Dance 'Til Dawn

Dance 'Til Dawn is a light, charming teen comedy that captures the awkward energy, drama, and excitement of prom night through the lens of late-'80s pop culture. It's not a high-concept film, but it doesn't try to be-this made-for-TV movie succeeds by embracing the simple pleasures of ensemble storytelling and relatable teen experiences. With a cast packed full of familiar faces from the era-Alyssa Milano, Christina Applegate, and Tempestt Bledsoe, to name a few-it offers a nostalgic time capsule for fans of the decade.

What it lacks in cinematic polish, it makes up for in heart. The film juggles multiple storylines that range from sweet to silly, all tied together by the universal rite of passage that is prom. The tone is light, the stakes are low, and the pacing moves quickly enough to keep things engaging. It doesn't dive too deep, but there's a sincerity to its characters that keeps it grounded, even when it veers into teen-movie tropes.

While Dance 'Til Dawn isn't groundbreaking, it's a cozy and entertaining watch-especially if you grew up watching these stars on TV. With its mix of humor, mild drama, and prom-night sentimentality, it earns a solid 7/10 as a feel-good flashback that wears its decade proudly.

This was my absolute favorite movie as a young teen. We taped it on our VCR and my sister and I watched it so much, and drove my mom so crazy with it, that my mom actually had to take it away from us.

We pretty much had it memorized line for line...and when we quoted it, even stretched out our words when Margaret is talking to the guy in the video store...because our tape was so used it stretched out and slurred the words.

We still refer to the movie sometimes. In fact, I know that we have some lingo that we use that came from the movie. I don't think I go through a fast food drive-through without remembering Shelly and Dan at the drive-through ordering all that food. It's a movie that has just really stuck with me as I've grown up.

I'm 30 now and just ordered the DVD and can't wait to see it again -- it'll be like a reunion with old friends!!!

This one is better than all of those teen movies that are made right now.... It has got style, there are no rude jokes. You can't take your eyes off your tv screen cos there's always something new happening.... I recommend it to everybody.

Okay, this movie was made for network television so it's quite censored for the audience anyway. This movie was made as a prom movie starring television child stars like Alyssa Milano as the cool, popular girl who ends up in a movie theater on her prom night. Tracey Gold plays the unpopular girl who gets asked out by the popular boy for prom night. Her parents are played by Kelsey Grammar and Edie McClurg. Back in the day, it was quite normal for network stars to work on television movies like this. Christina Applegate and Matthew Perry play a young couple who push too hard. Her parents are played by Mary Frann. Alan Thicke plays the father of a nerd boy who would rather be watching the stars. He manages to get together with Milano's character. While it was a sweet film, I wished that it was shown more or available. They don't make television movies or comedic movies like they used too.

Motion picture companies weren't the only one's cashing in on the success of teen films. NBC tried it's hand at it as well. Some of the films included High School USA with Michael J. Fox, Poison Ivy once again with Fox, Combat High with Keith Gordon, Class Cruise with Billy Warlock, Crash Course with a host of many teen stars, and this little teen gem called Dance 'til Dawn.

This film is not bad at all. It has many of the teen stars from the 80s and early 90s. Many notable adult stars make appearances as well, such as Alan Thicke and Kelsey Grammar. So that makes the film a watchable and enjoyable experience. Unlike many failed made for TV movie comedies, this one has lots of charm and heart. The writing is well done for a teen flick. I must've laughed lots during the film. I remember seeing this back in high school and 11 years later I still love it.

By the way, here is a little bit of fascinating trivia. Some of the music for the film was written and performed by 80s one hit wonder Michael Sembello ("Maniac"). I didn't know that until the movie was on again this past weekend. Billy Morrisette makes a small appearance as a kid who works in the video store.

NBC of course doesn't make TV movie teen comedies like this anymore. Still, if you can find this one in the video store by all means, give it a try. You can see what the Hollywood version of a high school prom is like.