Talk:The Breakfast Club
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Ally Sheedy's Character / Allison Reynolds
Who made up that her character is a/The Basket Case? In the trailer for the film she is referred to as an Recluse. ...and what is a reclusive kids "A recluse is someone in isolation who hides away from the attention of the public, a person who lives in solitude, i.e. seclusion from intercourse with the world" - Wiki. Its obvious she's not mental, but just a social weirdo. At the beginning of the film she is shown as being shy. She is a misfit, a weirdo...not a basket case (amentally ill person) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.196.189.64 (talk) 18:24, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
- The term "basket case" is used in the "essay" at the beginning of the film, and actually spoken by Sheedy's character in the revised essay at the end. If you saw a version that used "recluse" instead, you must have watched an alternate version. MaxVolume (talk) 08:48, 23 January 2010 (UTC)
Contadiction over Judd's age
Judd is claimed to have been 24 at the time of filming at the start of the article, and 25 further down. Which is correct? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.132.247.92 (talk) 09:13, 1 August 2008 (UTC)
Suicide by flare gun?
I though Brian got detention for firing the flare gun at his shop project. Was this a TV edit? Shippo 01:26, 15 October 2007 (UTC)
- I've made it clearer. Brian brings the gun to school. It goes off accidently in his locker, and the ensuing fire destroys said elephant. The school takes a dim view of things, and Brian gets Saturday detention.--Wehwalt (talk) 08:21, 31 May 2008 (UTC)
Ending
There's no mention of the definitely cliched ending - the rebel ends up with the princess, the jock ends up with the (now) beautiful girl, and the brain ends up alone. For a movie that does its best to point out and defy stereotypes, it is decidedly ironic that the ending itself exemplifies stereotypes. This surely deserves some mention. 24.86.144.101 09:36, 12 June 2007 (UTC)JvP
- I totally agree! 24.6.66.193 18:54, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Actually they didn't end up with anybody--remember the library scene when they asked who'd talk to who on Monday? Brian and Alison were the only ones said they would talk to the others/each other.
- Well, no. It's true that Claire, as I recall, expressed a likelihood that they would revert back to their old ways, but that was before the end of the movie and certainly none of the characters were bound by her observation. 24.6.66.193 18:54, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
Title
anyone knows why is The Breakfast Club called what it's called? Atriarch 17:48, 28 January 2007 (UTC)
- I've been wondering that myself. --The Lone Bard 16:21, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
The movie is called The Breakfast CLub because that is how the letter at the end of the film is signed.I don't know why they sign the letter that.
- According to IMDb: "The film's title comes from the nickname invented by students and staff for detention at New Trier High School, the school attended by the son of one of John Hughes' friends. Thus, those who were sent to detention were designated members of "The Breakfast Club". "The Breakfast Club" at that school probably took its name in turn from the title of American radio's longest running network entertainment show, broadcast from Chicago, 1933 to 1968." Trvr3307 02:41, 20 July 2007 (UTC)
Someone post the Essay
That essay at the end was basically the entire point of the film. Someone post.
-G
The beginning letter is as follows: Brian Johnson (although that is unknown at this point): Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois. 60062. Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was that we did wrong. What we did WAS wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us...in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed. Brian Johnson: What we found out is that each one of us is a brain... Andrew Clark: ...and an athlete... Allison Reynolds: ...and a basket case... Claire Standish: ...a princess... John Bender: ...and a criminal... Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
The end letter is as follows: Brian Johnson: Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us... In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... Andrew Clark: ...and an athlete... Allison Reynolds: ...and a basket case... Claire Standish: ...a princess... John Bender: ...and a criminal... Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question?... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
-kd
Talk Page Etiquette
This may be just nitpicking but the talk page itself is pretty unclean. Make sure to make headings for new topics and sign your name after you add to this. --Torourkeus 05:02, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
- Not to mention spellchecking section titles. *changes "Ediquite" to "Etiquette"* --KittyCollier 19:18, 16 October 2006 (UTC)
The movie was filmed in March of '84 but not sure of the exact day.
The events of the movie took place on Saturday, March 24, 1984. Politician818 00:29, 13 May 2006 (UTC) "The movie is also known for its disappointing ending, in which Ally Sheedy's character renounces her maverick ways and succumbs to the mainstream female image (makeup, pink dress, rather submissive, etc.).": This is way out of NPOV! --Daniel C. Boyer 17:20 Oct 9, 2002 (UTC)
- Patrick's revision resolves this problem very well. --Daniel C. Boyer
While not making an argument here about the editing out of reference to my drawing in Surrealist Subversions, it was not a movie poster! I think people should read more carefully. --Daniel C. Boyer 14:46 10 Jul 2003 (UTC)
The last paragraph of the article is VERY confusing. What is the name of the alleged sequel and the 'sequel of sorts'? Without some reference to the movies names or name it makes little sense nor serves any purpose.
- It's referring to Not Another Teen Movie. Paul Gleason makes a cameo appearance as Principal Vernon in a scene that intentionally parodies TBC. The paragraph should be deleted. --Dynamite Eleven 02:33, 2 September 2005 (UTC)
This took place in SHERMER, not Sherman.
Barry Manilow question
What was the point behind John Bender's asking principal Vernon about whether or not he had raided Barry Manilow's wardrobe? (That earned him an additional detention).
- He means that Vernon wears old-fashioned seventies clothes (wide collar, etc). Mikkel 16:03, 13 November 2005 (UTC)
Also, was the film really filmed on March 24th 1984?
- films take a bit to finish. i doubt it was filmed in a day. especially since imdb anounces 5 filming locations. --Torourkeus 05:01, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
Down with the "Legacy"
I propose splitting up the section marked "Legacy", which implies it's going to be about the lasting cultural impact of the film, or proof of the importance as a generational touchstone, but is ultimately a list of parodies and jokes on TV shows. This list may be relevant, but should be marked as such, and drastically shortened. Nearly every entry on the list simply explains that an episode of a program parodied The Breakfast Club, which amounts to a long-winded version of the IMDb "Movie Connections" list. One might question the usefulness of listing every such parody in an article woefully short on hard data to begin with. Chris Stangl 02:16, 26 April 2006 (UTC)
I agree with this, and I believe that there should be a little bit more on short term effects of the film, as the only one that I see listed is the success of the band that sings the theme song.
"Eat my shorts"
Unless someone can demonstrate conclusively that no one in popular media uttered "Eat my shorts" before John Bender, or that the quote was largely associated with The Breakfast Club prior to being a Bart Simpson catchphrase, I continue to fail to see why this non-connection is noteworthy. Supporters, please discuss. Chris Stangl 21:26, 27 April 2006 (UTC)
- I believe that's false .. I've only seen the clean version on VH1, and I sware, if you look closely at Bender's mouth, you can see he's most likely saying 'Eat my shit', which is a more common insult.
- Bender certainly yells "eat my shorts" in the R-rated cut. That doesn't make it the origin of the phrase, though. Don't forget to sign Talk comments. Chris Stangl 00:35, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
I definitely do not think this movie was the origin of the phrase "Eat my shorts." Rick Dees had a song out in 1984 entitled "Eat my shorts" (see, e.g., brief reference in http://www.yearsofgold.org.uk/1976WEEK39SEPT25.htm). If the article is correct that the movie's release date was 1985, it seems highly unlikely that this movie was the origin of the phrase, as when would Rick Dees have heard it to write it into his song? In addition, I seem to remember that I had already heard this phrase, most likely in the song, when I saw the movie during its original US release. As a result, I certainly do not think that when a Wikipedia user enters "Eat my shorts" in the search box, he should be automatically redirected to the Breakfast Club page. I apologize for posting this comment two years after this discussion was started. 78.53.7.22 (talk) 23:18, 29 June 2008 (UTC)
- "Eat My Shorts" was said by Meat in Porky's, circa 1981.
"Friends" reference
I don't have the Friends episode handy, but I'm almost positive that they were whistling "the Odd Couple Theme," and not "Don't You Forget About Me." Can anyone confirm?
The "Odd Couple Theme" was whistled, hummed, and "da-dudah"ed as an opening to one episode, on the couch at Central Perk, starting with one of the cast, and slowly growing until all six of them are performing it. It ended, a brief silence, and then Chandler starts up on the "I Dream Of Jeannie" theme, before Ross stops him quick by saying "We're done." It might be this scene you are thinking of. D f cornish 09:45, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
Two big problems
This article has two major problems:
- It features no discussion whatsoever of the plot
- The "Interpretations" section is largely original research and unsourced statements.
Both of these problems need serious attention.
- "Strong points" is a nonsensical section-header... and a nearly nonsensical section. I'm happy to take a pass through and simply delete the POV and original "research". Please sign your comments on Talk pages. Chris Stangl 19:29, 3 July 2006 (UTC)
Citations
There are lots of places where citations are requested even though I don't think they are necessary. Like, the very first line in the introduction. No other movie articles require this...--Torourkeus 05:04, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
- "... considered a quintessential 1980s coming of age teen film " is POV or orignal research unless it's cited. Unless sourced it also begs the question "considered by who, exactly? I added most of the citation requests, and will defend them all if needed, but was actually pretty conservative; there are not only dozens of unsourced "facts" but not a single citation to reference them. Citations are certainly part of other film articles of any substance. See Wikipedia:Featured_articles#Media for what featured-quality film articles should look like. Chris Stangl 08:16, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
TV Edit
Can anyone add some information about the television edit? I'm watching the full version for the first time and it is INCREDIBLY different. Lots of stuff were taken out that i think are important in making it such a kick ass movie. --Torourkeus 05:07, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
Letter
Someone made this edit and it may include more information, but does not look nice and would need proper formatting for it to be included. I also am not sure if that was the actual words that transpired as it seems to have too many repetitive words. I will revert it for now and if anyone disagrees, please post your reasons here. Cbrown1023 00:45, 26 October 2006 (UTC)
The two parts of the letter (start of film, end of film) are supposed to go together in a "cut-and-paste", and only together is the full impact appreciated. Too much is lost when the part where Brian writes "You see us as a brain, a jock, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw ourselves at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed" gets cut out.
First point; he lists the labels that Mr Vernon sees them as. The "Correct?" is what makes the statement into an accusation. Second point; he confesses that the five students themselves also saw both themselves and each other as these labels. By saying "We were brainwashed" he turns that into an accusation, too. Not just at Mr Vernon, but against everyone who only saw them and treated them as a label.
Plus it makes more sense when the first part is quoted. Why would he start a paragraph with "But what we found out..." without starting off with what they believed before detention began. "But" doesn't make sense without the preceding sentences.
As for references - watch the movie, it is all there. But for those too lazy to, the entire dialogue/script can be found at http://members.fortunecity.com/breakfastclub/Script/script1.htm through to http://members.fortunecity.com/breakfastclub/Script/script7.htm D f cornish 09:48, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
- I beg to differ, they may be both be notable, but they can't go together like that, look how much it repeats! They are meant to be book-ends for the whole movie, an opening and a closing. Plus, what is referred to as "the letter", the letter at the end, is what is written. Cbrown1023 20:49, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
- The purpose of having an article in Wikipedia is to mainly display its importance to our culture, such as achievements, impacts, criticism, etc. Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information; The letter itself can by no means help to explain the significance of the film. And after all, Wikipedia is not IMDb and should instead focus on its notability, proving why this article should have its own article. Showing only the obvious parts of the letter is enough; if the readers wish to interpret the entire letter by themselves, let them buy/rent one themselves or whatever and watch it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Vic226 (talk • contribs) 03:44, 15 December 2006 (UTC).
Final paragraphs of cultural impact
there is an interesting but unrealiable series of ascertions in the final paragraphs of the cultural impact section. It is clear that this section needs a clean up, a clean up that would represent the final stage of the articles general cleanup. I don't want to erase these claims without discussing them first, so I would like for anyone withe views for and against to step up, suggest new ideas for teh cultural impact section and help in completing the article's finale. Kiske 09:20, 10 February 2007 (UTC)
I agree with this--and there is not enough on short term cultural effects!
The Claire and Bender pages
They should be merged with the main article, and the links from the character table should be removed. Half of them lead to things unrelated to the movie —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.214.100.215 (talk) 17:00, 5 May 2007 (UTC).
TV-edited version
Was really annoying. They say lines like, "Damn you, you stinkin butthead, eat my socks." I've never seen the entire movie but I'm pretty sure they skipped the marijuana-smoking scene. I thought that was pointless, because they had already shown the bag of weed so it wasn't as if they were eliminating drug references. I'm surprised they didn't completely edit the scene to show them eating strawberries or something. They did show Bender lighting up a cigarette on his shoe though.
Simply Scripts
Couldn't find the preliminary draft there. Someone have another source? Zeality 03:28, 17 July 2007 (UTC)
References in other media
The sections that talk about other shows referencing this is soooooo long that it overwhelms the article. I, personally, recommend just deleting all the media refs but ... at the very least, shove them into an entire new article. Is it really that relevant ER did a similar plot? Besides, unless they mention the movie, does the similar plot section even COUNT? Lots42 03:04, 25 September 2007 (UTC)
Principal?
It had never occurred to me that Mr. Vernon was a principal. (However I do see that he is credited as such on IMDB.com, though lately I've come to question the site's reliability.) Does the film ever state his actual position? Is there some other source for this? He seems more like a vice-prinipal, or perhaps a teacher earning overtime on a Saturday. I would imagine that a principal would delegate detention duty to someone else. -- Gyrofrog (talk) 19:45, 27 September 2007 (UTC)
- I always assumed he was the assistant principal (for the reason you stated). Haven't seen the movie in a while, though. 24.6.66.193 19:05, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
- I think at some point we see the nameplate on his desk that says assistant principal. In my not too recent high school experience, that is about the level usually responsible for student discipline. And that makes the janitor's blackmail for looking at student records more plausible. I doubt anyone is going to take the principal to task for that, but the assistant principal, maybe so.--Wehwalt (talk) 08:24, 31 May 2008 (UTC)
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Gossip
Is the Gossip Girl ref needed? Lots42 (talk) 22:03, 31 May 2008 (UTC)
The Simpsons - Principal Skinner
It's blatantly obvious to me that the Principal Skinner character in The Simpsons was heavily inspired Principal Richard Vernon in The Breakfast Club. This shoudl be added to the Popular Culture references! Jason404 (talk) 23:25, 7 June 2008 (UTC)
- If you have any proof of this, add it in! Lots42 (talk) 08:45, 24 July 2008 (UTC)
- I do not see this. Skinner is generally a nice guy. Vernon is not a nice guy. Is there any evidence for this link? Epa101 (talk) 22:05, 29 August 2008 (UTC)
The Page As It Currently Stands
It needs a rewrite. Whole sections are redundant. The 'Character' section needs to go, for one. Three or four paragraphs for the plot. Definitely the end letter. Lots42 (talk) 08:46, 24 July 2008 (UTC)
JC Penny
Is a JC Penny commercial REALLY a 'cultural impact'? I mean come on, people. Lots42 (talk) 20:53, 29 July 2008 (UTC)
Just out of curiosity
There are a lot of lines spoken in this film that just strike me as odd. I LOVE this film, but I keep wondering how realistic it is. Meaning that how realistic it would be in an average highshool in the United States in the 1980s. "Front and centre". "Eat my shorts". And so on. Is that really how people talked back in the 80s in the United States? I mean, are the words people use in this film, the teacher, Carl, and the students, really the way people talked in the US back in the 80s? Or, more importantly, is this a somewhat realistic portrayal of what might have happened in a US highschool back in the 80s? Just curious. wjmt (talk) 16:15, 23 December 2008 (UTC)
How realistic? More so than not, which is why the film is so popular. I was the age of the students at the time the film was made. A couple of student conversations I had were nearly identical to what was later seen on film. We had different phrases, but still used under similar circumstances for similar effects. MJ56003 (talk) 19:55, 21 February 2009 (UTC)
Pan
As a Fan of The Breakfast Club Movie Magic, the Charactors in arrangements, as a student of Kabbalah, Bender reminds one of the Accuser. Osiris. Their overseer reminds one of Michael. Not really His fault. Everyone needs a good challenge.75.202.5.22 (talk) 02:14, 12 February 2010 (UTC)
Deleted Scenes
At least some of the deleted scenes have been on air in europe. I remember zapping into a documentary showing scenes from Breakfast Club, but then switching channels because it wasn't the entire movie. The released version of Breakfast Club did not loose anything by leaving out those scenes, seemed suitable for a funny DVD bonus. The scenes could've been from the mentioned VHS... cannot tell due to a lousy TV set at that time. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.35.148.164 (talk) 21:24, 24 February 2010 (UTC)