Girls Just Want to Have Fun 1985

Janey Glenn, portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, is an enthusiastic “army brat” who dreams of dancing on her favorite show, Dance TV. When her stern father, played by Ed Lauter, gets transferred to Chicago, Janey is overjoyed. At her Catholic girls’ school, she grows close to Lynne Stone, depicted by Helen Hunt, as they bond over their mutual passion for dance. However, when Janey’s father forbids her from attending auditions in downtown Chicago, she decides to sneak into the auditions with Lynne.

At these auditions, Janey encounters rivalry with the entitled Natalie Sands, who is played by Holly Gagnier. Tensions rise when Natalie rudely obstructs Lynne’s path and later sabotages her chances to excel by secretly paying off Lynne’s partner. Despite the challenges, both Janey and a determined dancer named Jeff Maline, portrayed by Lee Montgomery, shine brightly during the auditions. Jeff, who has been pushed by his working-class father to pursue trade school, finds himself torn between family expectations and his passion for dance.

Throughout the audition process, Janey and Jeff clash, stemming from their contrasting backgrounds; Janey is a trained dancer whereas Jeff has never taken any formal classes. Their growing bond is tested by Natalie’s meddling and clever deceit, as she informs Janey’s father about her skipping choir practice by impersonating “Sister Natalie.”

In a twist of fate, Janey, Lynne, and Jeff’s little sister Maggie, played by Shannen Doherty, hatch a playful plan to crash Natalie’s coming-out debutante party, inviting an array of eccentric attendees ranging from drag queens to bodybuilders. The chaos that unfolds at the party becomes a spectacle, delighting Janey, Lynne, and Maggie as they watch from a distance.

As time progresses and rehearsals ensue, the connection between Janey and Jeff deepens, leading to a romantic moment where they finally share a kiss after fleeing an escalating situation at a club. However, the return of conflict arises as Natalie, infuriated by the humiliation at her party, seeks revenge. She convinces her powerful father, Morgan Woodward, to leverage his influence to ensure her victory in the dance contest.

When confronted by Natalie’s father, Jeff faces overwhelming pressure that strains his relationship with Janey. He reluctantly withdraws from the contest due to the weight of his father’s expectations. Yet, determined to support him, Janey finds a way to escape her overprotective father’s watchful eye and sneaks out to the contest. With Lynne’s help, she disrupts the elaborate security measures designed to keep her homebound, concocting a daring escape that culminates in her arrival at the dance studio just in time.

The competition unfolds with Janey’s family rooting for her on television, igniting mixed emotions in her father, who is conflicted but later surprises her with his pride. The intense finale of the contest leads to a tie between Janey and Jeff, and Natalie and her partner, resulting in an exhilarating dance-off. Combining the excitement of synchronized routines they practiced together, Janey and Jeff impress the judges.

The decision ultimately favors Janey and Jeff, earning them the coveted title they fought for. In a moment of dramatic irony, Natalie confronts her father, only to receive an unexpected reprimand. As the atmosphere fills with triumph, Janey’s father, witnessing her success, beams with pride, and in a heartwarming twist, Lynne is crowned Miss Dance TV, which leads Janey, Lynne, and Maggie to celebrate their shared victory together, showcasing the power of persistence, friendship, and the magic of dance.