Tampabay.com
JANUARY 15, 2007

Wretched hives of scum and villainy

John Hughes' movies have several trademarks that attract a loyal audience: Great soundtracks, teen characters who act more like adults, actors who feel like the girl or boy next door, and deliciously evil villains that we love to hate.

Who's your favorite villain from a John Hughes movie? There are several from which choose. Leave a comment and we'll share them on our upcoming podcast on "Some Kind of Wonderful," which has my personal pick for best villain. Tune into the podcast to find out why.

STEFF
Jamespader Movie: Pretty in Pink (1986)
Actor: James Spader
Also a villain in: Less Than Zero, Mannequin, Baby Boom.
Signature line: "The girl was, is and will always be nada."
Biggest crime: Trying to sabotage Blane's relationship with Andie; spitting blood in the school hallway.

HARDY JENNS
Craigsheffer Movie: Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
Actor: Craig Sheffer
Also a villain in: I can't think of any.
Signature line: "That's Hardy Jenns ... with TWO 'n's"
Biggest crime: Turning everyone against his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Jones; setting up Eric Stoltz to get beat up; breaking into the girls' locker room.

ED ROONEY
Jeffreyjones Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Actor: Jeffrey Jones
Also a villain in: Who's Harry Crumb?
Signature line: "So THAT's how it is in their family."
Biggest crime: Breaking into the Bueller household; feeding Ferris' flowers to the family dog.

RICHARD VERNON
Paulgleason Movie: The Breakfast Club (1985)
Actor: Paul Gleason
Also a villain in: Trading Places, Johnny Be Good.
Signature line: "You think he's funny? You think this is cute? You think he's "bitchin," is that it? Let me tell you something. Look at him - he's a bum. You want to see something funny? You go visit John Bender in five years. You'll see how goddamned funny he is."
Biggest crime: Sentencing Bender to endless detentions.

CHET
Billpaxton Movie: Weird Science (1985)
Actor: Bill Paxton 
Also a villain in: Nothing I can think of.
Signature line: "How 'bout a nice greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray?"
Biggest crime: Blackmailing his little brother for his college money.

RON RICHARDSON
Martinmull Movie: Mr. Mom (1983)
Actor: Martin Mull
Also a villain in: Take This Job and Shove It
Signature line: "Are you gonna make it all 220?"
Biggest crime: Trying to seduce Michael Keaton's wife.

DAVIS McDONALD
Baldwin_alec Movie:
She's Having a Baby (1988)
Actor: Alec Baldwin
Also a villain in: Married to the Mob, Working Girl, Great Balls of Fire
Signature line: "You're the only one I ever loved."
Biggest crime: Trying to break up Kevin Bacon's marriage.

So who's your favorite villain? Leave a comment with your vote.

[Sources: IMDB.com, John Hughes Files]

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About the blogger

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times entertainment news editor Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.

E-mail Steve Spears:
stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com
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