Footloose
Footloose
Questions
When did Footloose come out and who directed it?
Footloose was released by Paramount Pictures on February 17, 1984, and was directed by Herbert Ross.
What is Footloose about?
A Chicago teenager named Ren McCormack moves to the small town of Bomont, where he challenges a strict ban on dancing and rock music so the high school can hold a prom.
Is the dancing ban based on a real place?
Yes. The story draws from Elmore City, Oklahoma, which had banned dancing since 1898. In February 1980 the junior class asked to hold a prom, and school board president Raymond Lee reportedly approved it with the words "Let ’em dance."
Who else was considered for Ren before Kevin Bacon?
Tom Cruise was considered but was unavailable while filming All the Right Moves, and Rob Lowe auditioned three times before suffering an ACL injury. Herbert Ross cast Bacon after seeing his earlier film Diner.
Did Madonna really audition for Footloose?
Reportedly yes. Madonna and Haviland Morris both auditioned for the role of Ariel Moore, but Lori Singer won the part.
Who played the preacher who opposes the dancing?
John Lithgow played Reverend Shaw Moore, with Dianne Wiest as his wife Vi Moore.
Did Kevin Bacon do all his own dancing in the big warehouse scene?
No. Bacon had four doubles for that sequence: one stunt double, a dance double named Peter Tramm, and two gymnastics doubles.
Did Kevin Bacon do anything to prepare for the role?
According to the article, Bacon briefly worked at a roller mill as research for his performance.
Who wrote Footloose?
Dean Pitchford wrote the screenplay, which was his first, and also penned most of the film’s song lyrics.
Who sang the title song "Footloose"?
Kenny Loggins performed the title track. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned an Academy Award nomination.
What other hit came off the soundtrack?
Deniece Williams sang "Let’s Hear It for the Boy," which also topped the Billboard Hot 100 and received an Academy Award nomination.
Who sang "Holding Out for a Hero"?
Bonnie Tyler performed it, and it was written and produced by Jim Steinman, who drew on his earlier work with Meat Loaf. Dean Pitchford reportedly wrote the opening lines to help spark Steinman’s creativity.
How well did the movie and soundtrack do?
The film grossed $80,035,403 domestically on a $7.5 million budget, making it the seventh highest-grossing film of 1984. The soundtrack sold over 10 million copies in the USA.
Who else was in the cast before they got famous?
Sarah Jessica Parker played Ariel’s friend Rusty, and Chris Penn played Ren’s friend Willard Hewitt, who struggles to learn how to dance.
Was Footloose ever remade or adapted?
Yes. It became a Broadway musical in 1998, and a film remake directed by Craig Brewer was released in 2011. The title song also ranked number 96 on AFI’s 100 Years...100 Songs.