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#10: Sarah Jessica Parker Has Witchcraft in Her Blood
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“Hocus Pocus” (1993) If you’ve seen this Halloween classic, you’ll know that the Sanderson sisters are witches who were executed during the Salem trials. But did you know that Sarah Jessica Parker has familial ties to a real accused witch? Parker, who plays Sarah Sanderson, went on the genealogy-based show “Who Do You Think You Are?” and learned that her 10th great-grandmother was arrested for various “acts of witchcraft.” This included allegedly causing the death of one of her neighbors. It seems that some of that penchant for witchiness was passed down, albeit in a less extreme way. Apparently, Parker really did eat a spider in the scene where Sarah does the same in “Hocus Pocus.”
#9: Tom & Huck Survived the Alabama Wilderness
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“Tom and Huck” (1995) For the kids who grew up with it, “Tom and Huck” is a cherished childhood classic. But for the cast and crew, it’s likely just a reminder of the unpredictable Alabama conditions in which they filmed. Rumor has it that the team dealt with everything from invasive bugs to mulch that caused health problems. This was in addition to the state’s already stuffy heat and frequent thunderstorms. Luckily, the movie came together beautifully nonetheless, with the temperamental environment only helping to add a sense of realism to the adventure story.
#8: The Turtles’ Claustrophobic Costumes
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1990) At the time they were made, the suits for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” were a marvel, created in part by beloved muppeteer, Jim Henson. Unfortunately for the actors, that advanced tech was tightly crammed into those turtle suits - causing the costumes to weigh 48 pounds. Hours on set were grueling, with Josh Pais explaining that he and the other actors often got claustrophobic. Seeing and breathing wasn’t a given, and Pais said it felt like his “blood was boiling.” Things were no easier for the Creature Shop creatives animating the costumes, with airplane radio waves occasionally causing the suit parts to behave wildly. It’s a wonder the movie made it to theaters, but we’re definitely glad it did!
#7: Mike Myers’ Headbanging Headaches
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“Wayne’s World” (1992) The “Bohemian Rhapsody” scene in “Wayne’s World” is often cited as fans’ favorite moment of the movie. But the iconic segment was reportedly derided by its stars during the shoot. During an interview celebrating the film's 25th anniversary, director Penelope Spheeris claimed that the actors complained about the headbanging required of them. It caused literal headaches for Mike Myers! And both stars questioned why so many takes were necessary - because they didn’t find it funny. The movie’s final cut caused further tension between Spheeris and Myers, with the feud eventually leading to a different director being chosen to handle the sequel.
#6: Roald Dahl’s Grimmer Ending
“The Witches” (1990) At the end of “The Witches,” Luke, who was turned into a mouse by a coven of child-hating witches, is turned human again by Miss Irvine. It’s a happy, fairytale ending befitting of the movie’s overall tone. Unfortunately, it was one that author Roald Dahl reportedly didn’t agree with. In Dahl’s original novel, the boy remains a mouse at the end of the story and it’s even stated that he likely has nine years to live. Realistically, even this is a fantastical estimate for a rodent lifespan, as most pet mice only live to about three years old. The kinder ending, as well as a few other major character changes, definitely gave the movie a different overall tone.
#5: Macaulay Culkin’s Unique On-Set Injury
“Home Alone” (1990) Imagine that you’re a nine year old playing the lead role in a blockbuster film - and an adult man bites you. Now imagine that that adult man is acting legend, Joe Pesci. This is what Macaulay Culkin says happened to him on the set of “Home Alone.” When rehearsing for the scene in which Harry and Marv catch Kevin and pin him to the door Pesci bit Culkin’s finger after saying this line. And it wasn’t a little bite either! It gave Culkin a scar that lasted into adulthood. The actor laughed about the experience on “Conan,” but said he was angered when it actually happened. He couldn’t believe anyone would actually bite a kid!
#4: The Imposter Woody
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“Toy Story” franchise (1995-) When it was announced that Chris Evans would be voicing Buzz Lightyear in “Lightyear,” fans (who were also confused by the film’s concept) were outraged. They struggled to accept that anyone other than Tim Allen would be voicing their favorite space ranger. Ironically, Buzz’s cowboy friend has been voiced by an actor other than Tom Hanks for quite a while now – in the extended “Toy Story” universe that is. We’re talking about some shorts like “Lamp Life,” as well as video games and Disney park attractions. In those, Woody is actually voiced by Tom Hanks’ brother, Jim. The two have a similar enough voice that people rarely notice.
#3: The Whale Behind Willy
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“Free Willy” (1993) Most kids don’t give a second thought to the living conditions of “Free Willy”s animal star, but the topic was a hot button issue when the film was released in 1993. The whale behind Willy, Keiko, lived in a tank that was too small and too warm, which was detrimental to his health. The popularity of “Free Willy” thankfully led to him being moved and rehabilitated. He was eventually set free like his on-screen character - but sadly ended up dying as a result in 2003. After a lifetime of living in captivity, he was unable to adapt to the change in environment.
#2: The True Story of Pocahontas
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“Pocahontas” (1995) With the advent of Disney+, Disney began adding warnings before some of their classic films, noting their harmful use of cultural stereotypes. Although films like “Peter Pan” are accounted for, some have questioned the lack of warnings on many of the studio’s more modern offerings. One such film is “Pocahontas,” which took extreme liberties with the true story it drew upon. In real life, the woman nicknamed Pocahontas was a preteen, not a young adult, when colonizers invaded her homeland. She also likely never had a romance with John Smith, and it’s been theorized the marriage she did have to John Rolfe was forced upon her. Disney reportedly declined a meeting with the Powhatan Renape Nation during production, which makes the inaccuracies feel extra unsettling.
#1: The Tragic Death of Judith Barsi
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“The Land Before Time” (1988) The success of “The Land Before Time” resulted in thirteen straight-to-video sequels, beginning with “The Great Valley Adventure.” It would also spawn a popular TV show, and a series of video games. But the movie’s legacy is marked by something much sadder. The young Judith Barsi, who played Ducky, was tragically killed by her own father in July 1988, before “The Land Before Time” was released. She and her mother, who was murdered on the same night, were buried next to each other. Both gravestones are engraved with Barsi’s catchphrase from the much-beloved film.
