FMASU PRESENTS A 40TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING OF “BETTER OFF DEAD” WITH CO-STAR DIANE FRANKLIN ON HAND FOR AN INTRODUCTION AND POST-SCREENING CONVERSATION
The 501(C)(3) nonprofit, The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah (FMASU), recently hosted a 40th-Anniversary screening of the 80s gem Better Off Dead this past July. The event was so popular that they’ve decided to host an encore screening of the film with an unforgettable added bonus; The movie’s lovely co-star, Diane Franklin, will be on hand to introduce the film and to take part in a post screening conversation and Q&A.
This wonderful actress has a resume that includes recent projects like Waking Nightmare and Bad Advice but it all started with a memorable turn in Better Off Dead as well as an appearance as one of the princesses in 1989’s hilarious time-travel comedy, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. She also broke hearts earlier on in the 80s with her turn in the underappreciated The Last American Virgin, a teen sex comedy that would take a most unexpected detour with its sucker-punch-to-the-gut ending.
Perhaps her most endearing performance, however, is in the aforementioned Better Off Dead. In this righteously hilarious offering, John Cusack is Lane Meyer, a lovesick teen who must adjust to life after his girlfriend dumps him. Among other things, this very funny movie features a colorful cast of supporting players including our guest of honor, Mrs. Franklin as foreign exchange student and new object of Lane’s affection, Monique Junot. Better Off Dead also features memorable work by Laura Waterbury (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids), Yujji Okumoto (The Karate Kid Part II), Dan Schneider (Good Burger), Kim Darby (Teen Wolf, Too), David Ogden Stiers (M*A*S*H), Vincent Schiavelli (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and Demian Slade (Back to the Beach) as the world’s most persistent delivery boy.
Writer/director Savage Steve Holland (One Crazy Summer and How I Got Into College) doesn’t get nearly enough love. His take on the 80s teen experience was always something a little bit different from some of the more angsty-centric elements we were seeing from his contemporaries at the time. His films were always charming, high energy, and seemingly random in equal measure, and in the end, while Holland may not have enjoyed the same sort of success as someone like John Hughes, his 80s essentials have grown in popularity through the years. This is especially true of Better Off Dead which has certainly stood the test of time. It should also be noted that several scenes in this film were shot right here in the beautiful Beehive state by way of a big time assist from The Utah Film Commission.
This special 40th-anniversary screening of Better Off Dead will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd at the Electric Theater. Diane Franklin will be on hand to sign copies of her book starting at 6 PM. Doors for the screening will open at 6:30 PM with the film set to start at 7 PM. Mrs. Franklin will also introduce the screening and follow the movie up with what is sure to be a lively and altogether insightful conversation about her career.
If you’re interested in attending, FMASU suggests you RSVP for tickets sooner rather than later as this screening is expected to fill up. Tickets are free but donations are greatly appreciated as they will help cover the cost of the screening.
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