Independent Films, Film Profiles

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (film)

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) is a dance movie in the style of Footloose and Flashdance.Janey (Sarah Jessica Parker) is an army brat who is thrilled to be transferred to the home of her favorite dance show Dance TV. She and new friend Lynne (Helen Hunt) are excited when the show announces an audition for new talent. Defying her strict and conservative dad, Janey auditions and gets into the finals. She finds herself paired up with dreamboat Jeff (Lee Montgomery) who unfortunately catches the eye of rich girl, Natalie (Holly Gagnier). Jeff on the other hand reluctantly auditions because of the opportunity presented by his entrepreneurial best friend Drew (Jonathan Silverman). Despite her father's objections, and Natalie's manipulations, Janey is determined to win the spot.Cyndi Lauper's version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" does not play in this film. Instead a cover of the song by unknowns Deborah Galli, Tami Holbrook, and Meredith Marshall is featured.A young Shannen Doherty co-stars in this film as Jeff's bratty younger sister. An uncredited Gina Gershon appears as a dancer at the Dance TV auditions, along with actor Scott Coffey.For many years, Comedy Central, Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network and ABC Family have aired the film. As of 2007 ABC Family's sister network, Disney Channel, owns the rights to the film.