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Rebecca Kelley

First Drafts of Famous Movie Quotes

Published on 15/12/06 in Movies
Ever wonder how screenwriters came up with those infamous movie quotes? Well, I've got the inside scoop on how the lines originally read.

We've all been there before. You're watching a movie that has an infamous movie quote in it. Hell, maybe you haven't even seen the movie, but you still know the line. Those writers couldn't possibly have struck gold on their first attempt at penning such a memorable movie moment, could they? Well, as luck would have it, I happen to know what the first draft versions of some of the most memorable movie quotes in history were...

1. Psycho
    Final version: "We all go a little mad sometimes."
    First draft: "We all dress up like our mothers and go a-murderin' sometimes."

2. The Graduate
    Final version: "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me."
    First draft: "Hells yeah, I'm getting some mommy poon!"

3. Planet of the Apes
    Final version: "Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape."
    First draft: "Oooh, kinky!"

4. Dirty Harry
    Final version: "Go ahead, make my day."
    First draft: "Go ahead, make my sandwich. No crust. Light on the mayo."

5. Gladiator
    Final version: ""My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."
    First draft: "I'm gonna fuck you up."


6. Jerry Maguire
    Final version: "You had me at 'hello'."
    First draft: "You had me at 'I'll marry you so people think I'm straight.'"

7. Sixteen Candles
    Final version: "I can't believe I gave my panties to a geek."
    First draft: "I can't believe I'm already at the height of my career."

8. Gone with the Wind
    Final version: "After all, tomorrow is another day."  
    First draft: "After all, tomorrow is the day after today, and the day before the day after tomorrow."

9. The Godfather
    Final version: "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
    First draft: "I'm gonna make him a quiche he can't refuse."

10. The Wizard of Oz
    Final version: "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
    First draft: "Where the fuck are we?!? And why is everything in color now?"

11. Star Wars
    Final version: "May the force be with you."
    First draft: "Here's a 2-for-1 coupon for Arby's."

12. Taxi Driver
    Final version: "You talkin' to me?"
    First draft: "This mirror makes me look fat."

13. Apocalypse Now
    Final version: "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
    First draft: "I love the smell of my own farts."

14. Citizen Kane
    Final version: "Rosebud..."
    First draft: "Oh, God! The pain! Aiieeeeee!!! I don't want to die!!!!!!"

15. E.T.
    Final version: "E.T. phone home."
    First draft: "E.T. probe deep."

16. The Silence of the Lambs
    Final version: "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."
    First draft: "Hey Clarice, you ever eat someone's ass?"

17. Dr. No
    Final version: "Bond. James Bond."
    First draft: "Bond. Mortimor Eugene Bond."

18. When Harry Met Sally
    Final version: "I'll have what she's having."
    First draft: "Christ, I need a dildo."

19. Jaws
    Final version: "You're gonna need a bigger boat."
    First draft: "I just shit my pants."

20. Terminator
    Final version: "I'll be back."
    First draft: "Anybody know the words to Copacabana?"

21. Field of Dreams
    Final version: "If you build it, he will come."
    First draft: "Oooooh, I'm a ghost in your cornfield!"

22. Forrest Gump
    Final version: "Mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'"
    First draft: "Mama always said, 'You're retarded because God hates you.'"

23. The Sixth Sense
    Final version: "I see dead people."
    First draft: "I see the director's ever-expanding ego."

24. The Shining
    Final version: "Heeeere's Johnny!"
    First draft: "Welcome to the Chevy Chase Show!"

25. Goldfinger
    Final version: "A martini. Shaken, not stirred."
    First draft: "Tequila Sunrise. One umbrella, not two."

26. Top Gun
    Final version: "I feel the need--the need for speed!"
    First draft: "I feel the need--the need for some homoerotic volleyball!"

27. Dirty Dancing
    Final version: "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."
    First draft: "Nobody puts Baby in the--Jesus! Look at that schnoz! You should really get a nose job. Seriously, it'll help your career."

28. Titanic
    Final version: "I'm king of the world!"
    First draft: "I'm an impoverished stowaway!"

29. The Matrix
    Final version: "I know kung fu."
    First draft: "I have a time-traveling phone booth."

30. Showgirls
    Final version: "It must be weird not having anybody come on you."
    First draft: "It must be weird not having anybody come on you."

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20. Terminator
Final version: "I'll be back."
First draft: "Anybody know the words to Copacabana?"


her name was lola......
Written on 15/12/06
Fight Club.
Final version : I haven't been fucked like that since grade school
First version : I want to have your abortion. Written on 15/12/06
Did we watch with the commentary on?? Written on 7/6/07
19. Jaws
Final version: "You're gonna need a bigger boat."

was not on the script to begin with, and was a improv line that stuck.. Written on 15/12/06
When Harry Met Sally
Final version: "I'll have what she's having."
First draft: "Christ, I need a dildo."
The very first draft: "Gimmy two dildos" Written on 10/9/08

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