In case you haven’t heard the bad news, the amazing American comedy writer and director John Hughes died of a heart attack in Manhattan yesterday. He was 59. Hughes was an exceptionally gifted writer, and as the guy who gave us Vacation, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Uncle Buck, The Great Outdoors and is pretty much responsible for Yello’s “Oh Yeah” being synonymous with the very concept of desire, he defined the comedic sensibilities of a generation of fans and filmmakers alike. He also helped make Bill Paxton a star. It’s a huge loss.
Terminal Laughter’s John Semley wrote a last-minute memorial for the Maisonneuve Magazine blog. Check it out here. Or read Variety’s obit here. In the meantime, let’s remember the laughs.
If you haven’t before, check out the original Vacation short story Hughes wrote. It’s pretty great: http://www.bizbag.com/Vacation/Vacation%2058.htm