THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
Hello again! I am back once more with another interesting movie that i’ve already talked a little bit about. So let’s get started!
Did know that “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” is actually a remake of another classic “BIBLE” inspired film?
Any movie buff will tell you that “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” is not the only depiction of “MOSES” known to the world. “THE OSCAR-WINNING” epic, “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS” [1956], is often discussed along with the animated film, which should come as no surprise. What surprises us, however, is that some consider this film to be a remake of the CHARLTON HESTON (born JOHN CHARLES CARTER; OCTOBER 4, 1923 – APRIL 5, 2008) classic. Plot and source material aside, “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” takes a great deal from “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. Both films have a star-studded CAST, their depiction of “MOSES” is similar in many regards, and both films add a human element of complexity to the biblical narrative. Either way, it's still quite impressive.
[HESTON as “MOSES”]
[HESTON as himself.]
Did you know that the voices of “GOD” AND “MOSES” in this movie were provided by the same ACTOR?
The voice of “GOD” was a thoroughly discussed subject in the making of This film. Supposedly, at one point it was going to be the entire cast reading the lines of “GOD”. This proved problematic, so the filmmakers took another note from the “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. the voice of “MOSES” is also the voice of “GOD”. This decision was possibly made due to HESTON’S” uncredited role as the voice of “GOD” in the original “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. While VAL KILMER is phenomenal as “MOSES”, there is definitely something to be said for his portrayal of “GOD” as well.
The voice of “GOD”, to avoid controversy, was played by all of the major ACTORS. The ACTORS were told to whisper the lines, so none would dominate the performance, but by the time they got around to having KILMER read his lines, they realized they needed someone to be louder. You can still hear the rest of the cast whispering beneath KILMER’S voice in “GOD’S” lines. Another reason for why KILMER was selected to play “GOD” was because the filmmakers liked the idea that “GOD” was acting as “MOSES’” "inner voice" in order to guide him. It was also originally intended that a woman and a child’s voice would also be used, as “GOD”, but it was decided that might offend some viewers.
Here’s how it sounds from a more biblical point of view from “IMDb”:
According to biblical scholar CAROL MEYERS, CONSULTANT for this movie and now DUKE UNIVERSITY MARY GRACE WILSON DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF RELIGION IN TRINITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, filmmakers had problems trying to figure out “GOD’S” voice as nobody has ever listened to it. They eventually decided that “MOSES” voice should be the predominant one as he was the one who listened to the voice presumably in his own head. This was mentioned by PROF. MEYERS in an interview in the "BIBLICAL TIME MACHINE" podcast aired on 22-APR-2024.
[“MOSES” and “THE BURNING BUSH”!]
[KILMER]
Did you know that this film was based on an idea by a former DISNEY employee?
Former DISNEY CHAIRMAN JEFFREY KATZENBERG had always wanted to do an animated movie adaptation of “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”. While working for THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, he constantly pitched the idea to MICHAEL EISNER, but he didn't like the idea. The idea for this movie was brought back at the formation of DREAMWORKS SKG in 1994, when KATZENBER’S partners, filmmaker and AMBLIN ENTERTAINMEN FOUNDER STEVEN SPIELBERG, and MUSIC PRODUCER DAVID GEFFEN, were meeting in SPIELBERG’S living room. KATZENBERG recalls that SPIELBERG looked at him during the meeting and said, "You ought to do THE TEN COMMANDMENTS."
[DREAMWORKS HEADS STEVEN SPIELBERG (L), JEFFREY KATZENBERG (C) and DAVID GEFFEN [R].]
Did you know that the filmmakers found a very clever way to fix a major mistake?
When “MOSES” enters the cave with “THE BURNING BUSH”, “GOD” tells him to take off his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground. But when “MOSES” leaves the cave, he doesn't put his sandals back on, and is barefoot for the rest of the movie. Before that happens though, there's a scene of “MOSES” tending to the sheep right before he meets “THE BURNING BUSH”. According to THE DIRECTORS, THE ANIMATORS realized too late that they mistakenly made him barefoot in this scene, making a noticeable continuity error since he has to have sandals to take off at “GOD’S” order. Their solution was to cover his feet by adding more sheep because it was easier than reanimating what they already had.
[Here is a few examples of what I am talking about!]
Did you know that one ACTRESS/SINGER recorded all of her lines in multiple languages?
OFRA HAZA (HEBREW: עפרה חזה; November 19 1957 – February 23 2000), the voice of “YOCHEVED”, sang her part of “DELIVER US” in 18 out of the 21 different languages that the film was dubbed in, even going so far as to pronounce her parts phonetically for some of the languages she didn't speak. HAZA also recorded her famous "RIVER LULLABY" while singing to a baby doll, to allow herself to express as much emotion as possible.
[HAZA]
Did you know about the changes that they made from the source material?
Changes were made to the story to make it work as an animated feature. Here is a short list of differences between the movie and the Biblical account of “EXODUS”:
1. “MOSES” was adopted by PHARAOH’S daughter, not his wife.
2. “MOSES” killed the Egyptian slave master. The words used in HEBREW suggest this was not done intentionally.
3. “AARON” supported “MOSES” from the beginning, and even helped perform some of the miracles of “GOD”. “AARON” did not doubt “MOSES”.
4. It was “AARON” who turned his staff into a snake, and turned the water of “THE NILE RIVER” to blood, not “MOSES”.
5. In the movie, “MIRIAM” and “AARON” are seen walking along with “MOSES” and “TZIPPORAH” in the lead of everyone else, singing "WHEN YOU BELIEVE" and “MIRIAM” puts an arm around “TZIPPORAH’S” shoulder. In “THE BIBLE”, Numbers 12, “MIRIAM” and “AARON” speak against “MOSES” marrying “TZIPPORAH” because she is a CUSHITE. “GOD” hears this and strikes “MIRIAM” with LEPROSY.
There is probably few more changes but I am too lazy to look for any more!
Did you know that the end credits version of the song “WHEN YOU BELIEVE” might have been a diva battle?
One '90s DISNEY tradition carried over into "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT" was that of having major pop stars record their own version of one of the film's original musical numbers to play over the credits, all the better for getting mainstream radio play. In the case of "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT," this meant turning the film's “OSCAR-WINNING” song "WHEN YOU BELIEVE" into a diva duet with WHITNEY HOUSTON (AUGUST 9, 1963 – FEBRUARY 11, 2012) and MARIAH CAREY. Depending on what sources you believe, this meeting of megastars may have turned into a massive diva battle. HOUSTON and CAREY both maintained that their collaboration was a purely positive experience and that reports of conflict were just ginned up by the media. "THE MEN WHO WOULD BE KING: AN ALMOST EPIC TALE OF MOGULS, MOVIES, AND A COMPANY CALLED DREAMWORKS" presents the media perspective as fact. Allegations include that HOUSTON refused to leave her limo until CAREY arrived, resulting in some very confused publicists, and that the two singers fought over who would receive the bigger dressing room.
Let’s go through a couple of quick fun facts!
As “MOSES” and his people cross the parted sea (1:22:05) you see a WHALE through the water. However, WHALE tails move up and down, but this one's tail moved from side to side. That's a MEGALODON SHARK, judging by its size. However, other sources say that it is a WHALE SHARK. Because they are large, and their tail goes side to side. Well, no matter which side you believe, we all now know that, that creature is obviously NOT A WHALE!
[See if you can figure out which species this sea creature is!]
Two EGYPTIAN GUARDS are seen throwing their weapons down as THE JEWS EXODUS. Later, they can be seen in the crowd, having joined them.
[Look at where the arrow is pointing!]
When “MOSES/GOD” turns THE NILE into blood, there is a small space of untainted water surrounding “MOSES”.
[See, that area is still clear!]
When the priests [voiced by legendary COMEDIANS/SINGERS STEVE MARTIN - “HOTEP” and MARTIN SHORT - “HUY”] sing the song “YOU’RE PLAYING WITH THE BIG BOYS NOW.” They display a show of magic. In their song's lyrics, they name all of the Gods. Except for “HEKA, THE GOD OF MAGIC”. Because the magic was all fake and naming him would be disrespectful to him and the Gods.
[“HOTEP” and “HUY” preforming their “VILLAIN SONG”!]
[Left to right: STEVE MARTIN and MARTIN SHORT.]
The four-minute “PARTING OF THE RED SEA” sequence took ten animators two years to complete.
[“MOSES” AND THE RED SEA!]
Did you know that this film is banned in some countries?
The film was banned in THE MALDIVES, MALAYSIA, and EGYPT. In the former two countries, it was because of ISLAMIC custom of never portraying the image of THE PROPHETS, which includes MOSES, his brother AARON, and his father-in-law JETHRO. In EGYPT, it was mostly because of the villainous portrayal of PHARAOH RAMESES, a well-respected historical leader whom the EGYPTIANS hold to be separate from the PHARAOH of “EXODUS”. MALAYSIA has since rescinded the ban in 2001. The animated epic was soon given a seal of approval to be released in VCD format as a home release, but required special labels to indicate that it was only for Christian and private viewers.
Did you know that none of the ACTORS are in the movie are actually EGYPTIAN?
Most of the VOICE ACTORS are AMERICAN or BRITISH, and none are EGYPTIAN. It's sort of Justified since MODERN EGYPTIANS speak ARABIC, not EGYPTIAN (which has been extinct for millennia sans a notable exception of COPTIC which is solely a modern -comparatively speaking- liturgical language for EGYPTIAN COPTIC CHRISTIANS, and completely different from the ANCIENT EGYPTIAN spoken during RAMESES’ reign), so having “RAMESES” and “MOSES” be voiced by EGYPTIAN and JEWISH ACTORS speaking ARABIC and HEBREW would only make a bit more sense than having them be voiced by NATIVE ENGLISH speakers. Thus a more accurate casting would be a hyper niche category of EGYPTIANS and JEWS that speak COPTIC.
[THE EGYPTIAN FLAG.]
After the credits, there are three excerpts praising MOSES.
[Here it is as seen in the movie and enlarged so you can read it easier!] "Never again did there arise in ISRAEL a PROPHET like MOSES, whom THE LORD singled out face to face..." (HEBREW BIBLE-DEUTERONOMY 34:10). "(MOSES) was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by GOD himself..." (NEW TESTAMENT-ACTS 7:35). "And call to mind, through his divine writ, MOSES. Behold he was a chosen one, and was an APOSTLE (of GOD), a PROPHET." (QUR'AN-SURAH 19:51)
Did you know that there are some major connections with the ACTORS and BIBLICAL, fictional and sometimes characters?
VAL KILMER was the first actor to play “MOSES” and “BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN” in “BATMAN FOREVER” (1995). The second was CHRISTIAN BALE, who played the characters in “THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY” (2005-2012) and “EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS” (2014).
[KILMER as “BATMAN”
[BALE as “MOSES” in “EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS” and as “BATMAN” in “THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY”.]
JEREMY IRONS Irons was considered for the role of “SETI”. He also played “BATMAN’S” faithful BUTLER “ALFRED PENNYWORTH” in “THE DCEU”!
[IRONS as “ALFRED”.]
RALPH FIENNES [the voice of “RAMESES”] appeared in “SCHINDLER’S LIST” (1993), in which he jokingly asks “OSKAR SCHINDLER”, "Who are you, MOSES?" That film also featured BEN KINGSLEY, who played the title role in “MOSES” (1995).
[FIENNES as “AMON GÖTH” in “SCHINDLER’S LIST” or is it “GOETH”? I honestly do not know for certain!]
KILMER’S BIRTHDAY is DECEMBER 31, the same BIRTHDAY as KINGSLEY!
[The DVD /BLU-RAY cover for KINGSLEY’S T.V. MINISERIES.]
CO-STARS DAME HELEN MIRREN [“QUEEN TUYA”] and SANDRA BULLOCK [“MIRIAM”] also share a BIRTHDAY: JULY 26.
MEL BROOKS provides an uncredited voice for this film. He also played a more clumsier “MOSES” in “HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART 1” (1981).
Here is what happened in the picture above: “MOSES” brings down “THE COMMANDMENTS”. “I bring you these 15” – drops a tablet – “These 10 commandments.”
FIENNES was considered for the title role in The Saint (1997), which went to Kilmer.
FIENNES and JEFF GOLDBLUM [“AARON”] also appeared in “THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL” (2014) together.
BROOKS produced “THE FLY” (1986) which also starred GOLDBLUM. The original film version of “THE FLY” (1958) starred VINCENT PRICE, who also appeared in “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS” (1956) [He played a character named “BAKA”].
[PRICE as "BAKA"]
[A still image of PRICE and “THE FLY” from the 1958 film.]
[GOLDBLUM crawling on the ceiling in the 1986 version of “THE FLY”!]
MICHELLE PFEIFFER [TZIPPORAH”] played “SELINA KYLE/CATWOMAN” in “BATMAN RETURNS” (1992) [as I mentioned earlier KILMER played “BATMAN” in the sequel/soft reboot “BATMAN FOREVER”.]
[PFEIFFER as “CATWOMAN”]
FIENNES also did the voice of “BATMAN’S” trusted SERVANT and FATHER FIGURE “ALFRED” in “THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE” (2017). FIENNES was a previous candidate for the role of “BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN” in “BATMAN FOREVER” (after MICHAEL KEATON, who played the role in “BATMAN” (1989) and “BATMAN RETURNS” dropped out), but lost out to KILMER.
MARTIN and DANNY GLOVER [“JETHRO”] and appeared in Grand Canyon (1991).
Though they only share one scene in this film, SHORT and PATRICK STEWART [“SETI 1”] would reunite three years later in “JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS” (2001).
GLOVER and GOLDBLUM also appeared together in the movie “SILVERADO” (1985).
SHORT and GLOVER also appeared in the film “PURE LUCK” (1991).
PFEIFFER and GOLDBLUM appeared in the motion picture “INTO THE NIGHT” (1985).
PFEIFFER, BULLOCK, and SHORT were guests on the T.V. series “MUPPETS TONIGHT” (1996-1998), and MARTIN was a guest on “THE MUPPET SHOW” (1976-1981). MARTIN also appears in “THE MUPPET MOVIE” [1979].
MARTIN and SHORT are best friends in real life and have worked on many project together! Here are a couple of them that you may have heard of:
“ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING” [T.V. series 2021-PRESENT]
“¡THREE AMIGOS!” [1986]
“FATHER OF THE BRIDE” [1991]
“FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 2” [1995]
“FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART 3 [ISH]” [2020]
“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” [1975-PRESENT]
“STEVE MARTIN & MARTIN SHORT: AN EVENING YOU WILL FORGET FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE” [2018]
[I think you guys get the idea now!]
Here is something you may not have known about the film’s ending.
The filmmakers have suggested that it is possible that “RAMESES II” died when “THE RED SEA” closed, and that his final line ("Moses!") is imagined by “MOSES” as wishful thinking. This is why they appear on-screen at the same time during that moment. Their words where also foreshadowed earlier in the film.
SPIELBERG insisted that the film end on “MOSES” carrying “THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”.
Did you know that this movie also has prequel and a stage show musical?
There is a prequel based on the story of “JOSEPH” from “THE BOOK OF GENISIS”. The Direct-to-video film is called “JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS” [2000]. Sadly, this movie was not as successful as it’s predecessor!
If you are looking for a copy of “JOSEPH: king of dreams”, you can find it with “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” in a double feature.
A BROADWAY-STYLE musical theatre production of “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT” was also produced in 2017 and ended it’s run in 2020. A film version of the show was filmed and released into movie theaters on OCTOBER 19 2023. It was also released on BROADWAYHD on NOVEMBER 15 and was followed by a DIGITAL RELEASE on DECEMBER 5. You can look for it under the name “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT: THE MUSICAL”. The show was met with mixed results.
Did you know that this movie was parodied in another DREAMWORKS ANIMATION film?
In another DREAMWORKS movie, “MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN” (2014), there's a scene where the “PRINCESS” is picking “BABY MOSES” up from the water. Meanwhile, “SHERMAN” is seen swimming in the water.
[I could not find the right image for the scene I had just mentioned, so here is a poster for the movie instead!]
I really hope you guys enjoyed this. I will see all again really soon!!
SHREK
HI THERE EVERYBODY! I’m back once again and this time I am talking about “The greatest fairy tale never told”.
Did you know that “SHREK” [2001] actually saved DREAMWORKS PICTURES from bankruptcy?
Before “SHREK” came along, DREAMWORKS was struggling to find its identity as a studio. “SHREK’S” mix of humour, parody, drama and pop culture references made it famous and helped DREAMWORKS to thrive and make more films with the same mix of fantasy, comedy and heart, including “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON” [2010] and “KUNG FOO PANDA” [2008]. Thanks Shrek!
In a 2007 interview with THE AGE, DREAMWORKS CO-FOUNDER and "SHREK" PRODUCER JEFFREY KATZENBERG said, "That first 'SHREK' saved the company financially. We're here today because of it. It's been a great blessing. I refer to it as the gift that keeps on giving."
Did you know that “SHREK” CO-STAR JOHN LITHGOW had the perfect response to whether or not the adult jokes in the movie were ok?
LITHGOW was asked whether or not the adult jokes in the movie would've been too inappropriate for kids, he responds: "No, as long as it's done correctly. One of the things I always loved about British Theater was “THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BRITISH PANTOMIMES”, which are these corny old fairy tales that are put on as musicals. The principal boy is played by a girl and the ugly sisters are played by guys in drag. “PETER PAN: THE MUSICAL” was very much in that tradition. It is a particular tradition developed over centuries, this ability to put on a show for the entire family, where the adults and the children are laughing at the same time, at the same jokes, for completely different reasons. And the adults like it, particularly, because they realize that the kids are oblivious to what's so funny about it. It's a huge, electric moment when these jokes pay off, and that's what "SHREK" is all about. It's very rare. In a way, that's what we were always trying to achieve on "3RD ROCK” [a.k.a. “3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN" - 1996-2001], appealing to lots of different audience constituencies at the same moment."
[LITHGOW and his character “LORD FARQUAAD”.]
KATZENBERG also had some concerns about the jokes!
CO-DIRECTOR ANDREW ADAMSON frequently found himself at loggerheads with KATZENBERG over the film's adult jokes. KATZENBERG thought that some of the more adult material was inappropriate for an animated film, ADAMSON disagreed. ADAMSON could be perceived as winning the argument as many critics liked the film for the fact that it didn't just pander to under-age audiences.
[ADAMSON]
Did you know that the opening song was originally just a place holder?
The song "ALL STAR" by SMASH MOUTH [remember SMASH MOUTH?], heard in the opening credits, was only a placeholder for test screenings until a new song could be found. But test audiences loved it, and the producers kept it in. When the producers decided to keep "ALL STAR" they decided to let the band perform the last song in the movie, "I’M A BELIEVER."
Speaking of which: The song "I’M A BELIEVER", which has become one of the series' theme songs, was chosen specifically because of the line "I thought love was only true in fairy tales."
Did you know that a famous celebrity had a rather surprising reaction to the movie’s ending?
After NEIL DIAMOND went to see the DREAMWORKS animated hit, he heard a group of giggling youngsters singing "I’M A BELIEVER" in the lobby of the theater. "I couldn't resist. I went over and joined in, and we just sang the song together," the 61-year old SINGER-SONGWRITER revealed in DECEMBER 2002. "They had no idea that I had written it, or who I was. I was just some weird guy who wanted to join in on the singing."
[DIAMOND]
Did you know that there is also a “SHREK” broadway show?
“SHREK” was adapted into a stage musical in 2008 with music by JEANINE TESORI and lyrics by DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE. The original cast included BRIAN d'Arcy JAMES [It would have felt weird to have his middle name be completely capitalized in my usual typing style.] as “SHREK”, SUTTON FOSTER as “PRINCESS FIONA”, DANIEL BREAKER as “DONKEY” and CHRISTOPHER SIEBER as “LORD FARQUAAD”. A high definition recording of “SHREK: THE MUSICAL” (2013) was released on DVD/BLU-RAY and on streaming in 2013.
[A poster for the stage show.]
[And the poster for the “HOME VIDEO” version!]
Do you know how “SHREK” got his SCOTTISH accent?
After MIKE MYERS completed his dialogue in his own voice and “SHREK’S” animation was being completed, MYERS decided he wanted to give “SHREK” a SCOTTISH accent. "Once I saw the whole picture, I saw I needed to dig even deeper. And in having “SHREK” be SCOTTISH, I was able to tap into a certain energy." When his mother, who is from LIVERPOOL, read him books like “BABAR” [1931-PRESENT] or “CURIOUS GEORGE” [1939-PRESENT] she often gave BRITISH dialects to the characters. "It was a happy memory of my childhood, and in SCOTTISH I was able to connect to that." When MYERS begged to be allowed to redo “SHREK’S” voice, KATZENBERG and his partner and DREAMWORKS CO-FOUNDER STEVEN SPIELBERG agreed after hearing a demo, although the decision required the ogre to be reanimated from scratch. "That incident cost us about $5 million," said KATZENBERG. "But it's MIKE’S total creation, and honestly, it made the movie so much better."
[MYERS and “SHREK”.]
Did you know that the DESIGNERS went to great lengths for research about mud?
Although only pictured in the film for a few seconds, the DESIGNERS went all out in ensuring “SHREK’S” mud baths were as accurate as possible by taking actual mud showers. This was done to study “fluid dynamic simulation” and work out exactly how the mud would fall onto a person. If you think you've had a bad day at work, ART DIRECTOR DOUGLAS ROGERS apparently visited a MAGNOLIA PLANTATION to also study the environment for research and got chased by an alligator during his excursion. Ouch.
[“SHREK” taking a “MUD SHOWER”!]
[ROGERS holding “SHREK’S” “OSCAR FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - 2001” award.]
[A scene from MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS, SOUTH CAROLINA. The place that ROGERS visited!]
[And just for the fun of it: AN ALLIGATOR!]
Did you know that one line almost didn’t make the cut do to a mistake?
Usually, there are mistakes made when making films. Yes, even in the perfectionistic world of filmmaking, they still make mistakes. And often, I might add. Heck, there is even a whole section on “IMDb” (“THE INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE”) that shows all of the “goofs” made in films. So it is not shocking at all that the same thing occurred during the making of “SHREK”. This one, though, could have made a very important scene in the movie a bit confusing. The scene in question is when “SHREK” discovers all of the banished fairytale creatures in his swamp. He yells at all of them, “What are you doing in my swamp?!” But in the original cut of the film, they realized too late that the line had never been read by MYERS. It seems they had forgotten to record it somehow. So KATZENBERG ended up having to fly all the way to NEW YORK CITY, where MYERS currently was, and he had him read the line while in the back of a limo. At least they found the "goof" in the first place and made it right, even if it took more time and money to achieve the iconic line.
That was a close call.
Do you know story behind the DISNEY references?
Anyone who has been to “DISNEYLAND” knows all about the “IT’S A SMALL WORLD” ride there. It is a fun yet slow-moving ride where children from all over the world are singing “IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL” over and over, to show we are all one in the same, despite our differences. Well, if you are aware of that ride and its companion song, you probably noticed that “SHREK” decided to spoof both the ride and their famous song in one unforgettable moment in the film. When “SHREK” and “DONKEY” first arrive in “DULOC”, at “LORD FARQUAAD’S” castle to be exact, they are greeted at the entrance by singing puppets, singing about how great “DULOC” is. It includes robotic dancing…as well as a very familiar melody. Their song has the same exact number of beats per minute and is also in the same key, further proving they are parodying the classic DISNEY song. It was a hilarious moment in the film that left “DONKEY” and “SHREK” looking at each other as if they were wondering what they had gotten themselves into. This was not the only reference to DISNEY and “DISNEYLAND” in the film but it was definitely the funniest one.
[“IT’S A SMALL WORLD” at “DISNEYLAND”, ANAHEIM, CA.]
Now let’s talk about why that scene exists!
Sometimes certain beef between two people just can’t be squashed. Even in the film industry…or especially in the film industry. And there is one feud that directly affected the making of “SHREK”. This is because it has long been rumored that KATZENBERG has a serious issue with his former DISNEY boss, MICHAEL EISNER. Because of this, it has been thought that the character of “LORD FARQUAAD” was a way to stir the pot even further with EISNER as “FARQUAAD” is supposed to represent him, especially when considering his small stature in the movie. This was directly referencing a quote from EISNER in a lawsuit between the two about KATZENBERG’S height. EISNER is 6’3” while KATZENBERG is 5’4.” So it is apparent KATZENBERG never forgot that dig and decided to make the visual representation of EISNER a bit…smaller. Plus, “FARQUAAD’S” name alone is a dig when you sound it out. Furthermore, their squabbles seemed to be a significant reason for a lot of the plot lines in “SHREK” in the first place. Needless to say, these two HOLLYWOOD big shots will never resolve this feud between them. But at least it gave us “LORD FARQUAAD”.
[EISNER and “LORD FARQUAAD”]
There’s a bit more that went on with that feud that we have not discussed yet. See, “SHREK” has been believed to have multiple jabs all throughout the film that are directed at DISNEY. Whether it be their views of the ridiculous notions of fairytales, which is primarily the type of movies DISNEY has been making since the '30’s, or the fact that “LORD FARQUAAD’S” castle even resembles “DISNEYLAND” when you look at it. Plus, once they enter “DULOC” in the movie, they meet those puppets we’ve mentioned before who sing an eerily similar song as the “IT’S A SMALL WORLD” ride at “DISNEYLAND”. Because of all of those facts, they had to screen the film with both DREAMWORKS and DISNEY LAWYERS just to avoid a lawsuit from DISNEY. That, at the time, was a very dramatic turn of events for a children's movie. Luckily for them, no legal action occurred after that point, though “RADIO DISNEY” [1996-2021] affiliates did decide to not allow DREAMWORKS any ad time to promote “SHREK”. Seems the feud between the two execs is just never going to end.
[“SHREK” and “FIONA” arriving at “DULOC”.]
[“MICKEY MOUSE” and friends at “DISNEYLAND”.]
[And this random image about LAWYERS. Because I thought it would fit nicely here!]
Here is what else I have heard about the “RADIO DISNEY” side of the situation:
“RADIO DISNEY” was told not to allow any ads for the film to air on the station, stating, "Due to recent initiatives with THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, we are being asked not to align ourselves promotionally with this new release “SHREK”. Stations may accept spot dollars only in individual markets." The restriction was later relaxed to allow ads for the film's soundtrack album onto the network.
Did you know that there is a major continuity issue involving “THE THREE BLIND MICE”?
At the end of the movie, we see the three blind mice magically transformed into two horses and a carriage driver to take Shrek and Fiona away on their honeymoon after their wedding. Trouble is, they’re still very clearly depicted as being blind. Nevertheless, just seconds after we start scratching our heads over that one, we see the mice back in their original rodent forms, dancing along with the wedding guests to the catchy rendition of “I’m a Believer”. Is this a movie blooper or just a magical coincidence?
[“THE THREE BLIND MICE”.]
[Not the exact image that I was looking for, but here are some white horses for you anyway!]
Did you know that “PINOCCHIO” and “THE THREE LITTLE PIGS” are all voiced by the same person?
“PINOCCHIO” and “THE THREE LITTLE PIGS” were side characters in the “SHREK” franchise, but they deserved spin-offs of their own. Their voices and sense of humor added depth to the movie, compared to “SHREK’S” hostile personality. Interestingly enough, VOICE ACTOR, STORYBOARD ARTIST and DIRECTOR CODY CAMERON voiced all four characters in the “SHREK” franchise. He was able to separate each character and add his own spin on the pigs' accents.
[CAMERON]
[“PINOCCHIO”]
[“THE THREE LITTLE PIGS”]
Here is an extra bit of information about the man:
During a voiceover session, CAMERON suggested that CAMERON DIAZ [the voice of “PRINCESS FIONA”] marry him "... so you can become “CAMERON CAMERON".
[DIAZ]
Did you know that “DONKEY” was inspired by a real-life DONKEY?
While he had to share the spotlight with “PUSS IN BOOTS” [ANTONIO BANDERAS] in the sequels, “SHREK’S” wise-cracking sidekick, “DONKEY”, was the breakout character of the first “SHREK” film. Voiced by EDDIE MURPHY in all four films, “DONKEY” was beloved for his quick mouth, happy-go-lucky attitude, and odd couple romance with The “DRAGON”. What many don't know is that “DONKEY” is based on a real-life MINIATURE DONKEY, named PERICLES, PERRY for short. In the late 90s, filmmakers visited PERRY’S home in BOL PARK, in the suburb of BARRON PARK, PALO ALTO, in search of a refernce model for the character of “DONKEY”. After PERRY’S companion, NINER, proved difficult to work with, the more placid PERRY was chosen as the main model. DREAMWORKS paid just $75 dollars for their modelling sessions with PERRY, and his carers were never offered royalties after “SHREK” was released. Thankfully, PERRY continues to be cared for by charitable donations and volunteers in THE BARRON PARK COMMUNITY.
[Here’s a picture of PERRY.]
Here’s a little bit of something extra for you:
When the fairytale creatures arrive at “SHREK’S” swamp, you can see “PAPA BEAR” comforting “BABY BEAR” next to a fire... later in “LORD FARQUAAD’S” castle, as he watches Fiona on the mirror you see “MAMA BEAR” as a rug, skinned and laying on the floor. Her ultimate fate, however, seems to be OK: she re-appears in the VIDEO/DVD KARAOKE scene, dancing with both “PAPA” and “BABY BEAR”.
[Here is “THE THREE BEARS’” story told through pictures! Look to the far right in “THE SHREK IN THE SWAMP KARAOKE DANCE PARTY!” bonus scene.]
Let’s just try not to mix them up with “THE THREE BEARS” from “PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH” [2022]
[“GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS” from “PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH”.]
Did you know that “SHREK” competed with another DREAMWORKS ANIMATION movie?
if back in 1996 you asked DreamWorks — founded by SPIELBERG, KATZENBERG and DAVID GEFFEN — what the studio thought of the grouchy green giant, the answer would be bleak. You would hear that “SHREK” was the “ugly stepchild” of the studio’s animation wing, a movie that would never see the light of day, let alone an Academy Award. Before its 2001 release, DREAMWORKS considered “Shrek” a low-budget boondoggle, a project to which animators were banished once they failed on other projects, according to the book, “THE MEN WHO WOULD BE KING: AN ALMOST EPIC TALE OF MOGULS, MOVIES AND A COMPANY CALLED DREAMWORKS.” “It was known as the Gulag,” one animator told the books author NICOLE LAPORTE. “If you failed on ‘THE PRINCE OF EGYPT’ [1998] [another DREAMWORKS movie that was only half as successful], you were sent to the dungeons to work on SHREK.” Employees called it “GETTING SHREKED”.
[An image for “THE PRINCE OF EGYPT”.]
Did you know that “SHREK” has received three major honors?
In 2002, “SHREK” made history by winning the first ever “ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE” and in recognition of its cultural significance, “SHREK” was chosen for preservation in THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY in 2020, further solidifying its place in cinematic history.
The animated OGRE also received the 2,408th star on “THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME” on MAY 20TH, 2010, one day before the release of “SHREK FOREVER AFTER: THE FINAL CHAPTER.”
[“THE OSCARS” - 1929-PRESENT]
[THE N.F.R. logo.]
[MYERS and “SHREK” posing for the cameras on the OGRE’S star from “THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME” in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA!]
On a related note: EDDIE MURPHY’S “BAFTA” nomination for his voiceover performance as “DONKEY” was the first of its kind.
[MURPHY and “DONKEY” in a split-screen image.]
[A bunch of awards from “THE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS” more commonly known as the “BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS” [a.k.a. “THE BAFTA AWARDS”] - 1947-PRESENT]
Now let’s see about some alternate casting choices!
“SHREK”:
MIKE MYERS is the voice of Shrek, but he wasn't the first actor cast in the role.
Before his sudden death in 1997, "SNL" [“SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” - 1975—PRESENT] star CHRIS FARLEY (FEBRUARY 15, 1964 — DECEMBER 18, 1997) was cast to voice “SHREK”, and clips of his voice work have since surfaced online.
According to a 2015 YAHOO! interview with his brother KEVIN FARLEY, the actor recorded most of the movie before his death.
"Originally the “SHREK” character was a little bit more like CHRIS, like a humble, bumbling innocent guy," KEVIN said. "The studio needed to do what they needed to do. It was a bad time, bad timing … a tragedy. MIKE did a great job with 'SHREK.' He knocked it out of the park.”
[CHRIS FARLEY]
[KEVIN FARLEY]
FARLEY’S version of “SHREK” was completely different from MYERS’ version. FARLEY’S version was about “SHREK” not wanting to scare people but to be a knight. “FIONA”, originally voiced by JANEANE GAROFALO [more on her later], was going to be a brash and sarcastic character. After FARLEY’S passing, talks went around the studio about hiring an impersonator to finish the lines. At one point, KEVIN thought about finishing the rest of the lines, but didn't due to being too shook up from his brother's death.
MYERS was hesitant about succeeding the role of “SHREK” from FARLEY, due to them being friends and believing it was disrespectful to do so. But after thinking it over and the PRODUCERS all telling MYERS: "Can't we just settle this over a pint?", he decided to take on the role. And that line was eventually used in the final cut of the film.
[Thank goodness for memes!]
And here’s one more connection between”SHREK” and FARLEY: “SHREK’S” "air quotes" in the film is an homage to FARLEY, whose “SNL” character “BENNETT BRAUER” also used air quotes. A story reel featuring a sample of Farley's recorded dialogue was leaked to the public in August 2015.
[FARLEY as “BRAUER” from one of “SNL’S WEEKEND UPDATE” sketches! Unfortunately I was not able to find an image of “SHREK” using the air quotes. So here’s an image of FARLEY, “SHREK” and MYERS in order of appearance instead!]
NICOLAS CAGE has taken on many roles over the years, but one that he turned down was the voice of “SHREK”. During a 2013 interview on "TODAY" [also called “THE TODAY SHOW” -1952—PRESENT], CAGE explained why he didn't want the role saying, "I'm not afraid to be ugly in a movie ... When you're drawn, in a way it says more about how children are going to see you than anything else, and I do care about that." He said he doesn't regret turning it down. He did however tell THE DAILY MAIL also in 2013, “Maybe I should have done it, looking back.” Uh, yeah, Nick. You should have.
[CAGE]
“SHREK” AND “DONKEY”:
In early drafts, the story was very different. It was going to be hand drawn, not computer animated, BILL MURRAY was set to play “SHREK” and STEVE MARTIN would play “DONKEY”. Also, “FIONA” would have been an ogre for the whole film, which totally changes the story!
[MURRAY]
[MARTIN]
“PRINCESS FIONA”:
JANEANE GAROFALO told MTV in 2007 that she was originally supposed to voice “PRINCESS FIONA” in “SHREK” [Back when FARLEY was voicing the OGRE.], but she was inexplicably fired. She maintains that no one told her why she was pushed off the project in favor of CAMERON DIAZ.
[GAROFALO]
“LORD FARQUAAD”:
The late ALAN RICKMAN ( February 1946 21 – January 14 2016) was the initial casting choice for the role of “LORD FARQUAAD”. However, RICKMAN opted to portray the character of “PROFESSOR SEVERUS SNAPE” in the “HARRY POTTER” film series (2001-2011) instead.
[RICKMAN as “PROF. SNAPE”.]
Honorable mention:
The late ROBIN WILLIAMS (JULY 21, 1951 – AUGUST 11, 2014) was going to have a role in the film, but he suffered a bitter falling-out with KATZENBERG when KATZENBERG was still working at DISNEY, and refused to work with him.
[WILLIAMS]
And finally - “THE MAGIC MIRROR”:
GAME/TALK SHOW HOSTS JIM LANGE [AUGUST 15, 1932 – FEBRUARY 25, 2014) and JIMMY FALLON were both brought in at different times to record the voice of “THE MAGIC MIRROR” (LANGE in particular hosted “THE DATING GAME” (1965-2021) version 1 (1973–1974) v2 (1978–1980) v3 (1986–1989) v4 (1996–1999) v5 (2021), which “THE MIRROR” parodies). Eventually, however, “THE MIRROR” was voiced by STORYBOARD ARTIST CHRIS MILLER.
[LANGE]
[FALLON]
[MILLER]
Did you know that STEVEN SPIELBERG almost made his own version of “SHREK” in the early 90’s?
“SHREK” could have looked totally different if SPIELBERG went ahead with his initial plans. When the award-winning director purchased the rights to WILLIAM STEIG’S book in 1991, he imagined the film to be a standard hand-drawn animated film for his company, AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT. He had two comedians in mind for the lead roles [I already mentioned them up above!]. However SPIELBERG couldn’t get the project off the ground until years later though — the year was 1994 — after DREAMWORKS SKG came to be. The rest is history.
Did you know that the studio hired an ARMOR EXPERT?
An ARMOR EXPERT was brought in to show the ANIMATORS a variety of armors that they could use as inspiration for the film. The ANIMATORS tried on the armor, studied how they moved with the armor on, and also took turns flailing different swords!
[SIR SHREK! Remember what I said about him wanting to be a KNIGHT earlier!]
Did you know that “DONKEY” has a bit of a connection with a famous DISNEY character?
“DONKEY” was the easiest character to sketch since no-one knew what a talking DONKEY would look like. He looked very different in the early drafts, more akin to “EEYORE” from “WINNIE THE POOH”.
[Early concept art of “DONKEY” and “SHREK”. He kinda does look like “EEYORE”!]
[And here is the other “DONKEY” in question!]
Do you know what the name “SHREK” means in other languages?
"SHREK" means "MONSTER" in YIDDISH, and is derived from the GERMAN word "SCHRECK", which means "TERROR" or "FRIGHT". SCHRECK is also the name of ACTOR MAX SCHRECK (6 September 1879 – 20 February 1936).
FRIEDRICH GUSTAV MAXIMILIAN SCHRECK known professionally as MAX SCHRECK, was a GERMAN ACTOR, best known for his lead role as the VAMPIRE “COUNT ORLOK” in the film “NOSFERATU” (1922) aka “NOSFERATU: A SYMPHONY OF HORROR”.
[SCHRECK]
[SCHRECK as “COUNT ORLOK” from “NOSFERATU”]
The character of Shrek is based on a figure of the same name in RUSSIAN folklore, dating as far back as 1200 CE.
Did you know that CAMERON DIAZ got very physical while recording one particular scene?
DIAZ, having undergone KUNG FU training during the making of CHARLIE’S ANGELS [2000], became very physical when recording her kung fu moves for “FIONA’S” fight with “ROBIN HOOD” and his “MERRY MEN”, and at times even broke out into CANTONESE.
[“FIONA” fighting the “MERRY MEN”.]
[DIAZ getting ready to kick some bad guys’ butt in a scene from “CHARLIE’S ANGELS [2000]”.]
And now let’s learn about some improvised moments!:
The scene where “PRINCESS FIONA” burps was written after a recording session where DIAZ burped after drinking some COCA-COLA. MURPHY improvised “DONKEY’S” response to “SHREK”, "She's as nasty as you are!"
The line "You're on your way to a smacked bottom" was improvised by MYERS after he got annoyed at one of the DIRECTORS. He had also used this line a few years earlier while playing his “AUSTIN POWERS” character in the popular music video of MADONNA’S song “BEAUTIFUL STRANGER” [1999]. The song and music video were made to promote the second film in “THE AUSTIN POWERS TRILOGY” [1997-2002] - “AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME” [1999].
[MADONNA and MYERS as “AUSTIN POWERS” from the music video “BEAUTIFUL STRANGER”.]
MYERS improvised numerous lines in the film, including when he addresses the guests at “FIONA” and “FARQUAAD’S” wedding.
When climbing up the fiery mountain to rescue “FIONA”, “DONKEY” says "My mouth was open and everything" when he thought “SHREK” passed wind. MURPHY had used the same line in his stand-up comedy movie “EDDIE MURPHY: DELIRIOUS” (1983) when he mentioned "You could fart in your friend's face while watching the game, he don't care...".
[A poster from the movie.]
When “DONKEY” goes off alone in the castle in search of stairs, he mutters "I am the stair master." This same line was spoken by MURPHY in “THE NUTTY PROFESSOR” (1996) after transforming into his [main] character's [“PROF. SHERMAN KLUMP”] alter ego, “BUDDY LOVE”. MURPHY also portrays the characters “CLETUS KLUMP” (“SHERMAN’S” FATHER), “ANNA PEARL JENSEN-KLUMP” (“SHERMAN’S”S MOTHER), “IDA MAE JENSON” (“SHERMAN’S” GRANDMOTHER, “ANNA’S” MOTHER), “ERNIE KLUMP SR.” (“SHERMAN’S” BROTHER) and “LANCE PERKINS, a parody of RICHARD SIMMONS in case you were interested.
[MURPHY as “THE KLUMPS”, “BUDDY LOVE” and “LANCE PERKINS”.]
Did you know that “DONKEY” is one of MURPHY’S most popular roles ever?
In an interview once MURPHY joked that the movie “SHREK”, and his character “DONKEY”, became so popular that if he had died the year the movie was released, newspapers would have probably used a picture of “DONKEY” instead of EDDIE MURPHY!
Well I hope you guys certainly enjoyed this entry. I will see you all again real soon and remember: “Stay out of MY swamp!”
ENCANTO
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY!
Today we are gonna take a look the 2021 DISNEY film “ENCANTO”. So let’s take a look and see how this “MAGICAL” movie was made!
Did you know that a certain song from the movie “FROZEN” [2013] can be heard during the film’s final musical number?
Towards the end of “ENCANTO”, “BRUNO” sings the line “let it out, let it in, LET IT GO!” and stretches his arms out in front of him [there is also a shot of some sand falling like snow]. This is similar to what “ELSA” does in “FROZEN” during the that particular musical number. You can also hear the notes from the piano introduction to the song “LET IT GO” from “FROZEN” when this line is sung.
Here are the lyrics in question:
“BRUNO”: “PEPA”, I'm sorry 'bout your wedding, didn't mean to be upsetting That wasn't a prophecy, I could just see you were sweating And I wanted you to know that your bro loves you so Let it in, let it out, let it rain, let it snow, LET IT GOOO!!!”
[From left to right: “DELORES” and “MIRABEL” from “ENCANTO” and “ELSA” from “FROZEN”. “ELSA’S” pose is what I was referring to. Sorry I was unable to find an image of “BRUNO” making the same pose.]
Do you know what the word “ENCANTO” really means?
Contrary to how the word is used in the film (including as the title), the word "ENCANTO" does not actually mean "enchantment". The Spanish word for that is "encantamiento". "ENCANTO" means high appeal or charm, and can be applied to "enchanting" people, places, animals or objects. The film attempts to use "ENCANTO" as a word of two meanings, much like the English word "charm" (both as appeal and as a magical spell), but its use to refer to a magical enchantment is incorrect.
[This location is a perfect example from CHAMAREL, MAURITIUS. Here is a brief synopsis: Though this EAST AFRICAN island attracts visitors primarily with its gorgeous, pristine beaches, if you venture inland you'll see this brilliant geological formation that translates to "SEVEN COLORED EARTHS."] There are other meanings for the word “ENCANTO”. But that list would take to long for me to write, so I will leave a link for you to use: https://www.dictionary.com/e/meaning-encanto-word/
Did you know that one of the actresses gave birth after she finished recording one of the songs?
While recording her vocals for "WAITING FOR A MIRACLE", STEPHANIE BEATRIZ [the voice of “MIRABEL”] was not only nine months pregnant, but technically in labor. She noticed her contractions the day of recording but said nothing because she "didn't want anyone to freak out." She finished the song successfully and gave birth to a daughter the following day!
[BEATRIZ]
[“MIRABEL”]
Did you know that THE PANDEMIC forced the studio to change their travel plans?
Originally DISNEY planned on taking lots of trips to COLOMBIA so the ANIMATORS could get a lot of inspiration, but THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC made this tricky. Instead, the ANIMATORS were given virtual tours of COLOMBIA to help fire their imaginations, and they did eventually get to go there in real life too!
[Here is a picture of a real city in COLOMBIA for example!]
In 2018, Directors BYRON HOWARD and JARED BUSH, along with Songwriter LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA and other key members of the production, undertook an extensive trip to COLOMBIA to immerse themselves in the culture. They met with Artisans, Chefs, and Architects, as well as visited the major cities of BOGOTA and CARTAGENA. However, they were particularly inspired by the small town of BARICHARA. Indeed, the Tourist Guide that showed them around, ALEJANDRA ESPINOSA URIBE, was hired as a Technical Consultant. She also inspired the look of “MIRABEL” with her curly hair and oversized glasses.
Did you know “MIRABEL’S” perspective is a very important part of the movie?
References to "eyes" and "appearance" occur frequently. The phrase, "Open your eyes/abre los ojos," is repeated multiple times, especially at the beginning and end. “MIRABEL” is the only blood “MADRIGAL” to wear glasses. Her glasses symbolize her unique perspective. She's constantly having to fidget with and adjust them to see correctly. Her green-framed glasses also mirror the glowing eyes of “BRUNO” when seeing a vision of the future, further tying the two of them together. “MIRABEL” is called “MIRA” for short. "mira" is Spanish for "look." “MIRABEL” is also the first main Disney-animated female character to wear glasses!
Do you know what “BRUNO” is saying when he is fixing up the house?
“BRUNO” can be heard saying, "Sana sana colita de rana" in the area where the house is being patched up. This is part of a longer rhyme--"Sana, sana, colita de rana/si no sana hoy, tu sana mañana"--. It means "Heal, heal, little tail of a frog/If you don't heal today, you'll heal tomorrow." This saying is said to kids in Spanish-speaking countries when they get hurt to comfort them.
BAND-AIDS with there favorite cartoon characters can also comfort and heal them. [I am not getting paid for this, I just thought that the image fit in perfectly with what I was just talking about.]
Did you know that the “MADRIGAL” family’s magical house, “CASITA”, was given the personality of a dog?
The “MADRIGAL” family lives in a magical house. Filmmakers explored how the home would behave on screen, considering many options before deciding that the house would be like a family dog. With a lively heart and soul, the house is a beloved member of the family. It has distinct relationships with each of the “MADRIGALS”— it might even pick a favorite from time to time!
[“CASITA” and “MIRABLE”.]
Did you know that DISNEY added certain cultural details with extra help from the locals?
DISNEY Filmmakers worked with local consultants to infuse the film with details that would be familiar to the people of COLOMBIA, and make their work authentic with a distinct cultural flavor. For example, some of the characters will point with their lips. This is a gesture done with the tilt of the head and a slight pucker of the lips. “MIRABEL” does this while trying to coax “ANTONIO” out from under the bed. “ENCANTO” was made in collaboration with THE COLOMBIAN CULTURAL TRUST, a group of experts in COLOMBIAN botany, music, language anthropology and architecture. Familia, a group of LATINX DISNEY ANIMATION employees, also met with the filmmakers throughout the process and shared their personal perspectives and experiences to help shape the film. Their work resulted in “ENCANTO”, the first DISNEY movie featuring LATINX characters. This is the first movie set within a specific LATIN AMERICAN culture, that of COLOMBIA, rather than a generic fictional LATINO community such as the kingdom of “AVALOR” from the DISNEY JUNIOR T.V. series “ELENA OF AVALOR” [2016-2020] for example. “ENCANTO” gives us COLOMBIAN storytelling, the DISNEY way.
[THE COLOMBIAN FLAG]
Did you know that “BRUNO” almost went by a completely different name?
From his offbeat personality to a certain chart-topping song, you may think that you know “BRUNO” inside and out by now. Before “BRUNO” was an awkward, vulnerable scene-stealer, though, the character was written with a cockier edge. The character wasn’t even named “BRUNO” in the beginning. Originally, he was “OSCAR MADRIGAL”. Since that’s a common name and DISNEY wanted to avoid any legal trouble, several alternatives were brainstormed. “ARLO”, “ANKO”, “ANDRE”, “EMO” and “MARCO” were some of the other options, but MIRANDA said that he liked “BRUNO” the best in a text. BUSH didn’t entirely understand why until he heard “Bruno, no, no, no.” Still, imagine an alternate reality where “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT OSCAR” wins an “OSCAR” for “BEST ORIGINAL SONG”.
[BRUNO]
Did you know that “MIRABEL” was originally going to be more like a Detective?
Here is a tweet from WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS X/TWITTER page and “ENCANTO” Story Artist MICHAEL HERRERA:
“Before we had the concept of “BRUNO’S” visions, “MIRABEL” had to do a lot of Detective work to piece things together. We tried a version where “AGUSTÍN” walks in on her clues. His stunned reaction stuck, as well as “DOLORES” hearing every word.”
[Here’s the original storyboard from HERRERA’S tweet.]
Now for some quick facts:
The credits alone took three months to finalize and put together, given that 800 people worked on the film.
While the film was being made, Latinx Disney employees had many conversations in their "Familia" group about displacement, pressures to succeed, gratitude for the sacrifices of parents/grandparents, and navigating responsibilities.
“ANTONIO” is so small that when he sits at the dinner table, he has to be on his knees just to be able to eat and converse with the family.
[I could not find the exact image that I was looking for but here is a shot of “ANTONIO” talking to a TOUCAN!]
The iconic plant from the movie “WALL-E” appears also tucked away in “BRUNO’S” hideout. The brown boot containing a green sprout like in the movie “WALL-E” was on a shelf in “BRUNO’S” room.
[There’s the plant!]
Also in that same shot is a picture of one of “BRUNO’S” rats imitating “SORCERER MICKEY” from “FANTASIA” [1940].
Did you know that “ENCANTO” took 5 years to make?
It’s all about perfecting the art. From the storyboards, scripts, musical performances, actors, and promotions – everything has to be done to the highest standard possible. “DISNEY’S ENCANTO” was five years in the making, and MIRANDA saw that it is his next big project. The main reason for its long production was the research on the cultural area of LATIN AMERICA. They chose COLOMBIA for its vibrant intersection between magic and culture. Its long-standing history served as the foundation for the film’s message.
Do you know just how popular the song “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO” is?
That song has reached No. 1 on SPOTIFY as well as “THE BILLBOARD TOP 100”. This is only the second time that a song from a DISNEY animated film as reached No.1. “A WHOLE NEW WORLD” from “ALADDIN” reached No. 1 in 1993. “LET IT GO” from “FROZEN” peaked at No. 5 in 2014.
Did you know that the food that “MIRABEL’S” MOM, “JULIETA”, gives to people is more important than it seems?
In the “MADRIGAL” family, just about every member has a special power, including one focusing on the curative powers of old family recipes thanks to “JULIETA”, the “MADRIGAL” MATRIARCH who heals with food. Every member of the cast related to a special dish in their own families that had the same effects as the elixirs from Encanto. In an interview with ROTTEN TOMATOES, the cast opened up about the way the dishes from their own mothers healed their woes, from physical maladies to spiritual ones. One dish that the entire cast found to be the most restorative was SANCOCHO, a hearty broth filled with vegetables and meat that varies across regions in LATIN AMERICA, from COLOMBIA to VENEZUELA. It helped them relate to their characters while also inspiring fans to seek out similar items to share in a taste of COLOMBIAN culture.
[Here is an image of “JULIETA” mixing some food to help heal someone.]
Did you know that “JULIETA’S” “GIFT” cannot heal every known ailment known to mankind?
While most of the “MADRIGAL’S GIFTS” and powers are more straightforward, like “LUISA’S” strength or “CAMILLO’S” shapeshifting, “JULIETA’S” healing powers leave a lot of questions. While she's shown to easily heal broken bones, allergic reactions, and black eyes, she isn't shown to cure serious illnesses or diseases. When asked about it on X/TWITTER, BUSH said that while she can cure serious illnesses, "some illnesses aren’t treatable. Some people don’t always want treatment," which is a possible for why “MIRABEL” and “AGUSTÍN” still wear glasses.
[“JULIETA” heals “MIRABEL’S” injury.]
Did you know that “BRUNO” makes a hidden cameo appearance during the “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO” musical-number?
Even if you haven’t seen “ENCANTO” yet, the song “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT BRUNO” has been almost unavoidable as it has made it to number 1 in the charts in both the UK and the US. In the film itself, the song is the first time we get a really good look at “BRUNO”. Most obviously, he is seen in the flashback of “PEPA” and “FELIX’S” wedding and when “CAMILLO” changes into his likeness, but many have missed the real, present-day “BRUNO”! During “DOLORES’” rap verse, “BRUNO” can be seen walking along the upper level of “CASITA”. And “DOLORES”, who can hear him, stops “MIRABEL” from seeing him by pulling her away from his direction. Right at the end of this verse, you can see “BRUNO” bobbing his head along to the song whilst he is standing just out of “MIRABEL’S” and “DOLORES’” sight.
[There he is! Or, for all we know, it could actually be “CAMILLO” in disguise!?!]
Did you know the butterflies in the movie have an even deeper meaning than you realize?
The yellow butterflies, like the one seen in “BRUNO’S” vision and at the very end of the movie, are thought to symbolize happiness and imagination, and it means good fortune is coming. Images of a butterfly can also be found throughout the film. Be on the lookout for them, some of them are harder to find than others!
[Here is an image of a YELLOW BUTTERFLY for an example. They are also known as A CLOUDLESS SULPHUR BUTTERFLY a.k.a. PHOEBIS SENNAE.]
Also, in the book “ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE” written by COLOMBIAN Novelist GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ, yellow butterflies also appear. The book tells the story of a multi-generational family, whose patriarch founds a town. Sound familiar? His books often included magical realism, which is also seen throughout “ENCANTO”.
[Here is an image of the book’s cover.]
Well, that is everything that I could find out about “ENCANTO”. Before I go I would like to say HAPPY VALENTINESDAY to my entire family and to you guys as well. I love you all! BYE!!!
STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS: GREMLINS
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!
Today we will be looking at the 1984 Horror-Comedy “STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS: GREMLINS” or just “GREMLINS” for short! I know a lot of people view this film as a CHRISTMAS movie but I believe that this motion picture’s HORROR element makes it feel like it should be seen during both holidays!
Did you know that the fake names on the marquee that is shown on the movie theater that appears during the opening credits is an in-joke for Executive Producer STEVEN SPIELBERG’S other hit films?
The titles on the theater marquee are an in-joke for Spielberg's benefit. "A BOY’S LIFE" was the working title for “E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL” (1982), and "WATCH THE SKIES" was the working title for “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND” (1977). Director JOE DANTE stated, "I think we did this mainly so that when STEVEN saw the dailies he'd be happy."
[There is the marquee! They even highlighted the letter “E” possibly for “E.T.” for everyone.]
There are lots of other references to “CLOSE ENCOUNTERS” and “E.T.” and other SPIELBERG-DIRECTED/PRODUCED films hidden through-out the film including: “TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE” [1983] [which SPIELBERG, DANTE and Composer JERRY GOLDSMITH had previously worked on together!],
the “INDIANA JONES” franchise [1981-PRESENT]
and there is also a “BACK TO THE FUTURE” [1985-1990] trilogy connection!
FRANCES LEE McCAIN, who played “BILLY PELTZER’S” mother, “LYNN”, also played LORRAINE’S” [LEA THOMPSON] mother, ”STELLA”, in “PART 1” when “MARTY McFLY” [MICHAEL J. FOX] goes back to 1955. Both movies were executively produced by Steven Spielberg. And the set for “KINGSTON FALLS” is the same one used for the “BTTF” trilogy. Both movies were filmed on THE UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BACKLOT.
[Here’s the backlot that the filmmakers used. See if you can find any similarities between the two images that you can see above this paragraph!]
Do you know what a “GREMLIN” is?
A “GREMLIN” is a mischievous folkloric creature invented at the beginning of the 20th century to originally explain malfunctions in aircraft, and later in other machinery, processes, and their operators. Depictions of these creatures vary widely. Stories about them and references to them as the causes of especially inexplicable technical and mental problems of pilots were especially popular during and after WORLD WAR II.
[An artists’ interpretation of what a “GREMLIN” might have looked like in WORLD WAR 2!]
Did you know that this movie has won multiple awards?
“THE OSCARS” didn’t care much for “GREMLINS,” which isn’t surprising, but “THE SATURN AWARDS” felt differently. If you are unfamiliar, “THE SATURNS” are focused on “SCI-FI”, “FANTASY”, and “HORROR”. It gave “GREMLINS” five awards: “BEST MUSIC”, “BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS”, “BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS FOR POLLY HOLLIDAY”, “BEST DIRECTOR” and “BEST HORROR FILM”. This movie has also won awards from other award show ceremonies that I am not going to mention here because it will take too long to name them all!
“THE SATURN AWARDS” - 1973-PRESENT.]
[HOLLIDAY as “MRS. DEAGLE”]
Did you know that a certain 90’s toy got sued by WARNER BROS. for looking an awful lot like the “MOGWAI” from the movie?
If you ever thought “FURBY” toys looked somewhat familiar, you’re probably thinking of how similar they look to the “MOGWAI” in “GREMLINS”. In fact, WARNER BROS. sued the makers of “FURBIES”. TIGER ELECTRONICS, which created the toys, acknowledge the resemblance and paid WARNER BROS. a seven-figure settlement. They also promised to redesign “FURBIES” to look less like “GIZMO”.
[The original “FURBY” toy in 1998.]
[“GIZMO” - see if you can spot any differences!]
Did you know that an animation legend had a cameo in this movie?
Legendary Animator and Cartoon Artist CHUCK JONES made a cameo appearance in the film. He’s the individual, referred to as “MR. JONES”, that “BILLY” shows the caricature of the town miser to in “DORRY’S TAVERN”. JONES is a cornerstone of “THE LOONEY TUNES” and “MERRIE MELODIES” shorts for WARNER BROTHERS.
[The films’ star ZACH GALLIGAN - “BILLY” - with JONES!]
Did you know that MONKEYS were originally going to play the “GREMLINS” at first?
The thought of using MONKEYS to act as the “GREMLINS” was attempted. This came about because Creature Designer CHRIS WALAS made the suggestion that they use puppets instead of stop-motion for the GREMLINS. The studio sent a SPIDER MONKEY in a “GREMLIN SUIT” to perform a test in DANTE’S office. However during a test in which a “GREMLIN HEAD” was placed over the MONKEY’S it panicked. This resulted in the frightened animal wreaking havoc on DANTE’S office and the Director yelling for the Animal Trainer to get hold of the MONKEY. He then looked to WALAS and said, “So puppets?”
[WALAS and “GIZMO”.]
[And for anyone who has never seen a SPIDER MONKEY before well here is a picture of one to give you guys an idea of what DANTE and his team had to put up with!]
Did you know the story behind the films use of “THE WB SHIELD LOGO”?
“GREMLINS” was the very first movie to feature the AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT logo. It was also the first WB film to have “THE WARNER BROS. SHIELD LOGO” in several years.
Famed logo designer SAUL BASS, also responsible for THE GEFFEN "G" and the UNITED AIRLINES logos of the 1970s, created this logo. In the commentary on the DVD release of ‘GREMLINS”, which brought back the shield logo, DANTE notes that this logo was designed to be more artsy. When the movie was made, DANTE knew that it was going to have the classical feel of the classic WARNER BROS. movies because they shot on THE WARNER BROS. BACKLOT and JERRY GOLDSMITH was doing the music. So, they decided to bring back “THE SHIELD LOGO” and the studio loved it and they brought it back for their future movies (though “THE SHIELD LOGO” was also used on earlier films such as “MEL BROOKS’ BLAZING SADDLES” (1974) and “TIME AFTER TIME” (1979)). However, this is still used as a logo today for other WARNER PROPERTIES (mainly by the now-unrelated WARNER MUSIC GROUP), and the stylized typeface was used for WB's home video division from 1978 to 1996; it has also appeared on a few movies made by the studio in the 2010s and the early 2020s such as “MAGIC MIKE” [2012], “JOKER” [2019] (albeit modified) and “A CHRISTMAS STORY CHRISTMAS” [2022].
Did you know that even members of the movie’s cast and crew thinks that the ‘Don’t feed them after midnight” rule is silly?
We all know the three major rules for owning a “GREMLIN”: Avoid bright light, don't get them wet, and don't feed them after midnight. Everyone likes to point out the last rule’s biggest flaw. But it was GALLIGAN who was the first to point out that the "don't feed them after midnight" rule is silly because it's always after midnight somewhere.” DANTE’S ressponse to this was "Well, we make fun of all that stuff in “GREMLINS 2” anyway”.
[Here’s that moment DANTE is referring to.]
Did you know that “GREMLINS” competed against the movie “GHOSTBUSTERS”?
The film opened against “GHOSTBUSTERS” [1984], and while that movie did better in most cities, "in NEW YORK CITY where people were furious about having their traffic disrupted while that picture was being made for all those months we always did better than “GHOSTBUSTERS”." [I don’t know who said that but I assume that it’s true!]
[This is what the people in NYC had to deal with while “GHOSTBUSTERS” was being filmed!]
Do you know where the idea for “GREMLINS” came from?
The idea for these creatures was born in a loft in MANHATTAN’S GARMENT DISTRICT that was home to NEW YORK UNIVERSITY FILM SCHOOL graduate Screenwriter CHRIS COLUMBUS. "By day, it was pleasant enough, but at night, what sounded like a platoon of mice would come out and to hear them skittering around in the blackness was really creepy," COLUMBUS recalls.
[COLUMBUS]
Did you know about the other reason for why the “GREMLINS” cannot get exposed to sunlight?
One of the reasons for the "No bright lights" rule was that in 1984, DANTE and AMBLIN could not completely navigate the perilous waters of special effects for the “GREMLIN/PUPPETS” that well. By keeping them in the dark, this camouflaged that problem. This is an old Sci-Fi trick. DANTE did the same thing with the tricky (and lumpy) practical effects for “THE HOWLING” (1981) three years earlier. They kept the monsters in the dark to hide special effects problems.
[Here’s a shot from “THE HOWLING” to give you guys an idea of what I am talking about.]
Did you know that SPIELBERG had the perfect response to one of a studio executives’ biggest complaints?
One of the studio notes to Director JOE DANTE and Executive Producer STEVEN SPIELBERG on seeing the first cut was that there were too many “GREMLINS”. SPIELBERG suggested cutting them all out and calling the movie "PEOPLE".
[“PEOPLE”]
Did you know that the original script was even darker than the version that we got?
columbus’ script went through a few drafts before a shooting script was finalized. His original version had the Gremlins killing the dog and cutting off the mom's head and tossing it down the stairs. These elements were never shot due to the fact that DANTE and WARNER BROS. wanted the movie to be more family-oriented. The original script also contained a scene where the “GREMLINS” attacked a McDONALD’S and began eating the customers instead of burgers!
Did you know that “KATE’S” [PHOEBE CATES] infamous “SANTA SPEECH” was almost cut from the movie?
The SANTA speech proved to be controversial and studio executives insisted upon its removal because they felt it was too ambiguous as to whether it was supposed to be funny or sad. DANTE however stubbornly refused to take the scene out saying it represented this movie as a whole, which had a combination of horrific and comedic elements. SPIELBERG did not like the scene, but despite his creative control, he viewed this movie as DANTE’S project and allowed him to leave it in.
Now let’s talk about the puppets for a moment.
The “GIZMO” puppets were particularly frustrating because they were smaller, and thus broke down more. Consequently, to satisfy the crew, a scene was included in which the “GREMLINS” hang “GIZMO” on a wall and throw darts at him. This was included on a list that the crew created known to them as the "HORRIBLE THINGS TO DO TO GIZMO" list.
During one night shoot, problems with the “GREMLIN” puppets were so severe that the entire cast fell asleep on the set during the delay.
GALLIGAN recounted in an interview that when the movie was made, there was no CGI, so all of the “GREMLINS” were animatronics, each costing between $30-40,000. When everyone left the lot for the day, security would have everyone open the trunks of their cars to make sure they weren't stolen.
Apparently it took a bit for WALAS to fully grasp what the “GREMLINS” were all about. The moment of realization came to him when he saw the “CAROLING GREMLINS” dressed in human clothing. At which point he said, ‘They’re parodies of people!’
Did you know that a book written by DANTE’S father appears in this movie?
If you look closely in “BILLY’S” bedroom you’ll find a book on his nightstand called ‘THE FOUR MAGIC MOVES TO WINNING GOLF’ [1968]. This book was written by JOE DANTE Sr. and JOE DANTE Jr. was often criticized by his father for having not shown it more prominently.
Did you know that another type of “GREMLIN” appears in the movie?
Near the beginning, as Randall Peltzer makes his way to the curio shop in Chinatown, a wrecked car is seen with the hood up and smoke coming out of it. That car is an AMC Gremlin. In real life, the AMC Gremlin logo (located on the gas cap) bore a striking resemblance to the Gremlins featured in this movie, except for a more grotesque, reptilian appearance.
[That’s the car, right there!]
[And there is the company logo!]
“BARNEY” the DOG [his real name was MUSHROOM] wouldn't follow GALLIGAN across the street. So, they attached the pair with a mono-filament line. Aside from that, DANTE noted that the dog was a joy to work with a priceless talent of reliably creating the ideal reaction to particular lines that were perfect to cut to. In addition, MUSHROOM tended to work easily with the “MOGWAI” and “GREMLIN” puppets, moving in sync with them during shooting to produce believable reactions to their actions.
[MUSHROOM]
Did you know that the movie opened during a rather odd time of the year?
Originally planned and scheduled for a Christmas release, this movie was rushed into production shortly after WARNER BROS. found out that it had no major competition against PARAMOUNT’S “INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM” or COLUMBIA’S “GHOSTBUSTERS” for the summer movie season. All three films along with PARAMOUNT’S “BEVERLY HILLS COP” [a summer movie that ironically got a CHRISTMAS releas!] became the four highest grossing films of 1984!
[I have already done stories about “INDIANA JONES” and “GHOSTBUSTERS”. Please check them out while you are here!]
Did you know that all of the “GREMLINS” dialogue was ad-libbed?
Little to no actual dialogue for the “GREMLINS” and “MOGWAI” existed in the script. In addition to several instances of on-set rewrites changing or adding to much of the script, the voiceovers were mostly ad-libs, repeating snippets of just-performed dialogue or in reaction to other sound effects or environments. To this end, HOWIE MANDEL recorded all of “GIZMO’S” lines phonetically for foreign dubs of the movie, where localized dialogue and in-jokes helped make this movie successful with audiences worldwide.
Well, that is everything that I could find out about “GREMLINS” I hope that you liked this entry. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Oh, and be sure to check-out the all new animated T.V. series now on the streaming service “MAX” [formerly known as “HBO MAX”] - “GREMLINS: SECRETS OF THE MOGWAI” Bye!
DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID [1989]
Hey there I am back with another movie blog entry! This time we are going “UNDER THE SEA” as we take a look at the original animated 1989 classic “THE LITTLE MERMAID”
Here is a little bit of information about song CO-WRITER HOWARD ASHMAN’S [1950-1991] involvement with this film:
Although he was initially hired just to co-write the songs alongside composing partner ALAN MENKEN, HOWARD ASHMAN became a CO-PRODUCER and CO-WRITER on the film, introducing much of its elements of romanticism and camp. At least three key scenes in their entirety have been credited to him: The scene where “SEBASTIAN” takes pity on “ARIEL” and decides to help her rather than report her, a scene with him 'tutoring' her on the art of flirting, and the dialogue between him and “KING TRITON” at the end where the king decides to set her free to become the human she's always dreamed of.
[ASHMAN]
Originally, “SEBASTIAN” was to have a british accent and a “stuffy” personality. It was ASHMAN who suggested he speak with a CARIBBEAN accent. This opened the door to CALYPSO-STYLE numbers like "UNDER THE SEA", which won an ACADEMY AWARD for “BEST ORIGINAL SONG”. His name was also originally going to be “CLARENCE”!
Did you know that the song “PART OF YOUR WORLD” started a DISNEY musical tradition?
ARIEL’S rendition of "PART OF YOUR WORLD" set a precedent for subsequent DISNEY animated musicals where the protagonist would vocalize his or her desires early in the film. The song was referred to by ASHMAN as "THE I WANT SONG". See also "BELLE" in “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” [1991], "ONE JUMP AHEAD" in “ALADDIN” [1992], "I JUST CAN’T WAIT TO BE KING" in “THE LION KING” [1994], "JUST AROUND THE RIVERBEND" in “POCAHONTAS” [1995], "OUT THERE" in “THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME” [1996], "GO THE DISTANCE" in “HERCULES” [1997], "REFLECTION" in “MULAN” [1998], "STRANGERS LIKE ME" in “TARZAN” [1999], "I’M STILL HERE" in “TREASURE PLANET” [2002], "ALMOST THERE" in “THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG” [2009], "WHEN WILL MY LIFE BEGIN?" in “TANGLED” [2010], "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER" in “FROZEN” [2013] and "HOW FAR I’LL GO" in “MOANA” [2016].
And speaking of that song:
Did you know that “PART OF YOUR WORLD” was almost cut from the film?
The song was nearly cut because the then Chairman of THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS JEFFREY KATZENBERG felt that it was "boring," as well as being too far over the heads of the children for whom it was intended. At a test screening children were restless during the song which did not have finished animation - in particular one child that sat in front of KATZENBERG and spilled his popcorn and was more interested in picking it up than watching the sequence. ASHMAN along with Directors and Producers JOHN MUSKER and RON CLEMENTS all pleaded their case and begged KATZENBERG to let the song stay to no avail. Ultimately, the one who managed to convince him to give it a second chance was the animator of the sequence, GLEN KEANE. Another screening was set up, this time with an adult audience. It was a greater success (even reportedly moving some members to tears) and so the song was left in the film. KATZENBERG later said that he was happy no one listened to him because he couldn't imagine the film without the song.
[KATZENBERG]
[KEANE working on a drawing of “THE BEAST” from “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” - 1991.]
Do you know about the hidden “MUPPET” and DISNEY character cameos?
In the opening scene when King Triton arrives at the arena, “MICKEY MOUSE”, “GOOFY”, “DONALD DUCK” and “KERMIT THE FROG” can be briefly seen in the crowd of sea-people as mermen when he passes over them.
[Look at where the arrow is pointing!]
[From top to bottom: “GOOFY”, “DONALD DUCK” and “MICKEY MOUSE”.
Do you know exactly what mythical species “URSULA” is?
Many merfolk appear in the film, but Ursula is a lesser-known type of mythological creature known as a CECAELIA: A creature that has a human upper body and an octopus lower body.
Did you know that another studio animated all of the bubbles for the film?
Disney estimated that around a million bubbles appear in The Little Mermaid. At the time, the company had limited resources, so to help them cope with this, the bubbles were done by Chinese animation studio called PACIFIC RIM PRODUCTIONS [not to be confused with the “PACIFIC RIM” movie/T.V. franchise - 2013-present - in case anyone made that assumption].
Every single bubble in the film is completely unique, and drawn by hand.
Next time you’re watching, please pay attention to those bubbles, because people worked very hard on them!
[Notice all of the bubbles in this screenshot.]
Did you know that a “DISNEY LEGEND” also starred in this movie?
The voice of “GRIMSBY”, “PRINCE ERIC’S” devoted steward, was provided by British actor and radio star BEN WRIGHT [1915-1989]. WRIGHT, a veteran of WWII, was an expert in accents and provided a wide range of voices on US radio, including “SHERLOCK HOLMES” [“THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES” and other “SHERLOCK HOLMES” titles from around this time - 1939-1950] and “SINBAD THE SAILOR” [for the 1947-1954 series “ESCAPE”]. He was also renowned for playing the Nazi “HERR ZELLER” in “RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S THE SOUND OF MUSIC” in 1965.
Wright had previously voiced two other DISNEY characters: “ROGER” in “101 DALMATIANS” [1961] and “RAMA” in “THE JUNGLE BOOK” [1967]. Despite this, he was reportedly not recognized as a “DISNEY LEGEND” by “THE LITTLE MERMAID” creators, who only made the connection after he was hired. WRIGHT passed away after heart surgery in 1989, four months before “THE LITTLE MERMAID” was released.
[WRIGHT]
Just like “FROZEN” [2013] “THE LITTLE MERMAID” was also in production limbo for a very long time.
"The Little Mermaid" had been a Disney property since 1941. WALT DISNEY planned to include the much darker HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN version of the tale in a planned anthology film of the fantasy author's works. After a bitter strike by the animators that same year and the increasing focus on WORLD WAR 2 wartime propaganda shorts, the initial version of this film was shelved in 1943.
It would remain shelved until CLEMENTS approached the idea sometime in the ‘80’s. DISNEY was working on a sequel to the popular live-action mermaid comedy "SPLASH" (1984) when CLEMENTS pitched "THE LITTLE MERMAID." CLEMENTS told YAHOO in 2016 that THEN-DISNEY Execs KATZENBERG and MICHAEL EISNER temporarily nixed his idea because they thought doing two mermaid movies would be too much. But they later returned to "THE LITTLE MERMAID" when they realized it was "a fairy tale [DISNEY] hadn't done."
When the film entered active production, the staff chanced upon the original story and visual development done at the studio back in the 1930s. Many of the changes made by the staff back then to ANDERSEN’S original story were coincidentally the same as the ones that the Disney writers were making in the 1980s.
[A statue of ANDERSEN in ODENSE, DENMARK.]
[EISNER]
One of the original DISNEY artists, a man named KAY NIELSEN [1886-1957] had even made some concept art that made it into the ‘89 film version.
NIELSEN was born in COPENHAGEN, DENMARK. In 1939 NIELSEN left for CALIFORNIA and worked for a couple of HOLLYWOOD companies. A personal recommendation from Artist, Writer and DISNEY LEGEND JOE GRANT [1908-2005] to WALT secured NIELSEN a job with THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, where his work was used in “THE NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN/AVA MARIA SEQUENCES OF FANTASIA”[1940]. NIELSEN was renowned at THE DISNEY STUDIO for his concept art and he contributed a lot of artwork for many DISNEY films, including concept paintings for a proposed adaptation of ANDERSEN’S “THE LITTLE MERMAID”. The adaptation was to be part of a package film containing various segments based on ANDERSEN’S fairy tales. The ‘89 film was made over 50 years after his involvement with DISNEY. Nielsen worked for THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY for 4 years, from 1937 to 1941 before being let go as his work was seen as too dark. He was brought back briefly in the 1950s for “SLEEPING BEAUTY” [1959].
[A Concept Drawing by NIELSEN for “THE LITTLE MERMAID” - 1941.]
[NIELSEN]
Did you know that this movie was a major first for DISNEY?
In a then-atypical and controversial move for a new DISNEY animated film, “THE LITTLE MERMAID” was released as part of “THE WALT DISNEY CLASSICS COLLECTION” line of VHS, LaserDisc, Betamax and Video 8 home media releases on May 18, 1990, six months after the release of the film. Before “THE LITTLE MERMAID”, only a select number of DISNEY’S catalog animated films had been released to home media, as the company was afraid of upsetting its profitable practice of theatrically reissuing each film every few years. “THE LITTLE MERMAID” became that year's top-selling title on home video, with over 10 million units sold (including 7 million in its first month) and 13 million units by OCTOBER 1993. The home video release, along with box office and merchandise sales, contributed to “THE LITTLE MERMAID” generating a total revenue of $1 billion. This success led to future DISNEY animated films being released on home video soon after the end of their theatrical runs, rather than delayed for several years, making “THE LITTLE MERMAID” the first DISNEY animated feature to be released on home video 1 year after its theatrical release.
[The original VHS cover.]
Controversy arose regarding the artwork for the film's original VHS release when consumers noticed an oddly shaped structure on the castle, closely resembling a certain human male body part. DISNEY and the cover designer insist it was an accident, resulting from a late-night rush job to finish the cover artwork. The object does not appear on the cover of the second release of the film. Another allegation is that “THE CLERGYMAN” presiding over the wedding between “ERIC” and “URSULA” (the latter disguised as “VANESSA”) is seen to have an erection. The object in question is actually the short, stubby-legged man's knee. The combined incidents led an ARKANSAS woman to file suit against THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY in 1995, though she dropped the suit two months later.
[There’s the VHS cover controversy!]
[The wedding scene controversy with the “edited version” in a split-screen comparison with the VHS cover because this was the only image that I could find!]
Did you know that “THE LITTLE MERMAID STATUE” makes a cameo appearance in the film?
[The statue in COPENHAGEN, DENMARK.]
the small and unimposing statue is a Copenhagen icon and has been a major tourist attraction since its unveiling in 1913. In recent decades it has become a popular target for defacement by vandals and political activists.
MERMAID is among iconic statues that symbolize cities; others include: The statue of PANIA OF THE REEF in NAPIER, MANNEKEN PIS in BRUSSELS, THE STATUE OF LIBERTY in NEW YORK CITY and CHRIST THE REDEEMER in RIO DE JANEIRO.
The statue was commissioned in 1909 by CARL JACOBSEN, son of the founder of CARLSBERG, who had been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale in COPENHAGEN’S ROYAL THEATRE and asked the ballerina, ELLEN PRICE, to model for the statue. The sculptor EDVARD ERIKSEN created the bronze statue, which was unveiled on August 23, 1913. The statue's head was modelled after PRICE, but as the ballerina did not agree to model in the nude, the sculptor's wife, ELINE ERIKSEN, was used for the body.
[This is the only image that I could properly download! I could not get it without the text underneath. For anyone who is curious it says “THE LITTLE MERMAID [1989]: One of the last scenes in “THE LITTLE MERMAID”, when “ARIEL” is watching over “ERIC” after he had washed on shore is based on “THE LITTLE MERMAID” sculpture located in COPENHAGEN, DENMARK. The sculpture was commissioned in 1909, sculpted by EDVARD ERIKSEN, modeled by Prima Ballerina ELLEN PRICE and ELINE ERIKSEN, and completed in 1913.” It is basically the same thing that I just told you!]
Did you know that “ARIEL” has met ANDERSEN at one point in “THE DISNEY CANNON”?
Chances are that you have heard of “THE LITTLE MERMAID” T.V. series that aired from 1992-1994. There is an episode where “ARIEL” rescued the famous author from his damaged submarine. The episode is called “METAL FISH”. This has nothing to do with the movie. This is just something that I have always found to be very interesting!
[From left to right: “HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN” - voiced by MARK HAMILL -, “FLOUNDER” and “ARIEL”.]
Here is some information about our beloved “LITTLE MERMAID”:
“ARIEL’S” body type and personality were based on Actress ALYSSA MILANO. The effect of her hair underwater was based on footage of astronaut SALLY RIDE [1951-2012] in weightless conditions.
During a 2013 appearance on WENDY WILLIAMS’ talk show, MILANO told the host that KEANE, the Lead Animator of the character, created “ARIEL” in her likeness.
He used photos of the actress from when she was younger to perfect “ARIEL’S” facial features, but MILANO said she didn't know she was the inspiration behind the character until the company asked her to host "THE MAKING OF THE LITTLE MERMAID" [1989] T.V. special.
[MILANO when she was younger.]
[RIDE]
SALLY RIDE became the first American woman to launch into space on June 18, 1983 on the space shuttle Challenger.
Some more inspiration for “ARIEL” would come from KEANE’S wife, LINDA HESSELROTH. DISNEY also brought in actress and writer SHERRI STONER, who would swim in a tank so animators could recreate her movements and mannerisms.
[STONER acting out a scene from the movie.]
(VANESSA LAINE BRYANT, KOBE BRYANT [1978-2020], HESSELROTH, and KEANE on the red carpet of the 90th Annual Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theater on Sunday March 4, 2018 in Hollywood, California. I could not find a shot of HESSELROTH by herself.]
Did you know that “ARIEL” was originally going to have blonde hair?
KEANE had something to say about the decision to change the color “ARIEL’S” hair. KEANE: [The Directors] wanted “ARIEL” to have this fiery personality. Originally she was blonde, but we switched to redhead. One of the executives was saying “Mermaids have blonde hair, I mean look at [DARYL HANNAH’S blonde hair in] “SPLASH.” I said “Well, yeah, but there’s no such thing as a mermaid anyway, so they could have purple hair, they could be anything.” I always think the hair of a character reflects something going on inside that character in the arc of the story. “ARIEL’S” hair is a constant reminder of her fiery personality.
[HANNAH along with her Co-star TOM HANKS from “SPLASH”.]
[Here is a little bit of concept art with a “BLONDE ARIEL”!]
Before the movie came out, TYCO TOY MANUFACTURING COMPANY (later acquired by MATTEL) had some very specific complaints about “ARIEL’S” new ‘do. here is what CLEMENTS had to say about the issue.
Clements: [THE TYCO COMPANY was] horrified and they said that their toy research confirmed that redheaded dolls didn’t sell. We said “Well, she’s gonna be a redhead, sorry,” but they were so panicked that the very first “ARIEL” dolls that were on the market at the time when the movie came out in ‘89, she was not a redhead. She had strawberry blonde hair. They actually had to remake those dolls because little girls wanted her to have the same hair color she had in the movie.
[An image of the original “STRAWBERRY BLONDE ARIEL” doll.]
And let’s not forget about “ARIEL’S” voice actress, JODI BENSON!
[BENSON and all of the characters that she has voiced over the years!]
Did you know that BENSON got the part because of ASHMAN?
Here is what BENSON said about the audition - BENSON: “HOWARD was so kind that when [the BROADWAY musical] “SMILE” tragically closed so quickly and we were all out of a job, it was nice [of HOWARD] to invite us” [the female cast members] “to audition for “THE LITTLE MERMAID,” she shared about the experience of auditioning for DISNEY. “I just came up with a voice. I went to the ladies room, where all great things can happen, in the restroom, go figure… I made sure no one was in there with me and I looked in the mirror and read some of the lines and came up with something that I thought sounded like a sixteen-year-old.” A year went by and she completely forgot about the audition when her agent called to tell her she booked the part. “Needless to say, [it was] a huge blessing and a big surprise.” The memory of the audition is a little hazy, but she believes she was given a piece of “Part of Your World” to sing. “I don’t remember if I just sang it acapella… I don’t remember singing the whole song for some reason, but it’s not like I had an accompaniment track or anything… That was the original audition and it was just incredible.”
Did you know that BENSON has a brief cameo appearance in the 2023 live-action remake?
Benson appears onscreen when “ARIEL” [HALLE BAILEY] is exploring the island together with “ERIC” [JONAH HAUER-KING], on her second day of being human. While the prince leaves the carriage to help move some goats off the road, “ARIEL” follows the sound of music and happens upon a market—where everything she sees is understandably a source of wonder and amazement for her.
Between eating a flower and looking at some hats, “ARIEL” hears one of the market vendors offering her some of the island’s typical food. When the camera moves to said vendor’s face, we can see that it’s none other than BENSON, who then proceeds to offer “ARIEL” a tool that should help her with eating the food she has just been handed. Of course, forks aren’t something that “ARIEL” is familiar with—but “DINGLEHOPPERS” are, and our little mermaid proceeds to twist her hair with it just as “SCUTTLE” [voiced by AWKWAFINA] taught her. Considering how the “DINGLEHOPPER” is one of the objects that is immediately associated with “THE LITTLE MERMAID”, it was very nice to see 1989 “ARIEL” hand it over to her 2023 incarnation—a sort of thematically spot-on passing of the baton.
[BENSON with a “DINGLEHOPPER” in the remake.]
[BENSON sharing the “DINGLEHOPPER” with BAILEY!]
BENSON also has some fond memories of her time recording the song “PART OF YOUR WORLD”!
One of her strongest memories from the recording process on the film was recording “Part of Your World” with ASHMAN. “Recording ‘Part of Your World’ with HOWARD ASHMAN right next to me. That’s very vivid,” she shared about her strong memories of the recording session. “In fact, when I sing the song, I think of that.” She shared that he came into the booth and lowered the lights and talked her into the right mood to get the emotion just right. “I have wonderful, magical memories about recording that song.”
[BENSON and ASHMAN recording “PART OF YOUR WORLD”. You all know how it goes by now: Not the best quality, sorry!]
Did you know that there was one shot of the “PART OF YOUR WORLD” sequence that keane used to hate?
KEANE admitted in an interview that for the longest time he was embarrassed by “ARIEL” reaching out towards the surface in the last chorus of "PART OF YOUR WORLD." He thought it was way too cheesy, but had to leave it in to meet his deadline. Ten years later, however, Keane was approached by a young woman who told him that when she saw the film as a kid, all she wanted to do was take “ARIEL’S” hand and help her out of the water. KEANE has been deeply proud of the scene ever since.
The shot of “ARIEL” reaching out through the skylight of her GROTTO at the end of "PART OF YOUR WORLD" was the last shot to be completed. It took four tries to get the optical effects just right.
Now let’s learn some more about our favorite “SEA WITCH!”
Did you know that “URSULA” got some inspiration from ASHMAN?
Before recording "POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS," PAT CARROLL [ 1927-2022 - the voice of “URSULA”] asked ASHMAN to sing the song one more time to get it right. He happily obliged. According to CARROLL, he "put on the cloak" and she admits to stealing his body language and two or three adlibs from him ("Pathetic," "Idn't it," "You can't get something for nothing," and "No more talking, singing, zip-pah.")
CARROLL realized a life-long ambition with this film. She had always wanted to voice a character in a Disney film and described the opportunity as "an answer to prayer."
Do you know who the Animators also got the inspiration for “URSULA” from?
It’s always fun to learn where DISNEY Animators find their inspiration. Sometimes it comes from the most unexpected of places. That’s certainly the case when it comes to “URSULA”. Much of her look was patterned after the appearance of the former DRAG QUEEN Performer known as DIVINE, real name HARRIS GLENN MILSTEAD [1945-1988], best known for working with Filmmaker JOHN WATERS in features like “PINK FLAMINGOS” [1972-not for children!], “POLYESTER” [1981] and the 1988 musical “HAIRSPRAY”. Sadly, MILSTEAD passed away in March of 1988, more than a year before “THE LITTLE MERMAID’S” release, meaning he never got to see the character he inspired.
[A split-screen comparison of “URSULA” - with one of her eel henchmen and DIVINE.]
Divine wasn’t the only inspiration for the look and mannerisms of “URSULA”. “NORMA DESMOND” (portrayed by GLORIA SWANSON - 1899-1983), the antagonist of BILLY WILDER’S 1950 masterpiece “SUNSET BOULEVARD” played a role in shaping the character’s physical gestures.
[SWANSON]
But early sketches of “URSULA” were also based on “DYNASTY” star JOAN COLLINS. As with most animated characters, it took a few tries to nail the perfect “URSULA” look. The design based on DIVINE’S appearance better suited the film.
[COLLINS]
Did you know COLLINS wasn’t just inspiration?
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than CARROLL voicing the charismatic villain, but DISNEY bosses initially approached several other Hollywood stars. ASHMAN envisioned “URSULA” as someone who was more akin to a “JOAN COLLINS-STYLE” character from one of the actress’s big US soaps. DISNEY got as far as approaching COLLINS herself, only to be turned down by her agent. Other actresses, including “THE GOLDEN GIRLS’” BEA ARTHUR, were approached or auditioned, but none could match the energy of CARROLL, especially when it comes to the character’s signature song, ‘POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS’.
Did you know that the previously mentioned song has gotten a life of it’s very own?
While the song has become a musical theatre classic with over 60 million streams on Spotify alone, CARROLL credited Songwriter ASHMAN for inspiring her delivery, after he sent her a video of himself performing the track. ‘He gave me that performance! Come on, I’m honest enough to say that,’ she said in the book “MAKIN’ TOONS: INSIDE THE MOST POPULAR ANIMATED SHOWS AND MOVIES” BY ALLAN NEUWIRTH [2003]. ‘I got the whole attitude from him: his shoulders would twitch in a certain way, and his eyes would go a certain way. I got more about that character from HOWARD singing that song than from anything else.’ The song has since been covered by the likes of THE JONAS BROTHERS, QUEEN LATIFA, TITUSS BURGESS,REBEL WILSON and MELISSA McCARTHY. An extended reprise of the song was written specifically for the BROADWAY musical adaptation of “THE LITTLE MERMAID”.
And there you have it folks! That was our voyage through the making of DISNEY’S 1989 animated masterpiece “THE LITTLE MERMAID”! I hope you guys enjoyed this journey as much as I have. I will see you again soon, bye!
GODZILLA [1954]
Hello again everyone. In today’s entry we will be talking about the original “GODZILLA” movie, “GOJIRA” [a.k.a. “GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS!”].
Did you know about how they created “GODZILLA’S” iconic roar?
The sound department tried numerous animal roars for “GODZILLA” but felt they were unsuitable for an animal of such immense size. Film composer AKIRA IFUKUBE [1914-2006] came up with “GODZILLA’S” roars by rubbing a coarse, resin-coated leather glove up and down the strings of a contrabass (double bass), and reverberated the recorded sound. Also, “GODZILLA’S” thunderous footsteps were made by beating a kettle drum with a knotted rope.
[Here is a meme version of an example of “GODZILLA” using his roar from the 2014 U.S. film.]
[IFUKUBE]
Did you know that STEVEN SPIELBERG, MARTIN SCORSESE and JOHN CARPENTER [among some of the more noticeable names] are fans of the original film?
The film's American version [1956] was cited as inspiration by SPIELBERG in “THE MAKING OF JURASSIC PARK” (1993) book. SPIELBERG described how "GODZILLA, of course, was the most masterful of all the dinosaur movies because it made you believe it was really happening". SPIELBERG would also draw connections to how this film used its monster as a thematic metaphor. CARPENTER is also a fan of this film, and has said, "I first saw “GODZILLA” in 1956 at the tender age of eight. Something about the film filled me with a somber dread, not the monster destroying TOKYO, but the overall tone, an underlying sadness, a sense of grief and horror. JAPAN is the only nation to suffer atomic bombs dropped on two of its cities, and “GODZILLA” gave powerful expression to this emotional ambience disguised as a giant monster movie."
SCORSESE is also a fan of this film and has expressed admiration for other TOHO science fiction films directed by ISHIRÔ HONDA [1911-1993]. SCORSESE met HONDA while working on the set of “DREAMS” (1990) and told him how much he enjoyed his films in his youth. He would later contribute to HONDA’S biography by writing the foreword, describing HONDA’S films as "...pictures that haunted the imaginations of young moviegoers like myself..."
[SPIELBERG]
[CARPENTER]
[SCORSESE]
Did you know that not every HOLLYWOOD LEGEND is a fan of “GODZILLA”?
Special effects legend RAY HARRYHAUSEN [1920-2013] harbored a resentment for “GODZILLA” because it was inspired by the film “THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS” (1953) (for which he had animated the monster). He was seemingly unaware that the filmmakers always acknowledged their influences.
[HARRYHAUSEN with one of his stop-motion puppet skeletons from “JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS” - 1963.]
Did you know that “GODZILLA” has a star on THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME?
That’s right: “GODZILLA” has his own STAR on THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME! Location: 6925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, received on NOVEMBER 29th, 2004, for his giant role in so many inspiring monster movies.
[A smaller version of “GODZILLA” receiving his star and a plaque at “THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME”.]
Do you know the real reason why the islanders were told to not drink the water?
During filming in September of 1954, rain contaminated by a Soviet nuclear test began falling in northern Japan, contaminating vegetables and well water. This may have inspired the scene where “PROFESSOR TANABE” [FUYUKI MURAKAMI - 1911-2007] warned the “ODO ISLAND” [also spelled”OTO ISLAND” and “OHTO ISLAND”] [I am calling it by the way it is pronounced!] villagers not to drink water from the well.
[The image above should give you a good idea of how bad the water was at the time!]
Do you know the story behind “GODZILLA’S” name?
A common misconception is that the name "GODZILLA" was Americanized by its US distributors. The name was actually the idea of TOHO CO. LTD. and its international sales division, who would transliterate "GOJIRA" (GO-JI-RA) into English as "GODZILLA" (GO-DZI-LLA"). TOHO used the title "GODZILLA" in their 1955 English language sales catalogue, a full year before finding an American distributor and when it played briefly in Japanese-American owned theaters in LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK. Producer JOSEPH E. LEVINE [1905-1987] would purchase the rights and create TRANSWORLD to distribute and released the film as “GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS!” (1956) So, while the American distributors did not create the name, they did create the English pronunciation of “GODZILLA” ("GOD-ZILL-A"). TOHO has since been the sole owners of the name “GODZILLA” in both languages.
[LEVINE]
The name “GOJIRA” is a combination of the Japanese words for GORILLA (GORIRA) and WHALE (KUJIRA). The monster is said to have been named because it alluded to a creature of great size and strength. There has always been a legend that “GODZILLA” was named after a hulking man nicknamed “GOJIRA” who worked at TOHO, but this is untrue. Not only is there no evidence of this man existing, but the various stories about him kept changing through the years (he worked as a stagehand, he worked as a PR man, etc.). According to KIMI HONDA [1917-2017], wife of ISHIRÔ HONDA, the man nicknamed “GOJIRA” was just an inside joke between her husband and various others on the TOHO lot - specifically Producer and Co-creator of “GODZILLA” TOMOYUKI TANAKA [1910-1997].
[KIMI HONDA]
[ISHIRÔ HONDA]
[TANAKA with two “GODZILLAS”!]
Do you know how the original performer who portrayed “GODZILLA” prepared for his role?
HARUO NAKAJIMA [1929-2017] pioneered the "SUITMATION" technique of wearing a “GODZILLA” suit to become the great movie monster. Since he wasn't exactly sure how such a beast would move, NAKAJIMA visited a zoo to watch how gorillas, elephants, and other animals moved about for inspiration. He ended up inhabiting the role of “GODZILLA” for 12 movies in total, a feat that seems unlikely to be beaten any time soon.
Having said that, considering how far movie visual effects have come it wouldn't be at all surprising if a future version of “GODZILLA” winds up being another suit-based creation. Only instead of a rubber suit, it will be a motion capture rendering like “GOLLUM” of “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” and “THE HOBBIT” films. Maybe even a virtual reality video game where the player is “GODZILLA” isn't too far off.
UPDATE: Motion capture suits are used by performers in the current “LEGENDARY MONSTERVERSE” series!
[NAKAJIMA as “GODZILLA” drinking tea.]
Do you know “GODZILLA’S” actual gender?
When “GODZILLA” was first dreamt up in the 1950s it's likely that no one sat down and wrote out an origin story for Monster Zero-One, and in the original Japanese scripts the monster was consistently referred to as not a "he" or a "she," but an "it." In films like “SON OF GODZILLA” [1967] and Roland Emmerich's 1998 “GODZILLA”, the creature is presented as having a son and having the ability to lay eggs. So what's the deal here? The most cynical answer is that whoever's working on a “GODZILLA” movie at any given time just decides that “GODZILLA” is a mother/father/asexual layer of eggs, but even some of the team at TOHO who thought about stuff like this isn’t even sure of “GODZILLA’S” sexual nature. NAKAJIMA, who wore “THE GODZILLA SUIT” suit in films from 1954 - 1972, said in 2004 that he didn't know the creature's gender. On the other hand, according to the website “WIKIZILLA”, both TANAKA and JUN FUKUDA (1923-2000 - a director of four “GODZILLA” films) have stated that “GODZILLA” is male.
In official English-dubbed versions of the Japanese movies, the monster is called a "he," and the title "KING OF THE MONSTERS" seems to indicate maleness as well.
[FUKUDA]
Did you know that HONDA and EIJI TSUBURAYA almost got arrested while scouting for this movie?
One of the most famous legends regarding the production of this film has HONDA and Special Effects Director EIJI TSUBURAYA [1901-1970] on the observation deck of what was then one of TOKYO’S skyscrapers. They were planning “GODZILLA’S” path of destruction. Other visitors on the deck became concerned when portions of their conversation were overheard. The pair was stopped by authorities and questioned.
[TSUBURAYA and “GODZILLA”]
[Here is a picture of some JAPANESE skyscrapers for an example of what HONDA and TSUBURAYA were looking for!]
[“GODZILLA” - with his back towards us - roaming through some random city.]
Did you know that TSUBURAYA originally wanted to use “STOP-MOTION ANIMATION”?
That idea was rejected because of the time it would take. TSUBURAYA sincerely wanted to use this method but he faced the grim reality that there was not enough people in JAPAN with experience in this technique and that TOHO would never give him the time he needed due to their tight production schedules. TSUBURAYA had to pioneer the techniques of “SUITMATION” which would make the production more feasible though no less difficult. One benefit of this was in depicting “GODZILLA’S” enormous size since if a “STOP-MOTION PUPPET” had been used it would have required miniatures at a much smaller scale resulting in less detail and destruction. The film makes use of “STOP-MOTION” to enhance a few brief sequences in which a vehicle crashes and “GODZILLA’S” tail moves. HARRYHAUSEN would have hated the movie even more if they had gone ahead with TSUBURAYA’S original plan!
[See previous images for references.]
Legendary filmmaker GEORGE LUCAS cites this film's miniatures as an inspiration for his effects in the Star Wars films [1977-PRESENT].
[LUCAS]
[A younger GEORGE LUCAS and “R2-D2” with a bunch of “STAR WARS” miniatures.]
The miniatures in the film, and subsequent others, were made with wood, cement plaster and glass. The filmmakers had asked to use the blueprints for various buildings, but were rejected. The staff instead had to reverse-engineer their own blueprints. Over five hundred miniatures buildings were built, precisely recreating TOKYO at a 1/25 scale. Buildings that were to be destroyed were strategically weakened to collapse. All the miniature vehicles were custom built out of cast iron and manipulated with piano wires to make them move. All of this was built on raised sets so cameras could be placed at lower angles. When working among the miniatures NAKAJIMA recalled that he always felt anxious, since a single miniature was worth more than his entire salary. When it came time for shooting, the staff would often spend all day preparing the miniature sets, only to end up with a few seconds of usable footage.
[Here is “GODZILLA” and two crew members getting ready to film some destruction.]
Did you know that “THE GODZILLA SUIT” came with it’s own set of problems?
Since no film like this had ever been made in Japan, they had never attempted a suit like the one needed for “GODZILLA”. Much of the attention on the first version was on visual design, with the staff neglecting to consider the requirements of the performer inside. The only way an actor could enter the suit was through an opening in the back, hidden by the back-plates attached by rings on hooks. The inner lining would also scrape on the actor's skin. NAKJIMA could barely walk in the original costume, which weighed slightly over 230 pounds (104 kilograms). The second suit that was built was relatively lighter at just over 200 pounds (91 kilograms).
“THE GODZILLA SUIT” used for the film was so hot inside that NAKAJIMA would frequently pass out. According to NAKAJIMA, temperatures inside the suit reached up to 60 degrees Celsius (or 140 Fahrenheit) due to the hot studio lights and it was not uncommon for a cup of NAKAJIMA’S sweat to be drained from the suit. Special effects director TERUYOSHI NAKANO [1935-2022], who worked with NAKAJIMA in later “GODZILLA” films, described his admiration for the actor stating, "Inside “THE GODZILLA SUIT”, it was very dark, lonely, and isolated. Usually the person who wears the suit becomes nervous and anxious. During summertime it's very hot, it can become hell in there. But MR. NAKAJIMA always persevered. He acted in the suit underwater, he was buried underground, he withstood pyrotechnic explosions... and through it all he was always “GODZILLA”."
[TAKANO]
Here is another issue with the suit as well as the set.
“GODZILLA’S” destruction of THE NATIONAL DIET BUILDING had to be done multiple times, necessitating that the miniatures be rebuilt. The staff had spent over thirty days building and detailing the first miniature of THE DIET BUILDING, but TSUBURAYA deemed it unsatisfactory and had it torn down and rebuilt. And on the first day of shooting, suit actor KATSUMI TEZUKA [1912-?, It is unknown if he is still alive or dead.] tripped and destroyed the miniature, injuring his jaw and ruining the shot.
[TEZUKA]
[THE NATIONAL DIET BUILDING, a government office in TOKYO, JAPAN.]
Here are a couple more facts about “THE GODZILLA SUIT”:
The suit was made of very heavy rubber, weighing about 200 lbs (91 kg). By comparison the suit used in the sequel [“GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN” - 1955] weighed about half that.The joints were extraordinarily hard to move, it has been stated once that the slow speed “GODZILLA” moves in the movie was legitimately the fastest the actor could walk in the suit.
Getting the suit on sometimes took as long as 3 hours (granted it’s not much compared to some other movie franchise’s makeup like “HELLBOY” [2004] and “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY” [2014] but it’s still a considerable amount of time). There was no way to eat, drink or go to the bathroom in the suit, the entire suit had to be peeled off for that.
When NAKAJIMA accepted the role of “GODZILLA”, he assumed the suit would be similar in nature to the samurai armor used in TOHO period films. He could not have imagined how difficult the role would actually be.
[Here are a whole bunch of “GODZILLA SUITS” on display!]
And now for some random fun facts:
When “OGATA” [AKIRA TAKARADA - 1934-2022] has to cancel his date with “EMIKO” [MOMOKO KŌCHI - 1932-1998], the flyer shown in the scene reveals that they had planned to attend a show by THE BUDAPEST STRING QUARTET. This was an actual event, as the Quartet really did perform in JAPAN in 1954.
THE CRITERION COLLECTION had originally planed to release the original JAPANESE version of the film on LaserDisc back in the 90s. Had they been able to do so it would have been the first time the original film was available on video outside of JAPAN. VESTRON VIDEO did release a LaserDisc version of “GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS!” at some point in 1983!
[The LaserDisc version - The LaserDisc looks an awful lot like a DVD disc don’t you think so?]
Do you know how they filmed the underwater scenes?
The scenes of “GODZILLA” underwater were filmed “DRY FOR WET” with an aquarium [complete with fish] placed between the camera and the monster-suited NAKAJIMA. This was combined with actual underwater footage of divers with additional “DRY FOR WET” footage of “OGATA” and “SERIZAWA” [AKIHITO HIRATA - 1927-1984]. HONDA had experience in uderwater filming, his feature length debut being about the lives of AMA PEARL DIVERS which was also the first JAPANESE film to use underwater filming techniques.
[Although you can barely see him in it, that is “GODZILLA” in this underwater shot.]
Did you know about the deleted cow sequence?
Cinematographer MASAO TAMAI [1908-1997] had considerable influence on the film's look since he was one of TOHO’S top Cinematographers, known at the time for his work with MIKIO NARUSE [1905-1969]. TAMAI only accepted the job on the condition that the rest of NARUSE’S crew was hired along with him and was given authority on the film's final look. For “GODZILLA’S” first appearance there originally was supposed to be a bloody cow in his mouth. After reviewing the test shots, TAMAI felt it was far too graphic and had HONDA remove the sequence. TSUBURAYA agreed as he felt the shot didn't look good.
[Yeah that “cow” doesn’t look very convincing right now does it?]
[TAMAI]
[NARUSE]
Do you know what one of HONDA’S friends thought of this film?
World famous JAPANESE Director AKIRA KUROSAWA [1919-1998] was a lifelong friend of HONDA and included this film among his all time favorite movies. When discussing the film with his daughter KUROSAWA said, “Imagine what you would do if a monster like “GODZILLA” emerges! Normally one would forget and abandon his duty and simply flee! You won’t? But the people in this movie properly and sincerely lead others, don’t they. That is typical of MR. HONDA. I love it”. In another interview, KUROSAWA mentioned how HONDA’S films “remained popular because they were shot honestly and sincerely- they’re naturally good”. NAKAJIMA recalled that during filming KUROSAWA would occasionally show up and watch the film being shot.
[KUROSAWA in his later years.]
During “GODZILLA’S” rampage through DOWNTOWN TOKYO, one of the buildings he destorys is the old NICHIGEKI THEATER [where the movie was being shown at the time] after his tail smashes into it. This is said to have frightened several viewers who tried to run out of the theater!
[There’s the theater.]
Did you know that “THE GODZILLA SUIT” actors were not the only ones that had to deal with the heat?
Filmmaking doesn’t always go as planned and “GODZILLA” was no exception. The film was shot on the coast of MIE PREFECTURE and it took nearly two hours to reach the set everyday. They had to travel to set by boat and a lot of the Actors and Actresses suffered motion sickness. It also was extremely humid with temperatures hovering above 100 degrees with no shade. It got so bad that many of the cast and crew would pass out on set. Principal photography on the film wrapped at a whopping 122 days!
Well I hope you guys had just as much of a “smashing” good time learning all of this as I did. I will see you guys next time Bye!
MY TOP 12 FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES AND SPECIALS!
Hello there! Today i’m going to do something a little different. As the title suggests I am going to put together a list of my favorite holiday titles and I will include at least one fun fact with each entry. Let’s get started!
12. RUDOLPH AND FROSTY’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY” [1979]
Did you know that this film was originally released in theaters?
The film was released theatrically first, but it played on only a few dates and was a flop. One sheet from the theatrical release is out there, but rare. Some often mistake it for a T.V. movie.
11. THE SANTA CLAUSE [1994]
During his tour of the workshop, Scott Calvin [TIM ALLEN] tries out a tool belt then shakes his head as if to indicate that tools aren't for him. This is a reference to ALLEN’S then-hit TV show, “HOME IMPROVEMENT” (1991-’99) where his character's (Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor) life revolved around tools.
10. DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS [2000]
Perfecting “THE GRINCH’S” face took a lot of work. Special makeup effects creator RICK BAKER remembered shooting screen tests for as many as six different “GRINCH” looks, one of which entailed painting JIM CARREY’S face green and doing little else. “It looked like some reject cast member from “CATS”,” the actor said. While UNIVERSAL STUDIOS executives were worried that more elaborate makeup would render CARREY unidentifiable—and therefore not worth his $20 million fee—everyone else agreed that the green face paint wasn’t cutting it. To prove that CARREY would still be recognizable beneath a prosthesis, Director RON HOWARD filmed several actors in full “GRINCH” regalia and asked his daughter and her friends to pinpoint CARREY on the tape. “The minute he started moving, they all said, ‘That's JIM,’” HOWARD told NEWSWEEK.
9. DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS [1966]
[I’m not sure if this counts as cheating or not.] “THE GRINCH’S” green color was decided by director CHUCK JONES experiences renting cars in the Washington-Baltimore area which he claimed always turned out to be the exact shade.
8. THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS [1974]
The painting hanging in Santa Claus' bedroom is the same one that is put up in the town hall at the end of “SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN”.
7. SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN [197O]
In the shooting script, the penguin's name was “TOPPER” and that was his name in the original broadcast. In some later broadcast versions, the penguin's name was changed to “WADDLES” for unknown reasons. Current broadcasts and all home video releases have reverted the name back to “TOPPER”.
6. RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER [1964]
In the original TV version of the show, “RUDOLPH”, “HERMEY THE ELF”, and “YUKON CORNELIUS” visit “THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS” and promise to help them, but the “MISFITS” are never seen again, only mentioned as “SANTA’S” first stop before he flies off in his sleigh. After it was shown, the producers were inundated with letters from children complaining that nothing had been done to help “THE MISFIT TOYS”. In response, RANKIN-BASS produced a new short scene at the end of the show in which “SANTA” and his reindeer, led by “RUDOLPH”, land on the Island and pick up all the toys to find homes for them. This scene became a part of the standard version of the show run during the holidays.
5. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN [1969]
Watch carefully when Frosty attempts to count to 10: He has five fingers on one hand for a brief moment, then when he clasps his hand and flexes his digits, he’s down to four fingers. Maybe that falls under the category of “animation blooper” rather than “magic.”
4. CHRISTMAS EVE ON SESAME STREET [1978]
For “KERMIT THE FROG’S” appearance in this special, the puppet from “THE MUPPET MOVIE” [1979] was used. Around that time, the company that made the green cloth that were originally made for Kermit went out of business. While CTW [Now known as SESAME WORKSHOP.] usually had a series of Kermit puppets built at the same time specifically for “SESAME STREET” [1969-Present] remained in use on the show until 1981, the 1978 puppet was used here.
3. THE POLAR EXPRESS [2004]
In the North Pole City communications room, an elf describing a bad little boy in NEW JERSEY named “STEVEN” who is terrorizing his two little sisters. This line is a nod to ROBERT ZEMECKIS’ friend and mentor, STEVEN SPIELBERG. SPIELBERG grew up in NEW JERSEY, and has admitted many times that he frequently terrorized his two younger sisters.
2. MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS [1999]
In the segment "MICKEY & MINNIE’S GIFT OF THE MAGI", the Dixieland jazz band at the charity toy drive is made up of firefighters and named THE FIREHOUSE 5”. This is a nod to “THE FIREHOUSE FIVE PLUS TWO”, a seven-piece Dixieland jazz band founded in 1949 and consisting of DISNEY animation staff members (including lead animators WARD KIMBALL and FRANK THOMAS , two of DISNEY’S famed “NINE OLD MEN”).
“THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL” [1992]
This was the first major “MUPPET” project after creator JIM HENSON’S death. The role of “KERMIT THE FROG” [who plays “BOB CRATCHIT”] was handed down to STEVE WHITMIRE. He said he was incredibly nervous about taking over such an iconic character. The night before he recorded “KERMIT’S” parts for the songs for the movie, he had a dream where he met HENSON in a hotel lobby and told him how unsure he was. In the dream, HENSON reassured WHITMIRE that the feeling would pass. After waking up, WHITMIRE was confident and able to do the part.
And here is another fun fact about the movie:
The song "WHEN LOVE IS GONE", sung by “BELLE” [MEREDITH BRAUN], was dropped from the theatrical release (over the objections of producer and director BRIAN HENSON) at the request of [then] DISNEY chairman JEFFREY KATZENBERG, who considered it too sad for young children.) The last-minute decision resulted in a jarring edit in the scene from which it was removed, and caused some confusion about “EBENEZER SCROOGE” [MICHAEL CAINE], “THE GREAT GONZO” [as “CHARLES DICKENS”], and “RIZZO THE RAT’S” [as “HIMSELF”] reactions. The scene was restored in the VHS, LaserDisc, and first DVD (full screen) releases, but it isn't used in television airings, Blu-ray releases, or the NETFLIX or the original DISNEY+ version. However, the scene is available as an "EXTRAS" option on Disney+. In mid-December 2020, BRIAN HENSON announced that the original negatives for the removed scene had been found and would be re-instated (back) into the film, in time for its 30th anniversary in 2022. Look for “THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL [FULL-LENGTH VERSION]” in the “EXTRAS” section of the theatrical version of the film on DISNEY+ right now!
Well thanks for going through this list with me everyone. Goodbye for now and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
WALT DISNEY'S THE JUNGLE BOOK [1967]
Hello again! yes we are talking about another DISNEY classic and this time it is one of my childhood favorites.
Did you know that this was the last animated film that WALT DISNEY himself ever made before his death?
[WALT DISNEY - 1901-1966]
WALT DISNEY passed away in 1966 from complications from lung cancer. “THE JUNGLE BOOK” was released the following year, making it the last animated film to have its production personally supervised by WALT. The fate of animation at THE DISNEY STUDIO was uncertain following Walt's death, so the critical and financial success of 'The Jungle Book' was much needed good news for DIsney animation.
Did you know that the filmmakers got the pronunciation for “MOWGLI’S” name wrong?
According to RUDYARD KIPLING’S daughter - ELSIE KIPLING BAIMBRIDGE, the first syllable of “MOWGLI’S” name rhymes with "cow" rather than "show." The mispronunciation was not unique to DISNEY, as it showed up in at least one previous film adaptation of the book. It's not clear whether DISNEY just didn't know or didn't care how to pronounce "MOWGLI," but KIPLING’S daughter reportedly never forgave the mistake. According to IMDb, his name is pronounced "MAU-glee".
Did you know that one of the Animators originally did not like the ending?
Every story idea was supervised by WALT. Including the ending in which a girl entices “MOWGLI” to go to “THE MAN VILLAGE”. Animator OLLIE JOHNSTON hated that ending because he felt it was lazy and tacked on but the more he worked on the sequence the more he began to feel it was the right one. Later JOHNSTON said that he was glad that WALT didn't listen to him.
[“MOWGLI” and “THE VILLAGE GIRL”.]
[JOHNSTON - 1912-2008]
Did you know that WALT told the entire staff to not read KIPLING’S original novel?
Disappointed by the muted reception to “THE SWORD IN THE STONE” (1963), WALT was determined to come back with a universally well-regarded film. He told his animation crew to "throw away" RUDYARD KIPLING’S book "THE JUNGLE BOOK" because the original concept storyboards were too dark and dramatic. During pre-production, DISNEY assigned animator LARRY CLEMMONS to head story development on the project. He gave CLEMMONS a copy of "THE JUNGLE BOOK" and told him, "The first thing I want you to do is not read it."
[CLEMMONS - 1906-1988]
Did you know that “THE JUNGLE BOOK” almost became the very first animated feature-length film to win an “OSCAR” for “BEST PICTURE”?
When actor GREGORY PECK was THE PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES, he tried his hardest to get a full-length animated feature film (most notably the “THE JUNGLE BOOK”) not only nominated for “THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE”, but also to actually win the award. He resigned as president in 1970 when other members didn't agree with him about animated films being nominated for the award. It would be over twenty years later before “THE ACADEMY” would reconsider, allowing another animated film and Disney film, “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” (1991), to be nominated.
[PECK 1916-2003]
Here’s a quick fact: “KAA’S” song "TRUST IN ME" was originally written for “MARY POPPINS” (1964) as "LAND OF SAND" but it was never used in that film.
[“MARY POPPINS”]
Did you know that DISNEY has made multiple versions of “THE JUNGLE BOOK”?
Besides the 1967 animated version there is also the sequel “THE JUNGLE BOOK 2” [2003] and the live-action reboots including: “DISNEY’S RUDYARD KIPLING’S THE JUNGLE BOOK” [1994], “THE JUNGLE BOOK: MOWGLI’S STORY” [1998] and “THE JUNGLE BOOK” [2016]. And let’s not forget about the hundreds of other film adaptations produced by other movie studios!
DISNEY has also produced two animated T.V. shows inspired by ‘67 film: The anthropomorphic series “TALESPIN” [1990-91] and the prequel series “JUNGLE CUBS” [1996-98].
There are other “JUNGLE BOOK” T.V. shows as well but just like I said above, they were produced by other studios.
Bonus fact: Did you know that there is another connection between two of the different DISNEY versions?
“THE JUNGLE BOOK” [2016] is said to be BILL MURRAY’S first Disney film, but only if his roles in Disney’s live-action Touchstone Pictures films aren’t counted. Murray’s previous voiceover roles include “GARFIELD” and “THE FANTASTIC FOUR’S HUMAN TORCH” (seriously) [It was a short lived 1975 radio show simply titled “THE FANTASTIC FOUR”]. For the new “JUNGLE BOOK” MURRAY voices “BALOO THE BEAR”, a role his older brother, BRIAN DOYLE-MURRAY already played in “THE JUNGLE BOOK: MOWGLI’S STORY”, a live-action, direct-to-video film produced by DISNEY in 1998.
[Brothers BRIAN DOYLE-MURRAY and BILL MURRAY together in a scene from “GHOSTBUSTERS 2” -1989.]
Did you know that another “DISNEY LEGEND” passed away right after production?
Actress VERNA FELTON had previously lent her voice to a host of DISNEY characters including “CINDERELLA’S [1950] FAIRY GODMOTHER”, the volatile “QUEEN OF HEARTS” from “ALICE IN WONDERLAND”[1951], “AUNT SARAH” in “LADY AND THE TRAMP” [1955] and “FLORA” in “SLEEPING BEAUTY” [1959]. She started off with voicing the elephants, “MRS. JUMBO” and “THE MATRIARCH” in “DUMBO” [1941] and ended her career again playing the voice of an elephant named “WINIFRED”, “COLONEL HATHI’S” calm headed wife in “THE JUNGLE BOOK”. Winifred is also the only female character in the movie to have any dialogue [not counting the song the village girl sings at the end of the movie]. She passed away soon after production, just a day before WALT DISNEY’S death.
[VERNA FELTON -1890-1966.]
[An actual “WINIFRED” Production Cel.]
Welp, that is all I have for you guys today. I will see you all again in my next entry!
FROZEN
Hello again! Now I know that at the time that I am typing this entry that it is not winter just yet. But I just decided to talk about one of my all time favorite DISNEY movies!
Did you know that this film took 70 years to make?
Yes, you read that right! WALT DISNEY [1901-’66] had wanted to make this film since the 1930s! The story never felt quite right, and it was put aside until the 90s, when DISNEY tried again to get the project off the ground, and again in 2000. It wasn't until 2008 that the story finally started coming together, and Frozen was born. Was it worth waiting 70 years for? I think so!
[Here is a piece of concept art for example. However, I do not know how old it is!]
We all know that “ELSA” was originally going to be evil but did you know that “OLAF” was gonna be her henchman?
The long, twisted path of “FROZEN” meant a lot of changes to the script. directer JENNIFER LEE got the sole Screenwriter credit, but she shares the story credit with SHANE MORRIS and co-directer CHRIS BUCK. One notable change? “OLAF” went from being a villainous sidekick to “ELSA” into “ANNA’S” comic relief sidekick. In fact, when LEE first hopped on board her reaction to the mean “OLAF” was “Kill the f*****g snowman.”
Did you know that a “MARY POPPINS” reference in “OLAF’S” song?
Who can forget “OLAF” the snowman singing about the joys of summer? But there’s a wink to classic DISNEY buried in JOSH GAD’S standalone song. At one point during “IN SUMMER” OLAF dances with a flock of four seagulls all wearing flat hats and holding canes. This is a reference to “BERT’S” [DICK VAN DYKE] iconic dance with “THE PENGUINS” in the “MARY POPPINS” song “JOLLY HOLIDAY.”
[A screen shot from “WALT DISNEY’S MARY POPPINS” - 1964. I tried my best to find the exact image but oh well.]
[And there’s “OLAF’S” dance!]
Did you know that there is a disclaimer in the end credits reguarding “KRISTOFF’S” BOOGER COMMENT?
Yes you read correctly. At the end of the credits, there's a hilarious disclaimer that says DISNEY doesn't necessarily agree with “KRISTOFF’S” comment that all men eat their own boogers.
Did you know that the filmmakers visited a real “ICE HOTEL” for inspiration for “ELSA’S ICE PALACE”?
Several members of the production team traveled to QUEBEC to visit a real-life ice hotel to get inspiration for “ELSA’S ICE CASTLE”. Though the artists were inspired and wowed by the icy architecture, none opted to spend the night in the chilly abode.
[Here’s one “ICE HOTEL” for an example.]
Did you know that HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN is used as a code name for some of the characters?
There’s a hidden code in some of the main characters’ names, “HANS”, “KRISTOFF”,”ANNA” and “SVEN”. The names are a tribute to HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN, the author of “THE SNOW QUEEN”, which was the inspiration for “FROZEN”. If you say the names quickly in order it sounds like his name.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: “HANS-KRISTOFF-ANNA-SVEN”
[ANDERSEN - 1805-1875]
Did you know that “SVEN” was actually inspired by a dog and not a reindeer?!?
“SVEN” is definitely one of the cutest characters in the movie.
He’s a loyal friend to “KRISTOFF” and he has a personality that’s all his own.
Apparantly though instead of modeling “SVEN’S” movements off of a real-life reindeer, they decided to base him on one of the Producer’s pet dogs instead!
The Animation team did bring in a reindeer initially, but apparantly it refused to budge! Instead they used Executive Producer JOHN LASSETER’S dog to try and capture some of “SVEN’S” movements.
That’s not the only fun fact about everyone’s favorite reindeer either…
“SVEN” was originally supposed to be called “THOR”, until the production team decided against it in light of CHRIS HEMSWORTH and the popularity of the “THOR” franchise.
Plus they needed someone else to spell out HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
Did you know that JOSH GAD got very emotional during a showing of the first “FROZEN” trailer?
In an interview on "FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS," GAD said that when he took his older daughter (then about four years old) to her first-ever movie in a theater (“MONSTERS UNIVERSITY”), there was a trailer beforehand for “FROZEN”. The trailer didn't contain any of “OLAF’S” lines or songs, but it did feature the brief sound of “OLAF” laughing. GAD said that as soon as his daughter heard that laugh, she said, "That's Dada, more Dada." GAD started crying in the movie theater.
[GAD and “OLAF”.]
Did you know that it took the Songwriters one day to write the song “LET IT GO”?
KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ and ROBERT LOPEZ wrote “LET IT GO” within a single day. It originated with the story out line they were given, which called for “ELSA’S BAD—S SONG” with an emo undertone. According to ANDERSON-LOPEZ: “We went for a walk in PROSPECT PARK and threw phrases at each other. what does it feel like to be the perfect exalted person, but only because you’ve held back this secret? [ROBERT LOPEZ] came up with “kingdom of isolation”, and it worked.” LOPEZ and ANDERSON-LOPEZ were able to improvise the songs first four lines on the spot. They went home and composed the rest of the song by alternating between improvising melodies on a Piano brainstorming lyrics on a whiteboard. Musically, the song was written to accommodate IDINA MENZEL’S vocal range. “LET IT GO” went on to break a number of pop music records; Becoming the first song from a DISNEY animated musical to reach the top ten of “THE BILLBOARD HOT 100” since “COLORS OF THE WIND” from “POCAHONTAS” [1995] peaked at number four. The song is also MENZEL’S first single to reach the top 10 on “THE BILLBOARD HOT 100” chart, making her the first “TONY AWARD”winner for acting to ever reach the top 10. ON MARCH 2, 2014, “LET IT GO” won “THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG” at the 86TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS”, where it was performed live by MENZEL.
[KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ and ROBERT LOPEZ working on a song.]
Did you know that the book that “KING AGNARR” [a.k.a. “THE KING”] holds in the first act has a “MIDDLE-EARTH” connection?
When “THE KING” pulls the book off the shelf to figure out where to find “THE TROLLS”, the book is written in Nordic runes, originating from SCANDINAVIA where the film crew drew much inspiration. These runes were the basis for the dwarf-runes used in J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S “THE LORD OF THE RINGS”. A map that falls out of the book resembles the map of ”THE LONELY MOUNTAIN” seen in “THE HOBBIT”.
[There’s the book with the runes!]
[And there’s what I’m calling “THE TROLL MAP”.]
[And finally the map of “THE LONELY MOUNTAIN” from “THE HOBBIT”.]
Did you know that “KRISTOFF’S” sled can also work with tires?
Many viewers have wondered how “KRISTOFF” was suddenly able to travel in a winter sled in what was, until a few minutes ago, the middle of summer. The junior novelization explains that the sled is convertible and can be fitted with wheels or runners as desired, presumably like changing a spare tire by the side of the road. When “KRISTOFF” and “SVEN” are sharing a carrot when guests are arriving at the castle, the sled is shown with wheels and the snow skis can be seen strapped to the side.
[This GIF was the only image I could find but yes if you look behind “KRISTOFF” and “SVEN” you will see the sled with the wheels attached.]
[There’s the front cover of the book for anyone who is interested.]
Did you know that there is a running joke between “FROZEN” and the movie “ZOOTOPIA” involving the same actor?
ALAN TUDYK played “THE DUKE OF WESSELTON” (mispronounced as “WEASELTOWN”) in “FROZEN” (2013), and then went on to play “DUKE WEASELTON” in “ZOOTOPIA” (2016), an actual weasel (whose last name is mispronounced as ”WESSELTON”).
[TUDYK]
[“THE DUKE OF WESSELTON”]
[“DUKE WEASELTON” from “ZOOTOPIA” - 2016.]
Did you know that “OLAF’S” name has a hidden meaning behind it?
Olaf's name is meant to sound like "oh laugh" because he is the most comical character in the film.
[A moment of “OLAF” being “OLAF”.]
Did you know that there is a much deeper connection to the movie “TANGLED” that we didn’t know about?
When the gates open during "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER," there is a cameo of ”RAPUNZEL” and “EUGENE” (a.k.a. “FLYNN”) from “TANGLED” (2010). “RAPUNZEL” has short, brown hair and is wearing a purple and pink dress (her celebration dress at the end of “TANGLED”), and ”EUGENE” is wearing a maroon vest and a brownish sash. They are entering the screen from the left.
[See, right there!]
IDINA MENZEL auditioned for the part of “RAPUNZEL” in DISNEY’S previous fairy tale. Even though MENZEL didn't get the part, a DISNEY casting director recorded her audition and two years later, it got her the part of “ELSA”.
Like MENZEL, KRISTEN BELL also auditioned for the part of “RAPUNZEL” and ended up getting cast as “ANNA” instead!
SANTINO FONTANA auditioned for the role of “FLYNN RIDER”. Later, SANTINO was called back for “HANS” (when the movie was still known as “THE SNOW QUEEN”, in 2010).
[And there’s “FLYNN” and “RAPUNZEL” in some promotional artwork for “TANGLED”.]
Did you know that there is a shout-out to a real life debate over firewood?
While ”ARENDELLE” is covered in snow, two townsmen are seen arguing over the correct way to stack firewood, bark up, or bark down. This refers to a heated debate in NORWAY (part of SCANDINAVIA, where the film is believed to be set) that was sparked in 2013, after a 12-hour TV program on firewood aired. It included 8 hours of a live fireplace, and the network received dozens of texts complaining about how the firewood was stacked. The complaints were split evenly between people who were upset about the bark facing up, and those who were complaining about the bark facing down.
[There’s the two townsmen with the firewood. Sorry, no gifs this time.]
Did you know that the name “ARENDELLE” is very similar to the name of U.S. Hockey Player AARON DELL?
AARON DELL, a goaltender who plays in the NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE, at one time had the village of “ARENDELLE” painted on the back of his helmet when he played for the “SAN JOSE SHARKS” due to the similarities between the pronunciation of his name and fictional setting of Frozen.
Question: Why does AARON DELL play hockey?
Answer: Because the cold never bothered him anyway.
[AARON DELL]
[AARON DELL’S “ARENDELLE” HELMET.]
Did you know about the reason for why DISNEY decided to change the film’s name from “THE SNOW QUEEN” to “FROZEN” in some countries?
Producer PETER DEL VECHO explained the English title change from "THE SNOW QUEEN" to "FROZEN": "The title “FROZEN” came up independently of the title “TANGLED”. It's because, to us, it represents the movie. “FROZEN” plays on the level of ice and snow but also the frozen relationship, the frozen heart that has to be thawed. We don't think of comparisons between “TANGLED” and “FROZEN”, though. The decision to call the film “FROZEN” was the filmmaker's decision. The studio's decision to then call it “THE SNOW QUEEN” overseas was because that just resonated stronger in some countries than “FROZEN”. Maybe there's a richness to “THE SNOW QUEEN” in the countries' heritage and they just wanted to emphasize that." As he continued to make his statement, "We're telling a story about family and relationships and that in itself can be very complicated. A lot of times what you perceive something to be isn't what it turns out to be - “ELSA” has to hide for her whole life who she is, even from her sister. That clearly affected her and made her into the character she is. Hopefully, if you look at the story through “ELSA’S” eyes, you'll be able to understand what she does, or if you look at it through “ANNA’S” eyes, you'll be able to understand why she does what she does, but they're all complicated relationships. We don't think of it as a Princess movie. They happen to be Princesses, but we don't think about it that way, so I always get a bit thrown when people talk about this. But I can say we want to make them really believable and not set them up on a pedestal. Our version of these characters should feel really real and be relatable to things you might go through in your life." Of course another reason is because the research market showed that "THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG" did not do as well as DISNEY had hoped because words like "princess" alienate boys, which is the real reason why "THE SNOW QUEEN" was renamed "FROZEN".
[DEL VECHO at “THE 2014 OSCARS”
And now for some “FROZEN” QUICK FACTS:
“FROZEN’S” soundtrack has spent thirteen nonconsecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard 200.
JESSI CORTI, who voices “THE SPANISH DIGNITARY”, was also the voice of “LeFou” in “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)”. Josh Gad, who voices Olaf, would later play ”LeFou” in the 2017 live action remake.
[CORTI]
[“THE SPANISH DIGNITARY”]
[“LeFou”]
[GAD as “LeFou”]
The names 'SVEN' and 'OLAF' from “FROZEN” are the same names as the characters from “TITANIC” (1997) from whom “JACK” [LEONARDO DICAPRIO] wins his “TITANIC” Tickets in a poker game.
[“SVEN” and “OLAF” in a scene from “TITANIC” as pointed out by a random fan!]
WALT DISNEY’S great grandfather was named ARUNDEL. And yes his name is similar to “ARENDELLE”!
[Sorry but this is the best quality that I could get for this image.]
The name given to the ice monster is “MARSHMALLOW”. BELL starred in the TV show “VERONICA MARS” (2004-2019). Her devoted fans of the series are called "marshmallows".
[“MARSHMALLOW”]
[BELL as “VERONICA MARS”]
Did you know that “FROZEN” caused tourism in NORWAY to skyrocket?
After the movie was released, it has been reported that searches for flights to NORWAY increased by 153%! There was also an increased interest in rosemaling, a traditional NORWEGIAN folk art that was used in the characters costume designs.
[A map of SCANDINAVIA.]
Did you know that a movie theater made a controversial mistake during a showing of the film?
A theatre in Florida accidentally played a two-minute porn clip during the screening of the film.
[Did you know that “ELSA” has certain movements that were inspired MENZEL’S performance?
Cosmopolitan writes that the animators for Frozen were so attentive to detail that they even included some of Idina Menzel’s quirks into the footage for Elsa.
If you look closely, Menzel’s abdomen moves a certain way when she sings and that quirky movement can also be seen when Elsa breaks into song.
[MENZEL]
Did you know that “ELSA” is fighting climate change?
THE L.A. TIMES writes that “FROZEN II” songwriters, LOPEZ and ANDERSON-LOPEZ were inspired by all the talk of climate change, and hinted at it in the songs they wrote.
“Climate change is a really big issue;” ANDERSON-LOPEZ said. “Nature being out of balance gives “ELSA” a real purpose and a clue to her powers.”
Did you know about “KRISTOFF’S” missing backstory?
One of the few aspects of the film that was left unanswered in my opinion, was “KRISTOFF’S” back story. Why is a child roaming around ice harvesters in the middle of the night without anyone taking him in!?! Well according to LEE, there wasn’t enough time in the film to go into his past, but the backstory is that “KRISTOFF” was an orphan, and continuously ran away from the orphanage. Help and a house was available, but his home ended up being with “THE LOVE DOCTORS”. A more expansive look into “KRISTOFF” story might be shared in the Broadway adaptation or in a children’s book to answer that question for “FROZEN” lovers.
[“YOUNG KRISTOFF” and “YOUNG SVEN” harvesting ice.]
That will do it for now, goodbye!
GHOSTBUSTERS [1984]
“Who ya gonna call?” Hey everyone, today we will be taking a look at the 1984 horror-comedy “GHOSTBUSTERS”!
Did you know that Co-Creator/Writer/Star DAN AYKROYD’S whole family has a history with the supernatural?
AYKROYD grew up surrounded by spiritualists. His great-grandfather, SAMUEL A. AYKROYD, was a noted nineteenth century psychic investigator who conducted séances at the AYKROYD family farmhouse in EASTERN ONTARIO with a medium named WALTER ASHURST. This predilection for the paranormal was passed down to Aykroyd’s grandfather, MAURICE, who was an engineer for THE BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY. MAURICE allegedly tried to use his know-how to create a high-vibration crystal radio that could contact the spirit world. DAN’S father, PETER, kept a sizeable library of books about spooky subjects (including his great grandfather’s séances), which kept ghosts and ghouls in the back of young AYKROYD’S mind. After he left “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” in 1979, he read an article about parapsychology in an AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PSYCHICAL RESEARCH publication, which inspired “GHOSTBUSTERS”.
[AYKROYD as “DR. RAY STANTZ”]
Did you know that the kids in the audience were more of an afterthought?
This film was originally intended for an adult audience. The cast and crew were surprised to find that children loved the film as a fun fantasy adventure of scientists battling supernatural threats with cool backpack weapons. It led to a cartoon spin-off, “THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS”, and the sequel, “GHOSTBUSTERS II” played down the original film's adult elements, like smoking.
[See previous image for an example.]
Did you know that you could actually call the “GHOSTBUSTERS”?
Even those who haven't seen Ghostbusters know the answer to the question "Who ya gonna call?" It's become tied to the franchise the same as “JASON’S” “FRIDAY THE 13TH” [1980] mask or “DARTH VADER’S” breathing in “STA WARS” [1977]. However, few fans know that there was actually a number set up for people to call the Ghostbusters.
Of course, it wasn't actually BILL MURRAY, AYKROYD, HAROLD RAMIS, or ERNIE HUDSON. Instead, it was a pre-recorded message from just MURRAY and AYKROYD. Regardless, the number did well and generated interest while the film was in theaters - and if fans go on SOUTHLAND GHOSTBUSTERS FACEBOOK PAGE, they'll be able to hear it for themselves. Unfortunately the number has changed since the films’ theatrical release and is no longer active.
[The original commercial as seen in “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” - 2021.]
Did you know that the series has a connection with a certain “Friendly Ghost”?
Back in 1995, DAN AYKROYD made a notable yet small cameo as mustache-sporting “DR. RAY STANZ” in the live-action “CASPER” movie. In that particular scene, Stantz is called on to help rid the haunted house of “CASPER’S” rowdy and troublesome uncles, but is unable to do so saying, “Who ya gonna call? Someone else.”
Although the cameo was meant to be nothing more than some light-heart fun and a nod to the “GHOSTBUSTERS” franchise, “RAY’S” cowardly portrayal and inability to defeat “CASPER’S” uncles deeply angered fans. They were also quick to point out that “RAY” breaks one of the most important rules of being a “GHOSTBUSTER”, “never go solo.”
[AYKROYD as “RAY” with “CASPER: THE MOVIE” - 1995 - stars ERIC IDLE and CATHY MORIARTY!]
speaking of “CASPER”, did you know that the Creators of “CASPER” were not fans of the “GHOSTBUSTERS’S NO GHOSTS LOGO”? Despite the final design avoiding an overt resemblance to “CASPER” and related characters, HARVEY FAMOUS CARTOONS sued COLUMBIA PICTURES over the use of the emblem, which bears some resemblance to “FATSO”, one of the characters in “CASPER’S GHOSTLY TRIO. The suit was for 50 million, plus the destruction of all Ghostbusters film prints, however it was dropped in 1986. The judge ruled that there were only so many ways to draw a ghost, and while similar to “FATSO”, the no-ghost logo wasn't infringing copyright.
[“CASPER’S” uncle “FATSO” as seen in the animated television series “THE SPOOKTACULAR NEW ADVENTURES OF CASPER” - 1996-1998.]
[The “NO GHOSTS” logo!]
Did you know that the theme song had it’s own legal troubles?
The breakout hit theme song to the movie that had everyone saying “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts” caused quite a stir between its performer and writer, RAY PARKER JR., and musician HUEY LEWIS. LEWIS sued PARKER claiming the track was too similar to his own song “I WANT A NEW DRUG”. The suit dragged on for over a decade before finally being settled, and although monetary figures were never released, PARKER ended up countersuing years later claiming LEWIS mentioned the suit in public and was bound not to do so by its terms.
[RAY PARKER JR.]
[HUEY LEWIS]
Did you know that the music video is filled with celebrity cameos?
The music video for the song "Ghostbusters" featured numerous celebrities who didn't appear in the film, including: CHEVY CHASE, IRENE CARA, JOHN CANDY, MELISSA GILBERT, OLLIIE E. BROWN, JEFFREY TAMBOR, GEORGE WENDT, AL FRANKEN, DANNY DEVITO, CARLY SIMON, PETER FALK, and TERI GARR. The “GHOSTBUSTERS” themselves (in costume) danced down Times Square right behind PARKER. CINDY HARRELL played the girl in the haunted house.
[PARKER and the cast dancing in the “GHOSTBUSTERS” music video.]
PARKER and his song, along with some other hits he performed, are the subject of a new documentary called “WHO YOU GONNA CALL?: A PORTRAIT OF RAY PARKER JR.” which is now on Digital!
[A poster for PARKER’S new documentary!]
Now let’s talk about some other parts of the franchise.
“GHOSTBUSTERS II” [1989]:
Did you know that “THE RUDE KID AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTY” is actually “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” Director JASON REITMAN?
Early on in “GHOSTBUSTERS II”, before our heroes get fully back into business, “RAY” (AYKROYD) and “WINSTON” (HUDSON) are found appearing as entertainers at a kids’ birthday party. Here, an obnoxious youngster declares to their faces that they’re “full of c**p.” This child is JASON REITMAN, the son of “GHOSTBUSTERS 1 AND II” Director IVAN REITMAN.
In the years since this early appearance, JASON REITMAN has gone on to become an acclaimed director in his own right, as well as a two-time Oscar nominee for his work on “JUNO” [2007] and “UP IN THE AIR” [2009]. More recently, Jason has taken over from his father at the helm of the Ghostbusters franchise, serving as the co-writer and director of belated third installment “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” [2021].
[JASON REITMAN as “THE RUDE KID” at the birthday party!]
[REITMAN all grown up with himself as a child in a deleted scene from the first “GHOSTBUSTERS” movie.]
Did you know that ERNIE HUDSON’S name gets called out in one scene by mistake?
When “RAY”, “EGON” and “WINSTON” go down into the sewer to examine the slime, and “WINSTON” is using a measuring device to see how deep it is, when he is being pulled towards the slime and “EGON” and “RAY” are trying to hold him back, you can hear one of the other 2 actors (RAMIS or AYKROYD) call “WINSTON” “ERNIE” by mistake.
[HUDSON, RAMIS and AYKROYD standing next to “THE RIVER OF SLIME”.]
Did you know that just like the first film, “GHOSTBUSTERS II” went through a major re-write?
We all know about the changes made to AYKROYD’S original version of the first movie. now here’s what almost happened in “GHOSTBUSTERS II”! In the first draft of the script, Aykroyd wanted to contrast to the first film's climax atop a skyscraper by making a subterranean threat. This draft followed Dana Barrett, who is kidnapped and taken to Scotland, where she discovers a fairy ring and an underground civilization. The Ghostbusters would have had to travel through an underground pneumatic tube over 2,000 miles long that would have taken three days to traverse. Aykroyd eventually decided that retaining the New York setting would allow for continuity and would better fit the story he wanted to tell while still allowing them to explore underground and that his first draft was "really too far out... too inaccessible".
[A version of the “GHOSTBUSTERS II” script.]
Did you know that there was an issue with the original home video formats?
The original VHS and laserdisc release of this movie was in letterbox, prompting calls to RCA/COLUMBIA to find out if there was a printing problem. To make matters worse, it was not letterboxed in the film's original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, but letterboxed AND panned-and-scanned into a 1.66:1 frame. Viewers who liked 'full frame' movies had to put up with black bars at the top and bottom of the screen, and those who want films in their original aspect ratio had to deal with a picture that was cropped on the sides and panned-and-scanned in some shots. The DVD release in 1999 was the first time the film was presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio on home video.
[Here is a split-screen comparison example for you.]
Now let’s learn some fun facts about the animated T.V. shows “THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS”, “SLIMER! AND THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS” and “THE EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS” [1986-1991]:
Did you know that the end credits scene took inspiration from the music video?
The footage during the end credits of the Ghostbusters dancing down the middle of the street, was based on the music video for Ray Parker Jr.'s song where he and the actors from the movie were pretty much doing the same thing.
[Here is a split-screen comparison of the two versions. I’m too lazy to look for a version of this image without the logo in the corner!]
Did you know that “SLIMER” actually got his name from the T.V. series?
The popularity of the "GREEN GHOST" character from the first Ghostbusters film (and the memorable scene in which he slimes BILL MURRAY) was such an iconic scene that the producers of the cartoon series decided to include him in the cast and gave him the name, “SLIMER”. In turn, the popularity of “SLIMER” was so big that he was included in the film sequel, as well as the 2016 reboot. He was also given the name “ONION HEAD” by the original film’s cast and crew and “THE GHOST OF JOHN BELUSHI” by AYKROYD! BELUSHI was originally considered for the role of “DR. PETER VENKMAN” [MURRAY’S character] before his tragic death in 1982. He wound up becoming the inspiration for “SLIMER” as a way for AYKROYD to keep to BELUSHI in the movie. AYKROYD and BELUSHI were best friends in real life, having worked on “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE” [1975-present] and “THE BLUES BROTHERS” [1980]. He had also worked with both RAMIS and REITMAN on the movie “NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE” [1978 - “SLIMER” was based on his character “BLUTO”].
[JOHN BELUSHI as “BLUTO” in a scene from “NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE”.]
[“SLIMER” at a birthday party in the episode “THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS: SLIMER COME HOME”
[The original “SLIMER” eating some hotdogs in the 1984 movie.]
Did you know some crew members turned down HUDSON’S chance to reprise his role?
It may sound like an urban legend, but it’s unfortunately true. HUDSON, who played everyman “GHOSTBUSTER WINSTON ZEDDEMORE” in both feature films, was willing to reprise his role for the animated series and was asked to audition for the show’s director as a formality. In 2012, HUDSON told THE A.V. CLUB that when he showed up for the reading, the director told him that the performance “was all wrong” because “that’s not how ERNIE HUDSON did it in the movie.” The man was apparently unaware he was speaking to HUDSON. The producers never called him back and the role ended up going to ARSENIO HALL.
[HUDSON in costume at a special fan event.]
[HALL]
Did you know that there is more than one “GHOSTBUSTERS” T.V. show? [and i’m not talking about the later seasons - “SLIMER AND THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS” and “THE EXTREME GHOSTBUSTERS” - either.]
Do you know why they’re called the “THE “REAL” GHOSTBUSTERS”? It’s because they weren’t the first busters of ghosts! The animation studio FILMATION had a live-action kids TV show called “THE GHOST BUSTERS”[1975]. It featured two paranormal investigators who teamed up with a gorilla (go ahead and let that sink in). FILMATION even capitalized on the “GHOSTBUSTERS’” cinematic success with an animated sequel series to their own show. Thus, in 1986, fans saw the debut of “FILMATION’S GHOSTBUSTERS” [1986] just a few days before “THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS” hit T.V. screens.
Naturally, viewers gravitated towards the “GHOSTBUSTERS” that they recognized from the big screen
[The other two “GHOSTBUSTERS” T.V. shows.]
“GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME” [2009]:
Did you know that the “ROOKIE” [the playable character in the game] does have a real name?
In issue #4 of the “GHOSTBUSTERS” comic series, published by IDW, it is revealed that the Rookie's name is “BRYAN WELSH” in the realistic version and “CHAD FULLER” in the stylized versions. Also in the stylized versions, the Female Rookie's name is “MADDIE COLLINS”.
[One version of “ROOKIE”.]
[The “FEMALE” version of “ROOKIE”.]
Did you know that the game has a nod to a couple of fan films?
This only appears in some versions of the game. An in-game screen shot of Egon's lab had a child's drawing hanging up in the background. It is a crayon drawing of a Ghostbuster firing his proton pack. The words under it read, "To Uncle Egon, from Ed." This could be a reference to Ed Spengler from the fan films “FREDDY VS. GHOSTBUSTERS” (2004) and “RETURN OF THE GHOSTBUSTERS” (2007) and the fan webcomics “GHOSTBUSTERS: THE DENVER CHRONICLES” and “GHOSTBUSTED” [which is an incomplete - at the time that I am typing this anyway - “SONIC THE HEDGEHOG” crossover story}. The game is set to take place in 1991. At that time “ED” would have been just a child.
[There’s the note in question!]
[Fan film #1]
[Fan film #2]
Did you know that there is a reference to the 1984 NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM “GHOSTBUSTERS” video game?
A monitor in Egon's lab displays the message, "Conglaturation!!! You have completed a great game. And prooved the justice of our culture. Now go and rest our heroes!" This is the endgame text from the original Ghostbusters video game for the NES, typos and all.
[There’s the message, look closely!]
[Now here’s the message as it appears in the U.S. NES version.]
The Japanese version has an even worse ending!
It starts out as a completely blank screen before this bit of random gibberish [it translates to riri] appears:
[The JAPANESE FAMICOM version.]
The Japanese game does have an ending included, but the programmers forgot to tell the CPU to switch to the right data bank before displaying it. Luckily it’s a simple bug to fix – use the Game Genie code PAZKKL or an IPS patch. But the bad grammar is still there. Except now they have also misspelled the word great!
[And the FAMICOM version’s ending in english.]
[And here are the NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM -1985- and the FAMILY COMPUTER a.k.a. the FAMICOM! - 1983.]
Did you know that a new version of the game is also available on game consoles?
Just look for “GHOSTBUSTERS: THE VIDEO GAME: REMASTERED”.
There lots of other “GHOSTBUSTERS” video games out there, but this is the only one that is actually considered to be canon by both AYKROYD and the “GHOSTBUSTERS” fanbase! The upcoming video game “GHOSTBUSTERS: SPIRITS UNLEASHED” [2022] takes place after the latest movie “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” [2021] which is also canon along with the first two movies.
[So far AYKROYD and HUDSON are the only actors who have been confirmed to be reprising their roles.]
And now “GHOSTBUSTERS 2016” a.k.a. “GHOSTBUSTERS: ANSWER THE CALL” [2016]:
……….
……….
……….
Well enough about that film. Now on to the newest entry in the series: “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE”
Did you know that FINN WOLFHARD was afraid that he wouldn’t get cast in the film because he dressed up as a “GHOSTBUSTER” in a halloween episode of his hit T.V. show “STRANGER THINGS” [2016-]?
[WOLFHARD as “MIKE WHEELER” as “DR. PETER VENKMAN” in “STRANGER THINGS”.]
For younger viewers less acquainted with the “GHOSTBUSTERS” movies, one of the key selling points of “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” is the presence of teen actor FINN WOLFHARD, famed for his role on beloved NETFLIX series “STRANGER THINGS”. Set in the 80s and steeped in the popular culture of the time, one “STRANGER THINGS” episode sees WOLFHARD’S “MIKE WHEELER” and his friends get dressed up as the “GHOSTBUSTERS”.
Wolfhard (also known for his role as “YOUNG RITCHIE TOZIER” in the “IT” movies - 2017 and 2019) told THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, “I thought, ‘JASON REITMAN is probably not even going to look at my [audition] tape because I’ve already done it in STRANGER THINGS.’” Happily for the young actor, this turned out not to be the case, and he was cast in “AFTERLIFE” as “EGON SPENGLER’S” grandson ”TREVOR”.
On that note: WOLFHARD originally did not know he was auditioning for this movie. The audition sides were purposefully kept generic and vague as the movie was developed in secret.
Did you know that a lot of hard work went into making HAROLD RAMIS’S “DR. EGON SPENGLER” appear in the film?
RAMIS’S likeness was recreated with digital makeup created by PIER LEFEBVRE and his team at the MOVING PICTURE COMPANY (MPC) film studio in Los Angeles, based on his contemporary appearance from the original films. BOB GUNTON and IVAN REITMAN physically performed the role. Special effects technicians and puppeteers, including RONALD BINION (suit puppeteer for “SLIMER” in “GHOSTBUSTERS: ANSWER THE CALL” (2016)), portrayed “EGON’S” invisible ghost by puppeteering objects and lightings in his house and storm cellar laboratory. Some scenes used footage of RAMIS that was originally intended to be used in the first film, including the previously mentioned commercial.
[RAMIS as “EGON”
[LEFEBVRE]
[GUNTON before and after make-up shots]
GUNTON credited as “THE GHOST FARMER” - Bob was the stand-in for Egon and his ghost. You won't see his face in the film, though the above photos (from the Blu-ray's "SPECTRAL EFFECTS" featurette and THE STAN WINSTON SCHOOL OF CHARACTER ARTS article) provides a look at him in the Spengler jumpsuit and as the living Egon in the opening scene. While Bob's name may not sound familiar, you've likely seen him as the evil Warden Norton in “THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION” [1994].
IVAN REITMAN in costume with his son JASON.]
IVAN REITMAN as “GHOST EGON’S HANDS” - As detailed in the book, “GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE: THE ART AND MAKING OF THE MOVIE”, Ivan doubled for “EGON’S HANDS” in a few insert shots during the climax of the film:
"In one of the most meaningful moments in the film, the original four “GHOSTBUSTERS” are standing next to each other again, with “PHOEBE” sharing a proton pack with her grandfather as they defeated “GOZER” together. For a few insert shots, (JASON) REITMAN asked his father, IVAN, to put on the flight suit, subbing in for “SPENGLER”. "That was the most emotional moment for me. My dad is one of the original “GHOSTBUSTERS," says REITMAN. "I went into this movie hoping to replicate a recipe. I wanted to taste something that I used to have as a child. And that's exactly how I want audiences to feel. I want them to feel like “PHOEBE," he says."
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