilarious! The film is always a joy to watch!

A very close second favourite is National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, a must-watch for me every Christmas! Chevy Chase is back in the role of Clark W Griswold in this 1989 Christmas comedy classic. Written and produced by John Hughes, it follows the Griswold’s family Christmas, but things don’t quite go as Clark planned! Exploding turkeys, kidnappings, a squirrel on the loose, Cousin Eddie emptying his camper van toilet into the drains! Yes all the fun you’d expect from the Griswolds! The Griswold house especially looks amazing, with the tonnes of Christmas lights on it!

A must-mention is Sixteen Candles which starred Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker, a girl who is soon approaching her sixteenth birthday, who is full of all the issues teenagers face. Samantha goes through every embarrassment, and she has the hots for an older man, but the school geek is after her! Directed and Written by Hughes, this 1984 film is a coming-of-age comedy and it was a huge hit. Aww teenage life before smartphones and the internet!

Some Kind of Wonderful must not be forgotten; it was written and produced by Hughes in 1987. It's romantic comedy drama starring Eric Stoltz. Keith Nelson (Eric Stoltz) wants to get a date with popular girl Amanda Jones, played by Lea Thompson with the help of Watts, his tomboy best friend (Mary Stuart Masterson). But Watts realises she likes Keith more than just as a friend, so she tries to stop his pursuit of Amanda! Then there's 1986's Pretty in Pink, which was written and produced by Hughes. A cult classic, romantic comedy showing the cliques of American high schools in the 80s. Molly Ringwald is Andie, an outcast at school, who is asked out by rich, popular kid Blane (Andrew McCarthy). Andie finds it difficult dating a boy from a different social standing. A great film, which often gets forgotten about.

Oh yes.. Weird Science, the awesome film sees Gary and Wyatt, two teen misfits, who design their ideal woman on their computer and they accidentally bring her to life. Superhuman Lisa (Kelly Le Brock) soon sets about sorting out these teenagers lives!

A 1985 film directed and written by Hughes, the smash hit Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, the Matthew Broderick classic was released in 1986, John Hughes directed, produced and wrote the film. Ferris has a plan to cut class from school for the day and live it up large in the streets of Chicago, taking his best friend Cameron and Sloane, his girlfriend, with him. The plan gets put into action, the fun begins... But the headmaster is hot on their tail! Its a laugh a minute film!

Who doesn't love The Breakfast Club?! Released in 1985, written, directed and produced by Hughes. Five High School students are attending Saturday detention. Each student shares their story, making them see each other in another light. 1980s favourite Molly Ringwald is cast again, and she is incredible, as always.

Uncle Buck a film you can watch again and again. The 1989 classic starred John Hughes’s good friend John Candy in the lead role, and it's a breakthrough role for former child star Macaulay Culkin too, as Uncle Buck's nephew, Miles. John Hughes directed, wrote and produced this comedy of the lovable Uncle Buck, who looks after his two nieces and nephew when his sister-in-law’s father has a heart attack. Uncle Buck, who has spent most his life a drinking, betting, and smoking as a bachelor, looks after the children the only way he knows how! Which really is Uncle Buck style!

John Hughes, Legendary Film Maker. 1950–2009. Which film is your favourite? I know it is hard to choose!