25 surprising, behind-the-scenes trivia facts about the movie Pretty Woman
Everybody loves the movie Pretty Woman. Is it because we all bought into the dream of a rich guy falling head over heels in love with us and then whisking us away from our pathetic lives to live a fairy-tale life with our Prince Charming, showering us with love, affection and gifts? Is it the undeniably amazing chemistry between just-about-hit-the-big-time actress Julia Roberts and oh-so-sexy Richard Gere? Is it because we all are really just longing to find a guy who sees past our flaws and mistakes and loves us for exactly who we are?
Whatever the reason, the 1990 flick, directed by Garry Marshall, has become a cult classic. Who doesn't remember Vivian trying to eat snails, Edward presenting Vivian with a necklace, those pesky opera glasses, Vivian cheering at the polo match, and that OMG sex scene? And Vivian's outfits — from her hooker getup to her classy brown and white polka dot dress — no one can forget those, right? While most of us can't count the number of times we've watched and rewatched Pretty Woman, we're pretty sure you don't know everything there is to know about the movie. Take a look at the following slideshow and be surprised by the behind-the-scenes secrets.
1. What's in a name?
Pretty Woman was originally titled $3,000 (the amount Vivian was paid for the week). However, the title was confusing to the audience and they thought the movie was about a hooker on the moon.
Photo: Stories Behind The Scene
3. What??
Julia's head was actually superimposed on body double Shelley Michelle for the Pretty Woman movie poster.
Photos: IMDB and aibob.wordpress.com
4. Who said that?
When Richard Gere is asking for directions in the beginning of the movie, you are actually hearing director Garry Marshall's voice because the real actor was out of the country when they had to re-film the line.
Photo: Wikipedia
5. Sitting pretty
Next time you watch the movie, you'll notice that Vivian rarely sits down on a chair. They purposely did that to show Vivian felt more comfortable sitting on the floor or on top of furniture thanks to her profession.
Photo: Cracked.com
6. Why, yes, that IS Jason Alexander!
When Edward fires Stuckey, you can see Richard Gere's tongue moving around his mouth because a crown was knocked off his molar during the scene.
Photo: Out Of Context
7. *jaw drops*
Did you know Pretty Woman is a Disney movie? Shocking!
Photo: The Disney Diva
9. A little Sunday shopping
All of the scenes filmed on Rodeo Drive were done on Sundays since the city has strict filming rules on that street. You can't take away their business hours during the week!
10. About that fancy hotel ...
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel where the movie takes place used to be an Auto Speedway where cars raced. In 1928, the Beverly Wilshire Apartment Hotel opened.
Photo: Hotelable
11. From Dylan to Kiefer
Julia Roberts was only 22 years old when this movie released in March 1990. That month Roberts ended her relationship with Dylan McDermott and started dating Kiefer Sutherland AKA Jack Bauer.
Photo: The Daily Caller
12. A director's fave ...
Hector Elizondo, the hotel manager, and Garry Marshall have worked together on 14 different films including Georgia Rule, Beaches, and The Other Sister.
Photo: Minivan Mama
13. A night at the opera
The original plan was to shoot the opera scene in San Francisco, however, an earthquake forced them to quickly relocate to the history museum by USC.
Photo: The List Love
14. Hey! I know that guy!
Pretty Woman was one of Hank Azaria's first movie roles ever! He played a detective in the flick, and we now know him as David on Friends and many of the voices on The Simpsons.
Photo: HotFlick
16. A magical breakfast
Mistake alert! In the scene after their first night together, Julia is eating a croissant at breakfast. When they cut back to her, she is eating a pancake instead.
Photos: YouTube
18. Real-world training ...
Julia prepared for her role as Vivian by spending two weeks at a free clinic on Hollywood Boulevard.
Photo: Tumblr
19. Thank goodness they changed that.
Originally, Vivian was supposed to be addicted to cocaine and part of the deal is that she isn't allowed to do drugs during the week. Also, at the end of the movie, Vivian was supposed to find Kit had overdosed on drugs while she was with Edward.
Photo:iamtypecast.com
20. Virtuoso!
Richard Gere was actually playing the piano in the movie and he was playing a piece that he composed himself.
Photo: Virgilio.it
21. A family affair
Garry Marshall's son directed the entire polo match scene in the movie.
Photo: Nnumm
22. On-set jitters
During the sex scene, Julia was so nervous that a vein popped out of her forehead. Garry Marshall got into bed with her and Richard and rubbed the vein on her head until it disappeared.
Photo: WikiLove
23. A bit open-ended.
When they filmed the scene with Julia talking about wanting to be a princess who's rescued from a tower, they still hadn't written the movie's ending where Edward "rescues" Vivian.
Photo: Live Journal
24. Where did they get that red coat?
The red coat that Julia has in the beginning of the movie was taken from a movie Usher and only cost $30.
Photo: High-Def News
25. Richard's hair gets the photoshop treatment...
Julia Roberts isn't the only one who was changed to make the cover of the movie. Richard's hair is noticeably darker than the silver mane he has throughout the movie.
Photo: Romance at Random
