10 Facts About Ferris Bueller's Day Off That Will Ruin Your Childhood
#10: Love On-Set
Top 10 Awful Truths About Movie Characters We Love
Romances are a common enough occurrence during film productions and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” had more than its fair share. In fact, most of it could be found in the Bueller family itself. Lyman Ward and Cindy Pickett, who played Bueller parents Tom and Katie, got married in real life and had two children of their own before divorcing in 1992. Their onscreen children Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey also became involved while on-set. However, their relationship didn’t last very long, ending sometime after a certain tragic 1987 incident that we’ll be discussing later on.
#9: Paul McCartney Wasn’t a Fan… of the Song Version
Top 10 Greatest Pasek and Paul Songs
One of the most memorable sequences in the whole film sees Ferris essentially take over a parade in downtown Chicago, lip-syncing first to “Danke Schoen” and then to “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles. However, while real life Beatle Paul McCartney may have granted the rights to use the song and reportedly enjoyed the movie, he wasn’t a fan of the use of brass from the parade band. Far be it from us to disagree with the man himself, but we can see why it was included. If the band’s right there, why not hear from them?
#8: Cameron & the Georges Seurat Painting
James Cameron's AVATAR 2 to be Shown in GLASSES-FREE 3D? – The CineFiles Ep. 27
Another memorable sequence in the movie sees Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron visit the Art Institute of Chicago. While many fine pieces of art are featured, one in particular stands out, thanks to the greater focus Cameron gives it. Cameron stares at a little girl standing beside her mother in the middle of the painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” According to director John Hughes, Cameron sees himself in the little girl, as the closer he examines the painting, the less he sees, which is what he fears about himself. Just when you think the guy couldn’t get more relatable!
#7: Missing Younger Siblings
The Bueller family is pretty well-defined in the movie: Ferris and Jeanie are siblings, and you have Tom and Katie, their parents. Simple, right? Well, in the original script, Jeanie and Ferris were originally supposed to have two younger siblings, who would’ve been 7 and 12 years old. Although there’s no mention of them in the movie, evidence of their presence remains: in the form of little things in the background, such as children’s drawings on the fridge in the kitchen, made by John Hughes’ actual son, and some family photos that include younger kids.
#6: Fake Ferrari
Top 10 Best Fake Songs from Teen Movies
Sorry to all of those who salivated over the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California in this film – it wasn’t real. Well, to be clear, it was actually a replica called a Modena Spyder California. Three of them were used on-set, and while a real GT California was used for some closeup shots, most of the time on screen, we’re seeing a Spyder. Also, far from the high performance vehicle it’s touted as, the replicas were notoriously difficult to use, and had trouble starting. Thankfully, a replica was also used for the famous car going out the window scene. Fun fact: the car wasn’t the only thing that wasn’t real in the scene. A lot of the leaves were painted green, since it was filmed in fall.
#5: The Bueller Twins?
Top 10 Pixar Facts That Will Ruin Your Childhood
One of the driving narratives of the film is Jeanie Bueller and her attempts to catch her spoiled brother in the act. Many viewers assume Jeanie is the elder sibling, making Ferris the younger and more favored sibling, since he always manages to get away with everything. Except, in actuality, they might be the same age! Ferris is repeatedly referred to as being close to graduating, which puts him and Jeanie in the same grade, as it’s not likely she’d remain around high school after she’s already graduated. The original script reportedly has them both being 18 years old. Granted, it’s possible that one or the other was born 9 months after the other or that Ferris skipped a grade, but twins is an easy solution.
#4: The Deleted Space Shuttle Line
Top 10 Home Alone Facts That Will Ruin Your Childhood
The original cut of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was much longer than the theatrical version. Around an hour of material was cut from the first version. One of these cut scenes included a segment where Ferris goes on a Chicago radio station and is interviewed. During the scene, Ferris mentions that within a year he’ll be the first kid to go on a space shuttle. This line can even be found in an early theatrical trailer. However, it was subsequently pulled, as the then-recent Space Shuttle Challenger disaster would have made it a line in very poor taste.
#3: The Actors’ Real Ages
Top 10 Facts About Grease That Will Ruin Your Childhood
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is one of the most enjoyable and timeless tales of teenage freedom; of one kid’s ability to effortlessly enjoy life that many of us envy. However, what you may not know is that actor Matthew Broderick was 23 when he played Ferris. Granted, this is pretty par for the course with Hollywood, as they often cast older actors to play teens. Even more remarkable is the fact that Alan Ruck, who played Cameron, was 29 at the time! In fact, of the core trio of teens, only Sloane’s actress, Mia Sara, was age accurate at 18.
#2: Ferris Bueller Was Behind a Fatal Car Crash
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Cast: Where Are They Now?
Okay, he wasn’t – at least, not the character. As we mentioned earlier, actors Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey became involved during filming. Shortly afterwards, the pair were on vacation in Ireland when they became involved in a car crash. Broderick was driving on the wrong side of the road and the crash resulted in the deaths of a woman and her elderly mother, who were killed immediately. Broderick suffered heavy injuries himself and claims not to remember the day in question. Most alarming of all, while he was initially facing up to a 5-year prison sentence, he eventually only received a fine of around $175.
#1: Ed Rooney Is a Real-Life Creep
Top 10 Facts About Singin' in the Rain That Will Ruin Your Childhood
Dean of Students Edward R. Rooney is a consistent thorn in Ferris Bueller’s side throughout the movie, hoping to catch his student in the act of skipping school, and nearly succeeding several times. For as creepy as Mr. Rooney’s obsession can come across sometimes, his actor is even creepier in real life. In 2002, actor Jeffrey Jones was charged with possession of underage pornography and for soliciting a minor to pose for inappropriate photos. Jones remains a registered sex offender, although he has been arrested several times for failing to update his status. Oh nooooooo!
