I love movies and I love trivia. Below is a partial list of random movie trivia I have accumulated from, well, I don't know where, but I could find at least one source for all of these. Some are funny, some are weird, most are stupid (hey, there is a reason its called trivia). In any event, I hope you all enjoy.
One of the more bizarre example of movies predicting the future was in the movie “2010”. A poster on the wall of Heywood Floyd son’s room is for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The movie was released 1984; it was not until 2001 that Beijing was even awarded the 2008 Olympic Games, a full 16 years after the movie’s release.
David Bowie is the only actor to turn down an offer to play a Bond Villain. The role he turned down: Max Zorin who would be played by Christopher Walken in “View to a Kill”.
In the movie “Up”, purple was Ellie’s color, and it was closely associated with her throughout the film. After she dies, the color purple is almost entirely removed from the film (look for it next time; its really weird).
The color purple starts being reintroduced as Carl starts his journey, appearing more and more the closer he gets to Paradise Falls.
“Invictus” has an inside joke about Francois Pienaar’s height (played by Matt Damon). Upon meeting him, one of the security guards says “I thought he would be taller.” The real Pienaar is 6’4”. Damon is 5’ 10”.
One of the worst Hollywood screw jobs in recent memory was Max Baer's portrayal in “Cinderella Man”. Baer was portrayed as relishing the fact he had killed boxers in the ring, as a way to intimidate Jim Braddock before the fight.
Comedian Mel Brooks was the Executive Producer of “The Elephant Man”; however, you have to search hard to find his name. It only appears once, in “A Brooks Production”, in the opening credits. Brooks was worried that his connection to the film would detract from the serious tone of the movie.
In the movie “Goodfellas”, Henry Hill is negotiating with US Attorney Edward McDonald, to enter the Witness Protection Program. McDonald had the famous "don't give me the babe in the woods routine."
The actor playing McDonald was in fact the real life McDonald in the the Henry Hill case.
For the infamous chest-bursting scene in “Alien”, the other actors were not told exactly what was going to happen. The director did this to get honest reactions of terror. As John Hurt is convulsing, several of the crew can be seen looking off-screen to the director.
When the stomach did burst, Veronica Cartwright got the worst of the blood, with a stream blasting her in the face. When the scene aired for a test audience, patrons screamed, several people vomited, and one usher fainted. Ridley Scott knew he had a hit.
In Airplane, Steve McCroskey says he needs someone who won’t crack under pressure. If you notice Johnny’s response, the answer was dubbed. Originally the line was “How about Mamie Eisenhower?”
A few months after filming, the former First Lady passed away. Out of respect to the family, it was changed to “Mr. Rogers”.
The Steadicam was developed by Garret Brown, and it was used in a few feature films in 1976. What caused it to really generate interest and adoption was its use in "Rocky" to film the famous scene where Stallone runs up the steps of the art museum. Previously, such a shot would not have been possible.
The movie was released 1984; it was not until 2001 that Beijing was even awarded the 2008 Olympic Games, a full 16 years after the movie’s release.
In another case of movies predicting the future, in the original “Lethal Weapon”, after a phone call, Riggs (Mel Gibson) asks a visibly shaken Murtaugh (Danny Glover), "Did the stock market crash?”
Seven months after the films release, the infamous Black Monday crash of 1987 occurred.
In “The Fugitive”, Tommy Lee Jones improvised so many of his own lines, he was reportedly offered a writing credit for the film.
He declined.
In the movie “Up”, purple was Ellie’s color, and it was closely associated with her throughout the film. After she dies, the color purple is almost entirely removed from the film (look for it next time; its really weird).The color purple starts being reintroduced as Carl starts his journey, appearing more and more the closer he gets to Paradise Falls.
Before filming “Coming to America”, the producers had been in contact with McDonalds to let them know about the “McDowell’s” they were using for the film.
Word did not make it to the local level. Franchisers saw the “McDowell’s” sign and threatened to sue, thinking it was a real restaurant.
One of the worst Hollywood screw jobs in recent memory was Max Baer's portrayal in “Cinderella Man”. Baer was portrayed as relishing the fact he had killed boxers in the ring, as a way to intimidate Jim Braddock before the fight.
In reality, Baer did kills two boxers. One died weeks after the fight; his autopsy revealed he had been suffering from meningitis (hardly Baer's fault). The other, Frankie Campbell, was accidental, and it haunted Baer the remainder of his life. Baer was at Campbell’s hospital bedside, and cried when he died. Baer personally donated and raised money for Campbell’s widow and helped pay for Campbell’s children’s college education.
Comedian Mel Brooks was the Executive Producer of “The Elephant Man”; however, you have to search hard to find his name. It only appears once, in “A Brooks Production”, in the opening credits. Brooks was worried that his connection to the film would detract from the serious tone of the movie.
In the movie “Goodfellas”, Henry Hill is negotiating with US Attorney Edward McDonald, to enter the Witness Protection Program. McDonald had the famous "don't give me the babe in the woods routine."
The actor playing McDonald was in fact the real life McDonald in the the Henry Hill case.
In “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”, Charlie’s stunned reaction at being yelled at is real.
Peter Ostrum (Charlie), was not told what would be happening. Gene Wilder, who had become good friends with Peter during the filming, wanted to warn him, but the director forbade it.
Ewan McGregor, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars – Episodes 1-3 is the nephew of Dennis Lawson, who played Wedge in Star Wars – Episodes 4-6.
When the stomach did burst, Veronica Cartwright got the worst of the blood, with a stream blasting her in the face. When the scene aired for a test audience, patrons screamed, several people vomited, and one usher fainted. Ridley Scott knew he had a hit.
In Airplane, Steve McCroskey says he needs someone who won’t crack under pressure. If you notice Johnny’s response, the answer was dubbed. Originally the line was “How about Mamie Eisenhower?”
A few months after filming, the former First Lady passed away. Out of respect to the family, it was changed to “Mr. Rogers”.
