8 Things You Never Noticed In The Breakfast Club
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8 Things You Never Noticed In The Breakfast Club
From vanity plates to a Hughes cameo to a janitor's glorious past, here's some cool things most people overlook in this 80s teen classic.
By: Gene Newman
08/03/2010 11:50 am
1. John Hughes Is Mr. Johnson
At the end of the movie Anthony Michael Hall gets into a car being driven by the reclusive late director.
2-3. Vanity Plates
The nerd's parents have the plate "EMC 2" referring to Einstein's theory. (Duh!)
The truck dropping off and picking up the jock has "OHIOST" on its plate. This could either be the place he's being forced to attend pending a scholarship, his mean ol' dad's alma mater, or both.
4. Torched Locker
While it's easy to notice this, you probably didn't realize what it was at the time. During the opening montage, we see a locker that's been completely decimated by fire. Almost like a flare gun went of in it, right? (Yes, it did. That's Brian Johnson's locker.)
5. Carl Was Once The Big Man On Campus
The wise and sassy janitor was Man of the Year in 1969. Now, 15 years later, he's picking up after bratty little punks. Makes you wonder if one of the students in detention is also on the fast-track to a career in the custodial arts. (Bender is the obvious pick, but our guess is wrestler Andrew Clark. The scenario: His knee blows out during his freshman year of college, he loses his ride, and is forced to return home. With his glory days behind him and no discernible future--his dad disowned him for not being a winner--he's greeted with open arms by Shermer High School and offered the job after Carl is fired for drinking on the job and blackmailing teachers.)
6. Hacking Was A Problem Back In 1984
Apparently so, or at least enough for the school to post a sign in the computer lab stating "Hackers Will Be Expelled." This is most likely a nod to early 80s films like Tron and Wargames, which opened up a world of possibilities for h@X0rzing. Shall we play a game? You bet your ass we shall.
7. The PS Gets A Shout-Out
The guidance counselor's name--"Dr. R. Hashimoto"--is a nod to Breakfast Club production supervisor Richard Hashimoto. (Fun fact: He also worked on Wargames.)
8. Getting Streaky With It
Bender (Judd Nelson) has a bluish-silver streak in his hair, which is quite noticeable on Blu-ray.
The streak doesn't maintain continuity, and appears to either fade or disappear entirely at different points throughout the movie. Perhaps he took some time to touch it up prior to smoking pot or headbanging on that weird statue.
ONE THING YOU DEFINITELY NOTICED: Lockers Could Be Outrageously Offensive In The 80s
During the opening montage we see Bender's locker with the phrase "Touch this locker...and you die, FAG!!!" in permanent marker. Tell the principal he raids Barry Manilow's wardrobe, you're punished. Write one of the most offensive words to gay people on a locker in plain view of anyone walking down the hall, and it's totally cool. It's small moments like this that really date The Breakfast Club, a movie made during a less-sensitive era when such hateful epithets were probably frowned upon by a few, but dismissed and tolerated by most.
8 Things You Never Noticed In The Breakfast Club
From vanity plates to a Hughes cameo to a janitor's glorious past, here's some cool things most people overlook in this 80s teen classic.
By: Gene Newman
08/03/2010 11:50 am
1. John Hughes Is Mr. Johnson
At the end of the movie Anthony Michael Hall gets into a car being driven by the reclusive late director.
2-3. Vanity Plates
The nerd's parents have the plate "EMC 2" referring to Einstein's theory. (Duh!)
The truck dropping off and picking up the jock has "OHIOST" on its plate. This could either be the place he's being forced to attend pending a scholarship, his mean ol' dad's alma mater, or both.
4. Torched Locker
While it's easy to notice this, you probably didn't realize what it was at the time. During the opening montage, we see a locker that's been completely decimated by fire. Almost like a flare gun went of in it, right? (Yes, it did. That's Brian Johnson's locker.)
5. Carl Was Once The Big Man On Campus
The wise and sassy janitor was Man of the Year in 1969. Now, 15 years later, he's picking up after bratty little punks. Makes you wonder if one of the students in detention is also on the fast-track to a career in the custodial arts. (Bender is the obvious pick, but our guess is wrestler Andrew Clark. The scenario: His knee blows out during his freshman year of college, he loses his ride, and is forced to return home. With his glory days behind him and no discernible future--his dad disowned him for not being a winner--he's greeted with open arms by Shermer High School and offered the job after Carl is fired for drinking on the job and blackmailing teachers.)
6. Hacking Was A Problem Back In 1984
Apparently so, or at least enough for the school to post a sign in the computer lab stating "Hackers Will Be Expelled." This is most likely a nod to early 80s films like Tron and Wargames, which opened up a world of possibilities for h@X0rzing. Shall we play a game? You bet your ass we shall.
7. The PS Gets A Shout-Out
The guidance counselor's name--"Dr. R. Hashimoto"--is a nod to Breakfast Club production supervisor Richard Hashimoto. (Fun fact: He also worked on Wargames.)
8. Getting Streaky With It
Bender (Judd Nelson) has a bluish-silver streak in his hair, which is quite noticeable on Blu-ray.
The streak doesn't maintain continuity, and appears to either fade or disappear entirely at different points throughout the movie. Perhaps he took some time to touch it up prior to smoking pot or headbanging on that weird statue.
ONE THING YOU DEFINITELY NOTICED: Lockers Could Be Outrageously Offensive In The 80s
During the opening montage we see Bender's locker with the phrase "Touch this locker...and you die, FAG!!!" in permanent marker. Tell the principal he raids Barry Manilow's wardrobe, you're punished. Write one of the most offensive words to gay people on a locker in plain view of anyone walking down the hall, and it's totally cool. It's small moments like this that really date The Breakfast Club, a movie made during a less-sensitive era when such hateful epithets were probably frowned upon by a few, but dismissed and tolerated by most.