Inspired by her painful childhood and grateful for her subsequent success, Hepburn became a UNICEF Ambassador. A Few More Candles People who saw Sixteen Candles in theaters are now old enough to be writers writing about Sixteen Candles. It took one simple act for Jake to sweep Samantha off of her feet, and it makes me realize how manipulated her character is all throughout the film. I really hope classes get cancelled I only realized how wrong this scene was when I realized that Samantha had never actually talked to Jake before. She teaches women to embrace their own natural beauty in the face of the societal pressures for perfection and conformity. Regularly priced $4.99. He also remarks to Jake that she has "smallish tits" and "smells pretty good.". That could indirectly affect the way she deals with physical violence in the future. 7. A snow day would mean I could catch up on all my work. What was he expecting? 14. They are always there for us, they love us unconditionally, and they treat us a whole lot better than most humans do. After that film, he retired from acting and fell off the Hollywood map. Such was the case with Ringwald's Samantha Baker and romantic lead Michael Schoeffling's Jake Ryan in 1984's "Sixteen Candles." "I want a serious girlfriend," emoted popular-yet-sensitive Jake to "Farmer Ted . The camera doesn't show it, but Sam laments in the next cutaway that she can't believe her grandmother felt her up. Toward the end of the scene, Jake trades Caroline to Ted for a pair of Sam's underwear, with the implicit understanding that Ted could go ahead and rape her if he wanted to. The actress then starred in The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, The Giving Tree, Jem and the Holograms and the Kissing Booth franchise. Maybe because its been so many years since the movie and even several years since Ive seen it, I expected, like, two people to show up. Sixteen Candles (12,140) 7.0 1 h 33 min 1984 X-Ray R A young girl's sixteenth birthday appears headed for disaster, as love, her family and geeks conspire against her! . The names of the actors and actresses who portrayed each character are included below as well, so use this Sixteen Candles character list to find out who played your favorite role. Sixteen Candles Cast & Crew Cast; Crew; Molly Ringwald Samantha Baker Anthony Michael Hall Farmer Ted, 'The Geek' Michael Schoeffling Jake Ryan Paul Dooley Jim Baker . She became a hugely successful and widely popular dancer. Items on this list include Brenda Baker and Mike Baker. Who wouldn't want to have something in common with her? John Hughes' Sixteen Candles is an American teen classic that many return to over and over againwhether it be for a birthday or a casual nostalgic viewing. One of the most egregious things inSixteen Candles is the non-stop sexual harassment of Sam by Ted. Maybe you could just stand there with me and my dudes and just be you, or in other words, this isnt about you having fun Sam, this is all about how I look in front of my friends. It becomes easy to see that underneath the illusion of his feeling for her, Ted has no real regard for Samantha. Sam's mom admonishes him, but later in the film, she does the same thing for the same laughs. Kristen Haddox, Penn State University4. 11. She took them to deal with discomfort from her period, but clearly took too many. This first scene might not seem like a big deal because many of us have experience with pesky younger siblings. Then Jake, who's all about Jake, notes that "it's kind of cool, the way she's always looking at me." 2. Frida Kahlo is one of the greatest painters and feminists of the modern era. Sixteen Candles may not have aged very well, but Morris went onto a long Hollywood career. Kim K! When the family finds him passed out on the grass, he comes to saying "no more yanky my wankie, the donger need food!" Every single one of my history classes has thus far been the chronicle of world events as told by men about men. Elvis Presley! ''He flipped through and saw one he liked and put it on his bulletin board." I envied your blas attitude and I feared that my over-excitable nature would ruin a friendship before it began. No one in Hollywood was writing about the minutiae of high school, and certainly not from a female point of view, she explained. HA not really; I'll probably sit in bed and watch Netflix all day. She feels so uncomfortable in his presence that she starts crying and runs out of the gym. Pisces are so talented they don't even need a last name. He seemed to be the perfect teenage boy with a sensitivity that defied gender stereotypes at the time. In the recently released memoir, "Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off," the actor, 94, claims he suddenly lost contact with his daughter Robin and son Adam. But by 1991, Schoeffling was done with Hollywood. Fast, free delivery. First, Sam calls Ted a gay slur while they're on the bus. 25. John Hughes 1984 film introduced fans to Molly Ringwald as Samantha Baker and Anthony Michael Hall as the Geek or Farmer Ted. We get snow when we arent supposed to and then dont get it when students are hoping for it. Naturally. I was most frustrated by the fact that she eventually gives in to Teds persistence and opens up to him. The comedian, who owns the Judy Maxwell House shop in Chicago, has been married to Richard Burke since 1996. Cook was mentored by Lucille Ball early in her career, and credited Ball with giving her a "big break." Give me a break! Sams grandparents license plate read V 58 for Vacation 58, the National Lampoon Magazine story by John Hughes which led to the movie National Lampoons Vacation. Blu-ray Review - Sixteen Candles (1984) July 26, 2020 by Brad Cook. That's some non-stop creepiness, from a kid no less. and laughs. 12. "Sixteen Candles" is highly regarded by many as one of the best 80s Rom-Coms, but it contains multiple themes of racism, sexism, ableism, and classism that, quite frankly, aren't funny 1. Josephine went on to pursue her career in show business. Hughes agreed that it was creepy and changed the line. I think that it serves as an example of the influence that media has over our lives. Some of his other big roles include playing Rob Gordon in High Fidelity, Jonathan Trager in Serendipity, Jake in Must Love Dogs, Jack in The Bag Man and Miller in Blood Money. Yet what sets Audrey apart from every other starlet is her work as a humanitarian and her inspiring personal story. It starts on the bus when he sits next to her, quickly invading her personal space. He then appeared in Martins Day, Sweet Hearts Dance, Finding Home, The Junior Defenders and Reaper, before taking a break from Hollywood in 2014. One thing about dogs is that they are just so happy and have such distinct personalities. She declines politically: "Go to hell.". Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! From main characters to minor roles and cameos, these characters are a big part of what made the film so great. One of the most egregious things in Sixteen Candles is the non-stop sexual harassment of Sam by Ted. Sixteen Candles encapsulated what it was like to be a teenager who feels invisible but is really a star in their own right and more than three decades later, it still resonates with fans. GQ magazine actually tried to track him down in 2002, but failed. As Sam tries to forget about her failed birthday, her high school crush, Jake, finally starts to notice her and not just because she was cool enough to lend a freshman geek her underwear to help him win a bet. If only his apology was actually worth something in real life. Schoefflings final film role was in the 1991 cult classic Wild Hearts Cant Be Broken. Ted tells Jake that if he wants to be with Samantha hes going to have to treat her right. The Riverdale actress praised Hughes for writing so many movies with a female lead. Menu. Entertaining audiences since 2003, Sixteen Candles travels the country to bring 80's music to life in full force for a memorable and exciting concert experience that you won't soon forget. If that was the end of it, you could chalk that up to sibling banter, but Mike's just warming up. Jennifer Kustanovich, SUNY Stony Brook5. It's definitely not a film for all ages, which becomes more apparent as the years pass. Thanks to Adam O'donnell. Watanabe went into his Long Duk Dong audition in character, borrowing the thick accent of his Korean friend. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. Watanabe eventually admitted to Hughes at the table read that the accent wasnt real. He's also an accessory to date rape. Ted: I feel compelled to mention, Jake, if all you want is a piece of ass, I mean, I'll either do it myself, or get someone bigger than me, to kick your ass. 18. Samantha runs away from the dance to be alone andsurprise. Even the savvy Soraya Roberts cuts it some slack, thanks to the authentic presence and fine performance of Molly Ringwald. Then he inquires, "What are you going to do with her? Jake Ryan is possibly a rapist, and more disturbing things you never noticed about 'Sixteen Candles' Entertainment Published Sep 1, 2016 By Lauren Gordon Universal Pictures Watching John Hughes movies is an integral part of growing up. Watch Sixteen Candles Online Full production credits: "What was he wearing? Starring Molly Ringwald, the film follows sophomore Samantha Baker (Ringwald) on the day of her 16th birthday, which everyone in her family has forgotten due to her sister Ginny's impending marriage. Yes, we learn about some influential women, but most have been forgotten or buried in the margins of textbook. In honor of the 35th anniversary of "Sixteen Candles," here's a look at what the cast of the movie is up to these days . I won't ever complain about the heat again. Unfortunately,Sixteen Candles lands squarely in the latter category. I was beyond excited when Netflix added "Sixteen Candles" to its list, but when I watched it again, it felt different from the many other times Id seen it. He ends up talking her out of her underwear and later showing them to most of the boys in his class. But rather than postpone the ceremony or help her, everyone props her up and does everything to keep the ceremony going. His friend dismisses him, telling Jake that Sam's "a child." He ponders, "I'm a boy, you're a girl, is there anything wrong about me trying to put together some kind of relationship between us?" Through the art of fashion, Chanel taught, and still continues to teach, women to break free from societal norms and constraints. Although only 18, Malala has made tremendous waves not only in Pakistan, but the world at large. She starred in numerous movies and shows and received many awards for her work. After the movie wrapped up filming, the actor then appeared in Martin's Day, Sweet Hearts Dance, Finding Home, The Junior Defenders, and Reaper. But it's funny, too, because at the same time I laugh at the character. Deep Back in 2010, a blogger claimed to have sighted Schoeffling when shopping at his furniture store. "Sixteen Candles" is highly regarded by many as one of the best 80s Rom-Coms, but it contains multiple themes of racism, sexism, ableism, and classism that, quite frankly, arent funny. Im covered in snow. The relationship between Jenny and her fianc doesnt seem to be a healthy one, and many of her family members have made this clear. Sam and Randy continue to discuss her "perfect" body, and note how she had to "flunk about nine grades" to be so sexually developed. Casting 'Sixteen Candles' (9:06) has casting director Jackie Burch go into detail on how she ended up working on the film. For one, agong sounds every time his name is said. He's so disinterested in her that he accidentally shuts the door on her hair, which she drunkenly doesn't notice. That . Morris shares two children, daughter Faith and son Henry, with husband Robert Score. Even though Jake is the apple of Sam's eye and an '80s male ideal, he's actually a real jerk to Caroline, his girlfriend. RELATED: 10 Pre-Breakfast Club Movies That Are Still Worth Watching One of the more interesting things about the aging of classic films is how our . When Ginny, Sams sister whose pending marriage takes the attention away from Sams sixteenth birthday, sits down in the church scene, she does so next to John and Jim Belushis mother Agnes. Sandra Bullock! 5,677 players took the quiz. Ah, finally its getting warmer. At age 15, she was shot by the Taliban on her school bus because of her desire and persistence to pursue an education. Now 59, Watanabe has acted in dozens of roles since Sixteen Candles, including the openly gay Nurse Yosh Takata in ER. The couple share one daughter, Savannah. He was mad at her for passing him a contraceptive, when he really should've been mad at himself for putting both of them in danger. Sixteen Candles is a 1984 American coming-of-age comedy film starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Anthony Michael Hall. The actor then appeared in Flashback, Shakes the Clown, Mother of the Bride, Clockwatchers, Runaway Bride, Insomnia, Hairspray, Other People, Saving Paradise and voiced Sarge in the Cars franchise. Kelsea Ballerini, Chase Stokes Get Cozy at Rangers Game. I have found the portrayal of the male and female characters in Sixteen Candles to be neither romantic nor comical. Looking back, the cast of Sixteen Candles still cant believe how much staying power the film has had. She had a difficult childhood rattled with extreme poverty and racism. When they realize he's crashed the car, the grandmother kicks him hard in the stomach. Though Sixteen Candles made him one of Hollywoods most in-demand young stars, Schoeffling left the business completely following 1991s Wild Hearts Cant Be Broken. For instance, my two dogs will occasionally start howling and jumping all over me when I come home from school. These characters from the movie Sixteen Candles are listed by their importance to the film, so leading roles can be found at the top of the list. Here she fills the usual helpless disabled person trope where we see her struggle to drink from the water fountain. Mollys mother pointed out that it was weird for a girls father to ask that. Sixteen Candles Sixteen Candles is a 1984 comedy film about a young girl's "sweet sixteenth" birthday that becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible. Sixteen Candles - Experience the nostalgia and energy of the greatest decade of music - the 1980's!! The Pennsylvania native then appeared in Vision Quest, Sylvester, Slaves of New York, Mermaids and Wild Hearts Cant Be Broken before walking away from acting in 1991. Josephine Baker was born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. Ted continues to prove to us here that his only concern is appearance. Mike also calls Sam a "birth defect" as she's coming down the stairs, and tops it all off by remarking that she only eats carrots to increase the size of her breasts. Sixteen Candles is the 1984 coming-of-age film written and directed by the great John Hughes. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Why, after so many viewings, I had only just broken through its spell. To provide you some context, the movie centres on Samantha Baker (Molly Ringwald), an angsty teenager whose much-anticipated 16th birthday is overshadowed by her sister's upcoming wedding and, thus, completely forgotten by her family. Additionally, Mike muses that they will have to "burn the sheets and mattresses after he leaves." In the face of terror and hatred, Malala acts with grace and courage. Read More. Morris portrayed Claire Baxter on One Life to Live from 1999 to 2003. After he's chastised by his father for threatening to hit his sister, Sara, he responds, "I didn't hit her, but I probably will later. "That script became Sixteen Candles, a story about a girl whose family forgets her sixteenth birthday. " He ponders, "I'm a boy, you're a girl, is there anything wrong about me trying to put together some kind of relationship between us?" The actor is also the father of daughter Robin and sons Peter and Adam, whom he shares with ex-wife Donna Lee Wasser. It becomes a problem however when you begin to consider the real life cost of this joke. The movie also starred both Joan Cusack and her brother, John Cusack, in minor roles that are still memorable for fans of the teenage love story. I want to start by wishing you a happy birthday. But when it does start to snow, here is what many of you might be thinking. The Massachusetts native also starred on Claudes Crib, The Dead Zone (which he also produced), Warehouse 13, Awkward and The Goldbergs. We know, we know Sixteen Candles, while a classic, does not take place in L.A. (unlike the rest of the films in our '80s-themed movie series celebrating our July issue ). 22. (and no, that's not a pickup line). Songs About Being 17Grey's Anatomy QuotesVine Quotes4 Leaf CloverSelf Respect, 1. Beth Ringwald was an old girlfriend and neighbor of Adam Carolla (radio . But Schoeffling actually appeared in ten movies during his career. By Phoebe Robinson May 2, 2014 Sixteen Candles, the teen classic directed by John Hughes, premiered 30 years ago on Sunday! At age 13 she was married, but left shortly after to pursue her passion for theater as a vaudeville performer. 20. As if that isn't humiliating enough, she then reaches out to grab Sam's breasts. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. 1984 90 min TV14 Romance, . audition in character, borrowing the thick accent of his Korean friend. birthday, he makes a witty remark and laughs it off. After rejecting various pitches through the years, Ringwald said in 2005 that she read a 32 Candles script that she liked and had an interest in starring in. I mean, can it get any better than this? You should be over the moon to share a sign with him. Selena Gomez! Dogs just all have such different personalities, which might be what we love about them. She's too young to party serious." When Sam turns down his dance proposal, he pushes further: I mean, you don't have to dance. Laughing about abuse, regardless of the original intent of the perpetrator, takes away from the severity of the act. First, Caroline is drunk and rowdy at the party, then alternates between being drunk and passed out in the car afterwards. The reverend is played by actor Brian Doyle-Murray, Bills older brother. I knew it would be cold and snowy. But, below is a list of seven unexpectedly inspirational women who have certainly made their mark on the world and have helped make HIStory HERstory. Gedde Watanabe, who plays foreign exchange student Long Duk Dong, described the movies continued success as quite incredible and something he didnt see coming. (Her friends aren't much better, as they cut her hair instead of actually helping her, while a crowd looks on amused). Furthermore, Frida challenged typical beauty standards through her art. The duo tied the knot in 2020 and announced in February 2023 that they are expecting their first child. Henrys role as Samanthas little brother, Mike Baker, was his second feature film. It starts on the bus when he sits next to her, quickly invading her personal space. I might be a little biased since this is my sign, but come on, it's Beyonce. Shit, I got Caroline in my bedroom right now, passed out cold. Clare Regelbrugge, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. But whatever happened to Jake Ryan? Molly Ringwald Had a Crush on John Hughes. Many people regard the 1984 flick Sixteen Candles as a John Hughes masterpiece and a classic portrayal of teen life in the '80s. TV Shows. The two underage thespians had nothing to do when filming wrapped on weekends and some of their fellow castmates abandoned them to go to bars. Later, at the dance, he has a friend scope her out with goggles, and calls her "fully aged sophomore meat." Watanabe claimed that the sound effect was added in post-production, and quipped that somebody mustve had a few beers. He was also surprised that his performance would be deemed racist by several Asian-American groups. Here is what the cast of "Sixteen Candles" is up to now. With John as Farmer Teds buddy Bryce and Joan as Geek Girl #1, a.k.a. Hughes' 1984 directorial debut, Sixteen Candles, bears the brunt of being the most problematic and disjointed of his filmography, though it's not without its charms. No. Because Ted listens to Samantha rant about how crappy her birthday is going, he ends up looking like a good guy, but his next action proves him to be the opposite. The Only Murders In The Building star is set to co-produce the project with. director of photography Film Editing by Edward Warschilka We see each other frequently and always have some new story (and a Spongebob reference or two). Well, happy birthday Sam: You just turned 46. Sixteen Candles put a sweet and decidedly female-friendly spin on the 1980s' teen sex comedy movie craze. He then makes a bet that he can "get it all" with her. Why is it so icy outside? The Cusacks were initially prominently cast in The Breakfast Club, with John cast as Bender (eventually played by Judd Nelson) and Joan set to play Allison (Ally Sheedy.) Hall portrayed the freshman Geek, who is called Farmer Ted by his friends, and falls for Samantha after riding with her on the bus. Justin Henry Mike Baker Gedde Watanabe Long Duk Dong Show all Cast & Crew News & Interviews for Sixteen Candles The Weekly Ketchup: Robert Downey Jr. As "Iron Man," George Lucas In The News, And. Serious problems are being glossed over left and right in this film. Movies. The New Jersey native has since starred in Love or Money, A Shock to the System, Home Alone 3, Rick, Cherry Crush, Jack & Diane, Burning Blue and Better Off Single. Morris made her big-screen debut playing Jakes girlfriend, Caroline. It makes it okay to be super careless. In this time, I've grown plenty, but I've watched you grow as well. List of Sixteen Candles characters, including pictures when available. Whether its the familiar scent of Chanel no 5 on your classy aunt or the covet-worthy quilted purse in the window of Saks, we all know the Chanel name. We had days off classes last semester in early March. In an introspective and insightful piece in The New Yorker published earlier today, Ringwald revisited the films that made her a household name - The Breakfast Club , Sixteen Candles, and. His Sixteen Candles role as geek sidekick Bryce was only 17-year-old Cusack's second film role, but by the following year, he'd graduated to lead in such films as The Sure Thing and Better Off. I've gotten to see you at your highest and lowest and I love you so much at times I wonder how I could have gotten so lucky to call you my friend. AHH SNOW!!! When Caroline kissed him and decided that they were dating, it was like that moment when the underdog finally comes out on top. If it's bogus or you have additional info, please update us. Would Ted have been more satisfied if Caroline had passed him ecstasy? Ted went about the conversation as if what they had done was a consensual act, and even worse, he was still portrayed as a good guy. Credit: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Courtesy Scarlet Schoeffling/Instagram. This was by far the most absolutely disgusting and terrifying part of the film. Fresh from the Time Capsule Film critic Eric Snider explores the timeless appeal of Sixteen Candles. It's been nearly 40 years since John Hughes' coming-of-age tale Sixteen Candles first hit the big screen, which naturally means Hollywood has decided it's time for a reboot.Variety reports that Selena Gomez has teamed up with Tanya Saracho and Gabriela Revilla Lugo to develop a TV series based on the iconic Brat Pack film.. 15 Candles will be a half-hour comedy for the Peacock streaming . 6. This is the kind of thing you feel when you're being stalked. Audrey Hepburn was a true Renaissance woman. John has produced more than 10 projects, including Hot Tub Time Machine, and written five films or screenplays, including High Fidelity. Getting married isnt typically held as a light commitment, and it definitely isnt one that should be made with an unclear mind. I dont like this anymore. The most problematic aspect of Sixteen Candles that was also criticized after its release is the offensive Asian stereotypes portrayed through the character of Long Duk Dong, Sam's grandparents' new foreign exchange student. Audrey Hepburn is remembered as one of the greatest actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood, an international fashion icon and a humanitarian. Because when you think about it, it is kind of strange how we let animals that still chase other animals, lick themselves, and eat slugs (like my dog) live in our homes and sleep beside us in our beds. She turned the fashion world on its head by liberating women from the hated corset in favor of a more comfortable yet still elegant style. Jake lends Ted a car to take Caroline home in, although Ted has been drinking alcohol and doesnt have a license. Dooley married screenwriter and poet Winnie Holzman in 1984. See the full list of Sixteen Candles cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more. Jake apologizes to Caroline for getting her mixed up with Ted, and in turn she tells him that its fine because he wasn't too terrible. With this apology Jake appears to rid himself of all the damage hes caused. The temperature is in the negatives?! The actress penned her biography, Getting the Pretty Back, in 2010. But the actor started trending on social media in the summer of 2020. I'll bundle up and go sledding! Sixteen Candles (1984) (1) Include Characters Claire Standish (1) Ginny Baker (Pitch) (1) . I was unsettled by a lot of what the characters were saying, and I found many of the scenes to be problematic. 5. Wrong, Samantha was really hurt by her family forgetting her birthday, You have any idea what that'll do to a guy my age? They happily oblige when we pick up their front paws and force them to dance with us around the house. In the dead of winter, its 60 degrees outside and people are wearing shorts. When she recognized him, he graciously laughed and briefly talked to her about why he left Hollywood. But many believe thats the only movie he ever starred in. Sixteen Candles (1984) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by John Hughes Writing Credits John Hughes . WHY WON'T THE SNOW MELT? 3 / 5 stars 85% 86%. Kahlos life was very much colored with pain ranging from her contraction of polio at age six, growing up during the Mexican Revolution, a traumatic bus accident, her tumultuous marriage to artist Diego Rivera and several miscarriages. She stumbles around, slurs her speech, sits in a pew during her walk down the aisle, and pulls pieces of her dress off in front of the guests. They dont judge us when they see us eating junk food that we really shouldnt; instead they just want us to share it. After Schoeffling retired, he moved out of California and headed east with his wife, model/actor Valerie C. Robinson. After the party, he drunkenly leaps from a tree and yells, "bonsai!". The writer/director made sure Jake was extremely popular, yet insightful and observant. She likes to be in charge and loves to boss me around. I remember how we told each other everything, good and bad, and received hugs all the same. [ OTHER ] - Online SKU#: 9065352 [ ABOUT ME . down, he's really sorry, says his mom, after all, boys will be boys Geekiest. Joans role as Geek Girl #1, who shows up on the school bus and at the gym dance, was one of her first acting roles. Intoxicated women are used as a comedic elements several times in the film. The main point, and triumph, of "Don't You Forget About Me" is that at the end of the long, tortuous school day, "Sixteen Candles" meant something. My mom calls you her third daughter and your mom reminds me I'm always invited over. He made me weak in the knees," she told Access Hollywood. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. In 2020, he starred on Amazon Primes Utopia. (music by) Cinematography by Bobby Byrne . Bless his heart, because we dont have him anymore.. The thing that is best about them, though, is just how much they love us. Sixteen Candles was the first in John Hughes' series of iconic 1980s teen movies which depicted the unfairness of having to go through puberty while attempting to graduate high school with a bunch of other people experiencing the same exact thing. The running joke is that Jenny is on her period and has taken a few too many muscle relaxers to numb the pain. If you want to know, "What are the character's names in Sixteen Candles?" Since then, Malala has continued to fight for womens rights and childrens education. Im still sideswiped by it all, he told Vulture in May 2014 after doing an autograph show and screening with former costar Debbie Pollack, who played Long Duk Dongs girlfriend Marlene. Sixteen Candles encapsulated what it was like to be a teenager who feels invisible but is really a star in their own right and more than three decades later, it still resonates with fans. So many wrong things are happening here! But Universal thought Hughes other finished screenplay, Sixteen Candles, was more commercial, and therefore should be made first.