Pretty Woman is one of those movies I can watch again and again. No matter how many times I see it, it always feels fresh and exciting. However, even after countless viewings, I never noticed some funny mistakes and bloopers that could tell a different story about the film.
Disney Changes Everything
Pretty Woman became a beloved romantic comedy that enchanted millions of viewers and catapulted Richard Gere and Julia Roberts to superstardom. But it wasn’t always meant to be this way. The original screenplay, titled 3,000, was written by J.F. Lawton, a screenwriter trying to make a name for himself. In its first version, the story focused on darker themes, like the struggles of society and the impact of corporate greed.
However, everything changed when Disney took over. The company wanted to steer clear of the heavy themes of class and sex work in Los Angeles. Instead, they gave the film a big budget and transformed it into a romantic comedy that would make everyone smile.
Al Pacino Turns Down the Lead Role
It’s hard to picture anyone other than Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, the wealthy businessman from New York who hires Vivian (played by Julia Roberts) to be his escort for a week. The casting process took a while, and Al Pacino was initially in the running for the role of Edward. He even did a reading with Julia Roberts before deciding to turn the part down.
Although Pacino liked the script, he never shared why he decided to pass on it. Later on, he expressed admiration for Roberts, who was still relatively unknown at that time. “I mean, you could tell at the reading, this is going to be good, this is going to be a hit picture. You just knew it,” he said. He also praised Roberts, saying, “This girl was phenomenal.
I mean, I said to Gary, ‘Where did you get this girl?’” (Gary being Gary Marshall, the film’s director). Pacino’s instincts were spot on because Roberts’s remarkable performance would go on to define her career and the film’s legacy.
The Croissant Turns Into a Pancake
In one scene where Richard Gere’s character orders breakfast in the hotel room, there’s a funny mistake you might have missed. It starts with Vivian enjoying a croissant while talking to Edward. But suddenly, in the next shot, the croissant magically transforms into a pancake!
How did that happen? Director Garry Marshall preferred Roberts’ performance when she was eating the pancake, so they decided to keep that footage. However, this created a continuity issue. In one shot, Vivian takes a bite out of the pancake, but in the following shot, it looks completely different with only one bite missing. It’s definitely not the same pancake!
The Truth Behind the Iconic Dress
The costume design in Pretty Woman is often overlooked, but one outfit stands out: the iconic red dress that Julia Roberts wears. This stunning red dress represents Vivian’s transformation and empowerment during a pivotal scene when she accompanies Edward to the opera.
Vogue described the dress as “eye-catching, incredibly sexy without losing an ounce of elegance.” The genius behind this fabulous piece was the award-winning costume designer Marilyn Vance. She created six amazing outfits for Julia Roberts’ character, Vivian Ward, and crafted Richard Gere’s dapper looks as well.
For example, the charming brown-and-white polka dot dress that Roberts wore to the horse race was made from vintage silk discovered in a small antique fabric shop in Los Angeles—talk about recycling in style! And those chic shoes? They were by Chanel!
Richard Gere’s Tie
As for Gere’s wardrobe, it was a lesson in color coordination with brown, navy, and blue-gray suits, all designed by Vance. Now, let’s talk about that famous tie that Roberts snatches from a store employee. According to Vance, it was “nothing special” and not even designer. She picked it up at a shop in Los Angeles for a mere $48.
The tie makes several appearances in the film, and if you watch closely, you might notice it mysteriously changes knots at times. For instance, during the polo match, Edward wears a straight-collar shirt along with the tie that Vivian gifted him, knotted in a half-Windsor. But later, eagle-eyed viewers can spot a change—Edward’s collar shifts to a spread style, and the tie is now in a full-Windsor knot!
An ‘Obscene’ Shopping Spree
When Richard Gere introduces Julia Roberts’ character to the dazzling world of the wealthy, he takes her on a wild shopping spree down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. That shopping trip would have cost Gere’s character at least $30,000, according to designer Marilyn Vance.
Talk about a shopping spree like no other! It was as if they were spending Monopoly money—no wonder Vivian looked overwhelmed by it all!
The Ruby-and-Diamond Necklace Was Real
The jewelry Julia Roberts wore with her stunning red ball gown, a heart-shaped necklace made of rubies and diamonds, was worth a whopping quarter million dollars! Yes, you heard that right. Movie trivia sites confirm that this breathtaking necklace was the real deal. While filming, an armed security guard, hired by the jewelry store, stood watch behind the director to protect this extravagant piece.
The Jewelry Box Scene Was a Practical Joke
The scene where Richard Gere presents Julia Roberts with the luxurious necklace is one of the most romantic moments in cinema, but it has a humorous backstory. Originally, it was intended as a prank for the film’s gag reel.
You might recall how the jewelry box snaps shut on Julia Roberts’ fingers, resulting in one of the most genuine laughs ever caught on camera. Director Garry Marshall explained how he and Gere came up with the idea to play this joke on the young actress. “I said, ‘Richard, you gotta wake her up a little, so when she reaches for the box, slam it.’ It was a soft box. I would never hurt her,” Marshall said.
It wasn’t until the editing phase that they decided to keep the scene in the movie. “We put it in… and it became like the trademark of the movie,” Marshall said. Just like that, an unscripted joke turned into cinematic magic!
Edward’s Disappearing Shoes
As we’ve mentioned, Pretty Woman has some funny mistakes that aren’t easy to catch at first glance, but some sharp-eyed viewers have spotted them. For instance, after they leave the opera and head to the park, Vivian takes off Edward’s shoes. But wait—when he lies down, the shoes magically reappear!
Money in the Boot
There’s another little mystery involving Vivian’s boots that you might have missed. When Edward hands her $100 in the penthouse, she slips the cash right into her boot for safekeeping. But later, after the room service arrives with champagne and she removes her boots, the money has mysteriously vanished. Did it disappear into thin air, or is Vivian just really good at hiding things?
Maybe those boots had a secret compartment, or perhaps the $100 simply decided it didn’t want to stick around for the rest of the film…
Four Colored Condoms
When Vivian offers Edward a selection of colorful condoms, they seem to have a mind of their own. Vivian starts with four neatly arranged options, but in the next shot, the order has completely changed, as if the condoms were dancing around behind the scenes.
Richard Gere Didn’t Like His Character
Richard Gere has certainly reaped the benefits of Pretty Woman—both in terms of his career and his wallet. However, he hasn’t always had a positive view of the film, especially when it comes to his character, Edward. At a film festival in Venice, Gere described Edward as “criminally underwritten.” He added, “Basically, he’s just a suit and a good haircut.”
One particular scene bothered Gere, where Edward plays the piano while Vivian moves closer. Reflecting on it, he quipped, “I mean, no chemistry. This actor and this actress obviously had no chemistry between them… I haven’t seen that in a long time. That’s a sexy scene.”
Director Garry Marshall came up with the idea for the scene after asking Gere what he usually did late at night in a hotel. Gere responded, “Well, I’m usually jet lagged. So I’m up all night, and usually there’s a ballroom somewhere or a bar, and I’ll find a piano and I’ll play.” Marshall then suggested, “Well, let’s do something with that.”
So the scene was essentially improvised, with Gere explaining: “He said, ‘Play something moody.’ I just started playing something moody that was this character’s interior life.”
More Than Just On-Screen Lovers
If you ask anyone, the chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman is undeniable. But the sparks didn’t just fly on camera—they formed a close bond off-screen too. In 2017, Gere shared that he still talks to Roberts “all the time,” and they used to chat “three or four times a day.”
You could say it was love at first sight, in a friendly way. “Yeah, we loved each other immediately. So it was a nice thing,” Gere admitted.
Even director Garry Marshall noticed the connection between them right away. He recalled a moment during their first meeting when he stepped out to use the restroom, leaving the actors alone to get to know each other. “I came out and saw the two of them at the end of a hall, just looking at each other,” Marshall said. “And right there, I thought, look at that chemistry. They don’t know each other, and yet they’re doing great.”
Julia Roberts Convinces Gere to Star in Pretty Woman
Though Al Pacino almost landed the role, it seems Julia Roberts was determined to have Richard Gere as her co-star. Roberts had a good feeling about him after a previous audition and even persuaded Garry Marshall to cast Gere.
Roberts knew they would create something special together, stating, “There’s something about him that is irresistible.” And she was right!
A Happy Ending for Everyone
Despite its ups and downs during the production process, Pretty Woman blossomed into a cultural phenomenon. It combined romance, humor, and unforgettable characters, leaving a lasting mark on Hollywood.
What’s even better? This enchanting movie delivered a sweet message that you can transform your life with a little help from a friend, or, in this case, a handsome businessman who can sweep you off your feet.
In the end, the love story between Vivian and Edward might just remind us that dreams can come true, even if the journey has a few bumps along the way. With its mix of laughter, love, and those humorous blunders, Pretty Woman remains a classic that resonates with audiences worldwide.
