Doncha just hate it when your pop culture references won’t stay still? For example, are you aware that Humphrey Bogart’s Rick never ever, not even once, said “Play it again, Sam?” The actual line is “Play it, Sam. You played it for her, you can play it for me.” How many people have gotten that one wrong?
So last night, I watched Roman Holiday, to which I make a reference in my WIP. The reference involves capri pants, and wouldn’t you just know it… the one movie in which Audrey Hepburn does not wear capri pants…. (well, other than My Fair Lady). I thought she had it in her contract or something! So annoying.
May 17th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
The good thing is, this is why writers’ cable subscriptions, video rentals, and movie tickets are all tax-deductible. We are required to stay informed.
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Diana:
That is annoying. I would’ve sworn she was wearing them at some point after she cropped her hair.
But that movie? Still one of the best of all time.
Susan
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
One of my favorite lines from White Teeth is along those lines:
The story still clung, like a gigantic misquote, to the Iqbal reputation, as solid and seemingly irrevocable as the misconception that Hamlet ever said he knew Yorick “well.”
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
That was her very first film (other than bit parts), and she had yet to develop that “look” we all know so well. I don’t think the capris appeared until Sabrina, which she did next.
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
“Me Tarzan, you Jane” wasn’t said either. Nor was “Win one for the Gipper.” *sigh* But what can you do? Hell, even Armstrong got his own quote wrong.
But if you hadn’t said anything, I would never have known. *g*
I hope my secret agent doesn’t pass out in the BEA line. The “Tide nor Tolstoy” line took SSG from an “I want ” book to a “Must have now” book. I can’t wait to read it, despite the capri pants.
(Hey, that’s what you could wear to BEA. Like an inside joke. *g*)
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Must clarify: the roman holiday gaffe is from a work in progress. just me and my .doc file — look, now it’s gone.
any mistakes in SSG are pretty much a go at this point. We can have a “goofs” page like on IMDB.
Robin, aint’ it the truth? Wonder if I should deduct netflix.
Susan, I thought so too. So annoying. Maybe my heroine can have it wrong as well, IT can be a shout out to blog readers. I was watching it last night, and there’s this bit at the end before they dismiss the reporters where Gregory and Audrey have this silent exchange with their eyes that is every bit as enimatic and not so ham handed as the one in Lost in Translation. I’m trying to decide if he’s asking “are you going to be all right?” and she shakes her head, or if he’s saying “can we ever see one another again?” and she smiles as if she actually considers it for a moment, and THEN shakes her head. I’m leaning towards the latter.
OMG, Adam, I totally forgot about “well.” I always have to remind myself, when, I uh, remind myself about Shakespeare. It’s “I knew him, Horatio,” right? And yes, yes, I did not miss the WT nudge. I’ll get to it. And Beloved, too.
Nephele, my blog! You came! She won an oscar for it, too. I watched all the special features as well. Rome… so pretty. So going… soon.
Shannon, did you get the “Tide nor Tolstoy” from the messy excerpt of which we shall not speak? that thing annoyes me.
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
[there's this bit at the end before they dismiss the reporters where Gregory and Audrey have this silent exchange with their eyes]
Ahhhh, yes. {sigh}
Hmmm, completely spaced out for a few minutes there, contemplating that pivotal moment. I think you’re right on the latter interpretation.
How on earth can that movie be SO perfectly romantic, when the girl doesn’t even get the guy? Not fair.
Susan
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
Diana–
Yes, you can deduct Netflix. Not kidding. You’re in the story business, and you have to see how other people write their stories. Plus, you’re also in training for when your novels get made into movies. Plus, you write contemporary fiction, so you have to be up on all the latest pop culture.
We love being writers.
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 4:17 pm
Of course I came! I’m here quite frequently, I just don’t always having anything to contribute. And Rome! Love Rome. sigh… Now I want some gelato.
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Diana…there’s room on our cruise (which stops in Rome!)…you guys should come along. ::VBG::
= )
[Reply]
May 17th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Diana – I’m sure for every reader that picks up any pop culture goofs, there’ll be ignoramuses like me who’ll just believe everything you say! *G*
[Reply]