I'm extremely sad to hear that Amanda Peterson the beautiful and talented star of the cult 1980's film 'Can't Buy me Love' has passed away earlier this month.
This came as a shock to me because CBML is probably my favourite 1980's teen film and she made a big impact on me when I first saw it and she was certainly (along with Judy Geeson) the only other movie star crush of my life. Sadly her career (she had already starred in 'Explorers' with Ethan Hawke and 'Annie' in her early teens) never reached the giddy heights her potential deserved. A very fine actress and a sweet lady gone to soon.
It seems everyone who knew and worked with her felt she was too gentle and sensitive for the Hollywood machine which seems to have fuelled her descent into a drug fuelled lifestyle after her career went downhill.
On the upside though she made a film that everytime I watch it makes me (and apparently many others) feel 17 all over again. It's a fun, quirky, intelligent and sweet slice of 80's cinema with a very human message and a great soundtrack and I highly recommend it to anyone who came of age in that era.
RIP Amanda,
Jonathan
A lovely tribute video by a fan posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMhBBtaFQUo
Posted on: 23 July 2015 by steved
Jonathan,
I'm afraid I didn't know this actress, or the film to which you referred. I do however share your view about Judy Geeson - I also had a real crush on her, especially her role in "To Sir With Love".
Regards, Steve
Posted on: 24 July 2015 by Jonathan Gorse
Steve,
Judy is indeed another fine actress and pin-up, my favourite of her films is Clive Donner's 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush' which is available as an excellent BFI blue ray release. I actually managed to arrange a weekend with the family in Stevenage a couple of years ago tracking down the actual locations used in the film!! It's also worth getting hold of 'three into two won't go' with Rod Steiger and also 'One of those things' with Roy Dotrice. There's quite a lot of worthwhile Geeson movies out there and of course she was in 10 Rillington Place, Danger UXB, Doomwatch (movie) and Brannigan with John Wayne (I also took the family for lunch at the pub in that film in London!).
The last I heard of Judy was she ran a high end gift store in LA and more recently has returned to films in a couple of horror movies.
I love the way that following a particular actor or actress widens the scope of fine movie discoveries.
Jonathan
Posted on: 24 July 2015 by kuma
10 Rillington Place: I don't recall Geeson but What a performance by Attenborough!
This was how I've learnt about the Christie Murder Case. :/
Posted on: 25 July 2015 by GraemeH
I read '10 Rillington Place' when a teenager. A totally mesmerising read and better than the film imho.
G
Posted on: 26 July 2015 by kuma
The whole incident had an extra layer of complexity fuelling scandal as it put UK's judicious system in question.
I was surprised to find out the execution was carried out rather quickly from the final verdict. In the US, it can take years for death row inmate to be executed. ( and I have read that cost us tax papers average 8 mil.USD/per inmate )
Sorry about Amanda. Hollywood never changes claiming yet another victim.
