Today I watched the classic movie ET the Extra Terrestrial. I haven't seen this movie since the 80's. Watching it now, it still caused the same emotions. (On a side note, it also reminded me that I saw this movie at the Drive-In Movie Theater in my footie pajamas...I miss Drive-In Movies.)
During the movie, I wikipedia'd to find out information about the film that I never knew. I learned about supposed themes within the movie: Peter Pan, Jesus, Wizard of Oz. Most of these supposed themes, in my opinion, are a stretch. However, I could relate to the Peter Pan theme and was surprised to hear the mother reading Peter Pan to Gertie while Elliot and ET watched through a window. Peter Pan claims that he 'ran away from home' when he was a baby...and yet, throughout his adventures, he constantly craves a mother and father. Similarly, Elliot’s father has recently left the family and ET was unfortunately left stranded on this foreign planet. Both Elliot and ET seem to be searching for attachments and end up finding each other.
I also learned that Steven Spielberg shot the scenes in rough sequential order. This is not how most films are shot. Most films are shot all over the board in order to cut down on location costs, editing, etc. Mr. Spielberg decided to shoot this movie in this manner to help the young, inexperienced cast-members to emotionally attach themselves to their characters and to ET. He also helped them to really feel attached to ET by keeping the puppeteers away from the children. This allowed them to better imagine that ET was a real creature. It’s not hard to see that the children’s ‘beliefs’ in ET helped to make the final scenes so emotional.
My original intention for wikipedia’ing was to find out about the actor who portrayed ET. I didn’t remember ET being so small, so I was curious if it was an actor inside a puppet, an animatronic, or simply a puppet? The original ‘puppet’ was created for $700,000…it was thrown out by Spielberg. Instead he commissioned the same guy who did the aliens from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Carlo Rambaldi created 4 heads, an animatronic, a costume, and hands to make this creature come to life. They also spent a large amount of time on making sure the eyes were perfect to better engage the audience. Two little-people and a 12 years-old boy born without legs wore the costume at different times depending on the needs of the film. The main voice for ET was an elderly woman who smoked 2 packs a day. ‘She spent nine-and-a-half hours recording her part, and was paid $380…for her services.[ISBN 0-8065-1540-6]’ Additionally, they used animal sounds, Debra Winger (star of Terms of Endearments), and over 16 other people for the voice.
As a parting note on this film, I discovered that Spielberg had originally wanted to use M&M’s for the scene when Elliot befriends ET. But Mars candy apparently thought the creature was too ugly and would frighten children. This allowed Hershey candy to market Reese’s Pieces. According to Wikipedia, Hershey’s profits grew by 65% due to the prominent use of Reese’s Pieces in the movie. I am a huge supporter of product placement and enjoy spotting the advertisers in films and tv shows.
During the movie, I wikipedia'd to find out information about the film that I never knew. I learned about supposed themes within the movie: Peter Pan, Jesus, Wizard of Oz. Most of these supposed themes, in my opinion, are a stretch. However, I could relate to the Peter Pan theme and was surprised to hear the mother reading Peter Pan to Gertie while Elliot and ET watched through a window. Peter Pan claims that he 'ran away from home' when he was a baby...and yet, throughout his adventures, he constantly craves a mother and father. Similarly, Elliot’s father has recently left the family and ET was unfortunately left stranded on this foreign planet. Both Elliot and ET seem to be searching for attachments and end up finding each other.
I also learned that Steven Spielberg shot the scenes in rough sequential order. This is not how most films are shot. Most films are shot all over the board in order to cut down on location costs, editing, etc. Mr. Spielberg decided to shoot this movie in this manner to help the young, inexperienced cast-members to emotionally attach themselves to their characters and to ET. He also helped them to really feel attached to ET by keeping the puppeteers away from the children. This allowed them to better imagine that ET was a real creature. It’s not hard to see that the children’s ‘beliefs’ in ET helped to make the final scenes so emotional.
My original intention for wikipedia’ing was to find out about the actor who portrayed ET. I didn’t remember ET being so small, so I was curious if it was an actor inside a puppet, an animatronic, or simply a puppet? The original ‘puppet’ was created for $700,000…it was thrown out by Spielberg. Instead he commissioned the same guy who did the aliens from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Carlo Rambaldi created 4 heads, an animatronic, a costume, and hands to make this creature come to life. They also spent a large amount of time on making sure the eyes were perfect to better engage the audience. Two little-people and a 12 years-old boy born without legs wore the costume at different times depending on the needs of the film. The main voice for ET was an elderly woman who smoked 2 packs a day. ‘She spent nine-and-a-half hours recording her part, and was paid $380…for her services.[ISBN 0-8065-1540-6]’ Additionally, they used animal sounds, Debra Winger (star of Terms of Endearments), and over 16 other people for the voice.
As a parting note on this film, I discovered that Spielberg had originally wanted to use M&M’s for the scene when Elliot befriends ET. But Mars candy apparently thought the creature was too ugly and would frighten children. This allowed Hershey candy to market Reese’s Pieces. According to Wikipedia, Hershey’s profits grew by 65% due to the prominent use of Reese’s Pieces in the movie. I am a huge supporter of product placement and enjoy spotting the advertisers in films and tv shows.
Hi Renee-
ReplyDeleteYour article was really informative. I loved E.T. and have seen it several times, but I didn't know all the back story that you bring to light. Well done.
Cheers,
Steve Davis