Jewelry box scene was a practical joke

The scene where Richard Gere presents Julia Roberts with the pricey necklace is not only one of the most romantic and iconic moments in movie history, but it also has a funny backstory.

Originally, it was meant as a playful prank for the film’s gag reel.

As you might recall, the jewelry box snaps shut on Julia Roberts’ fingers, prompting one of the most genuine, charming laughs ever captured on film.

The real story behind the scene came from director Garry Marshall, who revealed why he and Gere decided to play the trick on the young actress.

According to Marshall, Roberts, then just 23, would sometimes arrive on set a bit sleepy after a late night out.

“I said, ‘Richard, you gotta wake her up a little, so when she reaches for the box, slam it.’ It was a soft box. I would never hurt her,” Marshall explained.

It wasn’t until the final stages of editing that they chose to keep the scene in the movie. “We put it in… and it became like the trademark of the movie,” Marshall said.

And just like that, an unscripted joke turned into cinematic magic.

Edward’s disappearing shoes

As we mentioned earlier, there are some mistakes in Pretty Woman that aren’t easy to catch on the first viewing, but some eagle-eyed viewers have spotted them all the same.

For example, when they leave the opera and head to the park, Vivian takes off Edward’s shoes. However, as he begins to lie down, the shoes magically reappear.