The 1990s produced several remarkable cinematic moments, with the classic pottery scene from Ghost standing out above all others. It’s a sweet, passionate moment that has become a symbol of real love for an entire generation.
The music, the chemistry, the emotions – everything was perfect. But what really transpired behind the scenes of this iconic moment? You might be surprised at what many people overlook when it comes to this iconic cinematic sequence.
Looking back on all of Patrick Swayze’s films is like going through a collection of cinematic treasures. The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing, Point Break, and, naturally, Ghost from 1990.
The plot revolves around Sam (Patrick Swayze), a ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ banker whose gho:st sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly (Demi Moore), from the person who ki:lled him, with the assistance of psychic Oda (Whoopi Goldberg).
Personally, I think it’s a terrific film: the romance is heartfelt, the comedy is plain hilarious, the supernatural element is compelling, and the corporate criminal angle is unexpectedly well-executed. And for those who watched it in theaters, you’ll recall all the sniffles – yep, from both the boys and the girls! True feelings come from the heart.
Even though this video is practically perfect, there are a few goofs and minor errors that only the most observant viewers will see.
Swayze cried six times
Before Ghost debuted in theaters, the cast convened at a Beverly Hills hotel for a press event. Patrick Swayze entered wearing blue trousers and a modest shirt, holding a True cigarette.
The hair was dyed blond, which he explained was for his role in the upcoming film Riders on the Storm. With a dancer’s body and a cowboy’s voice, Swayze was undeniably the star of the show. He offered a lot of entertaining stories about making the film.
One outstanding moment was when the Texas-born actor confessed how deeply the story touched him.
“I cried six times when I read the script for Ghost,” he admitted.
He also talked about his determination to land the role. “I felt I had to do this role, and I wanted to get an appointment, but I couldn’t get one. They were going in a different direction with casting. They were going with Kevin Kline,” Swayze said.
“I was going, ‘No!’ Wrong! He can’t do it. He’s going to be funny, and it’s got to be real!”
Swayze quickly added, “Not that he couldn’t make it real. I just felt it needed romance.”
”Over my dead body”
Director Jerry Zucker was not impressed by the concept of Patrick Swayze playing the role.
“Over my d.e.a.d body will Patrick Swayze play this role,” he allegedly stated when Swayze’s representative called to express the Dirty Dancing star’s interest in the starring role.
When asked later if this was accurate, Zucker replied, “Oh, I don’t think they were my exact words,” before pausing and reconsidering.
“Well, now that I think about it, maybe he’s correct.”
Patrick Swayze’s personal connection
Patrick Swayze was driven to the character of Ghost for a very personal reason: the memories of his late father, Don, better known as Big Buddy.
Don was a rodeo rider and amateur boxer, and Patrick referred to him as a “gentle cowboy” in his memoir. Patrick was heartbroken by the d3ath of his father in 1982, thus Ghost’s story of love and grief spoke to him deeply.
”I thought of my father being d.e.a.d and I loved the idea of maybe him being right there with me,” he said.
Later, Swayze said that playing Sam Wheat was the most difficult role of his career. The difficulty was to be an observer of the activity rather than an active participant, which tested his emotional range and acting abilities.
How Swayze helped cast Whoopi Goldberg
Patrick Swayze absolutely stole the show in Ghost, and after securing the main part, he even got engaged in some behind-the-scenes action.
The role of Oda Mae Brown was not initially intended for Whoopi Goldberg, but after seeing her one-woman Broadway shows, Patrick Swayze was so persuaded she was the right person for the job that he made sure she got it.
Swayze even issued an ultimatum to producer Jerry Zucker.
“I get a phone call from my agent, Ron Meyer, who says, ‘Patrick Swayze has been hired for this movie. Patrick is not going to do this if you don’t do it. Can you make some time for him and the director to come up?’” Goldberg told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024.
Zucker and Swayze flew to Goldberg, and when they arrived, they felt like old friends. About 40 minutes into their chat, Swayze asked her to join him in making the movie, and she accepted. That’s how everything came together.
By the way, Ghost writer Bruce Joel Rubin originally pitched Oda Mae as a real psychic. However, the producers thought it would be more funnier if she were a complete charlatan who suddenly began hearing Sam.
Truth behind the ”dark shadows”
Remember that terrifying scene where the demons kidnap Willie and Carl? It terrified me as a child, and it still does today. Here’s a fun fact: the sound editors did an excellent job with the specters; they sound like they came straight out of a horror film.
But did you realize that the terrible sounds generated by the “dark shadows” are actually infant cries played backward at an extremely slow speed?
Definitely one of the creepiest scenes in film history!
Demi Moore – cost of success
The picture Ghost not only cemented its position in cinematic history, but it also launched Demi Moore’s career, making her the highest-paid actress in Hollywood at the moment.
Moore was already a well-known name, but this role elevated her to new heights. However, the milestone presented its own set of obstacles. The spotlight on her record-breaking remuneration sparked criticism, with some characterizing her as greedy and giving her the nickname “Gimme Moore.”
“It was as if I had betrayed men,” Moore reflected, speaking with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Even years later, she struggled to grasp the criticism that accompanied her triumph. “It’s interesting that the choice to take me down came when I became the highest-paid. Why did that happen at that exact moment?”
Swayze chewed ice
Filming the violent chase scene in Ghost presented unusual obstacles, particularly during the frigid New York City nights. While the crew and other performers were dressed up against the cold, Patrick Swayze, who played Sam Wheat, had a different issue.
Because Sam was a ghost, the filmmakers needed to make sure his breath wasn’t visible in the frigid air, which may shatter the illusion. To address this, they had Swayze chew ice before filming, which prevented his breath from showing.
The pottery scene
The pottery scene in Ghost is without a doubt one of the most memorable and romantic sequences in film history. Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) crafted a sweet moment that has come to symbolize passion and connection. The gorgeous soundtrack, Unchained Melody, only adds to the charm, making it feel like the most romantic scenario ever captured on film.
Many people are unaware that the scene was initially intended to be followed by a se…x scene on the floor.
However, after some thought, the filmmakers determined that the pottery scene was all they really needed. Sometimes, less is more!
As director Jerry Zucker recalls, “We decided to cut it after I interviewed about twelve body doubles for Demi.”
The pot actually broke
Here are some more intriguing, little-known facts about Ghost’s pottery scene!
First and foremost, Patrick Swayze once stated that it was the sexiest thing he had ever done on film.
And here’s something I didn’t realize: the sequence wasn’t supposed to conclude with the pot coming apart, but while Swayze and Demi Moore were filming, the pot cracked! Instead of stopping, they continued going, and it became one of the most memorable sequences in cinema history. Pretty awesome, right?
Pottery scene goof you probably missed
When Sam and Molly are playing with the pottery wheel, they are completely buried in clay—up to their elbows! But then, in the following love scene, their hands and arms are spotless.
Maybe the magic of love includes a quick cleanup, huh? A minor error that most people are unlikely to notice.
Unchained Melody exploded
Ghost is now older than Unchained Melody, which was featured in the film… Feeling old yet?
The song, recorded by The Righteous Brothers in 1965, skyrocketed in popularity upon the film’s release in 1990. Radio stations were inundated with demands to play the famous song, and fans were frantically seeking to purchase the single.
The only problem? Many record stores were unprepared for the demand! When the movie soundtrack sold out, many bought Righteous Brothers’ Greatest Hits solely to get their hands on Unchained Melody. They also got to experience You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, which was included in Top Gun, another hit film.
The closing credits
Here’s a minor error that most folks undoubtedly missed – but who am I to judge? But if you watch the movie again and stay till the end credits, keep an eye out for a comical slip-up.
The spelling of “Cemetery Ghost” is incorrect. The credits mention it as Cemetary Ghost, while the proper spelling is CEMETERY. Oops!
When Sam gets shot
When Sam and Molly are accosted by the thug Willie Lopez, Sam is fatally shot.
Many viewers may recall the terrible scene in which Molly holds Sam in her arms, his blood soaking her sleeves. But when we see her later in the police station, her sleeves are strangely clean.
This may not have been deliberate, but there is a plausible explanation: the police presumably urged her to clean up before her interview, which makes sense given the circumstances.
Most viewers are unlikely to notice this minor detail.
From the inadvertent pot breakage in the pottery wheel scene to the clean-up miracle at the police station, these quirky moments are part of what makes Ghost so memorable.
So, the next time you see this classic romance, keep an eye out for the parts that most people overlook – you’ll get a good laugh and maybe even a few thrills. If you’re a fan of Ghost or simply enjoy a good behind-the-scenes story, don’t forget to share this with your friends on social media. Who knows what hidden jewels you will find together!
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