# Movie inside jokes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2017, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429 "2017-08-23T03:09:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Mavic\_Chen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mavic\_Chen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mavic_Chen)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/61 "2017-08-24T14:32:58Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > The encoder on the B-52 in Dr. Strangleove was called the CRM-114 > > The drug in A Clockwork Orange (another Kubrick) was called serum-114 In Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut: The morgue is room 14, C-wing, 1st floor or C-Rm 114 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/62 "2017-08-24T14:46:43Z")
During the production of the Star Wars movies, the crew and FX people gave names to the various aliens even when they weren’t named on-screen. Of course, since everybody given more than 3 frames of screen time gets their own action figure, it comes out in the merchandising. One set of names I like is three of Jabba’s henchmen being named Klaatu, Barada, and Nikto. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/63 "2017-08-24T15:26:29Z")
In TV show **NCIS** someone asked the lead character **Gibbs** what the Medical Examiner **Ducky** looked like when he was younger. **Gibbs** replied “ **Ilya Kuryakin**.” **Ducky** in **NCIS** and **Kuryakin** from **The Man From UNCLE** are both portrayals by actor **David McCallum**. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/64 "2017-08-24T15:30:52Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > During the production of the Star Wars movies, the crew and FX people gave names to the various aliens even when they weren’t named on-screen. Of course, since everybody given more than 3 frames of screen time gets their own action figure, it comes out in the merchandising. One set of names I like is three of Jabba’s henchmen being named Klaatu, Barada, and Nikto. The words are “klaatu”, “barada”, “nikto”, a reference to the old Sci-Fi film **The Day the Earth Stood Still** , are also used as a magic spell in **Army of Darkness** - the third **Evil Dead** film. TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/65 "2017-08-24T15:56:20Z")
And one more. In **Hercules: The Legendary Journeys** there was a character, **Lyla** , portrayed by **Lucy Lawless** before she had began to portray **Xena Warrior Princess**. A while after\*\* Xena\*\* had become well established, the character of **Lyla** returned to the Hercules show, still portrayed by **Lucy Lawless**. During this episode characters would look at \*\*Lyla \*\*and ask (paraphrasing from memory) “_ **Doesn’t she remind you of someone?** _” TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![No\_Way\_Jose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58956e/32.png) [@No\_Way\_Jose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Way_Jose)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/66 "2017-08-24T16:09:53Z")
In Defending Your Life, Albert Brooks’ character was attending a comedy show when the comedian on stage asked him, “How did you die, sir?” His response: “On stage, like you.” He then jokes to Meryl Streeps’ character that he can’t leave yet because the comedian on stage was his father. In real life, Alberts father died moments after leaving the stage at a Friar’s Club roast. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/67 "2017-08-24T16:13:38Z")
Probably well known is the problems involved with [using undersized watercraft](http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/jaws/253552/jaws-the-story-behind-the-bigger-boat-line-revealed). ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/68 "2017-08-24T16:32:58Z")
Darn it. I thought I had a good one. In _To Catch a Thief_, Cary Grant finds himself sitting in the back of a bus. He looks to his left. Alfred Hitchcock is sitting next to him. He looks to his right. There is a little old lady with a bird in a cage on her lap. He looks at the camera with a sour expression on his face. I thought it was a clever reference to _The Birds_. The trouble is, _To Catch a Thief_ came out eight years, and seven movies, before _The Birds_. How far ahead did Hitch start planning his future films? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/69 "2017-08-24T16:52:03Z")
In _Blazing Saddles_, when Alex Karras’ character [rides into town on an ox](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4634QwiPBs), a terrified Spanish-speaking peasant cries out “Mongo! Santa Maria!”.\* \*Mongo Santamaria was a modestly well-known jazz musician and composer. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/70 "2017-08-24T17:16:46Z")
the joke in witness is Harrison was carpenter for lucas (he hired him to do an add on for his house)when he was cast for American graffiti I n fact Harrison was also known to check the sets was on his movies and wasn’t shy about letting them know what was wrong with them even repairing them in a pinch … ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/71 "2017-08-24T17:59:04Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > In _To Catch a Thief_, Cary Grant finds himself sitting in the back of a bus. He looks to his left. Alfred Hitchcock is sitting next to him. He looks to his right. There is a little old lady with a bird in a cage on her lap. He looks at the camera with a sour expression on his face. > > I thought it was a clever reference to _The Birds_. The trouble is, _To Catch a Thief_ came out eight years, and seven movies, before _The Birds_. > > How far ahead did Hitch start planning his future films? Maybe it was a reference to one of Hitchock’s (or Grant’s) earlier films? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/72 "2017-08-24T18:03:48Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > The words are “klaatu”, “barada”, “nikto”, a reference to the old Sci-Fi film **The Day the Earth Stood Still** , are also used as a magic spell in **Army of Darkness** - the third **Evil Dead** film. When threatened by a particularly large heavy in an episode of _ **The Rockford Files** _, Jim Rockford looked up at him sheepishly and said “Klaatu barada nikto?” ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/73 "2017-08-24T18:20:28Z")
In _Tapeheads_ the FBI agent who says “Remember what we did to Jello Biafra?” is played by Jello Biafra. In _Godfather II_ Troy Donohue plays Connie’s fiancé Merle Johnson. That’s Troy’s real name. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/74 "2017-08-24T18:34:08Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > The trooper that Luke takes the armor of is TK-421 Although, if my memory serves me correctly, it was THX-1138 in the novelization. My contribution: Karl Malden’s real name was Mladen Sekulovich. He often worked the name “Sekulovich” into his films, usually in throwaway lines of dialogue. For example, he addresses a soldier by that name in _Patton_, a detective in _Dead Ringer_, a baseball scout in _Fear Strikes Out_, etc. There was also a recurring character on _The Streets of San Francisco_ named Sergeant Sekulovich. The one time that got him in trouble was in _Birdman of Alcatraz_, when, playing the warden, he mentioned “Sekulovich” among a list of prisoners’ names. His father was very angry about that, claiming that no Sekulovich had ever been in prison! ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/75 "2017-08-24T19:03:00Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > In fact Harrison was also known to check the sets was on his movies and wasn’t shy about letting them know what was wrong with them **even repairing them in a pinch** … I am not sure about the bolded (bolding added by me) part of this statement. My understanding is that all set construction on big budget movies is unionized and actors do not even so much as plug in a power cord. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/76 "2017-08-24T20:38:30Z")
A book about the flms of Billy Wilder “Some Like it Wilder” has this one. Wilder made a musical called “The Emperor Waltz” about an American trying to sell Emperor Franz Joseph of the Austrian-Hungarian Emperor a gramophone circa 1900. It didn’t turn out very well. Bing Crosby ignored his constar Joan Fontaine and Wilder as well, complaining at times he couldn’t understand Wilder because of his accent. Crosby also had his own writer change his dialogue. Wilder used to say the less said about the film, the better (it got mixed reviews but made money thanks to Crosby’s fans). A few years later in “Stalag 17” Wilder has William Holden’s character put on a Tyrolean hat similar to what Crosby wore and say “can you imagine me yodeling in the Alps wearing this thing” ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/77 "2017-08-25T00:52:16Z")
In _Tango & Cash_, after Tango takes too long in one scene, Cash asks Tango (Stallone) if he stopped for coffee and a danish. Tango replies “I hate Danish.” Stallone had recently divorced from Brigitte Nielsen. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/78 "2017-08-25T01:13:59Z")
In the “Twilight Zone Movie”, the segment directed by John Landis that takes place in Vietnam during the war, one of the soldiers exclaimed “I told you guys we shouldn’t have shot Lt. Neidermeyer!” It refers of course to Doug Neidermeyer, whom as we all know from the end cards of Landis’ “Animal House” was “Killed in Vietnam by his own troops.” I swear, I was the only one in the theater who laughed at that. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/79 "2017-08-25T01:36:13Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > In the “Twilight Zone Movie”, the segment directed by John Landis that takes place in Vietnam during the war, one of the soldiers exclaimed “I told you guys we shouldn’t have shot Lt. Neidermeyer!” > > It refers of course to Doug Neidermeyer, whom as we all know from the end cards of Landis’ “Animal House” was “Killed in Vietnam by his own troops.” > > I swear, I was the only one in the theater who laughed at that. That was an awesome one. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429/80 "2017-08-25T02:28:44Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > The barn-raising scene in Witness. Harrison Ford was a carpenter. He’s the only actor who can use tools well. I’m constantly annoyed by actors who can barely hold a screwdriver. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movie-inside-jokes/794429.md?page=5)