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Carrie (1976)
The Prom: Vance Or Towers play live music while Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) enjoys a lovely evening as the date of perm-headed dream jock Tommy (William Katt).
Prom Problems? Just a few. First, Carrie’s evangelical mother doesn’t want her to go to the prom (“they’re all gonna laugh at you!”), then our telekinetic teen becomes the target of a revenge attack by her fellow students. Cue pig blood, screaming, fire, split-screens and lots of death.
If It Was A British School Disco: Carrie would have a full English breakfast tipped onto her head. Tasty.
Back To The Future (1985)
The Prom: The Enchantment Under The Sea dance at Hill Valley High School.
Prom Problems? Just the small matter of Marty McFly’s (Michael J Fox) existence. He’s been transported back to 1955, where he attempts to get his mother and father to fall in love – otherwise it’s lights out for Marty’s future. Luckily he has Huey Lewis to help him out, as well as some mad guitar skills.
If It Was A British School Disco: Marty would bump into a young John Lennon at the dance, and inspire him to write ‘Imagine’.
American Pie (1999)
The Prom: Both a graduation party salute to young Michigan students, and the deadline for four mates to lose their virginity.
Prom Problems? Things aren’t looking good for Jim (Jason Biggs), Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas), Oz (Chris Klein) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas), as their pact to rid themselves of their male hymens looks to be in tatters.
Things improve, though, when The Sherminator’s revealed to be a total liar (he is still a virgin), and the post-prom booze-up at Stifler’s pad results in some interesting pair-ups...
If It Was A British School Disco: It’d be followed by a raucous party at a remote farmhouse, with even more surprising (and possibly illegal) pair-ups...
Pretty In Pink (1986)
The Prom: Not just any prom, but a prom in the ‘80s! Cue massive hair, ridiculous frocks and one effortlessly cool soundtrack.
Prom Problems? Poor teen Andie (Molly Ringwald) is, well, poor. So when she’s asked to go to the prom with rich kid Blane (Andrew McCarthy), she refuses.
Customising a dress her dad bought her from a thrift shop, she goes alone, only to have Blane confess his love for her. Realising he’s being genuine, Andie rewards him with a steamy parking lot smooch.
If It Was A British School Disco: Posh boy Blane would woo Andie by smoking a bubble-emitting pipe and twirling a fake moustache.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
The Prom: The school dance, as attended by Napoleon (Jon Heder) and Mexican comrade Pedro (Efren Ramirez).
Prom Problems? “I like your sleeves. They're real big,” Napoleon compliments Deb at the dance, having sort of gotten her as a date.
Which is the main problem with this school dance – just who to take as a date. Pedro wants Summer (Haylie Duff), but she’s the most popular girl at school, and his plan to “build her a cake” goes miserably...
If It Was A British School Disco: Napoleon would steal the show with an amazing dance routine set to the tune of ‘Karma Chameleon’.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
The Prom: Padua Stadium High School’s shindig, which Kat (Julia Stiles) begrudgingly agrees to attend as Patrick’s (Heath Ledger) date.
Prom Problems? Kat’s completely unaware that Patrick’s being paid to take her out by sister Bianca’s date Joey (Andrew Keegan).
Naturally the ruse is revealed at the prom, leading to Kat writing the titular poem. Then there’s the matter of Bianca’s hideous cupcake pink dress. Eyesore!
If It Was A British School Disco: It would be compulsory to come wearing jodhpurs and carrying a horse whip.
Footloose (1984)
The Prom: Thrown by rebellious music-lover Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), who’s just moved from Chicago to a small town where rock music's been outlawed.
Prom Problems? “Hey hey! What’s this I see? I thought this was a party. Let’s dance!” Ren rightly refuses to give in to his new town’s ridiculous ban on music and dancing.
As the local church condemns his endeavours to lighten up the town’s strict religious leanings, Ren manages to put on one heck of a dance.
If It Was A British School Disco: Ren’s plan to bring dancing back to town would involve dressing up as David Bowie and crooning inspirational anthem ‘Ch-Ch-Changes’.
Never Been Kissed (1999)
The Prom: Boasting a Made For Each Other theme, with the plucky teens dressing up as famous couples.
Prom Problems? Well, Josie (Drew Barrymore) isn’t actually a high schooler – she’s an undercover journalist looking for a story.
Which of course all comes out at the prom, amid a devilish plot devised by three pretty girls to hurl dog food over a self-important geek.
If It Was A British School Disco: The Made For Each Other theme would result in couples like Pat and Frank Butcher, and Katie Price and Peter Andre.
Prom Night (1980)
The Prom: Disco Madness! Celebrating the graduation of Hamilton High School students, it's a chance for all the cool kids to have a rainbow-coloured boogy.
Prom Problems? There’s a killer on the loose, and he means business.
Seeking revenge for the untimely death of 10-year-old Robin Hammond – who died after being taunted by a group of bullying 12-year-olds – this killer doesn’t care if he gets blood on your corsage or ruins your dress. In fact, he quite enjoys it.
If It Was A British School Disco: The killer would use razor-bladed Pogs as deadly weapons.
Shes All That (1999)
The Prom: Laney’s first. She’s been a geek all her life, but thanks to a little help from Rogue, uh, Mackenzie (Anna Paquin), she’s transformed into a stunner.
Prom Problems? Laney (Rachael Leigh Cook) is going to the prom with Dean (Paul Walker), but only because he wants to win a bet he’s made with Zach (Freddie Prinze, Jr).
Not that any of that matters when there’s a super-choreographed, super-amazing dance number involved .
If It Was A British School Disco: Laney wouldn’t look that different after her makeover – stupid crooked British teeth ruin everything.
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
The Prom: More of a high school reunion, but it entails most of the same things as a prom.
Prom Problems? Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner) has recently separated from her high school sweetheart/husband Charlie (Nicolas Cage), which means she’s both nervous for a very public reunion, and the reactions of her former classmates at the news of their parting.
Then there’s the heart attack that whisks Peggy Sue back to the ‘60s...
If It Was A British School Disco: Peggy and Charlie would make up after he gives her a necklace made out of sweets. Now that’s true love.
Romy & Micheles High School Reunion (1997)
The Prom: Romy's (Mira Sorvino) last chance to get with dreamboat Billy (Vincent Ventresca). She and best bud Michele (Lisa Kudrow) both dress up as Madonna.
Prom Problems? Billy’s catty girlfriend Christy gets wind of Romy’s plans to move in on her man, and convinces Billy to play a cruel joke on her.
He promises her a dance, then Christy screams at Romy for stealing her man. As Romy waits for Billy on the dancefloor, he and Christy ride off on his motorbike, leaving Romy to the forlorn tones of Cyndi Lauper.
If It Was A British School Disco: Romy and Michele would dress up as the female members of Bucks Fizz – replete with Velcro-ripping skirts.
Grease (1978)
The Prom: The school dance at Rydell High, where greaser Danny (John Travolta) and pure-as-the-driven-snow Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) may or may not patch up their complicated relationship.
Prom Problems? For a start, the entire thing’s being broadcast live on TV, which leads to all sorts of mischief (mooning!) and ego fluffing (preening!).
There’s also the dance-off, with Cha-Cha (Annette Charles) shimmying rather raunchily with ex-beau Danny. Tragedy strikes when Cha-Cha and Danny win the dance contest...
If It Was A British School Disco: There’d be a definite bubble-gum-in-hair moment of revenge.
Drive Me Crazy (1999)
The Prom: An excuse for luckless in love neighbours Nicole (Melissa Joan Hart) and Chase (Adrian Grenier) to try to win back the hotties who’ve overlooked them.
Prom Problems? The course of true love never did run smooth. Nicole and Chase date in an attempt to make their respective crushes jealous, even going so far as being each other’s date at the prom.
When their respective crushes finally notice them, however, Nicole and Chase realise they aren't actually all that interested. Even more confusing, the duos parents have just fallen in love...
If It Was A British School Disco: The prom’s theme would be Barnyard Animals, with everybody dressed up as horses, pigs and sheep.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
The Prom: The school dance, where Sam (Molly Ringwald) is miserable that her family have forgotten her 16th birthday.
Prom Problems? Sam’s totally in love with hot jock Jake (Michael Schoeffling), but is too nervous to approach him – especially as he has his own gorgeous girlfriend.
Meanwhile, she’s blissfully unaware that a geeky freshman (Anthony Michael Hall) has his eye on her...
If It Was A British School Disco: Sam and Jake would bond over their love of Snakes & Ladders.
Mean Girls (2004)
The Prom: The Spring Fling (close enough) held at North Shore High School in Evanston, Illinois.
Prom Problems? A battle for high school supremacy has already raged out of control, as new student Cady (Lindsay Lohan) has become queen bee, but sacrificed her dignity and her true friends.
Crashing the prom, she wins the Spring Fling Queen crown, and gives a speech on how meaningless her victory is – that everybody deserves to share it with her. Ahhhh.
If It Was A British School Disco: Spring Fling would be taken literally, with gentlemen taking part in a competition to see how far they can fling their dates across the sports field.
Saved! (2004)
The Prom: Masterminded by manic Christian Hilary (Mandy Moore), a senior at American Eagle Christian High School.
Prom Problems? “The students who were responsible for the attacks on our school have infiltrated our prom!” Psycho Hilary has a very public meltdown on stage, points the finger of blame at innocent parties, then is exposed for the fraud she is. “You are nothing but a big fake!” condemns her buddy. Way harsh.
If It Was A British School Disco: The juice bowl would get spiked with Stella Artois, leading to a puking epidemic.
The Girl Next Door (2004)
The Prom: The final hurrah for Westport High School students.
Prom Problems? Matthew (Emile Hirsch), his buddies, and ex-porn star Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) all decide to make a rather racy new sex education tape during prom – with the help of some of Danielle’s porn buddies. That’s if they don’t get caught by the principal...
If It Was A British School Disco: This could never happen in Britain, surely - we’re far too uptight.
