Tom Hanks: God's animated cartoon
Tom Hanks better love the 80s -- his career took off during those magical years. Hanks, who turns the big Five-Ohmigod years old today, had his first acting credits in 1980 as "Elliot" in He Knows You're Alone and as "Rick Martin" on an episode of Love Boat.
But it was 1891 that Hanks would make his big entrance, playing cross-dressing Kip on Bosom Buddies. (Anyone else out there love Hanks in 1982's Mazes and Monsters? Classic.) The flood doors opened with Splash in 1984. Hanks ended the decade with THIRTEEN big-screen appearances. Can anyone say he didn't own the 80s?
It'd be easy to give you a top 5 list of our favorite Hanks movies. Instead, I'ved a different birthday present for the The Most Likeable Guy in Hollywood ...
Five Most Underrated Tom Hanks movies from the 80s:
5. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985): Any 80s movie that also stars Lori Singer, Dabney Coleman and Jim Belushi is high on my list.
Signature quote: "I'm not tense. Well, I did pass out today ... and got hit in the head by a basebal l... and brushed my teeth with shampoo ... then butchered Rimsky- Korsakov in front of 1,500 people, and my clothes fell apart. But I'm not tense."
4. Volunteers (1985): Hanks met his future wife, Rita Wilson, during the making of this film. John Candy and Gedde Watanabe (Long Duk Dong in 16 Candles) co-star.
Signature quote: "It's not that I can't help these people. It's just I don't want to."
3. Nothing in Common (1986): The final film for co-star Jackie Gleason, who plays Hanks' dad.
Signature quote (Gleason this time): That was something we all had in common... your grandfather, me, you. We always knew had to talk a girl into bed.
2. Bachelor Party (1984): Possibly the funniest movie Hanks has ever done. Supported by a cast of actors who no one would hear from again.
Signature quote: "Attention, passengers, we are now leaving Nun Central on our journey to Hell and beyond."
1. Punchline (1988): This movie suffered at the box office because people weren't ready for a drama about comedy. Too bad. With Sally Field, John Goodman and Taylor Negron, it's one to remember next trip to the video store.
Signature quote: "If you're sending someone down, you better send him fast - 'cuz Funny Steve's going under."
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
Of the movies on your under rated list, I would have to go with Bachelor Party ..."Did anyone order an a**hole from room service?"I also thought Nothing in Common was really good..."Is my nose bleeding?...I just got tagged."
Posted by: Bassnote | July 09, 2006 at 04:03 PM
I love 80's Tom Hanks! One of my favorites, The Burbs.Ray Peterson (Hank): "Nobody knocks off an old man in my neighborhood and gets away with it."
Posted by: dblvd | July 09, 2006 at 05:45 PM
damn, this one just slides off the face of the flat earth (ie: it debuted in 1990) ... But the Hankster delivered one of his best performances in the HIGHLY underrated "Joe vs. The Volcano" ... A masterpiece. Beautiful symbolism, and great lines ... ("I'm losing my sole") Brain cloud ... don't we all?Hey, I got shunned by Kenneth Lay's friends today! Aspen's snooty, skip it ... --chase
Posted by: Anonymous | July 10, 2006 at 12:21 AM
I Totally forgot about the Burbs!! That movie is hysterical. But, Steve will hate it because Corey Feldman was in it.
Posted by: Bassnote | July 10, 2006 at 12:34 AM
The Feldman should not taint certain movies because of his presence. He actually plays a funny role in The 'burbs as Ricky. What about Gremlins???
Posted by: dblvd | July 10, 2006 at 02:13 AM
Chaster -- I'm a fan of Joe vs. the Volcano, but - yeah - I did leave it off the list since it was 1990. As for the Burbs, I've never been able to get through the entire movie, so I figure that's reason enough to figure it doesn't make the cut either.
Posted by: Steve Spears | July 10, 2006 at 04:47 AM
Mr. Nice Guy sure did meet his wife on the set of "Volunteers" -- while he was still married to his first wife! Doh!Tom Hanks was great in "Bosom Buddies," the overarching stupidity of that show's premise notwithstanding. I wish Tom would put Peter Scolari in all of his movies, the way Ron Howard puts his brother Clint in all of his films...
Posted by: David P | July 10, 2006 at 12:24 PM
Man with One Red Shoe was the LAMEST movie he did. Hands Down.As for Bachelor Party, several of the actors ended up in bit part mediocrity. Adrian Zmed (Jay) did come from TJ Hooker to play in the movie, and Wendy Jo Sperber (Dr. Tina Gassko)had a few supporting roles before cancer got the best of her. She and Hanks were in "Bosom Buddies". Cynthia Kania (Sue) is in "Lois & Clark". Michael Dudikoff (Ryko) became the "American Ninja". Monique Gabrielle ("Take me, Rick" Tracey) had a small part in "Airplane II", "Hamburger, the Motion Picture" and several uncredited roles in movies like "Flashdance" and "Young Doctors in Love", although she had several roles in "adult-oriented" films like "Emmanuelle V" and "Young Lady Chatterly II". She also had a bit part in "Amazon Women on the Moon".I still watch it every chance I see it on.
Posted by: Greg Williams | July 11, 2006 at 03:55 PM
Greg -- I'd say the lamest Hanks movie was "Everytime We Say Goodbye" -- his war movie of the 80s. Horrible. I like to call it "Everytime It's On Cable, I Say Goodbye". I've tried to watch it all the way through and can't make it for longer than 10 minutes at a time.
Posted by: Steve Spears | July 12, 2006 at 05:36 AM