Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Amy Heckerling

Writers:

Cameron Crowe (screenplay)
Cameron Crowe (book)

Release Date:

13 August 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Fast Cars, Fast Girls, Fast Carrots...Fast Carrots?

Plot:

A story of a group of California teenagers who enjoy malls, sex and rock n' roll.

Plot Keywords:

California | Surfer Dude | Sex | Rock 'n' Roll | High School

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Sean Penn	...	Jeff Spicoli
Jennifer Jason Leigh	...	Stacy Hamilton
Judge Reinhold	...	Brad Hamilton
Robert Romanus	...	Mike Damone
Brian Backer	...	Mark 'Rat' Ratner
Phoebe Cates	...	Linda Barrett
Ray Walston	...	Mr. Hand
Scott Thomson	...	Arnold
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Mr. Vargas
Amanda Wyss	...	Lisa
D.W. Brown	...	Ron Johnson
Forest Whitaker	...	Charles Jefferson
Kelli Maroney	...	Cindy
Tom Nolan	...	Dennis Taylor
Blair Tefkin	...	Pat Bernardo (as Blair Ashleigh)
Eric Stoltz	...	Stoner Bud
Stanley Davis Jr.	...	Jefferson's Brother
James Russo	...	Robber
James Bolt	...	Greg (as James Bershad)
Nicolas Cage	...	Brad's Bud (as Nicolas Coppola)
Reginald Farmer	...	Vice Principal (as Reginald H. Farmer)
Anthony Edwards	...	Stoner Bud
Pamela Springsteen	...	Dina Phillips
Stuart Cornfeld	...	Pirate King
Sonny Carl Davis	...	Businessman (as Sonny Davis)
Michael Wyle	...	Brad's Bud
David Price	...	Desmond (as David E. Price)
Patrick Brennan	...	Curtis Spicoli
Julie Guilmette	...	Perry's Pizza Waitress
Shelly O'Neill	...	Perry's Pizza Waitress
Stu Nahan	...	Himself
Duane Tucker	...	Dr. Brandt
Martin Brest	...	Dr. Miller
Douglas Brian Martin	...	Angry Twin
Steven M. Martin	...	Angry Twin
Taylor Negron	...	Himself
Kenny Lawrence	...	Ticket Customer
John Hollander	...	Ticket Customer
Ricky Redlich	...	Ticket Customer
Nancy Wilson	...	Beautiful Girl in Car
David Resnik	...	Reeves Nevo & The Cinch
Erick Leroy Burdette	...	Reeves Nevo & The Cinch (as Eric Leroy [Pee Wee] Burdette)
David Doolittle	...	Reeves Nevo & The Cinch
Tom B. Bralley	...	Reeves Nevo & The Cinch
Reeves Nevo	...	Reeves Nevo & The Cinch
Virginia Peters	...	Restaurant Waitress
Laurie Hendricks	...	Nurse
Lois Brandt	...	Mrs. O'Rourke
Ellen Fenwick	...	Stacey's Mom
Cherie Effron	...	Girl #1
Suzanne Marie Fava	...	Girl #2
Lana Clarkson	...	Mrs. Vargas
Roy Homer Wallack	...	Santa Claus (as Roy Holmer Wallack)
Ava Lazar	...	Playmate
Lori Sutton	...	Playmate (as Lorie Sutton)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
April Audia	...	Mary Anne Zalotnick - Pat Benatar Wannabe (uncredited)
Hallie Todd	...	Linda's Friend (uncredited)

Directed by
Amy Heckerling

Writing credits
Cameron Crowe		(screenplay)
Cameron Crowe		(book)

Produced by
Irving Azoff	....	producer
C.O. Erickson	....	executive producer
Art Linson	....	producer

Cinematography by
Matthew F. Leonetti		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Eric Jenkins

Casting by
Don Phillips

Art Direction by
Daniel A. Lomino		(as Dan Lomino)

Set Decoration by
Cloudia

Costume Design by
Marilyn Vance

Makeup Department
Janice D. Brandow	....	hair stylist (as Jan Brandow)
Frank Griffin	....	makeup artist

Production Management
C.O. Erickson	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Dillon	....	second assistant director
Marty P. Ewing	....	second assistant director (as Marty Ewing)
Albert M. Shapiro	....	first assistant director (as Albert Shapiro)
John Moio	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Art Department
Dudley Holmes	....	property master (as Ace Holmes)
Marty Seidman	....	greensman
Ward Welton	....	painter

Sound Department
Phil Flad	....	sound re-recordist
Roger Heman Jr.	....	sound re-recordist (as Roger Heman)
Dennis Jones	....	boom operator
Anthony Magro	....	sound effects editor (as Tony Magro)
Tom Overton	....	sound
Jeffrey L. Sandler	....	sound effects editor (as Jeff Sandler)
Rex Slinkard	....	sound re-recordist
Edward M. Steidele	....	foley artist
James Thompson	....	sound recordist
James Troutman	....	sound effects editor (as Jim Troutman)
Paul Wittenberg	....	loop dialogue editor (as Paul Wittinburg)
Michael Colomby	....	sound re-recording mixer: restoration remix (uncredited)
Clancy T. Troutman	....	sound editor (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Greg C. Jensen	....	special effects

Stunts
Richard E. Butler	....	stunts
David R. Ellis	....	stunts (as David Ellis)
Mickey Gilbert	....	stunts
Tim Gilbert	....	stunts
Larry Holt	....	stunts
Melvin Jones	....	stunts
Julius LeFlore	....	stunts
John Moio	....	stunt coordinator
John Moio	....	stunts (as John A. Moio)
Alan Oliney	....	stunts
Glenn Randall Jr.	....	stunts (as Glenn Randall)
Bobby Sargent	....	stunts
Ben Scott	....	stunts
John-Clay Scott	....	stunts
Michael M. Vendrell	....	stunts
Al Wyatt Sr.	....	stunts (as Al Wyatt)

Camera and Electrical Department
Pat Blymyer	....	gaffer
Hugo Cortina	....	gaffer
James Glennon	....	additional photographer
James Glennon	....	camera operator
Ron Grover	....	still photographer
John R. Leonetti	....	assistant camera (as John Robert Leonetti)
John J. Linder	....	key grip (as John Linder)

Casting Department
Bonnie Timmermann	....	casting: New York

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Robert Chase	....	costume supervisor (as Bob Chase)
Shanan Harrell	....	costume supervisor (as Shannon Harrell)
Donna Linson	....	assistant costume designer
Marla Denise Schlom	....	costume supervisor (as Marla Schlom)
Chuck Velasco	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Donah Bassett	....	negative cutter
Debra Chiate	....	assistant film editor (as Debbie Chiate)
Arthur W. Forney	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Ed Cherney	....	music production audio consultant
Bob Destocki	....	music coordinator
Robb Navrides	....	music editor: restoration
Joe Walsh	....	additional scoring
Jim Weidman	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Vince del Castillo	....	transportation captain (as Vince Del Castillo)
Ken Lubin	....	transportation captain

Other crew
Joy Anzarouth	....	assistant to executive producer
Angelo Corallis	....	craft service
Joan Eisenberg	....	unit publicist
Carrie Frazier	....	assistant: Amy Heckerling
Leora Glass	....	assistant to executive producer
Brian Haynes	....	assistant to executive producer
Patti Roberts-Nelson	....	assistant to producer
Marion Tumen	....	script supervisor
Brian O. Haynes	....	location manager (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Refugee Films
• Universal Pictures

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1982) (USA) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (C.I.C.) (1982) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (19??) (Argentina) (VHS)
• CIC Vídeo (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1984) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• MCA (video)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Universal Home Video (2004) (Brazil) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Annie's Hallmark  special thanks to
• B. Dalton Bookseller  special thanks to (as B. Dalton Books)
• Belgian Waffle  special thanks to
• C. H. Baker  special thanks to
• Canoga Park High School  special thanks to
• Cheri's Boutique  special thanks to
• Chinese Eating Place  special thanks to
• Chipyard  special thanks to
• Contempo Casuals  special thanks to
• Crabtree & Evelyn  special thanks to
• Elza Jewellers  special thanks to
• Essex Clothing  special thanks to
• Expanding Wall  special thanks to
• Eyeglasses By Dr. Mast  special thanks to
• Florsheim  special thanks to
• Foot Locker  special thanks to (as Footlocker)
• Full Moon/Asylum Records  original soundtrack album available on (as Full Moon/Asylum Records And Tapes)
• Gap, The  special thanks to
• Home Shop, The  special thanks to
• Hot Dog On A Stick  special thanks to
• House Of Almonds  special thanks to
• Howe's Hallmark  special thanks to
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.)
• Joyce Selby Shoes  special thanks to
• Kaboby  special thanks to
• Kay's Jewelry  special thanks to
• Lanz  special thanks to
• Leatherbound  special thanks to (as Footlocker)
• Leonetti Cine Rentals  Ultracam 35 camera provided by
• Leonetti Cine Rentals  lenses and equipment provided by
• Licorice Pizza  special thanks to
• Limited, The  special thanks to
• Malings  special thanks to
• Mexican Dan  special thanks to
• Mi-T-Mart  special thanks to
• Michelson Food Services  caterer (as Michelson's)
• Miller's Outpost  special thanks to
• Mon Marte  special thanks to
• Music Box Shop, The  special thanks to
• Naturalizer West  special thanks to
• New York Deli, The  special thanks to (as New York Deli)
• Orange Julius  special thanks to
• Orofino Jewelers  special thanks to
• Pacific Theatres  special thanks to
• Papa's Famous Hot Dogs  special thanks to
• Pappagallo  special thanks to
• Perry's Pizza  special thanks to
• Phone Center, The  special thanks to
• Potatoes, Potatoes  special thanks to
• Pretzel Place  special thanks to
• Radio Shack  special thanks to
• Regal Shoes  special thanks to
• Richman  special thanks to
• Sandy Lane  special thanks to
• Schafer and Sons Pianos  special thanks to (as Schaffer & Sons)
• Sherman Oaks Galleria  special thanks to
• Sir Fish & Chips  special thanks to
• Slavick's Jewelers  special thanks to
• Susie's Casuals  special thanks to
• Swensen's  special thanks to
• Swiss Jewelers  special thanks to
• Tamara's  special thanks to
• Tell Time  special thanks to
• Van Nuys High School  special thanks to
• Vince's Pet Shop  special thanks to
• W. C. Chicken  special thanks to
• Weisfield's  special thanks to
• Windsor Fashions  special thanks to

Also Known As:

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (International: English title) (informal short title) (UK) (video title)
Fast Times (Australia) (poster title)

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | New Zealand:R18 | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:M (re-rating) (uncut) | Australia:R (original rating) (cut) | USA:R (edited for re-rating) | Canada:18+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Argentina:13 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Finland:K-12 | Ireland:18 | Norway:16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:11 | UK:18 | West Germany:12 | USA:X (original rating)

Filming Locations:

24124 Welby Way, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Refugee Films

Trivia:

Christopher Reeve was offered the role of Jeff but declined.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: As Rat leaves Stacy's house at night, a crew members shadow can be seen moving on the overhang of the house in the upper right corner of the screen.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Perry's Pizza Waitress: Linda, Linda, there he is. There's that guy from the stereo store. Don't you think he looks like Richard Gere?
Linda Barrett: Did you see his cute little butt?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Retarded Animal Babies (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

We Got The Beat

Fairly Funny Time at Ridgemont High

: I was encouraged to see this because it was hailed as one of the best `teen comedies', a genre revived more recently by `American Pie'. This is an amusing but also touching tale of a bunch of teenagers caught between childhood and adulthood (as teenagers tend to be..).

The characters are, naturally, disparate (they always are). You've got the geek, the tender one, the surfing one, the `cool cat' one, et cetera. All these stock types can be bland but, when done well, really flesh out a movie. As in `American Pie', this is an example of the combination working to good effect. The issues dealt with, mild enough by today, were quite controversial for its time. They touch on concepts of underage sex, drugs, employment and so on and their relevance still resonates - despite its founding in 80s culture, the movie still has something to actually say. Cameron Crowe's script - based on his own book - is sharp. The characters actually have a depth (rather than being a one line joke as it is too often) and the humour is gentle, rather than of the bodily-fluid nature. The film is never preachy, merely saying, `This is how it is' and moving on. The structure is fairly conventional - follow a set of characters over a long period, and see how they fare in a final big event, but again that's okay.

Acting is quite good here, especially considering the genre. This is of course helped by some of these actors, such as Sean Penn and Nicholas Cage, having gone on to do bigger and better things with their talents. They all have a warmth and even Mike (Robert Romanus), who could appear sleazy if portrayed poorly, comes across as an ultimately affable man who is a good guy. The non-teen cast, principally the teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) are all good as well and the only problem I may have is the occasional eighties styling (principally the haircuts and outfits) which tend to make me feel one step removed from the characters (but that's not a fault of the actors).

`Fast Times at Ridgemont High' surprised me with its depth. I had expected farce, but I got some genuine thought and characterisation, along with the requisite humour. It's not quite the laugh-fest I expected but it was good viewing. It still has meaning for today, although time has dulled its sharpness somewhat. Not a must, but certainly - given its short length - a good maybe. 6.9/10.