TRIVIA TIDBITS
Welcome back to Trivia Tidbits. For those of you out of the loop, this is a little compilation of 10 movie related facts that I always find interesting. So without further ado, this weeks are…
1: Tommy Lee Jones was the studio’s original (and preferred) choice to play Snake Plissken in John Carpenter’s “Escape from New York“. The studio was reluctant to cast Kurt Russell, who ultimately got the part, because of his previous work.
2: The scene in “The Master” when Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) gets ethanol out of the torpedo on the ship to drink it, is based on a true story told by actor Jason Robards to director Paul Thomas Anderson.
3: After the film “Wag The Dog” started production and before its release, US President Bill Clinton became involved in a sex scandal and threatened military action against Iraq which mirrored the same story of the film itself. During the filming, Dustin Hoffman, his co-star Robert DeNiro and director Barry Levinson had an impromptu meeting with President Clinton at a Washington hotel. “So what’s this movie about?” Clinton asked DeNiro. DeNiro looked over to Levinson, hoping he would answer the question. Levinson, in turn, looked over to Hoffman. Hoffman, realizing there was no one else to pass the buck to, is quoted as saying, “So I just started to tap dance. I can’t even remember what I said.”
4: Bryan Cranston auditioned for the role of David (played by Will Forte) in “Nebraska” but director Alexander Payne didn’t feel that he was right for the part. Matthew Modine, Paul Rudd and Casey Affleck were also considered.
5: The David Mamet/Al Pacino film “Phil Spector” revolves around the true-life murder of actress Lana Clarkson. Clarkson actually appeared with Pacino in 1983’s “Scarface“.
6: The last name of Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) in “Django Unchained” is a reference to Paula Schultz, the name on the gravestone that The Bride (Uma Thurman) is trapped under in “Kill Bill: Vol. 2“.
7: Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep wanted to make a movie together and “Thelma & Louise” was one of the scripts they considered. Ultimately, they decided to star in “Death Becomes Her” instead.
8: Edward Norton’s father was an attorney for president Jimmy Carter while his grandfather James Rouse, is credited with being the inventor of the modern shopping mall.
9: Danny Trejo’s character in “Predators” is named Cuchillo. Cuchillo is Spanish for knife. Many of Trejo’s characters in Robert Rodriguez movies have been named after knives: Uncle Machete in “Spy Kids” and it’s sequels, Razor Charlie and Razor Eddie in “From Dusk Till Dawn“, “From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money” and “From Dusk Till Dawn 3“. Navajas (Spanish for Blades) in “Desperado“, and he also, of course, plays Machete in “Machete” and “Machete Kills“.
10: Given that he has a penchant towards directing or starring in westerns, it’s interesting to note that Clint Eastwood’s name is actually an anagram for ‘Old West Action.’
So there you have it. 10 esoteric Tidbits to masticate on. Some you may know. Some you may not. If you have any thoughts, stick your donations in the comment box…
(For earlier editions of Trivia Tidbits click here.)
MARKED MOVIES 
March 13, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Tommy Lee Jones as Snake Plissken? No, just no. 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Indeed, Michael. It just seems wrong doesn’t it?
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March 13, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Legendary stuff!!!
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March 13, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Much like yourself? 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Much like my penis!!!
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March 13, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Haha! That’s a matter for Mrs. IPC to comment on!
Flatworms! 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 2:40 pm
She just called me a fucking liar!!!!
: )
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March 13, 2014 at 2:42 pm
Hahahaha!!! I thought she’d have something productive to say… 😀
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March 13, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Old West Action, now that’s a great bit of trivia.
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March 13, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Haha! Cheers Vinnie. I was quite partial to that myself when I heard it. 🙂
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March 13, 2014 at 3:17 pm
great trivia list as always Mark! really enjoyed reading #3, #8 and #10 in particular
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March 13, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Thanks Rob! I loved that Eastwood one myself. It’ll be hard not to think of that whenever I’m watching one of his westerns now. 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Very cool I loved reading this today. Brightened up my morning.
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March 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Glad to be of service! 🙂
These posts are fairly regular so there has been plenty done already and plenty more to come.
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March 13, 2014 at 4:45 pm
Got it! I will go thru your blog and find more. Thank you! Awesome!
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March 13, 2014 at 5:31 pm
Cheers! I hope you enjoy the rest and thanks again for stopping by 🙂
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March 13, 2014 at 4:12 pm
I can’t imagine Kurt Russell not being in those films. That was also a cool fact about Clint Eastwood’s name.
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March 13, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Exactly, Chris! Russell is that movie. It’s one of his most iconic roles.
The Eastwood one’s cool eh? 🙂
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March 13, 2014 at 4:20 pm
That Eastwood one is a belter Mark! Great stuff as always.
Adam.
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March 13, 2014 at 4:32 pm
Cheers Adam! I just came across that Eastwood one myself recently. I love it. What a perfect anagram if ever there was one!
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March 13, 2014 at 5:17 pm
Nice trivia selections here Mark! Wow, I didn’t know Bryan Cranston auditioned for the role of David in “Nebraska.” I like him a lot but I think Payne might be right that he’s not the right fit, it needs a much younger actor for that role. Will Forte was pretty good in it I think, despite usually being a comedian.
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March 13, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Thanks Ruth. Totally agree on Cranston. I think he’s great but Forte done a sterling job in Nebraska. Payne always seems to get his casting choices spot on.
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March 13, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Great tidbits as always, Mark. Absolutely loved 8 thru 10.
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March 13, 2014 at 6:44 pm
Glad to hear it Fernando. You’re rarely disappointed. Thanks, man.
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March 13, 2014 at 7:51 pm
🙂
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March 13, 2014 at 6:45 pm
TLJ as Snake??? No freaking way!!! LOL. Love the Clint Eastwood tidbit too. And Death Becomes Her over Thelma and Louise? Oops!
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March 13, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Yeah, Lee Jones doesn’t quite grab me as Snake either. That’s one of Russell’s best roles.
Oops indeed, on knocking back Thelma & Louise. Streep and Hawn could have been great there. Instead they made a very mediocre movie.
Good ol’ Clint. Try not to share that info with friends the next time your watching one of his westerns. I bet you can’t?? 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Where do you get these tidbits of movie trivia? Always a great read. Tommy Lee Jones as Snake?? Glad that one didn’t pan out.
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March 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm
The trivia is out there, Mark. I have many little pockets to look in 😉 Glad to hear you enjoy them.
As for Lee Jones, that just wouldn’t have worked. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in that role. Russell was great fun!
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March 13, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Here’s another bit of trivia, Uncle Machete from the Spy Kids films is, in fact, the same Machete from those ridiculous Machete flicks as well. 😉
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March 13, 2014 at 10:56 pm
Nice one Chris! I suspected that it might be but I haven’t seen any of the spy kids movies.
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March 13, 2014 at 8:49 pm
You’ve won the Liebster Award! Congratulations 🙂 http://passpopcorn.com/2014/03/13/liebster-award-pass-the-popcorns-first-anniversary/
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March 14, 2014 at 1:25 pm
Hey thanks for that. I did win this before but it’s always nice when someone thinks of you again. If I find the time I’ll pass it on 🙂
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March 13, 2014 at 8:55 pm
Cool trivia on Cranston, he is a wonderful actor but he would be a bit too intense for the part I think, even when he plays lovable guys he is not as innocent as Forte.
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March 13, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Yeah, I totally agree Sati. Cranston is just sublime and has a great range but Forte was perfect in Nebraska. I wouldn’t change him with anyone.
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March 14, 2014 at 5:54 pm
3 is my fave one so far. I’ve seen the movie and it’s great, but even without that trivia piece cracks me up.
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March 15, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Ha! I liked that little story as well. How awkward must that have been? It’s a perfect little piece of info that’s entirely in keeping with the film itself.
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March 15, 2014 at 1:00 am
Some very good stuff yet again. Danny Trejo and his damn knife obsession. He’d be a scary guy to piss off in a bar, I’d say.
Also, had no idea he had a character in Spy Kids named Uncle Machete. That’s pretty intense for what is intended to be a kiddie flick!
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March 15, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Yeah, man. Trejo certainly looks like a bit of a bad ass. I wouldn’t mess with him. 😉 Cheers mate!
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March 15, 2014 at 5:51 pm
Top stuff as always here Mark. You’ve reminded me I really need to watch The Master!
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March 15, 2014 at 8:05 pm
Much obliged Chris! You haven’t seen The Master yet? Man, that was my favourite film from that year. It’s absolutely outstanding.
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March 15, 2014 at 8:35 pm
I’ve got it recorded to watch actually. I remember your glowing review, I’ll try and get round to it sooner rather than later. Always nice to see PSH and keen to see more Phoenix after loving Her.
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March 15, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Hoffman is, as always, fantastic but if your in in the mood for more Phoenix then you’re in for a real treat. The Master is by far Phoenix’s finest performance. I even rank his work as one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from any actor. He really is that good.
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March 16, 2014 at 4:56 am
Hi, Mark:
Good stuff!
I was mightily impressed with Timothy Oliphant (‘Hitman’, ‘Deadwood’, ‘Justified’) supplying the voice of “Legend of The West” (Clint Eastwood) treasure hunting in the desert with a magnetometer and golf cart in ‘Rango’.
Kurt Russell channeled Clint Eastwood for his ‘Escape from…’ films. And John Wayne in ‘Big Trouble in Little Tokyo’.
I’ve been impressed with Bryan Cranston’s work as Hal in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and a complete turn around as Mr. White and “Heisenberg’ in ‘Breaking Bad’.
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March 18, 2014 at 8:39 pm
Hey Jack!
Damn, man. I completely forgot about Oliphant in Rango. I thought the film it’s let was a little disjointed but it did have some memorable scenes.
Spot on about Russell channeling Eastwood in one of his best roles and what’s not to like about Cranston? He’s a phenomenal actor. I don’t think he’d have worked as well as Forte in Nebraska (due to his age) but I reckon Cranston can turn his hand to almost anything.
Thanks my friend! 🙂
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March 18, 2014 at 8:37 am
Another grouping of extremely interesting tidbits! Thank you!
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March 19, 2014 at 10:24 am
Thank YOU, Zoe. I’m glad to hear your still enjoying these.
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March 19, 2014 at 10:48 am
Never gets old! 😛
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March 23, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Old West Action. Huh. That’s pretty interesting.
As are the rest of these facts, none of which I previously knew. I love these posts, Mark. Keep up the great work!
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March 23, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Thanks a lot Josh. It’s always nice to hear that people get a kick out of these. That’s what keeps me going 🙂
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March 27, 2014 at 2:59 pm
3. Ha! That’s priceless. If you’ve made Hoffman speechless, then you know something is up.
5. Never knew that!
9. Nice… love this guy.
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March 27, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Haha! Yeah, I don’t think ive ever seen Hoffman lost for words. To be a fly-on-the-wall with that one.
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