SEPTEMBER 19, 1981

Full News Archive

• Headline: 'CONTINENTAL DIVIDE' Comedy Overview. Impact: When audiences laughed at 'CONTINENTAL DIVIDE,' they unknowingly inspired a future generation of rom-coms, leading to an era where people thought love was just a series of awkward, humorous misunderstandings. Thanks a lot, 1981!. Fact: This film is a classic example of how a love story can somehow make you forget that ornithologists and journalists rarely date outside their profession. It's like a rom-com version of 'Birds of a Feather.'.
• Headline: Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest. Impact: Faye Dunaway's portrayal of Joan Crawford launched a thousand awkward family dinners, as children everywhere suddenly felt the need to scrutinize their parents' parenting styles. Thanks, 'Mommie Dearest,' for the therapy bills!. Fact: It's said that after watching this movie, many parents started throwing away their wire hangers. Coincidentally, the wire hanger industry saw a sharp decline in the early 80s!.
• Headline: Sissy Spacek in 'Raggedy Man'. Impact: Sissy Spacek's 'Raggedy Man' brought a wave of Texas divorcees to the silver screen, resulting in a dramatic uptick in cowboy hat sales and a stereotype that never really went away. The more you know!. Fact: Spacek actually spent time with real Texas divorcees to prepare for this role. So if you find yourself in a Texas bar, don't ask about their ex-husbands unless you have a solid hour to spare..
• Headline: 'THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN'. Impact: With 'The French Lieutenant's Woman,' Meryl Streep single-handedly created a cottage industry of adaptations of Victorian novels, ensuring that book clubs would always have something to argue about over wine. Cheers to literary debates!. Fact: This film was so well-received that it made Meryl Streep the go-to actress for any role that involves at least one scene of heavy breathing while looking out to sea. Seriously, just check her filmography..