“The Breakfast Club” came out in 1985 and tells the story of five kids who are in detention together on a Saturday morning. Five stereotypical groups are represented. There’s the “beauty,” “recluse,” “jock,” “brain,” and “rebel.” This movie has become a cult classic, a coming-of-age comedy with iconic music and memorable scenes. Although some say that “The Breakfast Club” hasn’t aged well, there is still some nostalgia for many as we look back at one of John Hughes’ classic films. Here are 25 facts about “The Breakfast Club” that you may not know.
To compile a list of facts about “The Breakfast Club” that you may not know, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sites, including IMDb. It’s been close to 40 years since Hughes gave us “The Brat Pack,” (a name given to many young actors and actresses who starred in movies together during the 80s) and there is still so much to learn about this classic movie. (Do you love movies? Read our list of the best but forgotten movies of the 80s.)
The Detention Stories Were Unscripted
During one of the most moving scenes, the five kids sit in a circle and have a heart-to-heart. They share their secrets and reasons for being in detention. This scene was largely unscripted because Hughes told the actors to improvise their stories.
The Movie Was Meant to be a Franchise Series
“The Breakfast Club” was initially set to be a franchise series. This series would include a look at each main character and what they were up to.
It Originally Had a Dream Sequence
There was a dream sequence that did not make it into the movie. Allision dreams about all the students in detention:
- Claire is a bride.
- Bender is a prisoner.
- Brian is an astronaut.
- Andrew is a gluttonous Viking.
- She is a vampire.
Wouldn’t that have been something to see?
The Janitor was a Star Student
If you pay enough attention to the details in the movie, you will glimpse a younger version of Carl, the school janitor.
He is pictured on the Man of the Year wall, alluding to his past connection to Shemar High School.
Rick Moranis Was in the Original Cast
Rick Moranis is a comedian and actor known for his roles in “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Little Giants.” Surprisingly, Moranis was in the original cast of “The Breakfast Club” as the janitor. He was released, however, because the producer Ned Tanen believed Moranis’s interpretation was simply over the top.
John Hughes’ Own Experience Was the Inspiration for the Movie
The Breakfast Club is a movie that encompasses plenty of teen angst, the outlook many have toward the stereotypical boxes they put many teenagers in, and the high school experience. John Hughes’ own high school experience inspired this movie. He attended Glenbrook High School in Glenview, Illinois.
The Original Title Was Going to Be Different
Originally, the title for “The Breakfast Club” was going to be “The Lunch Bunch.” Hughes didn’t think the name captured the true essence of the movie. Also, it has been said that his friend had a teenage son who mentioned his school having a Saturday morning detention called “The Breakfast Club.”
John Hughes Wrote the Screenplay in a Short Time
“The Breakfast Club” reportedly took Hughes only two days to write. A notable feat that many have not been able to do.
Spontaneous Became Iconic
The detention story scene was not the only one that was improvised. At the movie’s end, Brian begins his voiceover as the students leave detention, and Vice Principal Vernon reads the letter they left behind. After Bender receives Claire’s diamond earring, he walks across the football field. At the end of the voiceover, Bender gives an iconic fist pump. This act was actually spontaneous. Judd Nelson was told to do “some random act,” and Hughes liked it so much that they decided to end the movie with it.
The Movie Initially Received Mixed Reviews
“The Breakfast Club” now has a cult following; however, it received mixed reviews when it first came out. Many thought it was too predictable and featured stereotypical boxes to place teens in. However, through the decades, the movie has amassed quite a following, considering it to be one of Hughes’ most memorable movies.
Judd Nelson Almost Got Fired
Nelson’s method acting almost got him the boot. Since he stayed in character, he was often mean to the other cast mates, particularly bullying Molly Ringwald. Hughes did not want it to continue and almost fired Nelson. Ringwald stated that she and the other castmates rallied together to ensure Nelson could keep the role.
Hall and Ringwald Dated
Anthony Michael Hall and Ringwald played opposite one another in “Sixteen Candles” and “The Breakfast Club,” after wrapping up “The Breakfast Club,” the two briefly dated.
Hall stated that “it was puppy love.” They have remained friends after their relationship ended.
Ringwald Was Cast as Allison Reynolds
Ringwald is the face of Queen Bee Claire, yet originally, she was cast as Allison Reynolds — “the recluse.” However, Ringwald wanted to play Claire because it reminded her of her big sister. She said she believed it would be fun to play someone popular, so she was moved from Allison to Claire.
Nicholas Cage Auditioned for Bender
Before the face of Bender was finalized, Nicholas Cage auditioned for the role. However, the role was ultimately narrowed down to two other names.
John Cusack was Almost Bender
Nelson gave us the iconic Bender, yet he could’ve looked much different. Originally, John Cusack was offered the role of Bender. However, Nelson came in character to the audition, and the casting team soon believed that Cusack was not right for the role.
The Use of Parmesan Cheese
In one scene of this movie, Allison, played by Ally Sheedy, creates a picture with the dandruff from her head. The scene may cause some to squirm because it has to do with dry skin flakes. However, there’s no need to worry. The dandruff was actually parmesan cheese. Though I’m not sure that is much better.
Hughes’ Cameo
It’s common for directors to make cameos in their films. Hughes was no exception. He made a cameo at the end of “The Breakfast Club” as Brian’s dad, who was picking him up from detention.
Ally Sheedy Played a Role in the Opening Quote
The opening quote of “The Breakfast Club” says, “And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They’re quite aware of what they’re going through…” This quote made the movie partly due to Sheedy because she suggested using a quote from David Bowie’s song “Changes.” She loved David Bowie at the time and thought it resonated well with the movie’s message.
It’s a Family Affair
At the movie’s beginning, Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) is dropped off for detention by his onscreen mom and sister. An interesting tidbit is that the actors who played them were his real mom and sister.
Michael Hall Had a Sweet Nickname
Hall played Brian, “the brain,” in “The Breakfast Club.” On set, he was given a sweet nickname, “Milk and Cookies,” by Sheedy and Ringwald. They stated he was just too sweet, like milk and cookies.
Judd Nelson’s Joke Is Incomplete
While filming the scene where Bender crawls through the ceiling, he makes up a joke on the spot. This joke, however, goes unfinished when he falls through the ceiling, leaving the punchline untold.
Many people have tried to figure out the joke’s punchline over the years, but since Nelson made it up on the spot, there is no actual punchline.
The Iconic Song Was Written Specifically for the Movie
The ending of “The Breakfast Club” is one of the most memorable moments. This is because with it came the iconic song “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” It is hard not to think of the movie when this song comes on the radio, for good reason: it was written specifically for “The Breakfast Club.”
Billy Idol, Brian Ferry, and others turned down the song. So, it went to Simple Minds, who had turned it down initially. However, this song became their biggest hit in the United States.
The Dance Scene was Originally Just for Molly Ringwald
One of the most iconic scenes from “The Breakfast Club” is the group dance sequence. However, this scene was set to look much different. Originally, Claire was the only one supposed to be dancing. Yet, Ringwald was very nervous to do it by herself. So, Hughes decided to change the script to include everyone.
Molly Ringwald Didn’t Do the Lipstick Trick
In one of the scenes, Claire puts a tube of lipstick in her cleavage and seemingly puts the lipstick on her lips. This became known as “the lipstick trick.” When asked about this scene in an interview, Ringwald admitted that she didn’t actually do it.
Ringwald stated, “It’s all movie magic. There is a story behind that: John Hughes wrote it but never actually thought about me having to do it. He kept putting it off until the end of filming that long scene. I kept bringing it up, like, ‘Hey. We gotta figure this out. Are we going to have robotic breasts?’ Finally, we decided it was better to see less and let everyone assume that I was particularly skilled.”
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Connection
There is a popular high school in the John Hughes universe, and that is Shermer High School. This High School was featured in both “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Breakfast Club.” Additionally, Shermer High School was featured in “Sixteen Candles.”(Continue your journey down memory lane and read our list of iconic movies that are turning 40 this year.)