“Edward Scissorhands”, directed by Tim Burton and released in 1990, is a film that captures the imagination with its Gothic aesthetic and unique story. This cult cinema masterpiece became an instant classic, captivating audiences with its surreal narrative and memorable characters. However, behind the charming and mysterious facade of the film, there are a series of fascinating curiosities that add additional layers to its appreciation.
From the production challenges to the inspirations behind the characters, exploring the curiosities of “Edward Scissorhands” reveals an intriguing glimpse behind the scenes of this iconic cinematic work.
1 – UNEXPECTED SUCCESS
Initially conceived as a niche film, “Edward Scissorhands” made its commercial debut in the United States on December 9, 1990, screening in just two theaters. However, its unexpected rise to success led to widespread distribution, captivating mainstream audiences and gaining global recognition. The result was an extraordinary box office success, surpassing the $86 million mark in revenue.
2 – MICHAEL JACKSON AS EDWARD?
When it comes to associating Edward with a face, it’s hard not to immediately think of Johnny Depp. However, before him, a diverse list of names was considered for the role, including Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, Robert Downey Jr., and even the iconic Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. According to legend, Burton had a special inclination towards Jackson for the role.
3 – MAN OF FEW WORDS
Edward is notably taciturn, communicating primarily through facial expressions and gestures. Throughout the 1 hour and 45 minutes of the film, he speaks a mere 169 words, making his presence remarkable for the subtlety of his actions rather than his speech.
4 – VINCENT PRICE’S FINAL ROLE
The renowned actor Vincent Price’s (1911-1993) ultimate cinematic performance took place in “Edward Scissorhands.” In the film, his participation culminates with the demise of his character. Tim Burton held great admiration for Price, to the extent of creating the short film “Vincent” (1982), inspired and narrated by the actor himself, as a tribute to his influence and talent.
5 – FAVORITE
Tim Burton has expressed his opinion that “Edward Scissorhands” is his masterpiece. He considers this film the pinnacle of his cinematic career.
6 – SOUNDTRACK
Robert Smith, the lead vocalist of The Cure, was invited by Tim Burton to compose the film’s soundtrack (and ended up inspiring the character’s hairstyle). As he had never heard of the director and was busy recording the album Disintegration, he ended up declining the offer. Danny Elfman, who had already worked with Burton on Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), accepted the invitation and went on to collaborate with the director on other soundtracks.
7 – THE STREET WAS REAL, NOT A SET
The film’s setting in a suburban neighborhood is based on a real location on the outskirts of Tampa, Florida (USA). For filming, all the houses were repainted, and the residents relocated to a temporary hotel. The atmosphere of the neighborhood was inspired by Tim Burton’s hometown, Burbank.
8 – EDWARD’S LOOK WAS INSPIRED BY A SILENT FILM
Edward’s appearance is an explicit homage to the somnambulist portrayed by Robert Wiene in “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920), a landmark film of the German Expressionist movement and a classic of silent cinema.
9 – DEPP AND BURTON’S PARTNERSHIP
The film marked the beginning of a series of collaborations between Burton and Depp. In 1994, the duo worked together again on “Ed Wood,” initiating a sequence of productions that includes “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), “Corpse Bride” (2004), “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005), “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007), “Alice in Wonderland” (2010), “Dark Shadows” (2012), among others.
10 – DEPP’S DEDICATION PAID OFF
Before filming began, Johnny Depp had to lose 11 kilograms for the role of Edward, an effort that proved to be extremely worthwhile. His portrayal of the character was so impactful that Edward was included in Premiere magazine’s list of the 100 greatest film characters.
11 – REAL-LIFE ROMANCE
The actor got engaged to Winona Ryder, his co-star in the film. However, the relationship came to an end, and Depp decided to modify the tattoo he had made in honor of the actress. Originally, the tattoo read “Winona Forever,” but after the breakup, it was changed to “Wino Forever,” reflecting a pun on the word “drunk.”
12 – DANGEROUS AND HEAVY COSTUMES
The costumes worn during filming were hazardous, but not in the way one might initially think. While Edward’s scissor hands posed a challenge, especially when trying to scratch his nose, it was the combination of heat and the material of the clothing, leather, that proved truly dangerous. In the scene where Edward runs back to his house, Depp actually passed out due to the high temperatures.
13 – PLASTIC GLOVES?
The scissor hands worn by Depp in the film were made of plastic. The actor even took a pair of these gloves home to practice. Additionally, there was another pair, functional and sharp, used for close-up shots, when the scissors were shown sculpting the trees.
14 – INSPIRATIONS FROM FRANKENSTEIN
“Edward Scissorhands” was a deeply personal film for its director, Tim Burton. The director drew connections between the movie and elements of “Frankenstein,” especially in the scene where Edward confronts the local residents, as well as from his own experiences growing up in Burbank, California. It was during this period of introspection that he began to conceive the character who would eventually become Edward.
15 – CHARACTERS BASED ON REAL PEOPLE
Most of the characters in the film were inspired by real people. The work was written in collaboration with Caroline Thompson, an American writer. After Burton shared his visionary sketches for the film, Thompson developed about 70 pages that essentially formed the basis of the screenplay. All the characters were inspired by individuals Thompson knew in a suburban neighborhood, except, of course, Edward.
She describes Edward as her personal homage to Burton, although many of the character’s traits were based on her own dog.
“Edward Scissorhands” remains a landmark in cinema history, not only for its captivating narrative and memorable characters but also for the fascinating curiosities surrounding its production. From the challenges faced by the actors to the inspirations behind the plot, each detail adds layers of appreciation to this masterpiece by Tim Burton. With its references to cinema classics like “Frankenstein” and its personal connections with the director and writers, the film reveals itself as an emotionally rich and visually stunning journey. By exploring these curiosities, we are invited to delve deeper into the enchanting and peculiar world of “Edward Scissorhands,” a film that continues to captivate and inspire audiences to this day.