Happy Birthday, Ferris!

The star of one of the most memorized high school movies (probably one behind “Better Off Dead“) of the 1980s was born 45 years ago today.

Matthew Broderick, who played the title role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” celebrates his birthday. While Broderick was to star in a long string of movies throughout his career, he is most remembered for this one.

“Ferris Bueller,” the 1986 film in the middle of a long list of John Hughes’ 80s teen classics, also featured a number of future stars including:

• Jennfer Grey, who played Ferris’ angry sister
• Charlie Sheen, who played “Boy in Police Station”
• Kristy Swanson, who played “Simone”
• Ben Stein, the teacher, who later became a great cameo actor and host of his own game show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money.”

There may not have been an official soundtrack, but the movie featured some great tunes:

• “The Edge of Forever” by The Dream Academy
• “BAD” by Big Audio Dynamite
• “Love Missile F1-11” by Sigue Sigue Sputnik
• “Taking the Day Off” by General Public

You will notice that I left off that awful “Oh Yeah!” song by Yello. I couldn’t include that in the list of “great tunes.” It was worse to have to hear that song too many times on the radio, in movies and for New Jersey Nets TV promos for years afterward.

Once again, Happy Birthday to Matthew Broderick, who made lazy high schoolers like me know there were more of us than we thought. Also, thanks for inspiring the FOX TV show: “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose.”