Sept. 13, 2024

#118 - "Weird Science" (1985) with Ben Carpenter, Darby Mirocha & Laramy Wells

#118 -
The player is loading ...
80's Flick Flashback

John Hughes is known for making popular movies about teenagers in the 1980s. He started as a National Lampoon's Magazine writer and then began writing scripts in 1979. In 1984, he directed "Sixteen Candles". The next year, he directed two well-known movies, "The Breakfast Club" and this 80s flick. Many people think "The Breakfast Club" is better, but this one is special because it mixes comedy with science fiction. The movie is about two unpopular boys in high school who use a computer to create the "perfect woman." The woman they create, Lisa, is beautiful and has magical powers. This leads to many funny and exciting situations. If you'd like to hear more about "Weird Science" from 1985, you can listen to this podcast episode with Tim Williams and guest co-hosts Ben Carpenter, Darby Mirocha, and Laramy Wells.

 

Here are some additional behind-the-scenes trivia we were unable to cover in this episode:

  • The pianist at the party, played by Kym Malin, did her own stunts, which were quite elaborate. For the scene, Malin was attached to a scaffold and lifted up the chimney where a large vacuum tore her clothes off. After that, a crane lifted her out of the chimney and dropped her into the backyard swimming pool.
  • The film went by some very different titles in different movie markets across the globe. In Japan, the film was called "Electric Venus", in Germany, it was named "Cool Magic with Lisa". In Denmark, it was released as "Touch Me, I’m Yours", while in Finland and Sweden, the film was known as "Dream Woman".

Sources:

Wikipedia, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

https://screenrant.com/behind-scenes-facts-about-making-of-weird-science/

https://www.firstforwomen.com/entertainment/movies-shows/weird-science-10-bizarre-behind-the-scenes-facts

https://www.eightieskids.com/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-weird-science/

Some sections were composed by ChatGPT

 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on our podcast! You can share your feedback with us via email or social media. Your opinions are incredibly valuable to us, and we'd be so grateful to know what you enjoyed about our show. If we missed anything or if you have any suggestions for 80s movies, we'd love to hear them too! If you're feeling extra supportive, you can even become a subscription member through "Buy Me A Coffee". For more details and other fun extensions of our podcast, check out this link. Thank you for your support!

  • https://linktr.ee/80sFlickFlashback
Laramy Wells Profile Photo

Laramy Wells

Teacher/Actor/Podcaster/Dad

Recommended

Jan. 3, 2025

#125 - "St. Elmo's Fire" (1985) with JB Huffman

In the mid-1980s, few films targeted young adults, and studios were still figuring out how to connect with the emerging Generation X. Enter St. Elmo's Fire —a quintessential 80s flick that featured a star-studded cast of risi...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 17, 2025

#126 - "Escape From New York" (1981) with Nicholas Pepin

In the early ’70s, films like The Omega Man , Soylent Green , and THX-1138 painted a bleak future of chaos and government control. By 1981, the tone had shifted, with films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Clash …

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 31, 2025

#127 - "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" (1985) with Ben Carpenter & Laramy W…

In this episode of the 80s Flick Flashback Podcast , we dive into the quirky charm of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), a film that not only captured the essence of the 1980s but also became a pop culture touchstone. Blending …

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 14, 2025

#128 - "Say Anything..." (1989) with Bethany Wells

In 1989, Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything became an iconic 80s romance that captured the awkwardness and sweetness of young love. The story follows Lloyd Dobler, a charming high school grad unsure of his future but knows he wants...

Listen to the Episode