Sometimes, Even movies considered timeless classics can contain a line or two that aren’t so timeless.and this certainly applies to specific, dated lines in 80s films that haven’t aged well. Every year, more and more jokes that were once funny are becoming more outdated and harder for modern audiences to understand. Of course, this doesn’t mean the jokes are bad; they just haven’t survived the passage of time in the same way as others. After all, there’s a reason why so many ’80s films were remade.
From celebrity cameos to references to other films to references to now-obscure products, these lines can take many different forms. Screenwriters must try their best to walk the fine line between maintaining the cultural relevance of their dialogue without being so dependent on pop culture that it is doomed to extinction. Now though modern audiences may not understand all these references in 80s films.they can still be appreciated for the joy they once brought.
10
Pepsi for free
Back to the Future (1985)
Beloved scoundrel Marty McFly is completely out of his element as he travels thirty years into the past in the classic ’80s film. Back to the Future. Once at the diner, Marty absentmindedly orders a Pepsi Free. Lou, the man working the counter, replies in a slightly annoyed voice. “If you want a Pepsi, buddy, you’ll pay for it!“This comedic conversation is a play on words around Pepsi Free, a popular soft drink at the time.
Unfortunately, Pepsi Free was discontinued in 1987, just two years after its release Back to the Future. It was later replaced by a product known simply as “Caffeine-Free Pepsi.” Unfortunately, this means that this cleverly worded dialogue is now lost to modern audiences, as most newcomers are now unfamiliar with the decades-old soft drink. Fortunately, most of Back to the Future still holds up very well, so one dated exchange is unlikely to affect the overall experience of the film.
9
“You mean JR, like in the TV show?”
Raising Arizona (1987)
1987 Coen brothers comedy. Raising Arizonafilled with dialogues that are sure to make the audience laugh. Unfortunately, not every line has withstood the passage of time. In one exchange HI (played by Nicolas Cage) mentions that he names his newly acquired child “Junior”. HI’s friend Evel (played by William Forsythe) quickly intervenes:You mean JR? Do you like TV shows?“
At the time of the film’s release, most viewers would have noticed humorous allusion to Dallaspopular television drama that started in 1978.and ran throughout the 80s. Evell’s question is a direct reference to J.R. Ewing, one of the show’s prominent characters. Unfortunately, Dallas ended in 1991. Although the show was extremely popular at the time, it is much less likely to be seen by today’s audiences.
8
Sleeping with Prince Valium
Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy/horror film. Beetlejuicenot one to shy away from references to other films. However, although his references to films such as The Wizard of Oz And Exorcist is still easy to understand for modern audiences, others don’t hold up so well to criticism. A key example is Lydia’s (played by Winona Ryder) remark: “You can’t scare her, she’s sleeping with Prince Valium tonight.“
While today’s audience may understand the connection to Valium, a drug designed to relax the nervous system, they are less likely to catch a specific reference to a comedy film, Space ballswhich was released just a year earlier. Even the spectators who saw Space balls may not catch the reference since Prince Valium was just a minor character. Beetlejuice The line may have been able to capitalize on the film’s popularity upon its release, but it’s sure to fly over audiences’ heads today.
7
“Does Barry Manilow know you raided his closet?”
Club Breakfast (1985)
Unfortunately, the game contains a significant amount of dialogue and plot decisions. Club Breakfast which haven’t aged particularly well. This includes one-liners like this one when Bender asks Principal Vernon:Does Barry Manilow know you’re raiding his closet?“This question alone is enough for Bender to receive another Saturday detention.
While this line was certainly a crowd pleaser when the film was released, it loses some of its punch as audiences become less and less familiar with Barry Manilow. The “Copacabana” singer may have been a sensation in the 70s and 80s.but it is doubtful that today’s young audiences would know what he looked like. This means they’ll either have to take the time to figure out what’s so outrageous about his wardrobe or just brush the joke off.
6
“Then you sounded like Dirty Harry.”
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Although Ferris Bueller’s Day Off While still popular (especially among students), not all of its dialogue proved to be as timeless as the rest of the film. A clear example of this occurs during short scene featuring overbearing director Ed Rooney (played by Geoffrey Jones)and his secretary Grace (played by Edie McClurg). After Rooney angrily states that Ferris Bueller should not be seen as a role model, Grace is visibly impressed and comments:Oh Ed. You sounded like Dirty Harry back then.“
This line is a reference to Clint Eastwood’s main character in Dirty Harry series of films. The character is a cold-blooded anti-hero, ready to achieve justice at any cost. Unfortunately, the humorous comparison between an uptight school worker and a crooked cop doesn’t resonate as well with modern audiences. Even if they heard about Dirty Harry moviesit makes it less likely that they know the character well enough to realize how absurd the comparison is.
5
Kevin Bacon cameo
Planes, trains and cars (1987)
Planes, trains and cars, John Hughes’ 1987 buddy comedy remains a film watched by countless audiences around the world every year. However, while its charming story and witty dialogue have endured over time, one early scene no longer packs the same punch as it once did. Shortly after viewers are introduced to Steve Martin’s character, Neil Page, a chaotic scene occurs in which Neil must chase an unknown man to call a taxi first. Although the character never speaks (and is only referred to as “Taxi Racer”)He is played by none other than Kevin Bacon.
The entire scene is a reference to the beginning of the 1986 film. Mercuryin which Bacon starred. Unlike Planes, trains and cars, Mercury failed to maintain the same level of popularity over the years. Because of this, the entire scene goes over the heads of most modern viewers. It’s less likely that today’s audiences will even realize free star in general, as many of his most popular films were made in the 80s and 90s. However, this scene still manages to establish the film’s central conflict, so it remains a necessary moment.
4
“Here’s Johnny!”
Shine (1980)
1980 film by Stanley Kubrick. Shineremains one of the most famous horror films, even almost 45 years after its original release. Interestingly, the most frequently quoted line from the film is actually a reference that many current fans won’t even recognize. In a pivotal scene, Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, furiously uses an ax to break down the bathroom door where his wife is hiding. At some point, Jack sticks his face through a narrow hole in the door and exclaims with a creepy smile:Here’s Johnny!“
While this scene has remained a fan favorite for decades, many of today’s viewers don’t even realize it. the string is a reference to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. “Here’s Johnny” was originally a famous line Ed McMahon used when introducing the talk show host. Carson’s tenure as host of the popular late-night show came to an end in 1992, meaning viewers would no longer hear the line every night. Despite this, Nicholson’s version of the line in Shine managed to maintain popularity on his own.
3
“Where’s the beef?”
The Muppets take over Manhattan (1984)
Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets are no strangers to incorporating pop culture references into their films and TV shows. The Muppets take over Manhattan is no exception. In one scene from the 1984 film, Rizzo the Rat, while working at Pete’s Luncheonette, serves a cheeseburger to a customer. Upon learning that a “cheeseburger” is just bread and cheese, Rizzo turns to the chef and shouts:Where’s the beef?“
Viewers who lived through the 1980s will recognize this as a reference to the Wendy’s commercial that quickly became a phenomenon. In the commercial, an elderly customer at an unnamed fast food restaurant is given a hamburger with a huge bun but a tiny patty. She continues to exclaim resolutely: “Where’s the beef?The phrase quickly became a catchphrase not only for Wendy’s, but also as a general expression of frustration over an unsatisfactory product. Although the slogan has been revived several times, it is not nearly as famous as it once was. .
2
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Airplane! (1980)
As a parody of various disaster films of the 70s, Airplane! filled with pop culture references. However, one of the most prominent references actually refers to a famous athlete of the era. In the film, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appears as a man claiming to be Roger Murdoch, the plane’s co-pilot. A child on the plane eventually recognized him as the basketball star, causing Abdul-Jabbar to snap and exclaim:I tear up 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, retiring in 1989. Other players he refers to in this scene are Bill Walton and Bob Lanier, who also played professional basketball until 1988 and 1984, respectively. While NBA fans are familiar with all of these players, it is unlikely that their names would be as familiar to the general public today. Modern audiences may infer that these were the star athletes of their era, but the jokes fall flat unless they actually saw them play.
1
“This is my name, don’t wear it out.”
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
It’s no secret that Pee-wee Herman, played by the late, great Paul Reubens, isn’t the coolest character to grace the screen. However, during a conversation with the bully Francis in Pee-wee’s Big AdventureThe character suddenly gains confidence when he rebuffs Francis for trying to take his beloved bike. After the upset bully shouts his name, Pee-wee sarcastically replies, “This is my name, don’t wear it out“
Although the expression has become widely used as a form of playground line, Pee-wee’s cheeky speech is an homage to the 1978 film. Lubrication. In the hit musical, Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta) delivers this line with the same swagger as he tries to make his friends believe he’s the coolest guy around. Although Lubrication was definitely a box office success, it is much less likely that modern audiences will recognize the reference to that particular line.