Untold Truths Behind The Entertainment Industry
Exploring the inner workings of the entertainment industry is often shrouded in secrecy, but now, long-kept secrets about Hollywood strikes and labor negotiations are coming to light.
In this article, we share a look behind the scenes to uncover the truth about the 2023 SAG & WGA strike and look back at the 1960 strike, which was the last time Hollywood completely shut down, while also revealing some little-known facts about iconic films.
Fox Ended Edison's Monopoly Of Filmmaking
Before William Fox started a rival motion picture patents company, Thomas Edison had attempted to monopolize the film industry by charging royalties to directors using his film projectors.
After exhibiting patience and ingenuity, Fox successfully challenged Edison's dominance, setting the stage for the 20th Century Fox and Fox Corporation we know today.
The Last SAG & WGA Strike Closed Hollywood For 6 Weeks
The 1960s SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike, Hollywood's last major strike, lasted for six straight weeks. Actors and writers demanded higher pay and fair residuals for their work amid the industry's financial growth.
Hollywood's film studios faced production delays and public backlash before reaching an agreement, leading to significant reforms in the entertainment industry.
The 1960 Hollywood Strike Included Stars Like John Wayne
The 1960 SAG and WGA strike stopped work on eight movies, preventing future Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Sean Connery, Bing Crosby, and John Wayne from shining.
Movies affected during the six consecutive weeks include The Wackiest Ship in the Army, Butterfield 8, Go Naked in the World, and Let's Make Love.
The 2023 SAG & WGA Strike Attacked Giants Like Sony And Netflix
In 2023, the SAG and WGA strike united 160,000 members against Hollywood executives' growing reliance on AI technology in films and TV series. Writers feared the threat of AI-generated screenplays, while actors worried about unauthorized digital use of their likenesses.
Sony, Universal, Netflix, and Amazon were among the targeted companies, causing production disruptions and industry-wide debate.
"We Are The Victims Here"
Fran Drescher has been a strong advocate for members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). In 2023, as elected president of the union, Drescher leveraged her celebrity to support her organization during the strike with some fierceness. Dresher said, "We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity."
She has spearheaded campaigns to fight for better pay and improved working conditions for her members.
Susan Sarandon..."It's Going To Be Up To Us At The Bottom."
Susan Sarandon participated in the 2023 Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists strike and has voiced her support publically for the SAG and AFTRA.
Sarandon said, "It's clear that nothing is going to change from the top down. It's going to be up to us at the bottom."
"Hollywoodland" Was Once The Iconic "Hollywood Sign"
The iconic Hollywood sign was erected by Harry Chandler, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, in 1923 to promote real estate development.
Over the years, it evolved into an enduring symbol of the glamorous film industry when it was changed from "Hollywoodland" to "Hollywood" in 1949. It stands on Mount Lee, Los Angeles.
Samuel Jackson Needed A Purple Lightsaber To Stand Out
At first, director George Lucas refused Samuel Jackson's request for a purple lightsaber for the battle scenes in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, claiming it would be too confusing.
However, Jackson argued, and eventually, Lucas reluctantly granted the request so that Jackson could more easily distinguish his lightsaber from the other colors in the scene.
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Used 40 Real Squirrels
In the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory directed by Tim Burton, 40 live squirrels were employed during filming, showcasing their talents as furry forest critters.
Over a span of 19 weeks, these clever creatures were trained to skillfully open nut shells, perch on stools, and even position themselves on a conveyor belt. The movie's star was Johnny Depp, portraying the eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.
Pumpkins Rubbed Together Made The District 9 Voices
For fans of District 9 curious about the fascinating voice effects in the film, the creative process involves a unique combination of techniques.
The distinctive voices are achieved by combining the sound of rubbing pumpkins together to create otherworldly sounds, incorporating clicking noises, and the talented actors skillfully using their natural voices to bring the characters to life.
Sam In Casablanca Couldn't Really Play The Piano
Dooley Wilson played the role of Sam, the affable piano player in Casablanca. Despite being an avid drummer, Wilson could not play the piano himself, but instead, he mimed the scene while following an offscreen pianist.
Humphrey Bogart's famous line "Play it, Sam" remains an indispensable part of pop culture even to this day.
Toto Earned More Than The Wizard Of Oz "Munchkins"
In a peculiar disparity, the cast of The Wizard of Oz who portrayed "The Munchkins" faced inequity as they were paid a mere $50 per week, but the adorable canine star, Toto, a Cairn Terrier, known off-screen as Terry, commanded a salary of $125 per week.
The outrageous wage discrepancy raised eyebrows, highlighting the peculiarities of the entertainment industry during that era.
The Snapping Necklace Case In Pretty Woman Was Improvised
In the iconic film Pretty Woman, a memorable moment was born when Richard Gere's character, Edward Lewis, spontaneously snapped shut the necklace case, surprising Julia Roberts' character, Vivian Ward.
Unbeknownst to Roberts that Gere improvised the gesture, resulting in her genuine and delighted reaction. The producers recognized the magic of the unplanned scene, preserving it in the final cut.
Top Gun Spiked Navy Recruitment By 500%
The 1986 movie Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise in the role of Maverick, a talented Navy pilot, achieved unprecedented success, leading to a remarkable 500% surge in naval aviator recruitment applicants.
Its gripping portrayal of aerial dogfights and the pursuit of excellence at the elite fighter weapons school inspired countless individuals to chase their dreams of becoming naval aviators.
Black Panther Costumes Match The African Flag
The costumes of T'challa, Okoye, and Nakia in the Black Panther casino scene featured the colors of the Pan-African flag, black, red, and green.
This was likely purposefully included by the film's producers to draw attention to the influence of African culture on the movie and to create further unity among the audience.
Ford & Connery Go Pantless In Indiana Jones The Last Crusade
Harrison Ford and Sean Connery were shooting a scene for Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade in 1989 while filming in Almería, Spain.
For comfort in the hot weather, they shot the scene while seated at a table with their upper halves in costume and their lower halves almost completely bare. The camera followed them from the table upwards.
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho Showed The First Toilet Flushing
The classic American movie Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, was the first to show a toilet flushing on the big screen.
The famous shower scene where Marion Crane meets her demise after the one which included the toilet flushing has been regarded as one of the most iconic scenes in cinema.
Real Math Equations Were Featured In The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a popular sitcom beloved by many for its hilarious cast of characters and witty dialogue.
It often features accurate math and science equations in the background of their sets which have been authenticated by a professor of Particle Physics who served as a consultant to the show.
Keanu Reeves' Stunt Double Turned Director
Chad Stahelski, the director of the John Wick series, was also Keanu Reeves' stunt double in The Matrix.
He had prior experience in stunts and stunts coordination, which properly prepared Stahelski to take on the intense martial arts scenes in John Wick while understanding the unique physicality of lead actor Keanu Reeves.
Gone With The Wind Almost Cut Its Most Iconic Line
The iconic line "Frankly, my dear..." from Gone With the Wind, directed by Victor Fleming, almost faced censorship. Due to the inclusion of foul language at the end of the phrase, censors initially objected, but it was eventually permitted.
Despite the controversy, the line became a classic and holds a significant place in Hollywood history.
Only One Woman's Been Nominated For A Cinematography Oscar
As of 2023, Kathryn Bigelow is the only female director to win an Oscar for Best Director for her 2009 film The Hurt Locker. But Rachel Morrison also made history when she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on Mudbound.
It starred Jason Mitchell, Mary J. Blige, Garrett Hedlund, and Carey Mulligan. The story follows two families on a Mississippi Delta farm.
Sean Connery Wore A Toupee In Every James Bond Movie
Sean Connery starred as James Bond in seven 007 films. Connery wore a toupee in each of his films due to balding, which he admitted started at age 17.
His iconic Bond role saw him in classics such as Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, and Never Say Never Again.
Using A Crutch Left Laura Innes With A Spine Curvature
Laura Innes used a crutch as an aid for her character, Dr. Kerry Weaver, on the popular television show ER. Weaver was depicted as having a slight disability, and the crutch made her appear like she experienced more difficulty walking than she actually did.
After over a decade of playing the role, Innes developed a real-life spine curvature from using the crutch for so long.
Jurassic Park's Dinosaur Sounds Were Turtles
During the making of Jurassic Park, the challenge of finding sounds for an unprecedented subject like dinosaurs led to a unique solution. The filmmakers used recordings of turtles mating to create the distinct communication sounds of Velociraptors.
This creative approach added an authentic touch to the prehistoric creatures' interactions. Sound designer Gary Rydstrom won two Academy Awards for his work on the film, sound design, and mixing.
Stars Wars Nearly Was Known As "The Star Wars"
Originally named The Star Wars, the franchise dropped the prefix before releasing its first movie. Directed by George Lucas, the inaugural film titled Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope hit theaters on May 25, 1977.
The iconic space opera launched a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences worldwide through streaming, merchandising, video games, and conventions.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Considered Casting Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp
Matthew Broderick was the eventual actor cast as the lead role of high school student Ferris Bueller in the comedy classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The character in the film showed a unique and hilarious talent for skipping school and getting into misadventures.
Initially, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Jim Carrey, and John Cusack were considered for the role too.
Tim Burton Squashed Bill Murray's Dream Of Being Batman
In 1989, Warner Brothers initially favored Bill Murray for the lead role of Batman, but when director Tim Burton arrived on set, he firmly declared Michael Keaton as the perfect choice. Burton's vision and Keaton's performance led to the iconic portrayal of Batman.
Burton later directed Batman Returns (1992), and Batman Forever (1995) followed in the series.
Fight Club Stuntman Rehearsed 12 Falls. #1 Was Used
David Fincher, the director of Fight Club, asked stuntman Phil Neilson to do 12 takes of a scene in which his character, who is played by Edward Norton, falls down a flight of stairs.
Surprisingly, Fincher decided to use the first take, despite Neilson going through 12 takes.
Jackie Chan Needed Brain Surgery After Doing A Stunt
Jackie Chan is known for doing many of his stunts himself and has amazed the world with his fearless and daring attitude. An unfortunate accident while filming Armour of God II resulted in Chan requiring immediate surgery. Chan was permanently left with a metal plate in his head.
Other movies Chan is known for are the Rush Hour franchise and The Karate Kid.
Enya Turned Down Composing The Music Of Titanic
James Cameron initially did not want any music on Titanic, but after several requests, he tried hiring Enya to compose the soundtrack. She declined, and American composer James Horner was chosen as her replacement.
Then, Celine Dion sent a demo recording of her singing what would become the film's most iconic song; My Heart Will Go On.
