John Hughes (1950-2009)

“Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

John Hughes (6th August, 2009)

Like many of you I’m sure, I was shocked by the death of John Hughes today. I was on set when I discovered and it floored me for the rest of the day.

Like many of you too, I grew up on his movies. I distinctly remember seeing THE BREAKFAST CLUB on BBC2 when it was first screened and it blowing my mind.

I also snuck into the 15 rated FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF at Wells Regal when I was merely 13. I am pretty sure Ferris would have done the same thing.

With these two films and many, many others including PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, PRETTY IN PINK and NATIONAL LAMPOONS VACATION, he was one of the most influential writer directors of the last thirty years.

Many would agree on the resonance of his writing, his characters, his dialogue and his pop sensibilities.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize what a huge debt I (and many others) owe to Mister Hughes as a visual innovator. He didn’t just write great comedy, he directed great comedies. And with style to burn.

FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF is not just some 80’s time capsule, it is one of the best directed comedies of all time.

It is difficult to measure the impact of the man’s work on film and television. I can safely say Spaced would probably look a little different if it wasn’t for him. I am sure I would not be the same director without him.

As a young film fan, John Hughes was one of the first auteurs of whom I was aware. He meant just as much to me growing up as John Landis or John Carpenter.

John Hughes (6th August, 2009)

It’s not for nothing that the night before I started shooting this film, I sat down with Michael Bacall and Michael Cera to watch FERRIS BUELLER one more time.

So long Mister Hughes. It was a pleasure knowing you.

John Hughes (6th August, 2009)

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  • angle

    Rest in Peace Mr Hughes, you made life more Beautiful

  • Rest in Peace Mr Hughes, you made life more Beautiful

  • NotMary

    Thanks for this lovely tribute.

    I’m totally stunned about this.

    Before I saw “Breakfast Club,” I was a fan of films. But like you pointed out, John Hughes made me a fan of directors. I remember his work as if it were a piece of my life. I’d never seen teen films so accurate before, my life was reflected on the screen, with a hopeful outcome. The movies were so poignant yet hilarious, almost absurdist at times. They were real, but a little bit better.

    I wanted so badly to grow up in his character’s tree-lined neighborhoods. I wanted to be miles away from the desert, living in a magical place in which in the outcasts are witty, and they always win the day, all set against a killer soundtrack.

    After I lived in Chicago for about a year or two in my twenties, a new boyfriend said, “Do you want to see the high school where ‘Breakfast Club’ was filmed?” I stared at him in disbelief.

    I’d accidentally moved a few miles from the neighborhoods I’d idealized. It dawned on me I am now living my pre-teen dream, quite accidentally. And his life keeps dovetailing with mine in weird ways. I just learned I currently work for the same company - in the same office building - Hughes did before he went into film. But I guess that’s not unusual because his footprints are all over this city. I love to fall in love with this place the same ways he did.

    Here in Chicago, everyone’s a little stunned. We’ve been missing him long before he died. I think we were all waiting, hoping for his comeback.

    It seems as if my childhood became very mortal recently.

    I’m so happy you’re blazing new trails with the torch that’s been passed down. I think Mr. Hughes would have been very proud to know that. Keep up the excellent work.

    (P.S. You should schedule a visit out here in the summertime. Each year, “Ferris Bueller” is played outdoors in a park somewhere in the city. To watch it in Chicago and walk home through its landmarks - trust me. It makes you grin so hard your face hurts. )

  • NotMary

    Thanks for this lovely tribute.

    I’m totally stunned about this.

    Before I saw “Breakfast Club,” I was a fan of films. But like you pointed out, John Hughes made me a fan of directors. I remember his work as if it were a piece of my life. I’d never seen teen films so accurate before, my life was reflected on the screen, with a hopeful outcome. The movies were so poignant yet hilarious, almost absurdist at times. They were real, but a little bit better.

    I wanted so badly to grow up in his character’s tree-lined neighborhoods. I wanted to be miles away from the desert, living in a magical place in which in the outcasts are witty, and they always win the day, all set against a killer soundtrack.

    After I lived in Chicago for about a year or two in my twenties, a new boyfriend said, “Do you want to see the high school where ‘Breakfast Club’ was filmed?” I stared at him in disbelief.

    I’d accidentally moved a few miles from the neighborhoods I’d idealized. It dawned on me I am now living my pre-teen dream, quite accidentally. And his life keeps dovetailing with mine in weird ways. I just learned I currently work for the same company - in the same office building - Hughes did before he went into film. But I guess that’s not unusual because his footprints are all over this city. I love to fall in love with this place the same ways he did.

    Here in Chicago, everyone’s a little stunned. We’ve been missing him long before he died. I think we were all waiting, hoping for his comeback.

    It seems as if my childhood became very mortal recently.

    I’m so happy you’re blazing new trails with the torch that’s been passed down. I think Mr. Hughes would have been very proud to know that. Keep up the excellent work.

    (P.S. You should schedule a visit out here in the summertime. Each year, “Ferris Bueller” is played outdoors in a park somewhere in the city. To watch it in Chicago and walk home through its landmarks - trust me. It makes you grin so hard your face hurts. )

  • dolfyn

    Thanks for that heartfelt tribute, Edgar.
    I was really sad to hear the news yesterday. He truly was the defining writer/director of Generation X. My friends & I were quoting lines from “Ferris” & “Uncle Buck” all afternoon online. I’m going to watch a couple of his movies in tribute this weekend.
    RIP Mr Hughes. You’ll be missed, but your legacy will always live on in our hearts & on our screens.

    Feel the love.
    dolfyn.
    🙁

  • dolfyn

    Thanks for that heartfelt tribute, Edgar.
    I was really sad to hear the news yesterday. He truly was the defining writer/director of Generation X. My friends & I were quoting lines from “Ferris” & “Uncle Buck” all afternoon online. I’m going to watch a couple of his movies in tribute this weekend.
    RIP Mr Hughes. You’ll be missed, but your legacy will always live on in our hearts & on our screens.

    Feel the love.
    dolfyn.
    🙁

  • sarah XD

    this is sad this just destroyed my high from the new video blog

  • sarah XD

    this is sad this just destroyed my high from the new video blog

  • Slick

    As always Edgar, you are absolute class. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, influential man. I wasn’t terribly surprised to see just about everyone I know on Twitter and Facebook offering up their own tributes to the man. He was truly one of a kind.

    That last pic brought tears to my eyes.

  • Sarah5636

    Your blog was the first i heard of this news this morning (until i turned on the news that is). I couldn’t believe it, i was pretty obsessed with John Hughes movies growing up, i can still vividly remember watching Ferris Buellers Day Off for the first time & it blowing my mind. It doesn’t matter how many times i watch his films they never fail to make me laugh or cry & always at all the same moments in the movie. This is a lovely tribute Ed, that photo with the lights is awesome 🙂 RIP John Hughes

  • Anonymous

    Your blog was the first i heard of this news this morning (until i turned on the news that is). I couldn’t believe it, i was pretty obsessed with John Hughes movies growing up, i can still vividly remember watching Ferris Buellers Day Off for the first time & it blowing my mind. It doesn’t matter how many times i watch his films they never fail to make me laugh or cry & always at all the same moments in the movie. This is a lovely tribute Ed, that photo with the lights is awesome 🙂 RIP John Hughes

  • Sostie

    Nice piece Edgar.

    I’ll admit Hughes death has hit a lot harder than I ever could have imagined. But when I think about it, along with John Carpenter, he made me really fall in love with film. But more than that, he shaped me.

    I admit I first went to see Breakfast Club mainly because I had fallen in love with Molly Ringwald after seeing Spacehunter. What I got was a teen film that despite being set across the pond, meant something to me. Before that all we really had were Lemon Popsicle films (funnily enough I saw my first Hughes film, Savage Islands, on a double-bill with a Pospicle film). I loved it so much I skipped exam revision to see it again the next day (I failed the exam).

    After that it was off to see Weird Science, Ferris, Pretty in Pink on the day of release in the West End, and saving up for all his videos when released on rental (not cheap back then). He gave me everything a teen wanted, but never really got in films - laughs, excitement, romance, but most of all, he understood and respected his audience.

    Hughes may not have done much in last few years, but that doesn’t matter. It’s what he did. Should a 40 year old be so upset by the loss. Well without Hughes this 40 year old would not have the record collection he has or listen to the music he does. This 40 year old would not have become addicted to going to the cinema. This 40 year old would not be at a computer writing on a blog.

    Whether good or bad, John Hughes played a big part in making me who I am.

    RIP John.

  • Sostie

    Nice piece Edgar.

    I’ll admit Hughes death has hit a lot harder than I ever could have imagined. But when I think about it, along with John Carpenter, he made me really fall in love with film. But more than that, he shaped me.

    I admit I first went to see Breakfast Club mainly because I had fallen in love with Molly Ringwald after seeing Spacehunter. What I got was a teen film that despite being set across the pond, meant something to me. Before that all we really had were Lemon Popsicle films (funnily enough I saw my first Hughes film, Savage Islands, on a double-bill with a Pospicle film). I loved it so much I skipped exam revision to see it again the next day (I failed the exam).

    After that it was off to see Weird Science, Ferris, Pretty in Pink on the day of release in the West End, and saving up for all his videos when released on rental (not cheap back then). He gave me everything a teen wanted, but never really got in films - laughs, excitement, romance, but most of all, he understood and respected his audience.

    Hughes may not have done much in last few years, but that doesn’t matter. It’s what he did. Should a 40 year old be so upset by the loss. Well without Hughes this 40 year old would not have the record collection he has or listen to the music he does. This 40 year old would not have become addicted to going to the cinema. This 40 year old would not be at a computer writing on a blog.

    Whether good or bad, John Hughes played a big part in making me who I am.

    RIP John.

  • Will Downie

    I saw that BBC2 screening of The Breakfast Club too and was high off it for days. I’ve still got the off air VHS of it in my wardrobe! Can’t imagine growing up in the 80’s without his movies. John Hughes R.I.P.

  • Will Downie

    I saw that BBC2 screening of The Breakfast Club too and was high off it for days. I’ve still got the off air VHS of it in my wardrobe! Can’t imagine growing up in the 80’s without his movies. John Hughes R.I.P.

  • Juan Zombie

    I fell in love with Chicago thanks to Mr Hughes’ movies. He gave it a feel that made you want to be there on a day off. His talent will be missed.

  • Juan Zombie

    I fell in love with Chicago thanks to Mr Hughes’ movies. He gave it a feel that made you want to be there on a day off. His talent will be missed.

  • Weird Science was the one for me. I’m sure we could all quote his stuff extensively - there’s not much bigger mark of respect for a film-maker than that. Shows the work has been fully absorbed.

  • Weird Science was the one for me. I’m sure we could all quote his stuff extensively - there’s not much bigger mark of respect for a film-maker than that. Shows the work has been fully absorbed.

  • Ferris Bueller is one of my favorite movies. It’s funny, because it has a lot going against it-a seemingly amoral protagonist who undergoes no change and at first seems to treat his friends as playthings, no real conflict to speak of for Ferris…and yet somehow, John Hughes made that movie WORK. He helped Broderick make Ferris likeable. And he made so many more wonderful films, probably having the greatest track record in a single decade of any one director.

    RIP, Mr. Hughes.

  • Ferris Bueller is one of my favorite movies. It’s funny, because it has a lot going against it-a seemingly amoral protagonist who undergoes no change and at first seems to treat his friends as playthings, no real conflict to speak of for Ferris…and yet somehow, John Hughes made that movie WORK. He helped Broderick make Ferris likeable. And he made so many more wonderful films, probably having the greatest track record in a single decade of any one director.

    RIP, Mr. Hughes.

  • Slick

    As always Edgar, you are absolute class. What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful, influential man. I wasn’t terribly surprised to see just about everyone I know on Twitter and Facebook offering up their own tributes to the man. He was truly one of a kind.

    That last pic brought tears to my eyes.

  • Amber BG

    So Sad. 🙁 Some of my favourite movies are his movies. He will be truly missed

  • AmberGrindstaff

    So Sad. 🙁 Some of my favourite movies are his movies. He will be truly missed

  • pieface

    I know you don’t usually like linkage Edgar, but this John Hughes montage is pretty good…

  • pieface

    I know you don’t usually like linkage Edgar, but this John Hughes montage is pretty good…

  • SarahAC
  • Anonymous
  • Adam S Leslie

    It’s crushing.

  • Adam S Leslie

    It’s crushing.

  • pieface

    very sad and sudden news. had been waiting for your tribute.

    as well as the universally loved greats I had a fondness for Curly Sue, but of course being a child of the 70’s/80’s Ferris Bueller (and the Breakfast Club) is burnt into my retinas.

    ‘Ooh yeah. Something beautiful’

  • pieface

    very sad and sudden news. had been waiting for your tribute.

    as well as the universally loved greats I had a fondness for Curly Sue, but of course being a child of the 70’s/80’s Ferris Bueller (and the Breakfast Club) is burnt into my retinas.

    ‘Ooh yeah. Something beautiful’

  • Red

    That’s a beautiful tribute. I can only imagine the number of people that he influenced with his movies.

  • Red

    That’s a beautiful tribute. I can only imagine the number of people that he influenced with his movies.

  • wendy

    So sickening sad ..seriously I don’t usually cry for people I don’t know. He was amazing and his work will stand on it’s own feet forever!

  • wendy

    So sickening sad ..seriously I don’t usually cry for people I don’t know. He was amazing and his work will stand on it’s own feet forever!

  • Aang

    John Hughes was a big influence in my childhood. His films made me laugh soo hard, I never got tired of watching them. God Bless John Hughes, and may he rest in peace.

  • Aang

    John Hughes was a big influence in my childhood. His films made me laugh soo hard, I never got tired of watching them. God Bless John Hughes, and may he rest in peace.

  • Alison

    Well put. I’m so sad, too. Watched “Sixteen Candles” with my girlfriends tonight in tribute.

  • Alison

    Well put. I’m so sad, too. Watched “Sixteen Candles” with my girlfriends tonight in tribute.

  • KINGJONG

    Completely speechless and devastated.

  • KINGJONG

    Completely speechless and devastated.

  • That was my moment of silence and now all I can say is that I feel like a part of me left the earth today. What a amazing life he lived and he will never be forgotten.

  • That was my moment of silence and now all I can say is that I feel like a part of me left the earth today. What a amazing life he lived and he will never be forgotten.

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  • I love his film “Some Kind Of Wonderful” too.
    (Its movie is very popular among movie bums in Japan.)
    R.I.P…

    • Nic

      Better than Pretty In Pink. FACT. *hi-fives Rintaro*

  • I love his film “Some Kind Of Wonderful” too.
    (Its movie is very popular among movie bums in Japan.)
    R.I.P…

    • Nic

      Better than Pretty In Pink. FACT. *hi-fives Rintaro*

  • Tyler Ragan

    I just finally caught news of this a half hour ago. I too was floored.

    His legacy will never die, but he will be greatly missed.

  • Tyler Ragan

    I just finally caught news of this a half hour ago. I too was floored.

    His legacy will never die, but he will be greatly missed.

  • Josh H.

    I think people forget just how many amazing films he was attached to. Thanks for reminding them.

  • Josh H.

    I think people forget just how many amazing films he was attached to. Thanks for reminding them.

  • SarahAC

    Nicely said Edgar. 🙁

  • Anonymous

    Nicely said Edgar. 🙁

  • Jessica

    Nice tribute you did with the lights there, Edgar.

    I, too was shocked when I heard this news much like most people I imagine were. I’ve seen most of his movies & Ferris Bueller, Sixteen Candles, and the first 2 Home Alone movies were definitely some of my most favorite of films of his among a few others.

    This year for celebrity deaths is turning out to be a huge bummer. 🙁

    But, may John R.I.P. He’ll be missed & his films will live on forever.

  • Jessica

    Nice tribute you did with the lights there, Edgar.

    I, too was shocked when I heard this news much like most people I imagine were. I’ve seen most of his movies & Ferris Bueller, Sixteen Candles, and the first 2 Home Alone movies were definitely some of my most favorite of films of his among a few others.

    This year for celebrity deaths is turning out to be a huge bummer. 🙁

    But, may John R.I.P. He’ll be missed & his films will live on forever.

  • orangebandage

    Almost every day i reference on of his films, namely Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He would be proud to know that he influenced you.

  • orangebandage

    Almost every day i reference on of his films, namely Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He would be proud to know that he influenced you.