10 1980s movie references that don’t work with a modern audience

sometimes, Even films that are considered timeless classics can contain a line or two that aren’t so timelessAnd that’s certainly the case with specific, dated lines of dialogue in ’80s movies that have aged poorly. With each passing year, more and more gags that were once laugh-out-loud hilarious become increasingly outdated, and more difficult for modern audiences to understand. Of course, that’s not to say the jokes are bad; They simply did not endure the passage of time like others. After all, there’s a reason so many 80s movies are remade.

From celebrity cameos, to callbacks to other films, to references to now-thick products, these lines can take many different forms. Screenwriters must try their best to walk the fine line between keeping their dialogue culturally relevant, but not so dependent on pop culture that it’s doomed to fade into obscurity. Now, though Modern audiences may not understand all the references in 80s moviesThey can still be appreciated for the joy they once brought.

10

Pepsi free

Back to the future (1985)

Favorite guy Marty McFly is completely out of his element when he travels thirty years into the past in the classic ’80s film, Back to the future. Finding himself in a diner, Marty absentmindedly orders a Pepsi Free. Lou, the man working behind the counter, replies in a slightly irritated voice, “If you want a Pepsi, pal, you’ll pay for it!“

The comic exchange is a play on words surrounding Pepsi Free, the then-popular soft drink. unfortunately, Pepsi Free was discontinued in 1987, just two years after its release Back to the future. It was later replaced with a product simply known as caffeine-free Pepsi.

Unfortunately, this means that the clip-worded exchange is now lost on modern audiences, as most first-time viewers are now unfamiliar with the decades-old soft drink. Fortunately, the majority of Back to the future Still holds up very well, so one outdated exchange hardly impacts the reception of the film as a whole.

9

“You mean JR, just like the TV show?”

Rising Arizona (1987)

The Coen Brothers 1987 comedy, Rising Arizonais jam-packed with dialogue bound to get audiences laughing. Unfortunately, not every line has withstood the passage of time. In one exchange, HI (played by Nicolas Cage) mentions that he calls his newly acquired baby “Junior.” HI’s friend, Evelle (played by William Forsythe), quickly chimes in, “You mean JR? Like the TV show?“

By the time the film came out, most viewers would have caught on The humorous nod to DallasThe popular TV drama that started in 1978And ran all through the 80s. Evelle’s question is a direct reference to JR Ewing, one of the prominent characters in the show. unfortunately, Dallas reached its end in 1991. Although the show was extremely popular at the time, it is much less likely that today’s audience would have seen it.

8

Sleeping with Prince Valium

Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy/horror film, BeetlejuiceIs not one to shy away from references to other movies. However, while its references to films like The Wizard of Oz And The Exorcist are still easy for modern audiences to understand, others don’t hold up quite as well. A key example would be when Lydia (played by Winona Ryder) remarks, “You can’t scare her, she’s sleeping with Prince William tonight.”

Although today’s audience may understand the tie-in to Valium, a drug designed to relax the nervous system, It is less likely that they will catch the specific reference to the comedy film, Spaceballswhich was released only one year earlier. Even viewers who have seen Spaceballs Can’t get the reference, as Prince Valium was only a minor character. The Beetlejuice Line may have been able to capitalize on the film’s popularity immediately after its release, but it is bound to go over the heads of viewers today.

7

“Does Barry Manilow know you raided his wardrobe?”

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of dialogue and story decisions in The Breakfast Club Who are not older. This includes one-liners like this one, when Bender asks Principal Vernon, “Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?“This question alone is enough to give Bender a place in yet another Shabbat detention.

While the line was certainly a crowd-pleaser when the film was released, it loses a bit of its punch as audiences become increasingly familiar with Barry Manilow. The The “Copacabana” singer may have been a sensation in the 70s and 80sBut it is doubtful that younger audiences today would know what he looked like. That means they either have to take the time to look up what was so outrageous about his wardrobe, or simply appreciate the joke.

6

“You sound like Rude Harry just then”

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Although Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Still remains popular (especially among students), not all of his dialogue has proven as timeless as the rest of the film. A prime example of this comes during A short scene with the overbearing principal, Ed Rooney (played by Jeffrey Jones)and his secretary, Grace (played by Eddie McClurg).

After Rooney angrily declared that Ferris Bueller should not be seen as a role model, Grace was visibly impressed, commenting, “Oh, Ed. You sounded like rude Harry just then.” The line is a reference to Clint Eastwood’s titular character in the Rude Harry Film series. The character is a stone-cold antihero, ready to pursue justice at any cost.

Unfortunately, the humorous comparison between the tight school worker and the rogue police officer is not quite as successful with modern audiences. Even if they have heard of these Rude Harry filmsIt is decreasingly likely that they know the character well enough to understand just how absurd the comparison truly is.

5

The Kevin Bacon cameo

Planes, trains and automobiles (1987)

planes, trains and automobiles, John Hughes’ 1987 buddy comedy has remained a film watched every year by countless viewers around the world. However, while its charming story and witty dialogue have held up over time, one early scene doesn’t pack the same punch that it once did. Shortly after the audience is introduced to Steve Martin’s character, Neil Page, a chaotic scene occurs in which Neil must race an unknown person to claim a taxi first.

Although The character never speaks (and is credited only as “Taxi Racer”), he is played by none other than Kevin Bacon. The entire scene is a reference to the opening of the 1986 film, QuicksilverWhich starred bacon. Not similar Planes, trains and automobiles, Quicksilver Has not managed to maintain the same level of popularity over the years.

Because of this, the whole scene goes over the heads of most modern viewers. It’s less likely that audiences today even recognize these Footloose Star in all, as many of his most popular films were from the 80s and 90s. Regardless, the scene is still able to set up the central conflict of the film, so it remains a necessary moment.

4

“There’s Johnny!”

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shiningremains one of the most well-known horror movies in existence, even nearly 45 years after its initial release. Interestingly, the most often quoted line from the film is actually A reference that many current fans don’t even recognize. In a pivotal scene, Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, violently uses an ax to break through the bathroom door where his wife is hiding.

At one point, Jack presses his face through a narrow hole in the door, and, with a sad smile, exclaims, “Here’s Johnny!“Although this scene has remained a fan favorite for decades, many of today’s viewers don’t even realize that This line is a reference to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. “This is Johnny” was originally Ed McMahon’s famous catchphrase that he would use when introducing the talk show’s host.

Carson’s run as host of the popular late-night show came to an end in 1992, meaning audiences would no longer hear the line every night. Despite this, Nicholson’s iteration of the line in The Shining Has managed to maintain popularity in its own right.

3

“Where’s the beef?”

The Muppets take Manhattan (1984)

Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets are no strangers to including pop culture references in their movies and TV shows, and The Muppets take Manhattan is no exception. In one scene from the 1984 film, Rizzo the Rat, while working at Pete’s Luncheonette, serves a customer a cheeseburger. On It was reported that the “cheeseburger” is only bread and cheeseRizzo turns to the chef and shouts, “Where’s the beef?“

Audiences who lived in the 80s will recognize this as A nod to the Wendy’s commercials that quickly became a phenomenon. In the commercial, an elderly customer at an unnamed fast-food restaurant is given a burger with a massive bun, but only a tiny patty.

She proceeds to emphatically exclaim, “Where’s the beef?“The line quickly became a catchphrase not just for Wendy’s, but as a general statement of its frustration with being given an underwhelming product. .

2

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Airplane! (1980)

Being a spoof of various 70s disaster movies, Airplane! is densely packed with pop culture references. One of the most prominent references, though, is actually to a famous athlete of the era. in this film, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes an appearance Like a man claiming to be Roger Murdock, the plane’s co-pilot.

A kid on the plane eventually recognizes him as the basketball star, causing Abdul-Jabbar to snap, exclaiming, “I’m out there busting my buns every night! Tell your old man to drag Walton and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes!Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for twenty seasons, ending his career in 1989.

The other players he references in the scene are Bill Walton and Bob Lanier, who also played basketball professionally until 1988 and 1984, respectively. While NBA fans would be familiar with all of these players, It is less likely that their names would be so well known to society as a whole today. Modern audiences can infer that these are all-star athletes of their era, but the jokes don’t land as well without actually seeing them play.

1

“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.”

Play Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

It’s no secret that Pee Wee Herman, played by the late, great Paul Reuben, isn’t exactly the coolest character to grace the screen. However, during an exchange with the bully, Francis, in Play Pee-wee’s Big AdventureThe character has a sudden boost of confidence How he rebuffs Francis for trying to take his beloved bicycle.

After the frustrated bully shouts his name, Pee-wee responds, “That’s my name, don’t say it.” While the expression is widely used as a form of playground retort, Pee-Wee’s cocky delivery is an homage to the 1978 film, Lubricate.

In the hit musical, Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta) says the line with a similar swagger as he tries to make his friends believe he’s the coolest guy around. Although Lubricate Certainly had a successful run, it’s much less likely that modern audiences would recognize the recall to this one particular line.