“Hey, Bud, let’s party!”
One of cinema’s greatest one-liners captured perfectly an age when growing up meant hanging out in a suburban shopping mall, trying desperately to impress a girl – or at least get high and cruise through life:
It was a time when getting high led to only one thing:
[Spicoli, talking on the phone, hits his head with a shoe]
Jeff Spicoli: That was my skull! I’m so wasted!
Time to celebrate one of the greatest movies ever about growing up in America…
“Fast Times At Ridgemont High”!
This 1982 film launched the movie careers of many of its young stars, and is one of the best comedies about the angst of growing up in America there has ever been!
“Fast Times At Ridgemont High” was directed by Amy Heckerling, who went on to make the classic teen comedy “Clueless” – she really knew how to capture the humor, warmth, angst and confusion of these “Times” in our lives…
The Movie Is Based On A True Story!
Writer/Director Cameron Crowe actually wrote the book – when he went back to school for a year in order write the real story of students at a high school in Southern California.
The resulting movie is an 80’s classic, introducing us to one of cinema’s most hilarious stoners – first, check out the trailer:
“Hey, Bud, let’s party!”
Sean Penn has never been better as Jeff Spicoli, who is always stoned and hilariously funny! , and the cast include Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and a very young Forest Whitaker…
It was also Nicolas Cage’s first film appearance…but it is perhaps Phoebe Cates who made film history thanks to one iconic dream sequence:
The Bikini Shot Heard Around The World!
Phoebe Cates admitted she was nervous to shoot this scene, but it has become an iconic movie moment.
This legendary scene begins when Phoebe Cates and Jennifer Jason Leigh are hanging out by the pool – and when Judge Reinhold comes home from work and goes to the bathroom, he begins to fantasize about Cates – who calls out to him as she gets out of the pool, before removing her top…
That fantasy leads to the moment in real life when she accidentally walks in on him masturbating to her!
“Jeez! Doesn’t anyone fucking knock any more?”
According to IMDB, Reinhold secretly had a dildo in his hand, so Phoebe’s shocked and disgusted reaction was real!
Because this book was written about a year in the life of real high school students, the film deals with real issues about growing up in America. Jennifer Jason Leigh is terrific in the film, baring her soul – and a lot more – as a young woman who feels compelled to lose her virginity to keep up with her more beautiful friend.
This subplot is very serious, and the film doesn’t shy away from any of it.
That said, it’s also one of the funniest films ever, thanks to this guy!
Meet Jeff Spicoli!
Without a doubt, the most legendary character in the film is Jeff Spicoli!
As IMDB says:
“during shooting of the film, Sean Penn got so into character that he only answered as Spicoli. In fact, the door on his dressing room was labeled “Spicoli” instead of ‘Sean Penn’!”
Spicoli meets his match in Mr. Hand, plays beautifully by Ray Walston, who had a long career in movies and TV. Here is how they meet:
Jeff Spicoli: Hey, you’re ripping my card.
Mr. Hand: Yes.
Jeff Spicoli: Hey bud, what’s your problem?
Mr. Hand: No problem at all. I think you know where the front office is.
Jeff Spicoli: [stunned] You dick!
Here’s more from IMDB:
Ray Walston was at the time, best known for his role as Uncle Martin on My Favorite Martian (1963). Unfortunately Walston, like many actors of that era, was typecast in the role and couldn’t book serious roles until the decade ended. Walston said that after the release of this film, he’d be walking down the street and young people would see him and shout “Mr. Hand!”. Walston was grateful for that, as it finally meant that he had torn away from being only associated with playing Uncle Martin.
Even their relationship ends on a warm high note…”Fast Times At Ridgmont High” is one of the greatest “growing up” movies ever…
Crowe would go on to direct his own films, including “Jerry Maguire” and the autobiographical film about his own life, “Almost Famous.”
“Almost Famous” is one of the best films about the impact that music has on young people – and captures a great time in music history – because Crowe wrote for Rolling Stone as a teenager! See more here:
Let me know your favorite moments from “Fast Times!”
Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Awards, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Great Films, Hollywood, Independent Cinema, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Obscure Movies, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
My comment disappeared, John. Check the Spam folder.
LikeLike
There it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The girl in the yellow socks looks hot, but I don’t recognise her. In my own youth, ‘Horny’ and ‘Stoned’ never went together. I was either one thing, or the other.
I din’t think I have ever seen this film. I am sure I would have remembered Penn’s hair!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, it’s a classic! That’s Jennifer Jason Leigh of “Single White Female” fame
LikeLike
Pete, the film is a classic! That book cover model is just to get you excited to read the book, the film is full of great iconic moments, and it is also a serious look at growing up in 80’s America!
LikeLike