Now that’s some irony!
Filming began in December 1987. With Christmas approaching, director Richard Donner asked if the production could have Christmas Day off, but Paramount Pictures executives refused, insisting that filming should continue on Christmas Day. However, Donner outwitted them. At the end of the day on December 24th, he fired the entire cast and crew. Two days later, on December 26th, he rehired everyone. The break allowed the cast and crew members to spend Christmas with their families.
Does anyone have a source for this? The only place I’ve seen this story is IMDb, which anyone can edit, or other sites citing the same IMDb trivia paragraph. Nothing on Wikipedia or from direct quotes of actors/producers. I’m sure it’s true, but I’m eager for more details. Why were the executives so insistent that everyone work Christmas Day?
Does seem odd. Was released November 22, 1988. Sounds like a long production and post-production (possible if not likely with film. all I know is Wayne’s World was shot in less than a month around this era). Still, even more insane to not give XMas day off on a long production, if true.
Yeah, what good is a single day going to do, especially when it just demoralizes them and makes them work less hard. That said, it’s not uncommon for executives and bosses to make these stupid choices not understanding that it’ll actually hurt them instead. They don’t get paid all that money to be smart.
This is on point honestly and freaking hilarious. Glad Donner shut them down. Scrooged is a great movie with one great line after the next. Almost rivals Christmas Vacation.
“Oh look Frank, it’s a TOASTER! -WHAM!-“
“Adored!? Let’s be honest, Lew. You paid for the women.”
asked if the production could have Christmas Day off,
asked? ASKED?!? Americans really need to start fighting for their rights as workers
These would be union workers too!
Which is why they asked and not told.
Huh?
WHICH IS WHY THEY ASKED AND NOT TOLD!!!
But for real, I don’t know what the commenter means either haha.
I’ll be honest I’m anticipating some brain dead take about unions being ineffectual/anti-worker. But hoping for the best.
Also WHAT?
HE SAID, “WHICH IS WHY THE AXE IS NOT COLD!!!”
You sure are loud for - oh, you’re angry and a seal. Carry on.
Did they somehow miss the plot point of the movie where a TV executive was forcing cast members to work Christmas Eve instead of being with their families?
I hope the 3 ghosts have since visited whoever was in charge and sorted their shit out
The plot is trivial, what matters is test screenings and market projections …when all one cares about is making money.
I’ve been thinking of a few prominent people in real life who should be visited by three ghosts. What if we woke up on Christmas and all of the sudden Trump and Musk weren’t selfish and evil?
We’ll need the Luigi of Christmas past to help us out.
They just wanted a method acting level of performance.
At that point, Donner had been a director for over twenty years. He knew how the game was played. Hats off!
