Welcome to the world of Pretty Woman, the 1990 romantic comedy that has captured the
hearts of audiences for more than three decades.
This classic film stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in a story of love, redemption,
and transformation that has since become a cultural touchstone.
In Pretty Woman, we follow the journey of Vivian Ward (played by Roberts), a spunky
and street-smart sex worker who is hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis (played by
Gere) for a weekend of companionship.
What follows is a tale of unexpected romance, as the two learn to bridge the gap between
their vastly different worlds.
But while the film is a beloved classic, there are many little-known facts and behind-the-scenes
secrets that make it even more fascinating.
From hilarious bloopers to surprising casting choices, there is much to uncover about the
making of this iconic movie.
So sit back and relax as we delve into the world of Pretty Woman and explore the stories
that have never been told.
We'll take a look at the mishaps and misadventures that occurred during filming, and reveal some
of the behind-the-scenes secrets that make this movie so special.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the world of Pretty Woman, this exploration
of the film's behind-the-scenes secrets is sure to be a treat.
Facts Verse Presents: This Scene Wasn't Edited Look Closer at Her Pretty Woman Blooper
Molly Ringwald?
Yup, the role of Vivian Ward was initially offered to Molly Ringwald of all people.
During a Reddit AMA session, the "Sixteen Candles" actress said that she got a chance
to give an early incarnation of the film's script, while it was still using a working
title, a read-over.
She found the script to be okay but didn't really feel a strong draw to it.
While she doesn't specifically remember turning it down, she admits that Julia Roberts addition
to the cast is what really made the film a success.
But who knows, maybe there's an alternate universe out there where Ringwald stole the
show and went on the become one of the biggest leading women of the 90s.
Photoshopped Promo Poster
Pretty Woman’s iconic poster, in which a scantly clad Julia Roberts is seen tugging
on Richard Gere’s necktie, holds a little secret that you probably were completely unaware
of.
The poster, in fact, was actually a very clever use of photo manipulation.
Shelley Michelle, Julia’s body double for the film, was actually the one striking that
unforgettable pose.
Robert’s head was later superimposed on Michelle’s body.
The Magical Pancake
Right around the 31-minute mark, the audience is presented with a scene that takes place
the morning after Viv's first night at the hotel.
After ordering room service, Vivian is seen eating a croissant before the camera cuts
to a shot of Edward.
When it cuts back, Vivian is suddenly eating a pancake which goes from being partly eaten
to a whole pancake again in a matter of seconds.
While you can chalk this little blooper up to a simple continuity mistake, alternately
you could assume that Vivian had been gifted a magical never-ending hotcake.
But wait, what happened to the croissant?
All Forked Up
In the scene in which the hotel manager goes over table manners with Vivian, he grabs a
salad fork and explains that salad forks always have three tines.
While that’s usually the case, as soon as he places the fork back on the table, you
can clearly see that it actually has four times!
Who knows, maybe the poor guy simply didn’t know how to count.
$3,000
Pretty Woman was initially billed as "$3,000" and early incarnations of the script told
a much darker story.
That working title was a reference to how much Edward paid Vivian for her "companionship".
While that early script's premise was similar to the one that ultimately got filmed, it
differed from the finished product in a number of key ways.
For instance, the film was initially meant to be a gritty commentary on the Los Angeles
sex work scene in the late 80s and early 90s.
Gere described the initial plot as being dark and depressing as well as a “horrible”
and “terrible” story about two very unlikable characters.
Additionally, his character was supposed to be a drug addict.
The original ending of the film was also very dark and quite different from what audiences
actually wound up seeing.
In the original script, Vivian's friend Kit dies of an overdose and Edward throws Vivian
out of his car along with the money he paid her for the weekend.
Random Rubbers
At the hotel, When Viv and Edward first sit down and chat in their room, Roberts shows
Gere an assortment of colorful condoms.
The order of said brightly-hued contraceptives changes between the shots facing her front
and the shots facing her back.
Dirty Feet
After exiting the shower, Vivian, while wearing a bathrobe, jumps on the bed.
You can clearly see, however, that the bottoms of her feet are still dirty, but since her
hair is wet and she’s wearing said robe, it’s implied that she has just taken a shower.
But who knows, maybe she just missed a spot.
Say Hello To My Little Friend!
Al Pacino, best known for his roles in films like Scarface and The Godfather, evidently
turned down the role of Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman.
Pacino also allegedly turned down several other iconic roles, including a part in Die
Hard and Apocalypse Now.
Julia Won Gere Over
Richard Gere turned down the movie several times before finally accepting it.
He was not interested in playing a corporate raider, and he thought the script was too
shallow for his tastes.
He changed his mind, however, after meeting Roberts and experiencing their chemistry.
Robert’s Improv Sing-a-Long
The famous scene where Vivian sings along to Prince’s Kiss in the bathtub was improvised
by Roberts.
She was actually listening to the song on a Walkman and forgot that the cameras were
rolling.
Interestingly, when Vivian is singing that song, the Walkman is first seen lying on the
right side of the tub with its wires resting against the tub’s edge.
When the shot cuts from Edward back over to Vivian, the Walkman is suddenly sitting in
a different spot and the headphone wire is dipping into the water.
Pricey Prop
Sometimes as a filmmaker, you gotta go all in if you want to come across as authentic.
The necklace that Edward gives Vivian in the film was actually worth a whopping $250,000
and had to be guarded by security at all times.
The necklace was made by French jeweler Fred Joaillier and featured 23 pear-cut rubies
set in diamonds and hearts.
Boldly Going Where Others Have Gone Before
The polo match that Vivian and Edward attended was filmed at the Will Rogers State Historic
Park in Pacific Palisades, California.
The park was also used as a filming location for other memorable movies such as Gone with
the Wind and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
A Case Of The Sniffles
Sometimes stars have to put up with quite a bit for the sake of cinema.
Julia Roberts reportedly had a nasty cold during most of the filming of Pretty Woman.
She had to blow her nose constantly and use a lot of makeup to hide her redness.
Can you imagine such a thing flying today in post-Covid Hollywood?
All Tied Up
During the scene where Vivian is watching I Love Lucy, she gets up and goes over to
Edward and undoes his tie before going to get a pillow.
In the very next shot of Edward, his tie is done again, but a second later, it suddenly
goes back to being undone.
There is another blooper in the movie involving a tie.
In one scene where Edward is getting ready for work, he puts on a blue tie with white
dots.
In the next scene where he meets his lawyer Philip, he is wearing a different tie with
red stripes.
Julia Wowed The Mouse House
Julia Roberts auditioned twice for the role of Vivian.
She impressed director Garry Marshall with her smile and laugh, but she had to convince
Disney executives that she could play a prostitute.
Can you imagine having to prove to Disney of all companies that you make a decent escort?
Right Off The Streets
Who says you gotta be a big spender to make a blockbuster?
One major costume that Vivian wears in the film was bought right off the street.
The red dress that she wears to the opera was purchased by costume designer Marilyn
Vance from a shop on Hollywood Boulevard for $30.
Based On A True Story?
While clearly taking a few cues from the classic tale of Cinderella, the movie was inspired
by a real-life story of a Hollywood prostitute who fell in love with a wealthy businessman.
Screenwriter J.F.
Lawton based his script on an article he read about a woman named Dawn Steel who worked
as a call girl and later became a film producer.
Unexpected Guests
The movie features several cameo appearances by famous actors and celebrities.
For example, Larry Miller plays the boutique manager who helps Vivian shop, Hank Azaria
plays the detective who investigates Kit’s overdose, and Jason Alexander plays Edward’s
lawyer Philip.
Good Catch
In the scene where Edward and Vivian are having dinner at a fancy restaurant, she accidentally
flings an escargot across the room with her fork.
The waiter catches it and says, "It happens all the time".
This was not scripted but improvised by actor Allan Kent.
Nice Save
When you're working in Hollywood, sometimes you just got roll with the punches.
If you flub a line, just keep going like nothing happened.
At the very worse, you'll have to do another take, but if no one notices, you're in the
clear.
In the scene where Vivian and Edward are fighting in the hotel after Philip tries to assault
her, Roberts messes up her line and looks at the camera nervously before continuing
with her performance.
Did you catch her mistake the first time you saw the movie?
Nope, neither did we.
Well, we're just about out of time for this one, but we'd love to hear from you.
Did you notice any of the bloopers we covered in this video, and can you think of any others
that we missed?
Let us know in the comments.