Category Archives: Movies 1980s

‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ opens in U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' trailer

(Friday, August 13, 1982)Fast Times at Ridgemont High, a coming-of-age teen comedy film written by Cameron Crowe, who went undercover at Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, and wrote about his experiences, opened today in the U.S.

Directed by Amy Heckerling, the film stars Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Brian Backer, Robert Romanus, Ray Walston, Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage and Anthony Edwards.

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ opens in the U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'An Officer and a Gentleman' trailer

(Wednesday, July 28, 1982)An Officer and a Gentleman, a drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy aviation officer candidate who comes into conflict with the Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who trains him, opened today in limited release in the U.S.

Directed by Taylor Hackford, the film stars Richard Gere, Debra Winger, Louis Gossett, Jr. (who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), David Keith, Lisa Blount, Robert Loggia and Tony Plana.

‘Blade Runner’ opens in the U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Blade Runner' trailer

(Friday, June 25, 1982)Blade Runner, a science fiction film about an ex-cop who comes out of retirement in order to hunt down androids who are being reproduced for purpose of slavery, opened today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Ridley Scott, the film stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos and Daryl Hannah.

‘The Thing’ opens in U.S. theaters 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'The Thing' trailer

(Friday, June 25, 1982)The Thing, a science fiction horror film about scientists in the Antarctic who are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills, opened today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by John Carpenter, the film stars Kurt Russell.

‘Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl’ opens 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl' trailer

(Friday, June 25, 1982)Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, a concert film in which the Monty Python team perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, opened today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Terry Hughes and Ian MacNaughton, the film stars Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes.

‘Poltergeist’ opens in U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Poltergeist' trailer

(Friday, June 4, 1982)Poltergeist, a horror film about a family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct the family’s youngest daughter, opened today at the Cinerama in New York and other U.S. theaters.

Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film stars Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, Heather O’Rourke and Zelda Rubinstein.

‘Reel Music’ album by The Beatles debuts at #40 in USA 30 years ago today (1982)

(Saturday, April 10, 1982) — The album Reel Music, a compilation album featuring a selection of songs by The Beatles that were featured in their films, debuted on today’s Billboard 200 top albums chart at #40.

Hepburn, Fonda, ‘Chariots Of Fire’ tops at Oscars 30 years ago tonight (1982)

(Monday, March 29, 1982)Chariots of Fire was named Best Picture of 1981 tonight at the 54th Academy Awards, hosted by Johnny Carson at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn won Oscars for their co-starring roles as husband and wife in On Golden Pond.

Warren Beatty won Best Director for Reds.

‘Victor Victoria’ premieres in U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Victor Victoria' trailer

(Tuesday, March 16, 1982)Victor Victoria, a musical comedy film that involves transvestism and sexual identity as central themes, premiered today in the U.S.

Directed by Blake Edwards, the film starred Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston and Lesley Ann Warren.

‘The Beatles’ Movie Medley’ by The Beatles released 30 years ago today (1982)

(Monday, March 15, 1982) — The single The Beatles’ Movie Medley, a compilation of snippets from various Beatles songs, was released today in the US (it would be released in the UK on March 24, 1982).