The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)

Director:

Matthew Robbins

Writers:

Lawrence Konner (writer)
Mark Rosenthal (writer)

Release Date:

19 July 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action

Tagline:

When you're seventeen, people think they can do anything to you. Billie Jean is about to prove them wrong.

Plot:

A Texas teenager cuts her hair short and becomes an outlaw martyr with her brother and friends.

Plot Keywords:

Riot | Runaway | Outlaw | Heroine | Teen Hero

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Helen Slater	...	Billie Jean Davy
Keith Gordon	...	Lloyd
Christian Slater	...	Binx
Richard Bradford	...	Pyatt
Peter Coyote	...	Ringwald
Martha Gehman	...	Ophelia
Yeardley Smith	...	Putter
Dean Stockwell	...	Muldaur
Barry Tubb	...	Hubie
Mona Lee Fultz	...	Donna Davy
Bobby Jones	...	Kenny
John M. Jackson	...	Kenny's Father
Rodney Rincon	...	Police Sergeant
Caroline Williams	...	Woman in Pickup
Rudy Young	...	Man in Pickup

Also Known As:

Fair Is Fair (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13 (re-rating on appeal) | USA:R (original rating) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Corpus Christi, Texas, USA

Company:

Delphi III Productions

Trivia:

Due to language, the film originally garnered an "R" rating from the MPAA. It was reduced to "PG-13" on appeal.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Billie Jean turns the TV channel and the movie Saint Joan appears, the TV is on channel 5. Whenever it's shown again on screen, it's on channel 6.

Quotes:

Jimmy J. Judge: Are you listening, Billie Jean? There is 608 at 101, come on in, girl, and pick it up. That's right Billie Jean, it's been pouring in from all over the state, you stay out there long enough, you can buy your brother 10 scooters. It's 608 at 101, this is Jimmy J. Judge.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Heart Telegraph

An unexplainable attraction to this film...

I saw this movie when I was a kid, and it instantly became one of my personal favorites. Helen Slater's performance is unforgettable about a young girl and her instant rebel/outlaw status. This is definitely a cult favorite, and appropriately so. For some undescribable reason, this film grabs at you in a way that most movies never do. You seem to care a lot for Billie Jean, and want her to get the justice she deserves. Every rebellious youth should see this film so they can see what happens on both sides of the law, and for a highly entertaining movie. Full of 80's music (especially the kick-ass Pat Benatar theme song), The Legend of Billie Jean is truly a remarkable film that was overlooked by too many people for its brilliance.