I know I say this a lot, but Father of the Bride truly is one of my all-time favorites. When you combine the comedic genius of Steve Martin with the unparalleled wit and timing of Martin Short: good things tend to happen.
Recently, the whole cast got back together for a reunion call . It reminded me that I was due for another rewatch.
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Only this time, I did my research. Have a look and check out these 10+ random facts about Father fo the Bride that fans didn’t know.
*Father Of The Bride* is a remake!
It was shot in 1950 and starred Joan Bennett, Spencer Tracy, and the illustrious Elizabeth Taylor.
The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture . I prefer the Steve Martin version, but I’m biased.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley wore sneakers to her wedding in real-life!
It’s something that she recommends to all brides!
Kimberly says that she wore heels while she walked down the aisle , but once the ceremony was over she had a change of shoes at the ready!
Franck really does exist in real-life.
Kevin Lee is the wedding planner to the stars! He also makes regular appearances on Vanderpump Rules …not that I would know.
When asked how he felt about Martin’s portrayal, Kevin just laughed. According to him, Martin nailed it!
The original Banks home sold in 2016 for an insane amount of money.
The asking price for the nearly 5000 square foot colonial-style home was $1.998 million — and the owners got every penny.
I can’t even imagine what kind of resale value Steve Martin and Martin Short collectively add to a home.
It was the first time Steve Martin liked one of his characters.
Of course, Martin has a love for each and every character he’s ever played. But if you look at the list, there aren’t many with redeeming qualities.
Steve liked playing George because he saw a lot of himself in the character.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley and George Newbern did a series of Hallmark commercials following the film’s release.
Kim was still a relative newcomer and was looking to ride the Father of the Bride celebrity wave as far as it would take her.
In true Hallmark fashion, the commercials are unbearably sweet and incredibly cheesy.
Steve Martin accepted the role of George before ever reading the script.
That’s because there was no script for him to read! At that time, writer Nancy Meyers hadn’t even penned the first draft .
She’s said that it was a career highlight to be able to write with Steve Martin in mind.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley wasn’t the first choice to play Annie.
Originally, the creative team behind Father of the Bride had their eyes set on Phoebe Cates .
You’ll probably remember her from her career-defining role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High . Phoebe was pregnant at the time and was unavailable.
What’s in a middle name?
George’s middle name in the film is Stanley. This is a clever nod to the original 1950’s version of Father of the Bride .
The principal character in that film was named Stanley Banks , not George.
Franck isn’t a fan of Kim Kardashian.
Martin Short appeared on The Talk and was asked (as Franck) what he thought of Kim Kardashian and he didn’t mince words.
“She is not bright, I did her dress,” Franck replied. “She thinks ‘soy milk’ is Spanish for ‘I am milk’.”
Disney wanted nothing to do with Diane Keaton.
Were it not for the film’s creative team of Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, Diane may never have been cast at all.
Her box office track record at the time was waning. Thankfully, Disney conceded in the end.
Steve Martin believes that the film is a perfect story.
It’s hard to disagree with him, Father of the Bride is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. According to Steve, he believes that the magic comes from the film’s ability to convey such powerful emotions through otherwise minor events.
The film helped give Steve Martin validation.
Steve Martin was one of the most popular comedians around in his younger years, but he understood better than anyone that comedy tends to wane as people get older.
He said Father of the Bride showed him that he could still have a career as an adult.
George and Nina Banks really are the best parents in the world.
The amount of money that George and Nina put into throwing their daughter her dream wedding is astronomical.
When all was said and done, it would have cost George and Nina $249,323 .
Steve Martin is a jerk.
While the Banks family prepares for the wedding, George talks about how he won’t allow the wedding to bankrupt him; that he doesn’t want to end up wandering the streets in his bathrobe.
This is precisely what happens to Navin Johnson in what is arguably Steve’s best film, The Jerk .
