Christi Dodge  0:00  

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Brennan  0:29  

You’re listening to Dodge Movie Podcast. Your hosts are Christi and Mike Dodge the founders of Dodge Media Productions. We produce films and podcasts. So this is a podcast about films join them as they share their passion for filmmaking.

Christi Dodge  0:46  

Welcome back, everybody to the Dodge Movie Podcast. This is episode 137. My all time favorite movie of all time. The year was 1990. I was a year out of high school went with a girlfriend to see this new actress that I had already previously discovered in Satisfaction and Mystic Pizza,

Mike Dodge  1:12  

Right 

Christi Dodge  1:13  

I already had a girl crush on her. Julia Roberts and Pretty Woman. That’s all you can say. 

Mike Dodge  1:20  

That’s all I can say. 

Christi Dodge  1:20  

So we watched this one for free on an XFINITY stream which was a bit of a bummer because they they edited out the one of the most awesome scene, so I would not. So it would have been worth it for us to pay the $4 to see the actual version.

Mike Dodge  1:37  

But even if you see a real version, you can go on YouTube and see the scene we’re talking about. Were one of my favorite comedians and dear personal friend Larry Miller is the manager at the store. And it is absolutely wondrous. You’re powerful and sexy. Man. I knew that the moment you walked in here, like it was just absolutely wonderful. His performance as the obsequious but kissing anything for $1 It was so good. Why did they cut that? I just I have no clue if someone from FX needs to answer.

Christi Dodge  2:12  

Yes. So Gary Marshall, actually, I think I think Julia Roberts was attached to this film, it was called 3000. It was written by JF Lawton, who also did Pizza Man in 91. Do you remember that? 

Mike Dodge  2:27  

Maybe it sounds vaguely familiar, but I don’t think I saw it.

Christi Dodge  2:30  

We’re not talking about the porn version. 92s Under Siege. And 95s Chain Reaction.

Mike Dodge  2:38  

He wrote all of those I definitely saw under siege if that’s the one was Steven Seagal?.

Christi Dodge  2:42  

Yeah. So he wrote this film was called 3000. And it was very dark. It was more realistic about the seediness of sex work and, and probably Hollywood Boulevard and the activities that you know, the illegal activities that took place downtown LA.

Mike Dodge  3:02  

So he was probably writing this mid to late 80s. And I think Hollywood Boulevard was a little sketchy back then.

Christi Dodge  3:08  

Yes. So he wrote that and she was attached because she was really a nobody, you know, she had done this Mystic Pizza. Okay, whatever. Right? Wasn’t a huge hit. She didn’t get a ton of buzz. So she was attached and they couldn’t find anybody to direct it. Whoever had it before Disney got it. And Disney was like, okay, Gary, you direct this movie. And she was like, I went from having a job to not having a job. But the casting director liked her so much told Gary, you need to have her play Vivian, because she’s amazing. Do you want to say something?

Mike Dodge  3:44  

Yeah, I just love how that goes. That meeting like a baby doll. We got the script. It’s really dark people die and have heroin and stuff. Who should we have directed? Right, Gary Marshall? Then you do the point and shortly like it just it is so totally different from what we know him for. Yes, I find that funny.

Christi Dodge  4:04  

Yes, we know him from TVs Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy. Then he went on to do Overboard in 87 Beaches and grateful just finished beaches before he did this one. And so it got Disney FIDE, the script totally was changed. In fact, Jason Alexander, I believe and Julia both told stories of they would kind of do what was on the script. Here’s a perfect example. There’s a scene where Edward comes in for a meeting, and Jason looks down and he starts commenting on his shoes. Do you remember that scene and kind of making fun of Edward for the type of shoes he’s wearing? 

Okay. And so Jason said that Gary, and it’s so hilarious because as I was doing research, Jason Alexander Julia Roberts and Richard Gere do an amazing Gary Marshall impression. Oh, yeah, I’m not going to do right now because I won’t do it. 

Mike Dodge  4:55  

Oh, I can’t do it well at all but I think everyone wants to there’s something about Gary that It just demands you impersonate him.

Christi Dodge  5:01  

If you spend time with him and you can probably do it better. So just prior to this podcast instead of watching my reality shows watching Gary Marshall interviews and maybe it could have done it fair enough, but basically calls Jason over any says comment about his shoes. Just kind of play around and comment about his shoes. So Jason, what any? Yeah, yeah, just trust me, trust me. So there was one line of dialogue from the script that Jason delivered, but then the most part, he’s just busting his balls about his shoes. 

And Gary goes, yep, cut moving on. Just like we what about the other lines in the script that we didn’t say? Gary was just like, it’s okay, we’ve got it. So all of them reported that he would do this. They would. Julia said they would do a funny one. Do a serious one. Do an angry one. Okay. Moving on. And he was like, when we finished that movie, we’re just like, there’s no way a movie is going to be made. 

Mike Dodge  6:03  

Right? 

Christi Dodge  6:03  

We didn’t get enough stuff.

Mike Dodge  6:04  

Right? It was just a mismatch.

Christi Dodge  6:06  

But Gary had it on his head. And so I believe it was after the shoe one. Richard Gere said, See, but I told you or something like basically, he’s a genius. Like, just listen to what he says and do what he says. And look, this is like, an amazing movie.

Mike Dodge  6:23  

After having spent three months editing that causes me conniptions to think about. Just wow, I mean, what trust in your entire crew that you could do all these different takes, and then there’s one in there that you’re going to be able to use to tell the story you need to tell.

Christi Dodge  6:43  

Yep. So he compiles a cast of Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Ralph Bellamy, Jason Alexander Laura San Jacomo, Amy Yazbeck, Hector Elizondo, and your aforementioned Larry Miller. Now, I mentioned Hector, it’s so sweet. I believe Gary puts him in every thought so yeah, and in this one, the budget didn’t warrant apparently Hector’s salary and so Gary paid Hector salary so that he could be in this movie, and he paid it out of his own pocket. And then eventually Disney relented and repaid Gary the money.

Mike Dodge  7:22  

It was a good choice. I think this is a fantastic role for Hector 

Christi Dodge  7:26  

Yes, somebody I can’t remember who it was. This morning when I was watching I believe it was one of the producers said every single person in this film is necessary. There is not one character he says even the elevator operator yeah is a necessary character for this film to propel it like there’s no wasted background, you know, I mean, I’m saying like there’s no wasted like side carry supporting cast. The DP was Charles Minsky, he did 86s the HITCHER, 95s, Congo and 2000s Almost Famous. It was filmed in and around all over Los Angeles, the Las Palmas hotel where Vivian lives the region Beverly Wilshire where she ends up staying with Edward Edward roadeo drive is a huge character in this, the LA Equestrian Center. And the Opera House is actually in the Natural History Museum. 

It’s not in San Francisco because in 89, there was an earthquake, and it blew out all the windows of probably the Davies Hall where they would have gone on the USC campus, they use the Natural History Museum, the Biltmore Hotel and the W Hotel. Also were locations for filming. The synopsis of this film is a man in a legal but hurtful business needs an escort for some social events and hires a beautiful prostitute he meets only to fall in love. That’s a synopsis. The  taglines are “Who knew was so much fun to be a hooker?” That’s a bad that is so bad. Okay. Or the other one is “She walked off the street into his life and stole his heart.”

Mike Dodge  9:19  

Okay, that’s closer to hooker with a heart of gold. But

Christi Dodge  9:23  

Yeah, why don’t you kick us off with a pickup line and I’m going to give you some more facts and trivia about this film.

Mike Dodge  9:30  

You know what they say? It’s all about money. It’s delivered by some random close up magician at the party. I don’t think we see their face. I felt like the voice sounded like Ricky Jay. And it could have been it’s just a random but I thought that was actually it conforms to my theory.

Christi Dodge  9:47  

Yeah. And this movie I so I’ve heard a couple different thoughts. So right after the 80s which was all about consumption and greatest glory, and yeah, greed, and it’s all about what you Where and what you drive and where you live. That’s what makes who you are. And so we see that in Edwards life. That right? That’s all those people kind of care about, especially his horrible, quote unquote friends Stuckey, right?

Mike Dodge  10:18  

Yeah. Why? Why do you get the penthouse if you’re afraid of heights because it’s the best. Right?

Christi Dodge  10:25  

And we’re talking about corporate raiding. That’s the business that Edward is in horrible. Yeah, exactly. Horrible.

Mike Dodge  10:33  

Well, and actually, you see that right? The Bellamy character is fairly directly drawn, where he’s like, yeah, don’t care about me. I just care about the people that work for me. Philip Stuckey played by Jason Alexander, who I can now not see George Costanza in the role, but that’s not important right now. And he says, oh, yeah, don’t worry about him. Just the way you set it, you’re like, you’re gonna lay him off tomorrow. Right? You just know that that’s that’s kind of an I don’t know if it’s realistic. Edwards kind of face turn where he suddenly decides he’s going to be a good guy. But boy, the audience we bought it, right. We wanted the super rich corporate raider. Carl Icahn defined a heart somewhere, it’s like the Grinch. Right? You want to find a heart.

Christi Dodge  11:20  

And when when we first meet Edward, and he’s trying to explain to Vivian, what he does for a living. He very much makes it sound almost, I don’t know, like playing Legos or something. It’s just like, oh, yeah, I just buy these parts. Then I take them apart. And then and then they sell off the parts. Like, he’s so very matter of fact that these corporations, he’s devoid himself of the idea that that these are people and lives, income that you’re dealing with.

Mike Dodge  11:48  

 And I love Vivian’s like, so you don’t make anything? You don’t do anything. You don’t create anything? No. So yeah, it’s a good point.

Christi Dodge  11:58  

Versus her profession, which in this film, I’m going to say in this film, not in reality, right. But in the bounds of this film. Hers is you could say that very first night, she brings him comfort, she brings him entertainment, she brings him joy. And I’m talking about when they were just having like the carpet picnic.

Mike Dodge  12:17  

Right? So yeah, I want to be clear that I don’t believe that is impossible for a sex worker to be a healthy human being doing, like just a job for money. I think here in the United States, that’s more difficult than some places and certainly working on Hollywood Boulevard. I think most of those people probably have a lot of other traumas and things that don’t really sustain that. But for the purposes of the film, right, by the premise by the bed, yes, she is serving the Escort role. And by that I don’t mean euphemistically per sex worker. I mean, she was fulfilling that role of being someone who would Yeah, give him a companion. 

And also, you know, a certain I guess he would say, maybe appearance or it checked the boxes for certain kinds of events. It would look weird, I guess, maybe to some people if he wasn’t there was someone on his arm. And so you know, yeah, it’s it’s tough for me. And it has been since I first saw this film, that I like her character and the role her character plays, but I don’t know how realistic that is for people in that industry in the United States right now.

Christi Dodge  13:36  

And they tried to show us some of the realism because the opening scene I think, before even meet Vivian, we see that I can’t remember if, but a woman either jumps or is killed. Or basically we know we’re passing by a body because in all the times I’ve watched this film, yeah, we never noticed this. This is amazing. And they were discovered that the detective is Hank Azaria. Yes and I always saw the you know, the lady that’s taking a picture as if it’s part of, you know, just kind of what you see in LA and she’s a tourist and, and right, it was Where are you from the LA Times, and she goes, now we’re from the Orlando and that’s Hank Azaria. I never ever and this is a love Hank Azaria.

Mike Dodge  14:22  

I think this might be pre Simpsons even.

Christi Dodge  14:25  

Yeah, I bet this was very because he was all I mean, he is credited but yeah, oh, he’s credited but never like and the film with Hank Azaria, right.

Mike Dodge  14:34  

You’re right. You have watched this many more times than I have. But I’ve seen this so many times myself, and I never once recognized him. Isn’t that amazing?

Christi Dodge  14:42  

So we do see that that Skinny Marie died. And then Kitt uses their rent money to go buy drugs. So we, they they verge on the on the edge or the bubble of the negative side of it.

Mike Dodge  14:58  

Right and I think there’s a, you know, a recurring narrative plotline about how Edward is perhaps more of a prostitute than she is in that he’s only doing it for the money. He’s not doing it for the love. Although, I think prior to meeting him, she was not particularly in love with any of the people she took money from. Right. But that’s not important right now. So it is, in that sense is problematic because I do like the film, but I worry that it may be glamorized as something that’s pretty tough lifestyle. 

Christi Dodge  15:36  

It’s not glamorous. Yeah. So a couple of little notes about acting and casting, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere were 18 years apart. They were 40 and 22. At the time of the filming, actually, I know Julia was actually 20 because Gary in between scenes brought out a cake and she turned or maybe she was 21. And she turned 22. 

Mike Dodge  16:01  

That’s why it sells one of our favorite lines in this film. He’s not really my uncle. They never are, dear.

Christi Dodge  16:10  

So here’s a little bit of a total full circle. That is pretty hilarious. Okay, all right. Yeah. And this film, okay. So Gary Marshall reunited with Julia Roberts, Richard Gere and Hector Elizondo, and Larry Miller, your favorite and runaway bride, which included Joan Cusack who use said famously on our after our first date that I may be looked at, and I took great offense, because in my mind, I was thinking 16 candles. Joan, not today’s Joan. Right. Right. And she, amongst many actresses were were considered for the role of Vivian. Oh, wow. Isn’t that like a crazy like full circle moment.

Mike Dodge  16:55  

Right. And it’s also interesting, because speaking of kind of for full circle or those connections, Larry Miller was considered for the role of George Costanza before Jason Alexander was cast.

Christi Dodge  17:05  

Right. And Jason almost didn’t make it getting cast in this movie because Gary didn’t want him in it. He didn’t see he knew about the fight that was going to need to happen at the end. Right? And he says, not my words. These are Gary Marshall.

Mike Dodge  17:22  

Sorry, sorry, Mr. Alexander that we’re just reporting. 

Christi Dodge  17:25  

Oh, no, this Jason knows this story. I’m apologizing because it’s an offensive word. Gary said it would seem that Edward was beating up a midget during their fight scene. Oh, he didn’t like Gary. Yeah, the height disparity. So the casting director put Alexander on a pile of phone books. And then when they are in similar shots, obviously, probably apple boxes.

Mike Dodge  17:52  

Right. That’s fascinating. I wouldn’t have considered Jason Alexander short, per se. But I mean, shorter than Jerry Seinfeld. But Jerry isn’t Jerry a six footer? I think though, yeah. Anyway, so I’m sorry, Mr. Alexander. Apparently, you’re shorter than ever. Maybe he spends a lot of time on apple boxes. I don’t know.

Christi Dodge  18:11  

This was a tough role for Jason because because his you know, to accost. Vivian. He said women walked up women have stared at him like, like, you know, dagger trade. Yeah. Women have said, I don’t like you. He said one woman walked up to him in the airport and hit him. And then he’s been spat on. Oh, I know. It’s like people. It’s just a role.

Mike Dodge  18:36  

It wasn’t like he said, I hit women in my spare time. So I’m qualified for this role. He’s just an actor, right?

Christi Dodge  18:44  

I loved this Gary Marshall story. Richard Gere started off acting and he was being a little bit more active in his role, like, I think gesturing and stuff. And Gary took him aside and said, No, no, no, Richard, in this movie, one of you moves and one of you doesn’t Guess which one you are?

Mike Dodge  19:05  

That sounds like a Gary line.

Christi Dodge  19:08  

But not at all with like a New York accent. 

Mike Dodge  19:11  

Right, but I love it. Guess which one you are?

Christi Dodge  19:16  

This was Ralph Bellamy’s final film before he went on to the great beyond the green die sky. 91 At the age of 87.

Mike Dodge  19:29  

Which is I think, again, a little bit of a movie connection because this could be considered romantic comedy by many. And yeah, Ralph Bellamy is famous for originating the role of the Bellamy in romantic comedies, what a beautiful book and yes to his career. I wonder if he saw that irony. 

Christi Dodge  19:49  

No, this is definitely a romantic comedy. I mean, not only is it labeled as much, but that well.

Mike Dodge  19:53  

His love for her transformed him. Male and female gazes I don’t Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. He He gazes at her when she’s in the bar in the black cocktail dress. When does she gave him?

Christi Dodge  20:05  

I think it could it be after they’ve had sex. And she he’s asleep and she’s looking at him.

Mike Dodge  20:12  

Oh, that’s right. Yeah, yeah. Okay. I think that’s when she starts. Oh, that’s perfect. That is perfect. Yeah, assessment. Good job.

Christi Dodge  20:21  

So I thought for cinematography, you would enjoy this little tidbit. The night scenes were all shot practically mostly. So there was so much lighting. You just Gary said they couldn’t shut down. They didn’t have the budget shut down to the Wilshire Boulevard. Yeah. I don’t know where they shot Hollywood will surely with Boulevard. Yeah, like where? Like, where’s Grauman’s? I don’t know, off the top of your head. So there was enough lights there. Plus, there’s just so much activity and so many people and they couldn’t shut down. So they would add minimal lighting for the stars, you know, nearby, but then it was it was like kind of very running gun in a way. Yeah, it sounds I wonder how many people like have you looked in the background? Right, are really not background, but like paid background?

Just extras like you know, people who happen to be there. And then when they shot the scenes on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, right? You can’t because those stores, they can’t take a day off? Because they make so much money. Sure. And so a lot of those stores are closed on Sunday. And so they shot all those scenes on Sunday, when you are allowed to get a permit. But basically, no permits are issued for Rodeo Drive Monday through Saturday,

Mike Dodge  21:44  

Facinating! Speaking of the cinematography in Hollywood, I noticed that kind of the opening shot was aerial shots of Hollywood. And this was before drones. So that was a helicopter shot.

Christi Dodge  21:56  

Yes, it was. In fact, I think Kerry talked about this because he is the one with the fear of heights. And so he gave that to Richard’s character. And so for that helicopter shot his son, Oh, son did one. Oh, I think the equestrian scenes his son was basically the second unit director.

Mike Dodge  22:17  

Is Gary also afraid of horses?

Christi Dodge  22:19  

I don’t know. Yeah. I can’t remember why. But I remember him saying that his son did the equestrian.

Mike Dodge  22:26  

He was tired. He just sent the boy yeah.

Christi Dodge  22:29  

I liked how she expressed her car knowledge to him. Oh, yeah. And then, you know, and so he lets her drive, and she’s explaining how the pedals. We talked about an hour later, your choice. Okay. We can talk about that later. Sorry. I didn’t mean Yeah, no, no. Is there anything else while I’m looking at my writing notes that you liked? Since I’ve been doing a lot of talking?

Mike Dodge  22:52  

This time around, I noticed a little bit more about plotting and the exposition. So eight minutes into the film, we get the it establishes her motive of why she needs cash so badly. I did remember that from previous viewings, you know, it’s kind of like, oh, well, she she’s at her day job. So she needs to get money but she actually needs a lot of money because there is due and Kitt DeLuca who is an addict has spent their money on on drugs. Also, there’s a line there were Philip Stuckey at the party in opening dialogue.  tells us basically, what’s gonna go on. He’s probably somewhere charming, a very pretty lady.

So that is a clever line of dialogue delivered before we even see Richard Gere’s character that establishes that he’s going to charm a very pretty lady throughout the remainder of the film. But I have to say there’s a thing that just got to me. There, the polo match, and there’s Dixieland jazz playing. That stuck out like a sore thumb to me. I do not believe rich upper crust polo people in Los Angles, please would listen to Dixieland jazz, I think a string quartet. Okay. Not even mariachi band, but Dixieland jazz. Wow. It just, it struck me.

Christi Dodge  24:09  

I have no notes about that to help you out with that. Okay. I thought there were times because a lot of people take issue well, I should say a lot of people I have heard criticism of this film because of a it being about sex work and, and kind of like his power dynamic. But I also I never noticed the many mentions of kind of him putting her in her place or reminding the audience or or her of her station life. So early on, he comments on the safety pin holding her boot up. You ask how much she makes, and the idea of kind of the that it’s a transactional You know which it is, right? It’s bringing up the money. 

He mentioned that his first car is a limo. And then he gets a penthouse, because it’s the best. So it’s like he lives this life of consumption. And even though he would be more comfortable on a lower floor, he gets the penthouse because it’s the best and it’s the most what’s the word? I’m looking for? Like, prestigious, ostentatious, kinda, okay. And then she says, I slept so good. I forgot where I was when I woke up. And he says, oh, occupational hazard. So it’s like, he’s constantly reminding her of what she does. And I never really noticed that I thought they were just kind of funny lines instead of.

Mike Dodge  25:47  

I’m not sure I completely agree with that take on it. I would say there is definitely parts where He is teasing with some of of these lines at some point near the end. But more importantly, that’s how he deals with everyone. Like, I mean, that’s the whole point of his character, that his his journey is going from that money is everything transactional, he sees a company as Oh, well, if I cut it apart, it’s worth more money. So he doesn’t see it having any intrinsic value of its own. 

Christi Dodge  26:24  

That is what I am saying. Everything is a transaction to him.  

Mike Dodge  26:28  

Yeah, that is true for most of the film. 

Christi Dodge  26:31  

And then, and you’re right, he is very charming. I think that’s why Gary approached him and went to him. Like there’s the scene where he says, or she says, You’re late, and he quips you’re stunning. And she says, You’re forgiven. And it’s just sweet. Like you said…

Mike Dodge  26:47  

The banter. Yeah, that reminds me a little bit of It Happened One Night with the speed, the pacing of how they deliver the dialogue is interesting, kind of related to the transactional part. But getting back to that great line, guess which one you are gear as an actor. I know his face does show a motion. But in this film, he is very still not just his body, but his face. And emotionless. So I think that all kind of to me it that he it was a great acting choice, I think, because it’s of a piece. He seems like that heartless character.

Christi Dodge  27:23  

Well, and yes, and I just saw in my notes later on in the film, and I think I think this is after, like, they take the bath together. They have sex. I think that’s the first time that they kiss on the lips, which was in it was a boundary that she said, Because into her that felt more intimate and right. So he says, You and I are similar. We both screw people for money. And once again, that was just another time where I felt like he was kind of like reminding the audience and her of who she is and comparing it to kind of like who he is.

Mike Dodge  28:01  

Well, in that case, he’s very directly saying they’re the same.

Christi Dodge  28:05  

But And you brought up that he’s cold. And if he was raised, like, let’s say, by governesses, or whatever, and he was driving in limos, so like his mom’s not driving him to school, the limo driver is I think people tend to, I guess when you don’t have like those touchy feely people around you coming up, they’re basically employees raising you sure, you probably do lack that emotional connection with human beings. Yeah, yeah. And you do view everything is like, Oh, you’re just my employee, you know, my parents employee or right. So there’s a lot of opportunity for us to talk about costumes. And this, the necklace that she wears when they go to the opera really cost it was real, and it was valued at $250,000.

And so while they were filming a security man from the jewelry store, equipped with a gun was standing directly behind the director the whole time that scene was going on. The red coat that maybe in wears was bought for $30 from a movie usher in the street shortly before filming. That’s so funny, because you just think of these, you know, like we’ve watched all these BTS things. And the costume designers are poring over and we see drawings and all that stuff. And then to find out that, oh, we need her to be a little more covered. Right in that movie theater and go buy the right the coat off the shirt.

Mike Dodge  29:29  

That guy looks good. Give me this coat.

Christi Dodge  29:31  

And then the off the shoulder gown that was that she wore while she went to the opera. It was originally supposed to be black, but the costume designer Marilyn Vance thought it was too boring and so made it red, which I think was a good call.

Mike Dodge  29:44  

Yeah, because her hair that’s when we first see her red wavy hair is with that dress because before then she had that Carol Channing wig on.

Christi Dodge  29:53  

Right. And when he sees the wig, it’s like, I felt like he looked at it and she’s laying embedded her hair’s like tasseled? Yes. And he, I felt like, I mean, I think we realized she looks better.

Mike Dodge  30:08  

Yeah, that shot is classic Hollywood gorgeous leaving lady like soft lighting. Oh my gosh, it’s just like she was very kind of the cinematographer apparently. But that was a great shot.

Christi Dodge  30:20  

So anything else in costuming that you took note of? 

Mike Dodge  30:25  

Well, also that the black dress, I mentioned the cocktail dress, and it looked like it had a little bit of a choker part to it. But I thought that I don’t know if this was But was that a callback because of the neck tie. At one point, she helps him with his tie. And then another point she’s wearing nothing but a neck tie Walker Walker. So I didn’t know if that was again, bringing that back. I noticed that Edward always wears a waistcoat. So he would be a three piece suit guy. And I don’t follow fashion that well in 90, would that be considered like a little stuffy to conservative like an old person? 

Or would that be considered a power move? I don’t know. And my last thing was at the end of the film, her last day at the reedbed Will she has this wondrous terracotta, kind of short pantsuit thing going on, and the shoulder pads on that were gorgeous, awesome work costume department.

Christi Dodge  31:29  

As far as sets go, it was great to see Hollywood Boulevard in the tower records because it’s very iconic of LA. And I mentioned before that the opera took place in LA not San Francisco and it was La Traviata about a prostitute who impulse who falls in love with a married man.

Mike Dodge  31:50  

Wow, that’s that if I knew opera, there would have been an additional layer of of interest there. But I don’t know opera. And in there he says, like you either love it or hate it the first time you hear it. And I would love to love opera. But watching it this time, I thought I would fall asleep. Sorry, but amazing performances vocally from the opera singers. That’s no reflection on their talent.

Christi Dodge  32:16  

And I have lots of notes for sound. So I told you as we were watching it that Richard Gere is actually playing the piano when she comes downstairs and she sees him in the ballroom. And it’s a piece that he composed. You’re asked about the piano keys. According to the director’s commentary, the piano key sounds that are made during the lovemaking scene on the piano had to be dubbed in because the actual keys that were randomly hit by Julia and Richard made the scene sound like such a discords Okay, discordant sound that it was an unusable in the actual movie. I can see that. 

One of the one of several films in the 90s and the 80s that were after a famous song played over the end credits like stamped by me stand and deliver lean on me my girl and there goes my baby. We’re all in the late 80s, early 90s. Right and then pretty woman, because this one originally they wanted the Van Halen version. I didn’t know that they did a version.

Mike Dodge  33:23  

Yeah, yeah. The David Lee Roth era. He did a Pretty Woman.

Christi Dodge  33:24  

This same same song. Okay, they covered the Roy Orbison song. So they wanted the Van Halen version but couldn’t get it for copyright. And so then they use the Roy Orbison song in this this movie has a great soundtrack. I love Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love”,  “King of Wishful Thinking” by Go West. “Show Me Your Soul” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Wild Women Do” by Natalie Cole. I mean it just “No Explanation” by Peter Sutera like big 80s acts.

Mike Dodge  33:56  

Yeah, I think this soundtrack was popular. Yeah. All right, any head trauma. Well, there’s two famous bits of head trauma. Phil slept Vivian upside the head in the penthouse and then it right after that Edward punches fill in the face.

Christi Dodge  34:12  

So apparently in their tussle Richard Gere got hurt because if you notice he moves his tongue around the inside of his mouth, right after him and Stuckey go to blows and apparently, he knocked a crown off the molar during that scene.

Mike Dodge  34:26  

Right? So apparently, Jason might be short, but he’s got a good writer.

Christi Dodge  34:34  

And then, lots of smoochies between Edward and Vivian.

Mike Dodge  34:38  

Smoochy smoochy smoochy. Yeah, lots of smoochies. In particular, what I think is noteworthy is she first kisses him on the lips while he is sleeping. After he takes a day off for the first time in forever. And then of course the last Moochie when they’re on the fire escape is noteworthy.

Christi Dodge  34:59  

I love it. it. It’s one of my very favorite lines of all films. He says what happens when he climbed up into the tower and rescued her? And she says she rescued him right back.

Mike Dodge  35:10  

Yeah, it’s a good line. I love it. I don’t think that was in the original Dark script, though.

Christi Dodge  35:14  

No, no, the ending in the the first script was he she says she loves him. He says he doesn’t love her. And he takes her back and drops her off, gives her the money. She’s so hurt. She throws the money back in his face. He slaps her, kicks her out of the car. So she’s dejected and broke again. And she goes up to our apartment where Kitt is ODing, right.

Mike Dodge  35:42  

Happy Disney film.

Christi Dodge  35:43  

Thank you, Gary. Marcel. Yeah, he turned it around for us. I’m so grateful. All right. How about a driving review? Okay, so that silver 89 Lotus a spree shows that Philip has both money and taste if he just had money. He would have had some other car but a lotus See, he’s obviously got taste. Okay, so I can explain that. Okay, explain why. Filming commenced in 89, but was immediately plagued by countless problems, including issues with space and time. This included Ferrari and Porsche who had declined the product placement opportunity of the car Edward drove. 

Because of this, they did not want to be associated with soliciting prostitutes. Lotus Cars UK saw the placement value with such a major feature film this pay this gamble paid off a spree sales tripled between 90 and 91. And the company supplied a silver 19 89.5 Esprit SE which was later sold.

Mike Dodge  36:51  

Yeah. So that’s that that’s like a legit sports car. It’s not necessarily for just a rich guy. But it could have been a Ferrari or Porsche could have been they lost their chance. But here’s the problem. So there’s a recurring bit that he’s not so good with a manual. Okay? The Lotus is not a consumer car, it’s clutch is going to have a really stiff bite, if he is it. Ah, it is an age pattern as she mentioned, although strictly speaking, an age pattern could be first top left can be first bottom left. So that doesn’t tell a whole lot. But he wouldn’t have been able to drive it at all or he would have been able to drive it perfectly. 

I mean, there’s no in between that car is way, way too much of a sports car for somebody who doesn’t know. And with the noises they were mentioning yours. Yeah, it doesn’t have a synchromesh transmission, he would not have been able to get anywhere if he couldn’t drive it properly. Now, once she gets in there mad props because Vivian does not short shift, which is awesome. So credit to her. I’ll give her that is good car and, and she actually drives it well, or whoever they put behind the wheel. I don’t know if there’s Juliet, if it was very impressive. There’s a shot there on when they go shopping on Rodeo Drive at first. And the car that they show driving through is a black 87 BMW 325 i Convertible.

I don’t think that would be impressive. Back then, on Rodeo Drive. Not that it wasn’t a nice car. But I just don’t think that would be impressive. People have conspicuous consumption. That’s more like the car you buy your daughter to go to college and it wasn’t that big a deal. I thought of all the cars you see in the background later, that was an odd shot for them to pick to say this was an expensive place. But I thought it was very interesting because the hotel, the reedbed will drive them around and and silver at four Cadillac Fleetwood limousine. But earlier on, she mentioned that she grew up around a lot of American muscle. 

So I thought that was a nice call back at a big GM vehicle. And for the people who lived through the late 80s. You’ll notice it through the rear window, that winged cell phone antenna that was common for a few years there. And I remember people would buy just the antenna and mounted on their car. They had no cell phone, but they’ve mounted because it looked cool.

Christi Dodge  39:19  

Because yeah, it was important to look rich, right? Yeah, back in the US. It was it’s it’s interesting, you bring up that silver limit, because you mentioned after you watch us that you thought you remembered a continuity issue with the limo at the very end. And it makes sense because I told you as they were making this Gary was making all kinds of decisions and changes. And so I think early on in the film, Silver was fine. But he realized that the ending that was written in the script wasn’t a good ending. And he he realized he was making a fable and if he was making a fable it needed to have a fairy tale ending.

Mike Dodge  39:59  

And she mentioned I think in dialog a white horse.

Christi Dodge  40:03  

 Yes, it’s a it’s a dream, I believe or a fantasy that she had when she was a kid that the guy rides up on a white horse. And so he realized I need Edward to write up on a white horse. How can I do this in LA? And so it was the white limo. It’s just unexplained why, Gordon, Gordon?

Mike Dodge  40:21  

Yeah, the limo driver.

Christi Dodge  40:22  

The limo driver drove the silver limo through the whole movie, but then, you know, and so I feel like you can even say, you wouldn’t have to explain it. But eBridge so rich, he could just he remembers the story. And so he’s like, Gordon, do you have access to a white limo or get me a white limo like that? He could he has the funds to do that.

Mike Dodge  40:43  

Oh, sure. And if you have that service, you generally have more than one. Yeah. In case there’s a mechanical failure. That part didn’t specifically bump me because I think yeah, there are many reasons that he could have a second limo.

Christi Dodge  40:59  

And then apparently, when Jason Alexander slams the door to his car, I’m imagining that’s probably at the beginning when Edwards getting into it when he’s taking his car. Yeah. Mustermann it actually broke the window. Oh, so they had to replace it on that Lotus Esprit. Yeah. And here’s one for you, sir. Have you ever heard of the Beverly Hills speedway? No. I thought you would love this. This is why I do my research like find these little tidbits turn to you. Also, used to be called the Los Angeles speedway. It was a 1.25 mile wooden board track for automobile racing in Beverly Hills, California. It was built in 1919. On 275 acres of land that includes the site of today’s Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Mike Dodge  41:52  

That awesome they should rebuild it around the Beverly Wilshire

Christi Dodge  41:56  

And the former site is bounded by the by Wilshire Boulevard, South Beverly drive Olympic Boulevard and Lynn Lasky Lasky drive. The project was financed, financed by a group of racers and businessmen that called itself the Beverly Hills Speedway Association. The track was the first in the United States to be designated with banked turns incorporating an engineering solution known as a spiral easement.

Mike Dodge  42:28  

It was wooden in 19. You say 19? 

Christi Dodge  42:32  

1919

Mike Dodge  42:32  

Yeah, speeds weren’t terribly high. But I think it’s a hoot.

Christi Dodge  42:36  

I thought you would love that. That’s thanks to Gary Marshall. He gave me that tidbit. And then I looked at Thanks, Jerry. read that paragraph from Wikipedia. Fun fact. Love it. Okay, shall we go to the numbers?

Mike Dodge  42:47  

Let’s go to the numbers.

Christi Dodge  42:50  

Before we do that, I’m going to say, for people who enjoy these adjusted for inflation, the offer of $3,000 would be $6,512.78, in July of 90 of 2021. And Vivian would earn just over $1,000 a day for the six days of work.

Mike Dodge  43:12  

It seems like a decent wage for that that individual.

Christi Dodge  43:15  

Right. This film is the fourth highest grossing film of the year in the United States and Canada and the third highest grossing world wide. It had a budget of $14 million. That domestic take in the day was 178 point 4 million worldwide. It got 430 2.5 and adjusted for inflation today, the domestic would be 380 $7.6 million. So cool. Those two those producers. I hope Gary got points. Yeah, exactly. Maybe that’s why he kept working with Richard and Julia on Runaway Bride and then I don’t know if he was in Valentine’s Day, but he worked with Julia again on Valentine’s Day. It got it it gets a 7.1 out of 10 from IMDb critics not as fond as I am of this film at 64% and audiences actually not much more 68 So I know I’m I’m in the minority.

Mike Dodge  44:20  

But I would dispute that I think most people I know like this film.

Christi Dodge  44:23  

I thought so too, but I I have to recuse myself because I I have such I mean I remember the theater I remember walking in like I was so excited to see this movie.

Mike Dodge  44:34  

I’ll be honest, I probably saw it for the first time on VHS. That’s fair.

Christi Dodge  44:38  

No, no shade to you. It’s just under two hours at 159 It’s rated art is a rom com it’s a Touchstone Pictures. Julie was nominated for an Oscar which is rare for a romantic comedy for Best Actress. And not only did she get BAFTA noms but soda costume design, and it got a nom for best As film and Best Screenplay, it won the Golden glory. Giulia took home the Golden Globe for the film, and it was nominated for Best Picture Richard Gere and Hector were also nominated as Best Actor in supporting it won a People’s Choice Awards that year for favorite comedy motion picture. 

Julia also won the Golden screen Award and the Jupiter Award for Best International actress. So it got some kudos we are kicking off this month with this theme. write in and tell us what you think we are also going to highlight a local charity that helps sector sex trafficked individuals as we speak of such films this month. So turn in your guests and then listen in and look in the show notes for how to contribute to expose hope. But never forget…

Mike Dodge  45:59  

Dodges never stop and neither do the movies.

Brennan  46:01  

Thanks for listening to Dodge Movie Podcast with Christi and Mike Dodge of Dodge Media Productions. To find out more about this podcast and what we do, go to dodge media productions.com. Subscribe, share, leave a comment and tell us what we should watch next. Dodges never stop and neither do the movies