The Eighties Online

1981 was another banner year at the movies. Many favorite stars from the past were making movies and many great new actors were appearing on the scene.

Some of the little known actors of 1981, such as Denzel Washington, have gone to become “Mega Stars”

Here’s a list of the top 25 box office stars of 1981, some of the top movies of 1981, and promising new actors from that year.

“On Golden Pond” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” are the two movies from 1981 that should be most remembered 27 years later.

So if you’re looking for a movie to rent or download, the movies and stars listed below can be a good place to find one you might have missed or would like to see again.

Top 25 Box Office Stars of 1981

1. Burt Reynolds

“The Cannonball Run”

“Sharkey’s Machine”

2. Clint Eastwood

3. Dudley Moore

“Arthur”

4. Dolly Parton

5. Jane Fonda

“Rollover” Co-Starring Kris Kristofferson

Co Starred in “On Golden Pond” with Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn

6. Harrison Ford

“Raiders of the Lost Ark”

7. Alan Alda

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I just wanted to take a moment with our readers to share our support for Patrick Swayze and his family. We would love to see one of our favorite 80s stars, Mr. Swayze get on with his acting career and to beat the dreaded caner that has so abruptly intruded upon the life of a quiet and generous hollywood star.

Patrick Swayze was on M.A.S.H. very early in his career, which many did not know. Watch for this episode in the reruns and check the credits if you don’t believe me.

Many will remember 1990’s “Ghost” with Demi Moore when thinking of Mr. Swayze, however I enjoyed “Red Dawn” co-starring Lea Thompson the most of all his roles. But, “Dirty Dancing” is really deserving of a place in the top ten movies of the 1980′.

The doctor is optimistic about Mr. Swayze’s chances at a full recovery, according to news reports.

Our hopes for a speedy recovery!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The 80s decade started off with some movies that have really stood the test of time.

The first year of the 80s, 1980, saw several promising actors that are still going strong well into the 21st century.

The Star Wars franchise was going strong in 1980. And with the release of Empire Strike Back in 1980, Star Wars and the action figures and other merchandise were officially pop-culture.

1980 was a pretty good year at the box office.

The 1980 Academy for Best Film went to “Ordinary People” starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and a very young Timothy Hutton.

Robert DeNiro won the Academy Award for Best Actor in the 1980 boxing drama, “Raging Bull”

The Academy Award for Best Actress went to Sissy Spacek for “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

And the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Timothy Hutton for “Ordinary People”

Mary Steenburgen won the Best Supporting Actress award for “Melvin and Howard”

The Top 25 Box Office Stars of 1980 - As Ranked by John Willis Screen World 1981

1. Burt Reynolds

“Smokey and the Bandit II”

“Rough Cut”

2. Robert Redford

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

1. Burt Reynolds

“Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”

“Best Friends”

2. Clint Eastwood

“Firefox”

“Honky Tonk Man”

3. Sylvester Stallone

“Rocky III”

“First Blood”

4. Dudley Moore

5. Richard Pryor

“The Toy”

“Live on the Sunset Strip”

6. Dolly Parton

7. Jane Fonda

8. Richard Gere

“An Officer and a Gentleman”

9. Paul Newman

“The Verdict”

10. Harrison Ford

“Blade Runner”

11. Goldie Hawn

“Best Friends”

12. Katherine Hepburn

13. Alan Alda

14. Sally Field

“Kiss Me Goodbye”

15. Cheech and Chong

“Things are Tough All Over”

16. Meryl Streep

“Sophie’s Choice”

“Still of the Night” with the late Roy Scheider

17. Robert Redford

18. Christopher Reeve

19. Dustin Hoffman

“Tootsie”

20. Timothy Hutton

21. Roger Moore

22. Chuck Norris

“Silent Rage”

23. Bo Derek

24. Brooke Shields

25. Al Pacino

“Author! Author!”

This list was tabulated by Quigley Publications in 1983. It is by no means the order I would place these actors in. These fine actors and many others not listed here helped to make 1982 a very good year for 1980s movies.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The 80s movies and music define the fashions of the 80s about as good as anything.   Of course not everyone dressed as uniquely as Jon Crier’s Duckie  character from “Pretty in Pink” or  Madonna in “Desperately Seeking Susan.  But many were extremely fashion conscious in the 1980s.

Pastel colors were seen on occasion. Most of the time preppy’s or yuppies were seen in pastel colors.  The Izod and Polo shirts with the upturned collar or a pastel colored sweater tied over the shoulders. Black was worn mainly in mod, goth and punk circles.

The 80s hair and 80s makeup styles manifested in bright colored clothing and outrageous, big hair. Punk and new wave 80s makeup was at the extreme end, being load and colorful.

In the end, there were so many different 80s fashion styles and colors that the 80s can’t be defined by any one fashion trend. The list of eighties fashions and accessories that follows is by no means complete. Please comment with any 80s fashion items that may have been left off.

These lists of what people wore in the 80s will be a big help to you if you are planning an 80s party and need an 80s outfit to wear. 80s parties are very trendy these days. And a big crowd pleaser.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The movies of the 1980s decade were very often a way to “lighten up” at the movies. An 80s movie will have great 80s music and a happy ending. John Hughes movies, for example always leave you feeling good at the end.

Many of the most loved movies of the 80s such as Ground Hog Day or National Lampoon’s Vacation are just awesome movies to watch if you’re having an off day.

There were many classic dramas in the 80s like Scarface or The Godfather Part, no doubt. But many of the most memorable are eighties films like Back to the Future and Peggy Sue Got Married were light and happy affairs.

The 1980s decade was a colorful time and it showed in the movies, with sometimes outlandish outfits and 80s character costumes stealing the scene. The movies and television shows of the 1980s are loaded with examples of eighties fashions.

Recommended Eighties Movies and Films

1. Sixteen Candles

2. The Breakfast Club

3. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Total gross in the United States was approximately $70 million. It subsequently became the 10th highest grossing film of 1986. Compared to the lean budget of $6 million, it was viewed as a big success.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Here is a list of some of the most unique and unusual toys and collectibles from the 1980’s Decade.

Rubik’s Cube Puzzle

Rubik’s Cube Puzzle

I remember twisting myself into a frenzy on the bus ride to school, trying in vain to solve my Rubik’s Cube. With billions of combinations, but only one solution, our “Cube”, featuring the same original colors, is the ultimate brainteaser. For players who are stumped, each puzzle comes with a Solution Hints Booklet to help master the challenge. Ages 8 and up.

Stuff From The 80s Book

Stuff From The 80s Book

Remember Hungry, Hungry Hippos? What about My Little Pony, Hit Stix, He-Man, The Care Bears™, and Lite-Brite? These are but a few of the totally gnarly gems awaiting you inside this funny, fact-packed book full of trivia, color photos and illustrations, and a “Redonkulus Meter,” rating how ridiculous each product was! Dude! What are you waiting for? Softcover. 180 full-color illustrations! 216 pages.

Talking Scarface Figure

Talking Scarface Figure

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!