Rochelle learns about "The Outsiders"

     After the incredible success of teaching Rochelle about "Midnight Madness", it was time to teach her something new. I think a whole 6 people read my last the post including my mom. I'm about to be viral. Other people who read my blog(or claimed to) my high school doubles partner,  another huge 80's fan. Also made the girl next to me at work read it too. I think she liked since I haven't been reported to HR for anything. 

    

    Not too sure Rochelle read it.  I am still blocked from her phone. I saw her Saturday out. She smiled and ran the other direction. I think that's progress. Now the problem is what to teach her next, and more importantly how to find her. Topics I was considering teaching Rochelle: Reagan assassination attempt, New Coke, Max Headroom? But I stumbled on a classic movie with actors were just about to make it big. "The Outsiders".

     Here's the plot:  The rivalry between two gangs, the poor Greasers and the rich Socs, only heats up when one gang member kills a member of the other. Perfect. Makes sense. Now look who stars in it. The film is noted for its cast of up-and-coming stars, including C. Thomas Howell(who garnered a Young Artist Award), Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Ralph Macchio, and Diane Lane. The film helped spark the Brat Pack genre of the 1980s. 

    The problem how to find Rochelle. I not allowed to go to her apartment. Blocked from her phone. And she stopped going to the bars I frequent. I know she teaches in a town west of Fort Worth. I go there. She's a third grade teacher. One problem. I need to find her without arousing suspicion. I don't want to be banned from going to elementary schools. I have two nieces and a nephew. So I wait by her car after school. 3 hours later, I find out it's not her car. Oh well.

    "The Outsiders" is one of the more popular coming of age films of the 80's. The Godfather's Francis Ford Coppola directed it. Every teenage girl fell in love with Howell(Pony Boy) or Macchio(Johnny). In fact 80's legends Swayze, Cruise and Lowe were never mentioned in the reviews I heard from the girls at my school. Macchio moved on to become a Karate Kid. Howell became a Soul Man. Then both were never heard from again on Jan. 1, 1990.

     The book was written by S.E. Hinton. Dillon starred in two more of his novels. One before "Tex" and one after "Rumble Fish". The latter also directed by Coppola with Lane in both. Hinton's other 1980"s movie was "That was Then.. This is Now" which starred Emilo Estevez. I don't think I have met any one who has seen this film .

    Besides making teenage girls fall in love with Brat Pack, the movie has other lasting values: Drunk guys in the 80's screaming, "let's do it for Johnny!", calling your buddy Pony Boy when he bleached his hair blonde(happened to me), and the second best version of "Gloria" by Van Morrison(The Doors have the best). Also 1970's has been Leif Garrett plays the douche soc, who gets killed. This will be the last anyone hears of him until his VH1's Behind the Music in segment the 90's. Unless you want to count him dating Justine Bateman during her "Family Ties" run. 

    Other random facts:

Tom Cruise and Emilio Estevez were childhood friends. They came to the audition together.

Rob Lowe didn't see the film till 23 years later.

All the main actors are in their teens expect for Macchio 22 and Swayze 29.

This was Tom Cruise's only film of 1983, in which he did not have a starring role. The others are Risky Business (1983), Losin' It (1983) and All the Right Moves (1983). It was also his last supporting role in a film until Magnolia (1999).

    Great movie. Great 1980's deep dive. Go ahead watch it again. Unlike Rochelle, who still isn't talking to me. 

Showing Rochelle "Midnight Madness"

     Last year I thought I would start a blog about teaching my friend Rochelle the 80"s. Then life happened, and I never got around to doing it. I'm annoyed. People need to learn about the 80's. If I drop the ball, then Rochelle will never learn about the most awesome decade ever. So what should I start with? "Revenge of the Nerds", "Cheers" or anything Eddie Murphy. Good choices but I am going with a deep dive. The 1980 comedy "Midnight Madness" will be my first choice. 

   

     The city of Los Angeles is the game board as five teams of college students attempt to win "The Great All-Nighter," a dusk-to-dawn competition dreamed up by an eccentric graduate student, Leon. Now this might sound familiar since three months early the movie "Scavenger Hunt" came out. Same plot but the winning team wins $200 million dollar estate, Unfortunately it came on 12/21/1979. So it doesn't make my cut. "Midnight Madness" came out 02/08/1980.

    Since Rochelle hasn't returned my calls or texts for like six months. I take matters into my on hands. I just show up to her place unannounced with a "Midnight Madness" DVD. It is rude and creepy. But the 80"s must be taught. I knock on her door. 

     "Monty, what are doing here?

     I am hear to show you this 80's classic "Midnight Madness".

     "You seriously just showed up to my place. No call or anything?"

     Well, you don't return my texts or phone calls. 

     "I wonder why. I can't believe I'm your friend." Door slams in my face. 

    

    Hmm. Maybe I should have called first? That didn't go as planned. So I watched part of the movie again. Great 80's opening with hot girls in roller skates giving invitations to the game to the five teams. Here are the teams: The five teams, each designated by colors: white (nerds who hate green), green (meat machine who hate red), red (sorority sisters who hate green), yellow (good guys who play fair), and blue (cheaters who hate yellow).

    The yellow team is lead by David Naughton of the Dr Pepper commercial and "American Werewolf in London" fame. They are the good guys. The blue team is lead by the late Stephen Furst from Animal House. The bad guys. There's a computer in a van that's helps the blue team figure out the clues. I am calling bull shit on this super computer. No one had a decent computer in 1980, especially one in van. Cool vans in the 80's on had water beds. 

     Random facts about the movie:

Michael J. Fox's movie debut.

One of the members of the Blue Team, Andy Tennant, directed "Hitch".

Second Disney film to be rated PG.

Most the players wore converse shoes. 

The reason David Naughton didn't make big in the 80's is his wooden acting. But hey,  he was in a Skinemax movie with 1987 Playmate of the Year India Allen in the 90's.

David Naughton does drink Dr Pepper in the movie. 

Was an inspiration for 1997's "The Game".

The movie inspired copy cat games through out the nation. 

    Maybe next time Rochelle might watch the movie with, but she has blocked my number from her phone.