'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' considered 'pornography' by executives in 1982, studio nearly scrapped it

High school goes by pretty quickly, but even Universal Pictures execs couldn't remember their own teenage glory days during the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" cast.

The classic 1982 film celebrated its 40th anniversary on August 13. And while the film, directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, launched the careers of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Forest Whitaker, Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage, among its star-studded ensemble cast, actor Judge Reinhold claimed that 'Universal was hesitant to even release it in the first place.

"We were really heartbroken because someone in high places said, 'This is pornography, and there's no way Universal is releasing this movie,'" Reinhold said. “We didn't see it as that exciting high school movie at all. We saw it as an opportunity to do something authentic based on the real-life experiences of the children that Cameron has been chronicling all year."
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The screenplay was based on Crowe's 1981 book, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story," about his undercover experience as a high school student for a year.

Director Heckerling added of Universal's distribution plan, "They were going to shelve it because they didn't see how it would make money. They decided to open it in a few theaters from the west coast, and they did, and people kept coming back and knowing all the lines. So they quickly released it to the rest of the country. There was no advertising before, I was disgusted."

With instant success, "Fast Times" has grossed over $27 million at the domestic box office, up from $83 million today. And Heckerling pointed out that the film is timeless in its messages of sexual exploration, consent and bodily autonomy, as well as all the hormones, heartbreak and lust in between.

"The whole theme, even the title, is that things are going too fast for young people," Heckerling explained, citing Universal's obvious confusion. "They shouldn't have to worry so much about sex at such an early age."

One of the few Hollywood movies to openly discuss and then show abortion, “Fast Times” marked a revolutionary turning point in cinema. Now, Heckerling added, "We are stepping back in many ways."

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'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' considered 'pornography' by executives in 1982, studio nearly scrapped it

High school goes by pretty quickly, but even Universal Pictures execs couldn't remember their own teenage glory days during the "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" cast.

The classic 1982 film celebrated its 40th anniversary on August 13. And while the film, directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, launched the careers of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Forest Whitaker, Sean Penn and Nicolas Cage, among its star-studded ensemble cast, actor Judge Reinhold claimed that 'Universal was hesitant to even release it in the first place.

"We were really heartbroken because someone in high places said, 'This is pornography, and there's no way Universal is releasing this movie,'" Reinhold said. “We didn't see it as that exciting high school movie at all. We saw it as an opportunity to do something authentic based on the real-life experiences of the children that Cameron has been chronicling all year."

Related Related

The screenplay was based on Crowe's 1981 book, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story," about his undercover experience as a high school student for a year.

Director Heckerling added of Universal's distribution plan, "They were going to shelve it because they didn't see how it would make money. They decided to open it in a few theaters from the west coast, and they did, and people kept coming back and knowing all the lines. So they quickly released it to the rest of the country. There was no advertising before, I was disgusted."

With instant success, "Fast Times" has grossed over $27 million at the domestic box office, up from $83 million today. And Heckerling pointed out that the film is timeless in its messages of sexual exploration, consent and bodily autonomy, as well as all the hormones, heartbreak and lust in between.

"The whole theme, even the title, is that things are going too fast for young people," Heckerling explained, citing Universal's obvious confusion. "They shouldn't have to worry so much about sex at such an early age."

One of the few Hollywood movies to openly discuss and then show abortion, “Fast Times” marked a revolutionary turning point in cinema. Now, Heckerling added, "We are stepping back in many ways."