19 Facts About Old Movies Fans May Not Know

Sarah Kester
Fake snow in The Wizard of Oz
Movie Web | MGM

The movie world is on fire right now. There are so many blockbusters to choose from, whether that's Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar 2, Black Panther 2, or Jordan Peele's new horror flick, Nope.

But what about the films of the past? Iconic movies, such as Casablanca, Titanic, and Toy Story deserve a rewatch and to be discussed.

So whether you're preparing for movie trivia or just want to learn cool facts, here are 19 facts about movies fans may not know.

The line, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" from 'Gone with the Wind' caused some controversy

Romantic couple on bed
IMBd | MGM

While we hear the F-bomb in every episode of Euphoria, "damn" used to be too obscene for movies. Using it cost the producer of Gone with the Wind $5,000!

While making 'Singin' in the Rain,' Gene Kelly once made Debbie Reynolds hide under a piano and cry

Man dancing with umbrella
Giphy

Since she had no formal dance training, he was making fun of her trouble with the choreography. After learning about the incident, Fred Astaire volunteered to help her learn how to dance.

Warner Bros. purchased 'Casablanca' for a record-breaking number

Couple standing close together
CBC | MGM

They purchased the script and all rights for $20,000. Considering the fact that even a dollar was worth a lot more back then, this was huge for them. In comparison, the studio paid $8,000 for The Maltese Falcon.

James Cameron drew the charcoal of naked Kate Winslet in 'Titanic'

He's a man of many talents! First, he directed the legendary film and then he drew the image. In 2011, it even sold for $16,000 at a movie memorabilia auction by Premiere Props.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' was only supposed to air once

A Charlie Brown Christmas dancing around tree
Giphy | Peanuts

This is hard to believe now, considering it airs every December. But at the time, the network executives were certain that the special would bomb. Much to their surprise, it became a smash hit!

Brendan Fraiser almost died while making 'The Mummy'

Brendan Fraiser holding sword
EW | Universal Pictures

Fraser played the dashing Rick O'Connell in the film. His near-death experience happened during an early scene in the film where his character is set for execution by hanging. Sadly, the scene went horribly wrong.

Tippi Hedren was attacked by live birds while filming Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'

Tippi Hedren attacked by birds
Giphy

Poor lady! "It was brutal and ugly and relentless,” Hedren wrote in her memoir about pigeons, ravens, and other birds being hurled at her for five days.

'Toy Story 2' was almost deleted

Buzz and Woody
Giphy | Maudit

"First, Woody's hat disappeared. Then his boots. Then he disappeared entirely," recalled Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull in his book, Creativity Inc.

This all happened due to one line of code! "Whole sequences—poof!—were deleted from the drive."

Kurt Russell's truck in 'Overboard' was the same truck used in 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'

Truck used in two movies
reddit | reddit | u/spellyalewitha6

Hollywood has a long history of reusing props. The truck was used as a work truck in Overboard for Russ, while it tailgated the Griswolds in Christmas Vacation.

The blood from Leonardo DiCaprio's hand injury was real in 'Django Unchained'

Leo smirking in Django Unchained
Giphy

Leonardo DiCaprio accidentally cut his hand open! Instead of stopping to get medical attention, he stayed in character the entire time and even wiped the blood on Kerry Washington's face!

The chef in 'Titanic' was based on a true story

Chef drinking
History of Yesterday | Paramount

The chief baker was Charles Joughin. He was shown drinking alcohol before the ship sank in the water. This was a true fact and one that saved his life as the alcohol kept his body warm in the freezing cold water.

The sales for clownfish surged after 'Finding Nemo'

Clownfish
Unsplash | Sebastian Pena Lambarri

Sadly, this also pushed clownfish to the brink of extinction. "I think a lot of people fell in love with the character Nemo and they wanted one for their aquarium," one researcher told The Huffington Post.

'There Will Be Blood' caused production delays for 'No Country for Old Men'

Huge fire and cloud
Giphy | Tech Noir

The two action movies were filming in the same location at the same time. This meant that the huge smoke cloud from There Will Be Blood messed up a shot in No Country For Old Men.

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze had "zero chemistry" in 'Dirty Dancing'

Baby and Danny dancing on ground
IMBd | Lionsgate

Say it ain't so! In an interview with People, Grey explained that they were forced to be together. "And our being forced to be together created a kind of a synergy, or like a friction."

Bruce Willis suffered two-thirds partial hearing loss while filming 'Die Hard'

Bruce Willis in vent
Giphy | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

This happened when the actor was filming a scene under the table and other actors were shooting blanks. Basically, the sound of the gun was still so loud and close to Bruce's ear.

The real Maria Von Trapp was behind Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music'

Real Maria Von Trapp
reddit | MGM

Did you catch this? She was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. You'll see her in the background at the beginning of the film.

A lot of famous actresses auditioned to play Annie in 'The Parent Trap'

Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap
Giphy

While it's hard to imagine anyone but Lindsay Lohan in the role, Scarlett Johansson, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jena Malone, and Mara Wilson all auditioned.

Jena Malone was offered the part, but she turned it down three times.

Humphrey Bogart stood on blocks and cushions in order to appear taller in 'Casablanca'

Couple in Casablanca kissing
Giphy

The director had him do this since Ingrid Bergman (his character's love interest) was two inches taller than Bogart. What a blow to his confidence that would've been!

The snow in 'The Wizard of Oz' was asbestos

Fake snow in The Wizard of Oz
Movie Web | MGM

Sadly, this is true. Asbestos was used in a lot of old Hollywood movies to give the illusion of snow and other purposes. This was before people knew that the harmful substance could cause cancer.