On this date in 1982, Fast Times at Ridgemont High first hit theaters. Adapted from Cameron Crowe‘s book, this fast and funny look at Southern California teen life from high school to the mall is highlighted by Sean Penn‘s performance as stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli. With Phoebe Cates, Judge Reinhold, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ray Walston; look for Nicolas Cage, Anthony Edwards, Eric Stoltz and Forest Whitaker in early roles.
Directed by Amy Heckerling (who would later go on to helm Clueless), the film was a box office disappointment during its brief theatrical run before becoming a massive success on home video and cable television. To celebrate the movie’s 35th anniversary, we’re featuring some rare video clips related to the film. We think you’ll find these to be totally awesome!:
In this archival interview from Entertainment Tonight, Jennifer Jason Leigh discusses some of the film’s more controversial aspects.
Here’s a look at some of the shooting locations used in the film. Sadly, many of the movie’s key locales, including the mall, are no longer in existence.
In this deleted scene that is regularly featured in the film’s television airings, Brad (Judge Reinhold) checks in with his guidance counselor.
Jeff Spicoli shares his sage-like wisdom on Pac-Man in this deleted scene.
On a 2012 episode of the PBS interview series Tavis Smiley, Sean Penn discussed Fast Times at Ridgemont High and his iconic role as Jeff Spicoli.
In 1986, CBS aired a short-lived series based on the movie called, appropriately enough, Fast Times. Although most of the movie’s original cast had already gone on to success in Hollywood, both Ray Walston and Vincent Schiavelli reprised their roles as Mr. Hand and Mr. Vargas respectively. Given the limits of what you could do on television at the time, most of the film’s edge was lost in its television translation…but the remaining program’s seven episodes are still better than their reputation suggests.
What’s your favorite moment from Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Let us know in the comments!