Ferris Bueller... You’re My Hero: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Day Off

Comedian and podcaster Klamm (Post-Modem) delivers a heartfelt account of the making and impact of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, John Hughes’s 1986 comedy about a high school senior who skips school with his best friend and girlfriend to spend the day exploring Chicago. Drawing on 125 interviews with members of the cast and crew, Klamm relays how it took Hughes just six days to write the first draft of the film, which he based largely on his upbringing in an Illinois suburb. He quickly went over budget during production, thanks to his commitment to capturing memorable and timeless scenes, including a large-scale musical number. But the result paid off: the film became a cultural touchstone, with numerous songs sampling quotes from the script about living in the moment and countless movies and TV shows referencing quintessential scenes. As Klamm astutely suggests, the movie resonates with viewers because, though it takes place at the end of high school, “it’s not about the end of things—it’s about the avoidance of that ending,” making it an ideal place to “live in, whenever the world feels too small, or too big.” Fans will relish this nostalgic behind-the-scenes tour. Photos. (June)