# John Hughes has died. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 6, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572 "2009-08-06T21:01:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/21 "2009-08-06T23:30:03Z")
I came in on the tail end of Gen X (or the beginning of Gen Y, depending on one’s view - born Jan. ‘79). I didn’t see most of John Hughes’ movies in the theaters, but I love most of them; I’ll watch \*The Breakfast Club \*and _Ferris Bueller’s Day Off_ whenever they’re on. That, and it’s generally too bad when a person dies at such a young age. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/22 "2009-08-06T23:58:38Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I didn’t realize how small his body of work as a director actually is: > > Curly Sue (1991) > Uncle Buck (1989) > She’s Having a Baby (1988) > Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) > Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) > Weird Science (1985) > The Breakfast Club (1985) > Sixteen Candles (1984) Not a Hughes film fan (I’ve only seen parts of _Ferris Bueller_), but to have a body of work like this, and every one of them were “on the radar,” I’d say that was a pretty damn good body of work. R.I.P., John. ---
**Author:** ![i\_am\_a\_scientist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f07891/32.png) [@i\_am\_a\_scientist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/i_am_a_scientist)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/23 "2009-08-06T23:58:55Z")
> [@The New and Improved Superman](#): > > [Variety](http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006975.html?categoryId=13&cs=1?ref=sharethis) has this to say: > > Not to disparage the guy, but I think it’s a little odd to label his films “culturally significant.” It just seems a strange thing to say about such a populist artist. When I think of _Pretty In PInk_, I think “teen film”, “goofball teen comedy”, or even “80s pop culture landmark” but…“culturally significant”? Speaking as a 34 year old white guy I can tell you that Hughes’ movies were of monumental cultural significance…to people just like me… I am certain that there is a small but significant number of middle-class Caucasians born between 1964 and 1980 that have an unsettling familiarity subjects such as: - “Ce Plain Por Moi” - Kelly LeBrock - Ducky - The Donger - Early glimpses of John Cusack - Early glimpses of Joan Cusack and - taped butt-cheeks ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/24 "2009-08-07T00:00:07Z")
> [@5-4-Fighting](#): > > Not a Hughes film fan (I’ve only seen parts of _Ferris Bueller_), but to have a body of work like this, and every one of them were “on the radar,” I’d say that was a pretty damn good body of work. No argument. I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise. I was remarking on its size, not its quality. > [@i\_am\_a\_scientist](#): > > - “Ce Plain Por Moi” > - Kelly LeBrock > - Ducky > - The Donger > - Early glimpses of John Cusack > - Early glimpses of Joan Cusack > > and > > - taped butt-cheeks Are you suggesting that I’m the only guy who ever took a flare gun to school? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/25 "2009-08-07T00:09:54Z")
Andie should’ve chosen Duckie, dammit. Decades later, and I’m still bitter about that. Part of my childhood died today. ---
**Author:** ![i\_am\_a\_scientist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f07891/32.png) [@i\_am\_a\_scientist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/i_am_a_scientist)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/26 "2009-08-07T00:14:53Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Are you suggesting that I’m the only guy who ever took a flare gun to school? :dubious: Did it discharge in your locker? Had it gone unnoticed you could have avoided Mr. Vernon’s Saturday detention. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/27 "2009-08-07T00:20:06Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I much preferred the stories he wrote for the **National Lampoon** to his movies. They were by far funnier and wilder and I’m really sad that they don’t seem to be collected anywhere (I can’t even find a list of titles, other than “Vacation '58,” “My Penis,” and “My Vagina.”). He was one of the Lampoon’s best writers (and that says a lot). > > His films were never as outrageous as the stories, and certainly not as bawdy. +1. “Vacation '58” was hilarious, much better than the movie (and it was really not that long, as stories go). “My Penis” and “My Vagina,” wow, those were brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/28 "2009-08-07T00:22:25Z")
Yeah, he may not have directed so many, but he wrote quite a few, and they were good ones. I have so many memories of Home Alone (okay, great art it’s not, but still), and of course, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I can’t believe he’s gone. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/29 "2009-08-07T00:50:42Z")
> [@i\_am\_a\_scientist](#): > > Speaking as a 34 year old white guy I can tell you that Hughes’ movies were of monumental cultural significance…to people just like me… 37 year old who identified with Ally Sheedy’s character in the _Breakfast Club_, I agree wholeheartedly with this. In goofy comedies, he still managed to capture the essence of a lot of teen angst and give a voice to a generation. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/30 "2009-08-07T00:59:59Z")
Possibly NSFW so… Vacation '58, here: http:// > **[bizbag.com](http://www.bizbag.com/)** > > This domain may be for sale! Vacation/Vacation%2058.htm My Vagina: http:// > **[TG Graphics and Fiction Archive](http://www.tgfa.org/)** > > An archive of transgender graphics and fiction, with TG images taken from comics, books, magazines, role playing games and other media fiction/MyVagina.htm My Penis: http: [//www.tgfa.org/fiction/](https://www.tgfa.org/fiction/) MyPenis.htm ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/31 "2009-08-07T01:11:09Z")
I enjoyed most of your films, Mr. Hughes. Sorry you had to go so soon. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/32 "2009-08-07T01:53:46Z")
Too bad it wasn’t during his lifetime, but someday, maybe, **She’s Having A Baby** will get the respect it deserves. RIP Mr. Hughes. Thank you for **She’s Having A Baby**. Edit to add, and for its killer soundtrack! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/33 "2009-08-07T02:46:35Z")
_Planes, Trains, and Automobiles_ was a hysterically funny movie. I’d forgotten that it was a John Hughes. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/34 "2009-08-07T02:50:18Z")
RIP, John. I hope they forgive you for _Home Alone_, or else you could end up in a rather warm place indeed. ☹ I think most of his work makes up for that, though. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/35 "2009-08-07T04:30:28Z")
Here’s to the underappreciated genius of _Uncle Buck_. R.I.P. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/36 "2009-08-07T04:58:03Z")
[What a great montage.](http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4559272) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/37 "2009-08-07T05:12:48Z")
I was never a fan, haven’t seen most of his stuff and don’t plan to. But _Ferris Bueller_ is a classic and still a lot of fun to watch. Matthew Broderick’s performance hasn’t aged a bit, and it’s iconic. My youngest brother loves _Ferris Bueller_ and he was born six years after the movie came out. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/38 "2009-08-07T06:30:28Z")
What did the Angel of Death say to John Hughes? You’re still here? It’s over. Go home. go on go ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/39 "2009-08-07T12:36:47Z")
[He corresponded regularly](http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html)with a fan who smacked him one for sending her what she thought was a form letter. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572/40 "2009-08-07T13:38:20Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > [He corresponded regularly](http://wellknowwhenwegetthere.blogspot.com/2009/08/sincerely-john-hughes.html)with a fan who smacked him one for sending her what she thought was a form letter. I had just come in here to post this. What a great story, and incredibly insight into why he stepped away from Hollywood. “Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in awhile - you might miss it.” I’m glad Mr. Hughes took the time to stop and look around. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-hughes-has-died/505572.md?page=3)