Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen Candles was the link movie connecting Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken and National Lampoon's Vacation.
Linked through Michael Schoeffling and Anthony Michael Hall.
Both Michael Schoeffling and Anthony Michael Hall appeared in Sixteen Candles.
About Sixteen Candles
"Turning sixteen isn't easy, when you've fallen in love... for the first time."
With the occasion all but overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding, angst-ridden Samantha faces her 16th birthday with typical adolescent dread. Samantha pines for studly older boy Jake, but worries that her chastity will be a turnoff for the popular senior. Meanwhile, she must constantly rebuff the affections of nerdy Ted, who is unfortunately the only boy in school who seems to take an interest in her.
Directed by John Hughes
Written by John Hughes
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Top cast
Behind the camera
Box office
Soundtrack
Score by Ira Newborn
The original soundtrack was issued as a specially priced mini-album containing only five songs, though the film actually featured over 30 songs. Pre-2003 home releases used a re-scored soundtrack due to rights issues; the 2003 DVD restored the original theatrical soundtrack, remixed in 5.1.
Movie trivia
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1
Sixteen Candles was John Hughes's directorial debut and the first in a string of films he would direct that centered on teenage life.
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2
After seeing Molly Ringwald's headshot Hughes pinned it over his desk and wrote the film just over a weekend with her specifically in mind for the lead.
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3
Ally Sheedy auditioned for the role of Samantha but was passed over; Hughes later called her to give her a role in The Breakfast Club.
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4
Hughes saw numerous actors for the role of Ted—including Jim Carrey, Jon Cryer, Keith Coogan, and Ralph Macchio—and cast Anthony Michael Hall because he played the part straight rather than as a stereotype.
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5
Principal photography began July 11, 1983, and the film was shot mainly in Chicago's North Shore suburbs such as Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park while leads Ringwald and Hall were 15 years old.
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6
The Motion Picture Association of America initially rated the film R, but Hughes successfully appealed to have Sixteen Candles released with a PG rating.
Themes
Videos
![The Making of Sixteen Candles' Shermer, Illinois | Bonus Feature Spotlight [Blu-ray/DVD]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/b6syo7lu0DQ/hqdefault.jpg)
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