Great Scott! It was 40 years old With Back to the Future was shown in cinemas for the first time, and to celebrate the film's big anniversary – and its first ever IMAX Coming to theaters on October 31st, we turn on the flux capacitor and head back to Hill Valley to dig into the subtle, funny and interesting details and facts about the cult film that you may not have known.
We also had the opportunity to chat with co-writer, writer, and producer Bob Gale at a recent IMAX preview screening (which looked INCREDIBLE, by the way), and he shared some fun behind-the-scenes stories and deep insights into how the film came together. So buckle up, because you're about to see some serious shit.
1.
Back to the Future As you know, the production is filled with many details. And sometimes things that seem random actually have a very interesting backstory. For example, George McFly snacking on peanuts during dinner, as funny as it may be, is not as random as you think.
In a deleted scene, George is actually forced to buy an entire box of peanuts from a neighbor's kid, even though he doesn't really want to. This scene was meant to be another example of George being a weakling who won't stand up for himself (despite Marty asking him to).
In fact, if you look closely at the background at the beginning of the dinner scene, you'll see a second box of peanuts on the kitchen counter – a remnant of the deleted scene.
This also explains why Marty looks at George so disapprovingly, literally shaking his head as he watches his father eat the peanut brittle.
2.
Speaking of that dinner scene, Newlyweds The “Man From Outer Space” episode that Marty watches in 1955 with his mom's family at dinner (“Hey, hey, I saw that!”) is the same episode that George laughs at in this scene.
Indeed, this episode Newlyweds It didn't actually air on November 5, 1955. It aired on December 31, 1955. However, the filmmakers did this on purpose because it was the best (and funniest) thematic match to Marty's “diving suit” earlier in the film.
3.
Remember when Biff complained to George, “All you have for me is LIGHT beer?” and then proceeds to grab George's Miller Light?
Well, if you pay close attention at the end of the movie, you'll notice that the beer Doc gets out of the McFlys' trash is now called Miller High Life – “beer champagne.”
It's a very subtle detail, but this change should be another indicator that George is no longer “weak” (like Lite beer) and is living the “high life” as a changed man in an alternate present… who can afford more expensive beer.
4.
Another blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail is the seemingly random padded envelope that Marty carries into the kitchen near the end of the film after safely returning to 1985. This is the remainder of another cutscene.
In the original script, there is a scene that occurs before Marty goes to meet Doc at the Twin Pines Mall. In it, Marty puts his band's demo tape in a padded envelope, planning to send it to a record company executive, but then changes his mind and throws it in the trash.
Then, near the end of the film, waking up in 1985, Marty pulls a padded envelope out of the trash, a small act that reflects his newfound confidence.
5.
In the scene where Marty and George are rehearsing the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance, Marty is carrying what appears to be a random duffel bag (presumably full of laundry), but it actually has a purpose.
In the original script, Marty makes George practice punching Marty as well as the duffel bag, and he does a terrible job with his right hand. But when George tries left, he knocks the bag “off the pole and through the window.” The new movie does have a deleted scene. 4 Klakt-A. where you can see part of this cutscene: George practicing a hit on Marty.
Of course, this is another set-up and payback for the time George fails to defeat Biff with his right fist, but actually knocks Biff out with his left.
6.
The scene with “Johnny B. Goode” at the dance was directed by Michael J. Fox. personal favorite…but it was almost cut from the film.
According to Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, studio executives believed this slowed the film down. But after the test audience applauded during Marty's performance, the filmmakers kept it – and it became one of the film's most iconic moments.
7.
To prepare for the “Johnny B. Hood” scene, Fox trained about four weeks with a guitar coach to ensure his playing looked authentic, and with a choreographer to practice rock star-inspired moves Chuck Berry And Jimi Hendrix.
8.
And in fun Easter egg, Michael J. Fox's guitar coach, Paul Hanson, eventually played bass in Marty's band, The Pinheads.
And while we're on the subject of that scene, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the bigger, more obvious cameo from “The Power of Love” singer Huey Lewis, playing one of the Battle of the Bands judges.
9.
In the original 1985 timeline, you can see Dave McFly working at Burger King. And he probably works at the Burger King next to Doc's house.
Considering there's likely only one Burger King in Hill Valley, it seems logical to assume Dave works there, doesn't it? So we asked co-creator Bob Gale if Dave worked there, and after a little smirk he said, “Nobody's ever asked that question. This is a really good question! Why not!” YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, PEOPLE! I CAN'T LAUGH.
10.
Also, this is a funny detail, but apparently Doc loves Whoppers. His garage-turned-home is filled with Burger King trash. (Makes sense, it's right next door!)
11.
You can see a drawing of Doc's brainwave analyzer – the stupid thing he wears on his head when Marty finds it in 1955 – in the background of his garage.
12.
During the climactic clock tower sequence, Marty decides to return ~a little~ earlier than planned to save Doc from being killed and says, “Wait a minute. I have as much time as I want, I have a time machine. I can just come back early and warn him. Okay, 10 minutes is enough.”
But even though Marty said “10 minutes,” he strangely sets the time back 11 minutes. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
13.
Following Doc's antics at the clock tower in an alternate 1985, the cracked stone ledge under his feet can be seen never being repaired. (Even though the original 1985 was fine… because it was never there!)
14.
According to Bob Gale, Red's name (“slacker”) was improvised by Michael J. Fox. And despite popular fan theories, it has nothing to do with Mayor “Red” Thomas from 1955.
15.
In 1985, you might see signs hanging on some of the abandoned stores in Courthouse Square that read, “We've moved to Twin Pines Mall.” And later, in an alternate 1985, those signs, of course, said “Lone Pine Mall.”
16.
Speaking of the Twin Pines Mall, one of the most popular Easter eggs in the film, it's worth noting the fact that the mall's sign changes from “Twin Pines Mall” in 1985 to “Lone Pine Mall” in an alternate 1985, all because Marty crashed into or “killed” one of “Old Man Peabody's” favorite pine trees in 1955.
17.
Finally, Marty's vest is orange, not red as many people and costume and product manufacturers think.
According to Bob Gale: “It has to be orange because everyone thinks it's a life preserver. Life jackets are orange. Not red. That's all.”
To see Back to the Future again on the big screen or for the first time in magnificent IMAX, get your tickets Here.
And be sure to watch everything amazing product just recently released in honor of the 40th anniversary…
