Producer Donald Borchers later said the film was a personal favorite of his. "That's Donald P. Borchers on a plate," he said. "That's what happens when I get to make a movie and nobody stands in my way."[2]
Plot
Morgan Hiller (Spader) is an intelligent but bullied teenager from Connecticut. He relocates to Los Angeles, along with his brother and their strict parents, after the family business goes broke. Morgan hits it off with Jimmy Parker (Downey), but struggles to make other friends. Trouble ensues when Morgan pursues bad girl Frankie Croyden (Richards), whose sociopathic and psychotic boyfriend Nick Hauser (Paul Mones) is the leader of the Tuffs, a local gang who already has it in for Morgan after he thwarted their efforts to mug a businessman.
Morgan soon finds pursuing Frankie comes with harsh consequences. Morgan learns some valuable-if-hard lessons, while discovering how far he is prepared to go for Frankie. Ultimately, Morgan must survive a physical showdown with Nick and the Tuffs, to prove himself in Frankie's eyes...and in his own.
The film was produced by Donald Borchers who had made several films for New World including Children of the Corn and Angel. Borchers was inspired to make the film after seeing an R and B concert where one of the song was "She's So Tough". This led to the title Tuff Turf.[2]
Borchers claims that shortly before filming began head of production Robert Rehme wanted to cease production because of the financial failure of Streets of Fire - which Rehme had greenlit at Universal. However Borchers appealed to the owners of fhe studio and filming proceeded.[3] Borchers also claimed Rehme wanted to change the title to Rules Don't Apply.[2]
The screenwriter was "Jette Rinck", the legally adopted name of Ina May (taken from the James Dean character in Giant). She wrote the screenplay in 3.5 weeks; the film was shot over a four-week period in Reseda.[4]
The female lead was originally offered to Madonna at the suggestion of New World executive Jonathan Axelrod. However Borchers found out that Madonna wanted to make Desperately Seeking Susan so instead he offered the role to Kim Richards who the producer thought "was the sexiest 19 year old on the planet" although "if I had known about the cocaine problems I probably wouldn't have cast her." Richards agreed to appear nude in a scene but after filming her management requested the scene be removed from the final movie.[2]
The role of Spader's best friend was offered to Crispin Glover but he was making another movie for New World so Robert Downey Jr was cast instead.[2] Downey, Richards and fellow cast member Catya Sassoon all had notable drug problems.[5]
"She's Looking Good" - Jack Mack and the Heart Attack
"Twist and Shout" - Dale Gonyea with J.R. & the Z-Men
"We Walk the Night" - Paul Carney and Michael Chamberlain dubbed singing voices for James Spader
"Breakin' the Rules" - Jonathan Elias (1985 VHS/Beta Home Video Version only)
Liner notes from 1985 LP:[6] Mastered At– Precision Lacquer, Hollywood CA Coordinator– Harold Bronson Design– Grace Amemiya Mastered By– Stephen Marcussen
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