On this day June 13, 1986, Never Too Young to Die premiered in theaters. Directed by Gil Bettman, the action adventure film starred John Stamos as Lance Stargrove, a college gymnast who finds himself pulled into a secret spy war after the murder of his father, played by George Lazenby. Teaming up with secret agent Vanity, Stargrove faces off against the villainous Ragnar, a flamboyant and dangerous character portrayed by Gene Simmons.
The film attempted to blend elements of James Bond style espionage, Mad Max inspired post apocalyptic chaos and 80s teen action. It also featured a brief appearance by Robert Englund and leaned into an outrageous tone that made it stand out from more conventional genre films.
Though it was a box office failure and critically panned at the time, Never Too Young to Die has since become a cult classic. Its bizarre mix of styles, over the top performances and unforgettable character choices have given it a second life among fans of so bad it’s good cinema.
80s insight: Never Too Young to Die is a perfect example of the 80s pushing genre boundaries in unexpected directions. It may not have been a hit, but its boldness and wild creativity make it a true artifact of the decade’s anything goes spirit.