Jackie Brown trivia

From The Quentin Tarantino Archives

Trivia

  • Pam Grier had tested for the part in Pulp Fiction (1994) that eventually went to Rosanna Arquette. Quentin Tarantino didn't forget her however, crafting the part of Jackie Brown specifically for the actress.
  • Quentin Tarantino met Robert Forster in a restaurant and handed him the script, saying "You're going to do this, and that's all there is to it". Forster was naturally thrilled, having had a major career slump. This film saw him come back in a big way, even landing an Oscar nomination.
  • When Robert De Niro first got a hold of the script he wanted to play the role of Max Cherry. Quentin Tarantino wanted to work with De Niro but had his heart set on Robert Forster as Cherry, so he gave the role of Louis to De Niro.
  • Probably the least violent of all Quentin Tarantino's movies, as only 9 shots are fired, and 4 squibs of blood are seen used.
  • Quentin Tarantino's first and only film (as of 2013) to be adapted from preexisting material, rather than his own.
  • Michael Keaton reprises his role as Ray Nicolette in "Out of Sight" (1998), also based on a novel by Elmore Leonard.
  • In the first mall scene, Max Cherry is seen exiting a movie theater while the music for the ending credits is playing. This is, in fact, the closing music for the film itself.
  • It was Samuel L. Jackson's idea to give his character the long hair and the braided goatee.
  • Pam Grier didn't expect her long-time friend Sid Haig to play the judge. She started to burst out laughing as she was surprised by Haig because they both starred together in a number of exploitation films, by which this film's style was influenced.
  • Sylvester Stallone originally wanted to play Louis, while John Travolta was the first choice to play Ray Nicollete.
  • Robert Forster didn't even have an agent when Quentin Tarantino handed him the script. Forster had auditioned for the Lawrence Tierney part in Reservoir Dogs (1992) so Tarantino had written the part of Max Cherry specifically for him.
  • In the novel, Jackie Brown (originally Jackie Burke) is white. Quentin Tarantino changed her race solely for the purpose of getting to work with Pam Grier.
  • The white 1980 Honda Civic which Jackie drives, is the same car Butch was driving when he knocked down Marsellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994).
  • The money that's shown in the bag is genuine currency.
  • Spike Lee publicly criticized Tarantino for the frequent use of the word "nigger" in the film. Samuel L. Jackson, previously a frequent Lee collaborator, defended Tarantino in the press. Miramax chairman Harvey Weinstein called Lee in an attempt to mediate between him and Tarantino but Lee refused to speak with Tarantino.
  • In the novel Jackie's last name is Burke. Quentin Tarantino changed her last name to Brown as an obvious nod to Pam Grier's most notable character Foxy Brown (1974) from the film of the same name.
  • Actress Mira Sorvino, who at the time was dating director Quentin Tarantino, can be seen out-of-focus in the back of the courtroom at Jackie's arraignment.
  • On the Special Edition features, Lawrence Bender reveals what $500k in cash actually looks like. Bender goes on to say that Quentin Tarantino insisted on authenticity, hence the actual sum of money.
  • Christina Applegate was considered for the role of Melanie Ralston, but she was under contract for Married with Children (1987).
  • Samuel L. Jackson shot his scenes on weekends as he was concurrently working on Sphere (1998) at the time.
  • Louis and Ordell first appeared in the Elmore Leonard novel The Switch. At age 15 Quentin Tarantino was arrested for shoplifting this book, his one brush with "real" crime. In The Switch, Louis and Ordell kidnap a millionaire's wife only to discover he doesn't want her back, a plot that was used in Ruthless People (1986). In the novel's sequel, Rum Punch, Louis and Ordell complain that the movie producers stole their idea (without mentioning the movie by name).
  • As of 2014 most of the areas shot at the Del Amo Mall have now been demolished for a renovation to be finished in 2015.
  • The Max Cherry Bail Bonds was a real bail bonds office in Carson City, Los Angeles and was demolished in 2008.
  • The movie that is playing in Melanie's house is Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) which stars Peter Fonda, Bridget Fonda's father.
  • The character played by Bridget Fonda, Melanie Ralston, is based on an actual actress, Candice Rialson.
  • The casting director's name is Jaki Brown
  • Tarantino's list for Max Cherry was Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, John Saxon and Robert Forster.
  • In the closing credits, Tarantino gives special thanks to "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" (among others). In the late 70's, Paul Sorvino starred in a TV detective show, Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976). Thus "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" is Paul's daughter and Tarantino's girlfriend, Mira Sorvino.
  • When Ordell Robbie first goes to Max Cherry's office and is asked if he has the cash for the bond, he responds "I got it right here in my brand new raptor bag." Although the logo is partially obscured, it is clearly that of the Toronto Raptors. Actor Samuel L. Jackson was frequently courtside at Toronto Raptor games the season before filming Jackie Brown.
  • The music used in the scene in the mall where Jackie comes out of the dressing room "frantically" looking around for the undercover cops is the same as was used in the chase scene in Coffy (1973), where Pam Grier's title character is running away from the cops.
  • The "N" word is said 38 times throughout the film.
  • When Ordell first meets Max Cherry in his office, clearly visible beyond Max's desk is a large poster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for which Robert Forster's father, Robert Wallace Foster, Sr., once worked as an elephant trainer.
  • The film cast includes two Oscar winners: Robert De Niro and Quentin Tarantino; and three Oscar nominees: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster and Michael Keaton.
  • Before starting in the film, Robert De Niro was originally going to be in the Quentin Tarantino written film True Romance (1993) as Blue Lou Boyle, the superior of the mob that is chasing Clarence and Alabama to reclaim their cocaine from them. But his scenes were ended up cut out of the final film due to changes and running time.
  • The inn where Ordell and Louis have a drink is called The Cockatoo Inn. The neon light letters t-o-o are out, so it spells The Cocka Inn: cocaine, a hint to the bags of cocaine found in Jackie's bag in the beginning of the movie.
  • Another name on the tenant list for Melanie's apartment is "J. Hill", which is a clear nod to director Jack Hill. Hill directed/wrote some of Pam Grier's major roles.
  • According to Quentin Tarantino, 70's actress Carol Speed originally helped out in making this film and was willing to play a small cameo part in the film. At the last minute, Tarantino decided not to use her in the film.
  • One name on the tenant list for Melanie's apartment building is "S. Haig", a reference to Sid Haig, who plays the judge that presides at Jackie's arraignment.
  • Melanie (Bridget Fonda) watches a movie called "The Mad Dog Killer", starring Helmut Berger. She also mentions the actor by name. Fonda and Berger had previously started together in The Godfather Part III (1990).
  • The book Max Cherry is reading when Jackie comes out of jail is "Berlin Game" by Len Deighton
  • During the interrogation scene where Jackie is taken into custody - Det. Dargas stated that anyone in possession of over $10,000 should declare it to U.S. Customs - this is based on the regulations coded by the Internal Revenue Service. It is against IRS regulations for an individual to carry over $10,000 in currency (in this case, a cash transaction) without reporting it to U.S. Customs when entering the United States. This is codified under Federal Law under 31 U.S.C. 5316 and Treasury Department regulations (31 CFR Chapter X) - individuals who enter the United States with over $10,000 in cash (or other monetary instruments e.g. stocks, bonds) must file a FinCEN 105 document. FinCEN is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is a division of the Department of the Treasury.
  • Hugh Dillon auditioned for the part of Ray Nicolette.
  • When Melanie is watching a movie on TV, Ordell says: "Is that Rutger Hauer?" He is the most famous Dutch actor, known for many action movies. (It wasn't Rutger Hauer in that movie.)
  • Director Cameo: Quentin Tarantino: electronic voice on Jackie's answering machine.
  • Director Trademark: Quentin Tarantino: [bare feet] Melanie is barefoot in all the scenes that take place in the apartment.
  • When Ordell Robbie first goes to Max Cherry's office and is asked if he has the cash for the bond, he responds "I got it right here in my brand new raptor bag." Although the logo is partially obscured, it is clearly that of the Toronto Raptors. Actor Samuel L. Jackson was frequently courtside at Toronto Raptor games the season before filming Jackie Brown.
  • Actress Mira Sorvino, who at the time was dating director Quentin Tarantino, can be seen out-of-focus in the back of the courtroom at Jackie's arraignment.
  • In the closing credits, Tarantino gives special thanks to "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" (among others). In the late 70's, Paul Sorvino starred in a TV detective show, Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976). Thus "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" is Paul's daughter and Tarantino's girlfriend, Mira Sorvino.
  • According to Quentin Tarantino, 70's actress Carol Speed originally helped out in making this film and was willing to play a small cameo part in the film. At the last minute, Tarantino decided not to use her in the film.
  • It was Samuel L. Jackson's idea to give his character the long hair and the braided goatee. It was inspired by characters from his favorite kung fu films.
  • The casting director's name was Jaki Brown
  • Louis and Ordell first appeared in the Elmore Leonard novel The Switch. At age 15 Quentin Tarantino was arrested for shoplifting this book, his one brush with "real" crime. In The Switch, Louis and Ordell kidnap a millionaire's wife only to discover he doesn't want her back, a plot that was used in Ruthless People (1986). In the novel's sequel, Rum Punch, Louis and Ordell complain that the movie producers stole their idea (without mentioning the movie by name).
  • When Robert DeNiro first got a hold of the script he wanted to play the role of Max Cherry. Tarantino wanted to work with De Niro but had his heart set on Robert Forster as Cherry, so he gave the role of Louis to De Niro.
  • Other Music referenced : The Delfonics, Mary Wells, Diana Ross and The Supremes (Simone's dance).
  • In the first mall scene, Max Cherry is seen exiting a movie theater while the music for the ending credits is playing. This is, in fact, the closing music for Jackie Brown (1997).

Locations

  • Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles Restaraunt.
Tarantino XX BluRay
Bad Mother Fucker Pulp Fiction Wallet