Movie Lines

The Fugitive

Some of the best scenes have come from times when actors completely forgot their script. First, we're starting with The Classic Movie Lines Never Meant For The Final Cut Fugitive starring both Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Think back to when Ford's character was running from the authorities like Jones' character, since he was being pursued for a murder he didn't commit. At a tense moment, Ford screams out that he never murdered his wife. To that Tommy Lee Jones butchered his line and responded, "That isn't my problem." instead of, "I don't care."

Midnight Cowboy

Perhaps, this flawless line slipped right past you during Midnight Cowboy, but sure enough it was actually unscripted. During the shoot, a taxi driver didn't realize it was a live set and missed the signs warning about the shoot. Next thing they knew, both Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight almost got hit by the taxi! That's the reason Dustin Hoffman shouted out, "I'm walking here!" The more you know.

 

Ghost

Of course, we all remember Academy Awarding Whoopi Goldberg for her role that won her the acclaimed award in Ghost. Goldberg played the psychic that Molly (Demi Moore) used to contact Sam (Patrick Swayze). However, it was all Whoopi when she added in some urgency about Sam's killer being at large. Going off the cuff, she added in, "Molly, you in trouble, girl!"

A Few Good Men

Sure, more than one moment stand out from the incredible film, A Few Good Men. I mean, the film had a whole cast of stars from Demi Moore to Tom Cruise and Kevin Bacon and the legendary Jack Nicholson. Anyway, we have to bring your attention to one particular line from Colonel Nathan R. Jessup (Jack Nicholson). This actor invented his response to the court order of telling the truth with the oh-so famous line, "You can't handle the truth!"

 

When Harry Met Sally

As far as romcoms go, Rob Reiner made a cult classic with When Harry Met Sally, no question about it. In one scene, Harry (Billy Crystal) tells Sally (Meg Ryan) the following, "I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie." Turns out that line was not part of Nora Ephron's original script. However, Meg Ryan cracked up and actually, director Reiner love the improvisation too.

The Dark Knight

The late and amazing actor Heath Ledger practiced method acting for preparation to play the Joker in The Dark Knight. Now, this one is a bit different than our others. Ledger didn't exactly improvise a line, it was more of a moment. It came when he heard about Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) getting promoted. At that moment, Ledger began a slow and sarcastic clap all on his own accord! Wow, what a legend!

Deliverance

Wow, nothing is quite as chilling as watching Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ned Beatty and Ronny Cox play characters who get attacked by violent hillbillies in the deep woods of Georgia. Wow, remember back when Burt Reynolds and Sally Fields were dating? Okay back to Deliverance. Of course, the most intense scene is right when the four of them get surrounded by the wild and aggressive hicks. Just then, one yelled out, "Squeal like a pig." and Bobby (Ned Beatty) in fact obeys. There's much argument surrounding who came up with this line, but anyway, it became iconic.

Good Will Hunting

Ah, Matt Damon and the beloved Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, such a classic! Matt played the janitor Will who turns out to be a genius. Damon and Williams' characters become so close that Damon goes to him for everything, even dating issues. Anyway, just around the end of the movie, Robin Williams reads out a letter that Damon's character wrote to him. In it, it reads, "I had to go see about a girl." Then, Williams himself improvised his witty retort, "Son of a b*tch! He stole my line!" RIP, what a legend!

Being John Malkovich

Yes, Being John Malkovich is a very off-beat film, so it's not surprising that a really random occurrence made it into the final cut. During one scene, an inebriated extra chucked a can directly at John Malkovich's head and even screamed, "Hey, Malkovich! Think fast!" Watching how the entire thing went down, the director really liked the way this chance encounter turned out and kept it.

The Usual Suspects

Now, some directors do allow their actors to freely improvise, but others like Brian Singer like to stick to the script. Thus, while he directed The Usual Suspects it was rare he let the actors go off-script. However, there is one iconic scene in which Singer allowed them complete freedom. Think back to the line up scene it was totally improvised. So yes, even the part where someone farted and then the officer told Del Toro, "in English please." Amazing.

Goodfellas

Honestly, besides The Godfather trilogy what could be a more classic gangster film than Goodfellas? Also think back to the cast, there was Lorraine Bracco, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and of course, Joe Pesci. Perhaps, the best improvisation came from Pesci in the role of Tommy. During this moment we're speaking of, Tommy was infuriated that he got called a ‘funny guy.’ Then, Joe Pesci invented his famous line, "Do I amuse you?" Whoa!

The Silence of the Lambs

Naturally, when you think of Anthony Hopkins, it's hard not to picture him as Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs. Hey, it wasn't just his superb acting that made it such a chilling performance. You probably never realized, but much of his character's ticks were invented by the actor himself. Of course, we have to point out that moment when he tells Jodie Foster's character about eating human liver with, ´fava beans and a nice Chianti.` While they rehearsed that scene, Anthony Hopkins came up with that frightening hiss. Now, it’s inseparable from his character.

The Warriors

Naturally, watching David Patrick Kelly play Luther was one of the highlights of The Warriors. Anyone thinking of the line, "Warriors, come out to play!" you're exactly correct. Never part of the script. Kelly not only invented that line but repeated it again when he decided to claw three bottles in his hand. Clearly, the director had to keep that in the final cut!

Blade Runner

Harrison Ford makes our list again for starring in this film, but actually the other star, Rutger Hauer is responsible for this moment. Anyway, this moment happened during the very final scene of Blade Runner. First, Rutger Hauer did not stray from the original script, but then he chose to deviate. Soon, his speech became the now famous `tears of rain´ speech, which was totally improvised. Amazing!

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

No, we aren't bringing up Harrison Ford again to chat about how he began dating Calista Flockhart and how happily married the two are now. (Even though we love them together!) Anyway, let's talk about that epic face-off with the swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The original script called for some very complex and intense fight choreography. Unfortunately, Ford was sick with a stomach bug only days before they were to shoot the scene. He had to ask Spielberg to tone it down, thus, came that singular shot. Now, everyone celebrates it as one of the best Indiana Jones moments!

RoboCop

At times, directors feel it's best to withhold some information from the rest of the cast so that they can capture the most genuine reactions. Thus was the case when Kurtwood Smith told director Paul Verhoeven about improvising a line. Both Smith and his director chose to surprise the cast during the scene where Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith) was taken by the police after RoboCop beat Boddicker. So when Kurtwood Smith shouts out, "Give me my f***in´ phone call," the entire cast was actually in shock.

A Clockwork Orange

Even outstanding and experienced directors like Stanley Kubrick can hit a brick wall sometimes. Well this happened while filming the scene in A Clockwork Orange where Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his friends break into a woman's home and attack her. Kubrick didn't love how the scene was coming out, take after take. Thus, he told McDowell, "Just do whatever you want." That's when McDowell broke out into the famous, "Singing in the Rain."

Full Metal Jacket

Speaking of Kubrick, he adapted his own screenplay to the film, Full Metal Jacket. Things took a bit of a turn from his direction with R. Lee Ermey playing the drill sergeant. Actually, Kubrick knew that Ermey was the perfect fit after Ermey sent in a tape of himself going off on Marines. After Full Metal Jacket came out, Stanley Kubrick revealed that R. Lee Ermey improvised around half of his character's lines.

This is Spinal Tap

A film like This is Spinal Tap wasn't supposed to be taken so seriously with its fake UK band and Americans pretending to be 80's rockers. Most of the movie was actually the cast inventing stuff. Since the actors came up with so much of the film, they were credited as writers. So yeah even, "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever," was improvised.

Dr. Strangelove

Apparently, they almost called Dr. Strangelove, "How I Learned to Stop Worrying About the Bomb." From the very beginning, this film was made as an absurdist piece. The film centered on nuclear war paranoia. Actually, the movie team chose to not write a standard, full script. All of the cast improvised and created something called a ´retro-script′ where they combined those lines. However, the film’s most iconic thing has to be the Nazi salute from Dr. Strangelove.

The Shining

Again, we've got a Kubrick classic with The Shining, adapted from the Stephen King novel. Seeing Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) delve into insanity while working as a winter caretaker in an isolated hotel was chilling. Now, this thriller had tons of memorable moments, but we're talking about the part where Jack axes the door to get to his wife and son. Just as Jack peered into the bathroom in the crack he made, Nicholson adjusted his line to, "Heeere's Jonny!" Nicholson used this as a little tribute to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Young Frankenstein

Another flick with Gene Wilder, we have the hysterical Mel Brooks movie, Young Frankenstein. However, we aren't here to talk about Wilder this time, but rather actor Marty Feldman. Feldman played Igor in the film, and Brooks was more than happy to let him and the rest of the cast improvise. Thus, Feldman invented the famous, "What hump?" However, the best part had to be that Feldman even adjusted the hump while asking. Brooks loved this addition and kept it in the movie!

Animal House

From National Lampoon to Animal House, it's really not a surprise that this talented cast got to use their background from improv theater to invent lines. When the legendary actor John Belushi had that scene in the cafeteria, he went off script for the entire thing. It was all Belushi as he shoveled food into his mouth and pressed on his cheeks, squeezing out the food. Then of course, he added, "I'm a zit- get it?"

Dumb and Dumber

From their innocent involvement in crime to dating, both Lloyd (Jim Carrey) and Harry (Jeff Daniels) are hysterical to watch in Dumb and Dumber. Naturally, all fans of the film cannot forget when these best friends decide to play tag in a car while driving to Aspen. It was then that Lloyd decided to make what he thinks is the ‘most annoying sound in the world.’ Turns out Carrey pulled that one off all on his own.



The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Wow, The Lord of the Rings is honestly one of the best franchises to ever exist. Anyway, we're going to talk about the very first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring. During an intense scene, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) thinks his friends, the hobbits Pippin and Merry, have been killed. After seeing a smoldering body, his grief is ignited. While in the height of his emotions, he even kicked a helmet. However, his screaming was about as authentic as it gets considering the actor actually broke his toe from that kick. OW!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Well, this is not the time to debate if the characters dating life was the right choice by Rowling. Moving on from dating controversy, let’s get to the second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets during the scene where Molly and Arthur Weasley argue about disciplining the boys after their joy ride in the enchanted car. After Mrs. Weasley yells at them, Arthur Weasley (Chris Rankin) seems a bit jealous of their joy ride. After the film came out, Rankin revealed that every one of the 13 or 14 takes had a different response from his character. Yet, the one that made it to the final cut was, "What exactly is the function of a rubber duck?"

Ghostbusters

Rick Moranis began his career at Second City, Chicago's famous improv group that turned out countless SNL stars. Thus, it's only natural that he improvised in his role for Ghostbusters. It was only after director Ivan Reitman spoke about the process, did we hear how truly talented Moranis was in the role. Apparently, he totally improvised that speech at the party. Director Reitman explained, "Rick just made all of it up as he was doing it." Such a natural!

Caddyshack

Once Bill Murray left SNL, the star continued to make fans laugh with hit movies like, Caddyshack. Remember the amazing monologue about the Dalai Lama in the film? Yes, that whole thing was actually made up on the spot by the comedic genius Murray. Oh and yeah, he also came up with the Cinderella one too. The script simply read, "Carl cuts off the tops of flowers with a grass whip." Wow, he's unbelievable.

Aliens What's rare about Aliens is that even the sequel was so outstanding, many felt it was even better than the original movie. Anyway, actress Sigourney Weaver starred in Aliens with Bill Paxton playing Private Hudson. That famous line of "Game over, man," was actually never in the script. Clearly, Paxton truly earned that Saturn Award forhis role as Private Hudson.

Tootsie Now, this film starred both Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray so basically it was a guarantee hit. Even though Hoffman was the lead, Bill Murray was an outstanding supporting actor as the roommate named Jeff. Knowing about Murray's knack for improvisation, director Sydney Pollack let him invent a monologue for the party. There's no need to tell you that his resulting speech was impeccable. Oh and the whole cast never knew what was coming, which makes it all the better!

The Devil Wears Prada What do you think" is Miranda Priestly in the top five of Merly Streep performances? Wow, it's so hard to choose with such an extensive list of amazing performances. Anyway, while Streep was playing Miranda she got completely into her character and invented some of her own lines. It was the actress herself who came up with, "Everybody wants to be us." Wow, totally iconic.

The Godfather

Not many films can compare to the epic gangster film, The Godfather. Of course, we have to focus in on that scene where Paulie Gatto (Johnny Martino) had to go assassinate Don Corleone. Yes, things got a little crazy and Paulie dies. Now, for the mind blowing part"actor Richard Castellano came up with his own special touch to his line, "leave the gun," when he added in, "take the cannoli." Iconic.

Titanic

Now to the James Cameron hit, Titanic. The very first scene they began filming was the one where Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) draws a nude Rose (Kate Winslet). Wow, must have been an intense start to their filming! Anyway, it was Leo who messed up his line and made a mistake that Cameron ended up loving. Maybe you forgot but he said, "Go lie on the bed", "I mean the couch." He was just supposed to tell her to go lie on the couch.

Lost In Translation

Well, it sure took long enough for fans to finally watch Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray's characters kiss in Lost In Translation. That last scene was initially supposed to be an embrace, and not a kiss but Bill Murray then chose to whisper something into Scarlett's ear. That's when the two costars realized a kiss would be more appropriate. However, no one knows exactly what he even said, since there was nothing in the script. Apparently to honor the film, Bill Murray has since claimed only he and Scarlett will ever know what was said.

Pretty Woman

Julie Roberts truly became a star once she starred in Pretty Woman with Richard Gere. No need to rehash the plot of this classic film, but maybe you forgot the scene where Edward (Gere) gifts Vivian (Roberts) with a necklace. At first, when he is presenting it to her, Vivian reaches out but then Edward just shuts the box really fast. Well, the actor Richard Gere actually did this as a bit of a prank on his costar. Roberts loved the way it turned out and thought his little improvised move was hilarious!

Forrest Gump

Yet another movie that's classic and oh so quotable! There's probably too many memorable scenes for you to guess which moment was improvised. Well, it's the scene where Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) meets Bubba (Mykelti Williamson). On the spot, Tom Hanks just said, "My name is Forrest Gump. People call me Forrest Gump." Sure enough, the director, Robert Zemeckis, loved this stroke of genius and kept it in the film.

American Beauty

Sam Mendes, who directed American Beauty, really gave his actors freedom while shooting. Believe it or not, that famous dinner scene was completely unscripted. Sure, the stars got a rough frame, but they truly took the reigns with the scene. Thus, all the flying plates and shocked reactions were pretty authentic!

Reservoir Dogs

Whenever we hear "Stuck in the Middle With You" we always think about Reservoir Dogs. So, yeah about that graphic scene where Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) cuts of the ear of Nash (Kirk Baltz). It was all Maden with, "Can you hear that?" and witty retorts and even bizarre dancing. He improvised that whole thing, including speaking into the ear.