The new guy in a Los Angeles high school, Morgan, does some singing and fights hotshot Nick over disco dancer Frankie.
Acting
Spader's weirdo intensity elevating every scene he's in
Score
Jimmy Barnes and fake bands soundtracking turf wars
Costume
Leather jackets, big hair, and dancewear as battle armor
Director
Fritz Kiersch
James Spader
Morgan Hiller
Kim Richards
Frankie Croyden
Paul Mones
Nick Hauser
Matt Clark
Stuart Hiller
Claudette Nevins
Page Hiller
Olivia Barash
Ronnie
Robert Downey Jr.
Jimmy Parker
Panchito Gómez
Mickey
Michael Wyle
Eddie
Catya Sassoon
Feather
Francis X. McCarthy
Man at Bus Stop
Art Evans
Security Guard
Herb Mitchell
Mr. Russell
Ceil Cabot
Secretary
Donald Fullilove
Howard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was James Spader's first leading role after Pretty in Pink, and he reportedly took it specifically to play against type as a working-class hero instead of his trademark preppy villains.
The fictional band Jack Mack and the Heart Attack, who perform the club scenes, were a real LA act that briefly charted; their inclusion captures the Sunset Strip scene that Tuff Turf desperately wants to be part of.
US
