Looking Back at Reginald Hudlin’s House Party!

One of the most influential Black voices in America, Reginald Hudlin, 64, launched his career as a Harvard undergraduate – his short film thesis inspiring his iconic 1990 first feature, House Party, now being re-released.

Reginald Hudlin is a name synonymous with groundbreaking cinema and television. Beyond his directorial debut with House Party, he has helmed a variety of notable films, including Boomerang, The Great White Hype, and Marshall. His talents extend into television, where he has directed episodes of popular series such as Everybody Hates Chris, New Girl, and Modern Family.

Hudlin’s influence doesn’t stop there. He has also made significant contributions to the comic book world, notably writing the Black Panther series. His leadership experience includes a three-year tenure as president of Entertainment at BET, along with producing prestigious award shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and NAACP Image Awards. Notably, he played a crucial role in the production of Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning film, Django Unchained.

In a recent interview with SENIOR PLANET, Hudlin shared insights about his career and the enduring legacy of House Party.

Q: House Party came out 36 years ago – now celebrating its re-release with a special 4K edition. What do you think about when you reflect back to its 1990 debut?

REGGIE: A couple of things. One is you second guess all these choices, right? Like, oh, is that the right music cue? How do I feel about that lighting now? Or is that joke a little politically incorrect now? But then you go: Why am I revisiting these decisions? Because – 36 years later – people still like this movie. So let it go! Embrace the love and keep it moving!

Q: Are you still in touch with the House Party cast?

REGGIE: Honestly, making that movie was like our high school graduation. For most of us, it was our first movie. Just like your high school graduating class, we all have a level of connection. We may not see each other for years, but it doesn’t matter because, once we do, it’s like the years never passed. I do a concert at the Hollywood Bowl every other year, so I’ve had Kid ’n Play perform, and it was great. We talk with Full Force all the time, and it’s funny because they played the villains yet they’re the nicest guys in the world. They’re all just lovely people, and we share an amazing connection because of that film.

Q: What are the greatest highlights of your career since 1990?

REGGIE: I’m very fortunate, and there are many things that I feel proud about. Following House Party, I directed Boomerang with Eddie Murphy – another movie that people still love to this day. I’m also proud of producing Django Unchained and writing the Black Panther comic book for four years. Working with Chadwick Boseman on Thurgood Marshall was a joy, and I’m also proud of my documentaries about Sidney Poitier and Clarence Avant. Doing the Oscars? Golly, it’s all been wonderful.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

REGGIE: I’ve worked with Morgan Freeman several times, and he told me that he works on puzzles and Sudoku while constantly working on TV and film. So I’m certainly going to do anything Morgan Freeman tells me to do! The best advice I got was from Harry Belafonte, who said: Reggie, do me a favor. Don’t get old! So I try to stay as physically active as possible and keep interested in the entire world.

Q: Tell us about your beautiful wife Chrisette, who set up former First Man Doug Emhoff on a blind date with then Attorney-General of California Kamala Harris?

REGGIE: My wife is such a great partner in so many ways. We’re planning to restart date night at least once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just being together is important. She’s 100% supportive of eating right and living right.

Q: Talk us through a day in your life?

REGGIE: It’s tricky because I’m a five-hour sleeper, which is not good. I sneak out early to do some work or workout. By 9 am, my day begins with meetings. I can juggle many things simultaneously unless I’m writing, then I need the world to go away. I try to have dinner with family when possible, and when we all get together, it’s the best of all possible times.

Q: Explain the enduring appeal of House Party?

REGGIE: From the 50s to now, there have been changes in style and sound, but teenagers are still teenagers. They face the same challenges of meeting people, connecting, and dealing with parents. I wanted to make a movie like Risky Business and Animal House, and I did it with House Party. Young people today tell me I ruined their lives because they spent their lives looking for a party like that!

Here’s a peek at the original trailer!

Q: What’s up next?

REGGIE: I’m working on a new documentary that’s really good, but I can’t reveal it until next year. There’s also a big movie we hope to start shooting next year and a new graphic novel in the works.

Q: What’s your secret to aging with attitude?

REGGIE: I don’t spend much time looking backward. I’m excited about what I’m going to do as much as what I’ve already done. I try to embrace being bad or mediocre at new things. The goal is to try something new at least once a year.

NB: House Party will be available on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection January 27.

Photo credit (top): Ingrid Hertfelder

Gill Pringle began her career as a rock columnist for popular British newspapers, traveling the world with Madonna, U2, and Michael Jackson. Moving to Los Angeles 27 years ago, she interviews film and TV personalities for prestigious UK outlets, including The Independent, The i-paper, and The Sunday Times – and, of course, Senior Planet. A member of the Critics Choice Association, BAFTA, and AWFJ, she wrote the screenplay for the 2016 Netflix family film, The 3 Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure. An award-winning writer, in 2021 she was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with 1st prize at the NAEJ Awards.

One of the most influential Black voices in America, Reginald Hudlin, 64, launched his career as a Harvard undergraduate – his short film thesis inspiring his iconic 1990 first feature, House Party, now being re-released.

Reginald Hudlin is a name synonymous with groundbreaking cinema and television. Beyond his directorial debut with House Party, he has helmed a variety of notable films, including Boomerang, The Great White Hype, and Marshall. His talents extend into television, where he has directed episodes of popular series such as Everybody Hates Chris, New Girl, and Modern Family.

Hudlin’s influence doesn’t stop there. He has also made significant contributions to the comic book world, notably writing the Black Panther series. His leadership experience includes a three-year tenure as president of Entertainment at BET, along with producing prestigious award shows like the Oscars, Emmys, and NAACP Image Awards. Notably, he played a crucial role in the production of Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-winning film, Django Unchained.

In a recent interview with SENIOR PLANET, Hudlin shared insights about his career and the enduring legacy of House Party.

Q: House Party came out 36 years ago – now celebrating its re-release with a special 4K edition. What do you think about when you reflect back to its 1990 debut?

REGGIE: A couple of things. One is you second guess all these choices, right? Like, oh, is that the right music cue? How do I feel about that lighting now? Or is that joke a little politically incorrect now? But then you go: Why am I revisiting these decisions? Because – 36 years later – people still like this movie. So let it go! Embrace the love and keep it moving!

Q: Are you still in touch with the House Party cast?

REGGIE: Honestly, making that movie was like our high school graduation. For most of us, it was our first movie. Just like your high school graduating class, we all have a level of connection. We may not see each other for years, but it doesn’t matter because, once we do, it’s like the years never passed. I do a concert at the Hollywood Bowl every other year, so I’ve had Kid ’n Play perform, and it was great. We talk with Full Force all the time, and it’s funny because they played the villains yet they’re the nicest guys in the world. They’re all just lovely people, and we share an amazing connection because of that film.

Q: What are the greatest highlights of your career since 1990?

REGGIE: I’m very fortunate, and there are many things that I feel proud about. Following House Party, I directed Boomerang with Eddie Murphy – another movie that people still love to this day. I’m also proud of producing Django Unchained and writing the Black Panther comic book for four years. Working with Chadwick Boseman on Thurgood Marshall was a joy, and I’m also proud of my documentaries about Sidney Poitier and Clarence Avant. Doing the Oscars? Golly, it’s all been wonderful.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

REGGIE: I’ve worked with Morgan Freeman several times, and he told me that he works on puzzles and Sudoku while constantly working on TV and film. So I’m certainly going to do anything Morgan Freeman tells me to do! The best advice I got was from Harry Belafonte, who said: Reggie, do me a favor. Don’t get old! So I try to stay as physically active as possible and keep interested in the entire world.

Q: Tell us about your beautiful wife Chrisette, who set up former First Man Doug Emhoff on a blind date with then Attorney-General of California Kamala Harris?

REGGIE: My wife is such a great partner in so many ways. We’re planning to restart date night at least once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just being together is important. She’s 100% supportive of eating right and living right.

Q: Talk us through a day in your life?

REGGIE: It’s tricky because I’m a five-hour sleeper, which is not good. I sneak out early to do some work or workout. By 9 am, my day begins with meetings. I can juggle many things simultaneously unless I’m writing, then I need the world to go away. I try to have dinner with family when possible, and when we all get together, it’s the best of all possible times.

Q: Explain the enduring appeal of House Party?

REGGIE: From the 50s to now, there have been changes in style and sound, but teenagers are still teenagers. They face the same challenges of meeting people, connecting, and dealing with parents. I wanted to make a movie like Risky Business and Animal House, and I did it with House Party. Young people today tell me I ruined their lives because they spent their lives looking for a party like that!

Here’s a peek at the original trailer!

Q: What’s up next?

REGGIE: I’m working on a new documentary that’s really good, but I can’t reveal it until next year. There’s also a big movie we hope to start shooting next year and a new graphic novel in the works.

Q: What’s your secret to aging with attitude?

REGGIE: I don’t spend much time looking backward. I’m excited about what I’m going to do as much as what I’ve already done. I try to embrace being bad or mediocre at new things. The goal is to try something new at least once a year.

NB: House Party will be available on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray from the Criterion Collection January 27.

Photo credit (top): Ingrid Hertfelder

Gill Pringle began her career as a rock columnist for popular British newspapers, traveling the world with Madonna, U2, and Michael Jackson. Moving to Los Angeles 27 years ago, she interviews film and TV personalities for prestigious UK outlets, including The Independent, The i-paper, and The Sunday Times – and, of course, Senior Planet. A member of the Critics Choice Association, BAFTA, and AWFJ, she wrote the screenplay for the 2016 Netflix family film, The 3 Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure. An award-winning writer, in 2021 she was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with 1st prize at the NAEJ Awards.