Friday, February 24, 2012

Rated R in 1984 - Ralph Macchio in Teachers


Ralph Macchio in Teachers in 1984.


In October, 1984 I was 12 and head-over-heels in love with Ralph Macchio. Back in June of that year I was smitten after Karate Kid. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of 1984 is Ralph Macchio. Even my name was sort of borrowed from Elizabeth Shue’s character who sweetly tells Daniel her name is, “Ali with an ‘i!’” I was, “Ally with a ‘y.’” I told all of my new friends at Girl Scout camp that summer.

Once Karate Kid was no longer in theaters, I kept my eyes glued to the teen magazines. I anxiously awaited the 411 on Ralph’s next film. Tiger Beat and 16 were all abuzz about Teachers, a movie costarring Nick Nolte and Judd Hirsch. Big deal, Ralph Macchio was the only guy I cared about.

Ralph Macchio with Nick Nolte in Teachers, 1984.

Teachers centered around a rough and tough high school filled with delinquents. The trailer was peppered with shocking, explosive classroom scenes we suburban kids never actually witnessed in our own quiet, sleepy schools. Well, at least that’s how it was for me back then. My dad taught high school on Long Island and has some wild stories of  '70s and '80s gangs and whatnot.

The point of this blog is to share with you my childhood heartache. Teachers was RATED R. I wasn’t allowed to see any RATED R films. I remember my mom (also a teacher) telling me, "You aren't even close to the appropriate age for an R-Rated movie. It just wouldn't be right for a child to see such adult content."

The tears and diary entries caused by this tragic event were unbelievably dramatic. My life was over. I was like a Justin Bieber fan without a concert ticket. It was probably the most devastating travesty during the fall of 1984. Ralph, how could you do this to your young fans? That was the end of my crush. I believe I was all about Growing Pains’ Kirk Cameron from then on.

Thanks for listening.

8 comments:

  1. That's a blast from the past! One of my granddaughters (you know which one), is taking karate. Somebody, maybe me said, Wax on, wax off, while she was practicing. She asked what that meant. Talk about feeling old in a hurry...

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  2. I've never heard of that movie...I had a huge crush on him after the Karate Kid movies.

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  3. But there was Karate Kid, part 2!

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  4. I had a huge crush on him too!! Never saw Teachers though!

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  5. I thought that movie was pretty cool when I saw in the theaters.

    Don't really recall why it was rated R in the first place.

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  6. umm, are we twins separated at birth! i, too, was IN LOVE with ralph! in fact, he was just in chicago and i tried my best to get a glimpse.

    p.s. stop by today and vote if you get a chance to goodies&besties to the in the top 25 mom beauty and fashion blogs! xo

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  7. Once Karate Kid was no longer in theaters, I kept my eyes glued to the teen magazines.
    Karate classes west los angeles

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  8. I have a crush on him he's so cute in the outsiders,the karate kid,teachers,crossroad and the karate part 2

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