Screenplay Games: Trivia: Movie Newsletter Vol. 2

This is the second installation of what we hope are interesting bits of motion picture trivia, legend and other useless stuff brought to you by Movie Time! the game of memorable movie quotes. This information was compiled from numerous sources and is offered to customers and supporters of Movie Time! to make their game playing more enjoyable.

Movie Facts:

The Marine Corps Silent Drill Team performing during the opening sequences of "A Few Good Men" was actually the Texas A&M University Fish Drill Team, one of the best military drill teams in the country.

There is a scene in "A Few Good Men" where Tom Cruise impersonates Jack Nicholson saying, "Every morning, I eat breakfast three hundred yards from four thousand Cubans who are trained to kill me." This was unscripted. After several takes of that scene, Cruise ad libbed the line and it stayed in along with Demi Moore and Kevin Pollack's completely natural reaction to a funny moment.

It was widely reported that in a panoramic scene of the final battle of John Wayne's "The Alamo" (1960) that a yellow school bus could be seen in the background. Sources say this may have been seen in the director's cut but was not in the final released version. Some say there never was a bus, just another Hollywood legend.

Remember the old westerns where the cowboys had great fights, tumbled around, and never lost their hats? The simple reason is that the hats were used to disguise the faces of the stuntmen staging the fight.

The song and dance routine to Putting on the Ritz performed by Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle was one of the many memorable scenes of the 1974 film "Young Frankenstein". That classic scene might never have been in the movie if Gene Wilder had not convinced director Mel Brooks to keep it. Brooks wanted to cut it along with many other scenes because the original film was nearly four hours long. It turned out to be one of the movie's defining moments.

Proper English speaking John Hillerman (Magnum P.I., Blazing Saddles) was born in Dennison , TX and attended The University of Texas at Austin .

As you probably know, movies are shot out of order based on the location, personnel and desired artistic schedule. Then, the final film is edited into the story's logical order. Second time director, George Lucas shot "American Graffiti" in story sequence because the plot takes place in one night and he wanted the actors to be tired as that night came to an end.

"American Graffiti" was previewed in 1973 to a group of young people in San Francisco who gave it positive reactions however, a Universal Studios representative declared the movie unreleasable. Producer, Francis Ford Coppola offered to write a check on the spot for the film but in a compromise, he and Lucas agreed to changes so Universal would distribute the film. By the way, "American Graffiti" is the record holder for highest profit margin of any film over the last 30 years.

Movie Recommendation:

Multi-talented Christopher Guest has performed in, written, composed music for and directed some very funny movies like "This is Spinal Tap", "Best in Show" and this edition's recommendation, "Waiting for Guffman". A cute little movie shot around Central Texas is a kooky look at a small town's community theatre efforts. I also noticed that Christopher Guest played the doctor testifying in "A Few Good Men".

Coming Attractions:

The latest effort from the Christopher Guest crew received excellent reviews at Austin 's South by Southwest film festival. It is called "A Mighty Wind" and should be released this summer. Guest has found a great cast of regulars for films like "Waiting for Guffman" and "Best in Show". Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, Parker Posey, Michael McKean and Michael Hitchcock are on hand once again for this mockumentary of a 60's folk group reunion.

Great Movie Lines:

In what movie will you hear Robert Redford say, "He's one of the greatest animals in the history of...animals."

In what movie does Jack Lemmon say, "Now you've done it. Now, you've done it. You tore off one of my chests!"

What movie does Anne Heche say, "I've flown with you twice and you crashed half the time."

In what movie does Tom Hanks say, "'The Godfather' answers all of life's questions. What to pack for a trip? 'Leave the gun, take the cannolis.'"

If you purchased a Movie Time! game for someone and would like them to receive these follow ups, please send me their e-mail address and we will include them in future mailings.