During this week in 1985, the epic quest for One-Eyed Willie’s treasure by a rag tag bunch of kids from the Goon Docks took its place as one of the greatest adventure films in history. But other stuff happened too.
Here are some of the biggest events everyone was talking about around this time twenty-nine years ago.
The #2 Movie in America
HEY YOU GUYYYS! That’s right, I’m skipping the #1 movie for a minute because THE GOONIES–one of the greatest flicks of all time–released. The world met Mikey, Mouth, Data, Chunk, the Fratellis, Sloth, and so many great characters. Can’t imagine any Gen X childhood without Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner.
Sure, Rambo: First Blood Part II dominated the box office in June 1985, but The Goonies have dominated since then. And guess what movie was #3 this week? Fletch–possibly the greatest comedy of the 1980s (although Clue would have something to say about that later on in ’85).
Chevy Chase was brilliant in the film adaptation of Gregory McDonald’s iconic snarky detective. Fletch released a week before The Goonies and also hit #2 behind Stallone shooting everyone in the jungle. Here’s the trailer from a time when trailers weren’t always the best quality.
Seriously, if you’ve never seen Fletch get that done asap.
Television Rating Leaders
The Cosby Show was just completing season 1 and topped the ratings. America sure did love the Huxtables.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFj5eBcWdy0
Michael J. Fox and Family Ties were finishing up season 3 and nipping at Cosby’s heels. Alex P. Keaton ruled and was about to enter icon heaven by playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future a few weeks later. Coming in at #3 in the TV ratings? Miami Vice in which Crockett and Tubbs shot drug dealers all the time while growing face scruff and listening to Phil Collins songs.
Music Chart Toppers
Everybody Wants to Rule the World led the music charts as Tears for Fears embedded themselves into 1980s mythology.
Before Tears for Fears took over there was a George Michael minute with Wham! at #1, but right before that it was Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds courtesy of The Breakfast Club which had come out earlier in the year.
And back to Tears for Fears for a minute, can we just talk about how Psych made Curt Smith a recurring figure? Amazing. Here they are at Comic-Con a couple years ago being awesome as they were wont to do.
By the way, VH1 was just launching around the summer of ’85.
Best-Selling Books
While Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card took all the awards for best sci-fi novel of 1985, Cider House Rules by John Irving was just about to release and shake up the best-sellers list.
Relevant Sean Astin Kate Beckinsale Brad Pitt Elisabeth Shue sighting of 1985
Ummm, THE GOONIES. Mikey wins.
For the Glory of Gamers
In the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eighty five, the world didst wait with breath abated for the September release of Super Mario Bros. and the original Nintendo system which defined a generation and changed the world.
Something Christians were side hugging about
Topping the charts for Jesus was Petra with Beat the System. It was the last album with frontman Greg Volz who was replaced by John Schlitt for the rest of time. There are those of us who remember the video.
Yes, I liked Petra, but not as much as Steve Taylor who had just released On the Fritz–his follow-up album to Meltdown. As a little boy there was no singer I adored more than this guy.
Yes, you probably had to be there.
