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Image 2 of 18 FAME (May 16): Baby remember my name! It's hard to imagine this now, but in 1980, Hollywood considered musicals a smart business investment. FAME (May 16): Baby remember my name! It's hard to imagine this now, but in 1980, Hollywood considered musicals a smart business investment. Photo: Courtesy MGM

Image 3 of 18 THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (May 21): OK, we didn't start off especially strong with "Fame" and "Friday the 13th." This makes up for it. I'm biased because I'm a geek, but "Empire" is somewhere in the Top 5 summer movies of all time. less THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (May 21): OK, we didn't start off especially strong with "Fame" and "Friday the 13th." This makes up for it. I'm biased because I'm a geek, but "Empire" is somewhere in the Top 5 summer ... more Photo: Courtesy 20th Century Fox

Image 4 of 18 THE SHINING (May 23): I couldn't believe this came out two days after "Empire." Read the next part in your bathroom mirror: "EMOSEWA SI REMMUS SIHT." THE SHINING (May 23): I couldn't believe this came out two days after "Empire." Read the next part in your bathroom mirror: "EMOSEWA SI REMMUS SIHT." Photo: Warner Bros.

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Image 6 of 18 URBAN COWBOY (June 6): I'm guessing some readers will argue the strength of this pick. It featured John Travolta on a mechanical bull. What's not to like? URBAN COWBOY (June 6): I'm guessing some readers will argue the strength of this pick. It featured John Travolta on a mechanical bull. What's not to like? Photo: Paramount Pictures

Image 7 of 18 THE BLUE LAGOON (June 20): This Brooke Shields movie plus "Little Darlings" (a March 1980 release) were responsible for a generation's sexual education. THE BLUE LAGOON (June 20): This Brooke Shields movie plus "Little Darlings" (a March 1980 release) were responsible for a generation's sexual education. Photo: Universal Pictures

Image 8 of 18 THE BLUES BROTHERS (June 20): "What kind of music do you usually have here?" "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western ..." A genius comedy. And the car chase singlehandedly makes up for the lack of action movies on the list. less THE BLUES BROTHERS (June 20): "What kind of music do you usually have here?" "Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western ..." A genius comedy. And the car chase singlehandedly makes up for the lack of ... more Photo: Universal Pictures

Image 9 of 18 AIRPLANE! (July 4): Between this movie, "Blues Brothers" and No. 12 on the list, SFGate is going to overheat from all the movie quotes in the comments. AIRPLANE! (July 4): Between this movie, "Blues Brothers" and No. 12 on the list, SFGate is going to overheat from all the movie quotes in the comments. Photo: Paramount Pictures

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Image 11 of 18 MY BODYGUARD (July 11): I like big action movies. But it makes me sad that dramas like this and "Breaking Away" rarely show up in the summer any more. MY BODYGUARD (July 11): I like big action movies. But it makes me sad that dramas like this and "Breaking Away" rarely show up in the summer any more. Photo: 20th Century Fox

Image 12 of 18 USED CARS (July 18): This was the first Rated R movie I watched, rented on our new VCR. More than any film on this list, I want to watch this one now. USED CARS (July 18): This was the first Rated R movie I watched, rented on our new VCR. More than any film on this list, I want to watch this one now. Photo: Columbia Pictures

Image 13 of 18 CHEECH & CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE (July 18): Never watched it. Will a Cheech & Chong connoisseur let us know in the comments where this fits in the series? CHEECH & CHONG'S NEXT MOVIE (July 18): Never watched it. Will a Cheech & Chong connoisseur let us know in the comments where this fits in the series? Photo: Universal Pictures

Image 14 of 18 CADDYSHACK (July 25): Pretend you haven't heard every line 1,000 times on sports talk radio and remember the first time you watched "Caddyshack." A classic. CADDYSHACK (July 25): Pretend you haven't heard every line 1,000 times on sports talk radio and remember the first time you watched "Caddyshack." A classic. Photo: Warner Bros.

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Image 16 of 18 XANADU (Aug. 8): I didn't know "Fame" and "Xanadu" came out in the same summer. No doubt they were double billed at Daly City's Geneva Drive-In. XANADU (Aug. 8): I didn't know "Fame" and "Xanadu" came out in the same summer. No doubt they were double billed at Daly City's Geneva Drive-In. Photo: Universal Pictures

Image 17 of 18 SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980): Like a fine digestif after dessert, Burt Reynolds in a Trans Am closes out the summer. This is the one with the elephant. Not as good as the original, but way better than "Stroker Ace." less SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980): Like a fine digestif after dessert, Burt Reynolds in a Trans Am closes out the summer. This is the one with the elephant. Not as good as the original, but way better than ... more Photo: Universal Pictures