Pretty Woman Movie Trivia: Unveiling the Gems of a Classic Rom-Com
Hello there, movie buffs! Today, we're diving headfirst into the charming world of Pretty Woman, the iconic 1990 romantic comedy that captured our hearts and left us swooning. So, grab your tissues, put on your best Julia Roberts impression, and let's get started with some Pretty Woman movie trivia that'll make you say, "Big mistake. Big. Huge!" Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and pretty woman movie trivia.
The Birth of a Rom-Com Classic
Before we dive into the trivia, let's set the stage. Pretty Woman was released on March 23, 1990, and was an instant hit, grossing over $463 million worldwide. It was directed by the legendary Garry Marshall and starred the irresistible duo of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The film is based on a spec script by J.F. Lawton, originally titled "3000," which was later reworked by director Marshall and screenwriter Joley Blonfield into the rom-com masterpiece we know and love.
The Iconic Opening Scene
Strong: You know a movie is going to be special when it opens with a bang. Pretty Woman does just that, with a memorable scene featuring Julia Roberts' Vivian Ward strutting down the street in a little black dress, singing along to "King of the Road" by Roger Miller. But did you know that the song was initially going to be "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" by Eric Carmen? Talk about a close call!
The 'Pretty Woman' Myth
Italic: The title Pretty Woman is a play on the 1964 song of the same name by Roy Orbison. But here's a fun fact: the song was originally titled "Pretty Girl" until Orbison's wife, Claudette, suggested changing it to "Pretty Woman." Talk about a happy accident!
The Cinderella Connection
You might think that Pretty Woman is just another rags-to-riches story, but it's actually a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. From the makeover montage to the grand ball (er, opera) scene, the parallels are there. And just like Cinderella, Vivian's magical night with Edward includes a time limit—she's got to be out by 8 a.m.!
The Original Ending
Bold: Pretty Woman was originally meant to have a much darker ending. In an early draft, Vivian was supposed to get pregnant, and Edward, not wanting to be tied down, would leave her and their unborn child. Yikes! Thankfully, the filmmakers had a change of heart and gave us the happily-ever-after we deserved.
The 'Big Mistake' Scene
We all know the iconic line, "Big mistake. Big. Huge!" But did you know that the original line was much tamer? In the script, Vivian was supposed to say, "You're going to regret this. Big time." Not quite as memorable, huh?
The Shopping Spree
One of the most memorable scenes in Pretty Woman is Vivian's shopping spree with Edward's credit card. But did you know that the store used in the scene, Rodeo Drive's Van Cleef & Arpels, didn't actually carry the items they were trying on? The jewelry and clothes you see in the scene were brought in just for the film.
The Opera Scene
The opera scene is another standout moment in Pretty Woman. But here's a little secret: Julia Roberts wasn't actually singing. Her voice was dubbed by opera singer Kathleen Battle. Roberts herself has joked about her lack of singing skills, saying, "I can't sing. I'm not good at it. I think I'm great at it, but I'm not."
The 'Wild Thing' Dance
Strong: The iconic dance scene between Vivian and Edward to "Wild Thing" by The Troggs was actually improvised on the spot. Roberts and Gere were just having fun, and Marshall loved it so much that he kept it in the film. Talk about a happy accident!
The 'I Want the Fairytale' Line
In one of the film's most emotional scenes, Vivian tells Edward, "I want the fairytale." But did you know that this line was almost cut from the film? Marshall wanted to make the scene more lighthearted, but Roberts fought to keep it in, arguing that it was an important moment for her character. We're glad she won that battle!
The Iconic Necklace
Italic: The necklace that Edward gives Vivian as a gift is a replica of a piece created by French jeweler Fred. The original necklace, called the "Fred Leïka," is worth a whopping $1 million. Talk about a pretty penny!
The 'Sliding Down the Pole' Scene
One of the most memorable moments in Pretty Woman is Vivian's grand exit at the hotel, where she slides down the pole in her iconic red dress. But did you know that Roberts actually hurt herself during the filming of that scene? She scraped her arm on the pole and needed a bandage for the rest of the shoot.
The 'Hello, Kitty' Moment
Bold: In the final scene of Pretty Woman, Vivian famously says, "So what happens after he leaves?" to which Edward replies, "Well, I think that's called a happy ending." But here's a little-known fact: in an early draft of the script, Edward was supposed to say, "That's called a 'Hello, Kitty' moment." We're glad they went with the classic line!
The 'Pretty Woman' Legacy
Strong: Pretty Woman has left an indelible mark on pop culture. It's been parodied countless times, inspired countless other movies, and even has a musical adaptation in the works. And let's not forget the countless times we've all quoted the film's iconic lines. Thanks for the memories, Pretty Woman!
The Final Word
So there you have it, folks! Our Pretty Woman movie trivia tour is officially over. We hope you've learned a thing or two and had a blast revisiting this classic rom-com. Now, go forth and impress your friends with your newfound knowledge. And remember, in the wise words of Vivian Ward herself, "The best thing a man can do for his woman is to love her." Until next time, movie lovers!