Bootleg Betty
37 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler’s Beaches Premiered
By Mister D
Dec. 21, 2025
The film had a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 21, 1988, followed by a wide release on January 13, 1989.
Beaches is a heartfelt comedy-drama (often called a tearjerker) adapted from Iris Rainer Dart’s 1985 novel. It follows the lifelong friendship between two very different women:
– CC Bloom (Bette Midler) — an ambitious, outspoken aspiring singer and performer from a working-class background.
– Hillary Whitney (Barbara Hershey) — a privileged, more reserved woman from a wealthy San Francisco family.
They meet as children on the Atlantic City boardwalk in the 1950s and maintain their bond through decades of ups and downs, including careers, romances, rivalries, marriages, jealousy, and tragedy (including a terminal illness). The story explores themes of enduring friendship, personal growth, sacrifice, and loss, with memorable musical elements, most famously Bette Midler’s rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” which became a massive hit.
The film has endured as a beloved classic, especially for its emotional impact and soundtrack.(Note: There was a 2017 Lifetime TV remake starring Idina Menzel and Nia Long, which premiered on January 21, 2017, but the original 1988 version is the most iconic.)
Furthermore, the movie has been adapted as a bona fide Broadway musical, which will open at the Majestic Theater in Spring 2026.
