While shooting a particular scene, eighteen-year-old Matt Dillon was continuously goofing off. Frustrated, Francis Ford Coppola swore at him and called him an "airhead" on-set. S.E. Hinton convinced Coppola to apologize and Dillon to cooperate. Coppola ended up growing so fond of Dillon that he cast him in Rumble Fish (1983), which was also adapted from an S.E. Hinton novel.
Ponyboy:
When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman, and a ride home.
In the scene where Ponyboy is reading the letter from Sodapop, Dally is seen in the background with his right thumb hooked in his pants pocket (43:31 to 43:38 in 91 m.). The shot switches to a close-up of Dally lighting his cigarette with just his left hand while his right hand is about chest high (43:39 to 43:42). Then the camera comes back to Ponyboy with Dally in the background with his right thumb hooked in his pants pocket (43:43 to 43:45).
Closing dedication: This film is dedicated to the people who first suggested that it be made... Librarian Jo Ellen Misakian and the students of the Lone Star School in Fresno, California.
The television edit of the film has several additions that are not featured on the theatrical version
English
$10,000,000 (estimated)
$5,068,165 27 March 1983
$25,697,647
$25,697,647