She still takes our breath away
She doesn't have the largest portfolio in the 80s or the most famous face (though certainly one of the most beautiful). But take nothing away from Kelly McGillis: She easily had some of the best-developed and brilliantly acted roles of the decade.
McGillis, who turns 51 years old today, was such an influence on me that whenever I used to visit Key West, I'd search the side streets, looking for the restaurant there that she once owned with an ex-husband. It was always a time-sucking endeavor sadly undertaken on the fantasy that "Charlie" would walk out the kitchen, say "Hello, Pete Mitchell" and serve me my platter of conch fritters.
What is Kelly up to these days? Still acting thankfully, most recently in cable TV's "The L Word."
I'm also somewhat frightened and intrigued to hear she played the role of "Mrs. Robinson" in the touring stage version of "The Graduate" in 2004. Still, if Kelly McGillis ever comes up to me and delivers the line, "If you won't sleep with me this time I want you to know that you can
call me up anytime you want and we'll make some kind of arrangement," I'll just die on the spot. (Note to family and friends: Scatter my ashes in Key West, somewhere near that restaurant of hers ... if you can find it.)
TOP 5 MEMORABLE KELLY McGILLIS LINES OF THE 80s:
5. "Either you tell me right now what you saw or you can tell it to me on the witness stand." (The Accused)
4. "What do you wanna do? Just drop down on the tile and go for it?" (Top Gun)
3. "I see some real genius in your flying, Maverick, but I can't say that in there. I was afraid that everyone in the tax trailer would see right through me, and I just don't want anyone to know that I've fallen for you." (Top Gun)
2. "We're all very happy that you're going to live, John Book. We didn't know what we would do with you if you'd died." (Witness)
1. "You know what we've never done. We've never ... danced." (Made in Heaven)
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:
Oh god, Johnny. You're right. I ran right past Kelly's -- with the jealous boyfriend in hot pursuit ... and you with the stolen bottle of Jack Daniels. Too bad that story didn't take place in the 80s. It'd make for a 3-part podcast.
Posted by: Spears | July 11, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Steve,
I think you may have passed that restaurant that night you were on the run from the jealous boyfriend's condo. (Leaving your friend behind to deal with the mess, I might add.)
Posted by: Johnny B. Goode | July 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I believe the count is four or five.
Posted by: Spears | July 11, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I have been to Kelly's restaurant many times. The food was pretty good (great courtyard atmosphere), and they had great wing specials on Friday (at least they used to). I did meet her there one evening in the late 90s....she looked pretty bad, but was very friendly.
Posted by: Darren... | July 11, 2008 at 09:45 AM
wait, wait, wait...............so this is another lesbian from the 80s that spears is totally into? what's the count up to now?
Posted by: don in tulsa | July 10, 2008 at 07:01 PM
I enjoyed dinner a few times at Kelly's place down in Key West last September. My date asked if she was in that night and got the reply, "She's not, but if she was she wouldn't be interested in you, you're not her type...." And then they pointed to me and said, "But she is".
Posted by: K | July 10, 2008 at 06:26 PM
Has McGillis come out yet? When I was acting like a journalist in the late 80's, I interviewed her when The Accused came out. Her agent or PR person told me I couldn't ask any questions about McGillis and her relationship with Jodie Foster. I told him that wouldn't be a problem since I didn't know what he was talking about. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Posted by: Big Tex | July 10, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Oh good! I'm still waiting for him to back up his statement on the podcast regarding going back to that great 80's rock style!
Posted by: John Hays | July 10, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Kenny still plays "Danger Zone" in concert though, or at least he did when I saw him here in Tampa Bay at Ruth Eckerd Hall a couple years ago. Great, great show.
Posted by: Spears | July 10, 2008 at 07:44 AM
Wow, she's still gorgeous.
I LOVE Top Gun. One of my favorite movies. All the homoerotic nonsense be damned! Awesome combo of music and fighter jets! I'll still put Danger Zone or Mighty Wings on in the car and drive just a bit faster. (Saddened me to hear that Kenny didn't like Danger Zone, great song.)
Oh, and I also enjoy belting out a little "You never close your eyes...." :D
Posted by: John Hays | July 10, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Does anybody know what day it is? July 10th. Juuulyyy tenthhh. Rings a bell. Can't quite put my finger on it. Hmmm. Wow, I know this day means something.
Posted by: Marissa | July 10, 2008 at 12:58 AM
The only movie I ever liked her in was "Witness" because it was a great movie, and she did nothing to distract the story. I have written more than once on this blog about my intense hatred of the movie "Top Gun."
Posted by: Bassnote | July 10, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I hear ya, Spearsy. Love the classic '80s look she is sporting in the top photo.
I truly can't wait to get my hands on a functional method of time travel to go back to the greatest decade ever, when women rocked that hairstyle, etc.
Posted by: Blaine | July 09, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Yes and i`m dancing.That`s why a lot of stuff roll and spin.
Posted by: Miguel | July 09, 2008 at 09:36 PM
I'm singing. It's what I do.
"and there's no tenderness like before in your fingerti-i-ips..."
**screeeeeeeeee** Record change
"Watching every motion
In my foolish lover's game "
Posted by: Marissa | July 09, 2008 at 09:27 PM
OOh! Now there`s a comment that can put a lot of things rolling!
Posted by: Miguel | July 09, 2008 at 09:05 PM
"You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your li-ips."
Posted by: Marissa | July 09, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Tonianne i can`t stop rolling them,and it`s not just the eyes i`m rolling with that comment.I`m spining with outrageousness at that.
The volleyball scene is OFFICIALLY the worst movie scene of the decade!!!
One good line thow:"Mother Goose you pu@@y"!Do you guys remember that?I do!
Posted by: Miguel | July 09, 2008 at 08:51 PM
Yes. Which is why I've only seen the movie maybe twice. *ducks and runs*
Posted by: jane | July 09, 2008 at 08:49 PM
RE: "Not cerebral enough for me"
You do realize it was a TOM CRUISE film, and the chances of him donning a tweed blazer and spouting Thoreau were slim to none, right?
Posted by: Tonianne | July 09, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Great Kenny Loggins song for the volleyball scene though -- "Playing with the Boys" (aka the Sean Daly theme song)
Posted by: Spears | July 09, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Seriously. It was her hair -- which I still love.
That volleyball scene -- meh. Not cerebral enough for me ;-)
Posted by: jane | July 09, 2008 at 08:14 PM
yeah, jane. her hair. riiiiiiight.
because that volleyball scene really was tedious.
(and stop rolling your eyes, miguel)
Posted by: Tonianne | July 09, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Kelly McGillis' hair was the best part of Top Gun for me -- I loved it.
Posted by: jane | July 09, 2008 at 07:52 PM
Ah, Miguel, that's fine. More for me.
Posted by: Spears | July 09, 2008 at 07:50 PM
No likey this Kelly very mucho
Posted by: Miguel | July 09, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Meh, she's a handsome woman.
Posted by: Marissa | July 09, 2008 at 07:12 PM