The Rise and Fall of the 80's Raunchy Sex Comedy

Long before the American Pie movies, there were a group of cinematic features that revolved around alcohol consumption, drug use, sex and non-stop partying. These were the great raunchy sex comedies. From 1978-1984 it was not uncommon to see an R-rated film holding the number one spot in box office tallies. Much like the teen slasher films of the same time, these movies launched the careers of many of today's leading actors, Tom Cruise (Risky Business), Tom Hanks (Bachelor Party). It all began with "Animal House" in 1978, starring John Belushi who was also pushing the envelope of comedy on television with Saturday Night Live. During the same year, Cheech and Chong would make their cinematic debut in "Up in Smoke". From then on the viewing public was treated to such classics as "Porky's", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Class", "Valley Girl", "Spring Break", "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "The Last American Virgin" and "Meatballs". In 1984 "Revenge of the Nerds" would become one of the highest grossing movies of the year, but the entire genre was about to experience some difficulty. The release of "E.T." in 1982, proved that children's films could be profitable too, and why not, they usually involved an adult paying for a ticket to accompany the child. Studios clammered to produce youth orientated films, such as "Back to the Future", "The Karate Kid", "Ghostbusters" and "Batman". A box office maliase in 1985 didn't help matters. Also the arrival of John Hughes' tamer features such as "The Breakfast Club", "Pretty in Pink" and "Adventures in Babysitting" were starting to move up the box office charts. The teen sex comedy was now regulated to straight-to video releases, and usually featuring unknowns and has-beens. By the end of the 80's the genre was all but completely extinct. It is safe to say withouth these movies, we wouldn't have the "American Pie" films, or Kevin Smith's View Askew pictures or any of the latest National Lampoon features, such as "Van Wilder". The teen sex comedy era is entrenched in Hollywood as a major cornerstone. It should never be forgotten for the stars it created, the inovative humour it developed and the lasting impact it had one the comedy genre in general.