The 1990s were packed with unforgettable movie scenes, yet one stands above the rest: the iconic pottery scene from Ghost. This moment has become symbolic of true love, embodying a deep romance and raw passion that resonated with an entire generation.
The scene’s emotions, chemistry, and music created a flawless combination that left an indelible mark on audiences. But what was really happening behind the scenes of this legendary scene? You might be surprised to discover just how many people overlooked some key elements of this classic movie moment.
Reflecting on Patrick Swayze’s filmography is like leafing through a treasured collection of cinematic gems. He starred in memorable films like Point Break, The Outsiders, Dirty Dancing, and, of course, Ghost, released in 1990.
With the spiritual assistance of Oda Mae Brown (played by Whoopi Goldberg), the ghost of Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), a banker who was tragically murdered, seeks to protect his beloved Molly (Demi Moore) from the killer’s grasp.
This film combines elements of heartwarming romance, humorous moments, supernatural intrigue, and even a surprisingly well-executed storyline about corporate crime. Those who saw it in theaters can likely recall the sniffles heard throughout the audience, from both women and men—genuine emotional responses sparked by the film’s heartfelt moments.
Although Ghost is nearly perfect, a few small blunders and continuity errors slipped through, only noticeable to the most eagle-eyed fans.
Swayze cried six times
The ensemble met for a press conference at a hotel in Beverly Hills before Ghost’s release. With a True cigarette in hand, Patrick Swayze arrived wearing blue trousers and a basic tee.
He clarified that the bleached blond hair was a transformation made for his next role in the movie Riders on the Storm. Swayze was clearly the center of attention, with a cowboy’s voice and a dancer’s body. He gave several amusing details about the film’s production.
One particularly noteworthy instance was when the actor, who was born in Texas, expressed how much the narrative spoke to 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.”
Having Patrick Swayze play the part did not sit well with director Jerry Zucker.
When Swayze’s representative contacted to convey the Dirty Dancing star’s interest in the main part, he allegedly said, “Over my dead body will Patrick Swayze play this role.”
When asked later if this was true, Zucker responded, “Oh, I don’t think they were my exact words,” but then paused and reconsidered.
“Well, now that I think about it, maybe he’s correct.”
Patrick Swayze’s personal connection
The role in Ghost appealed to Patrick Swayze for a very personal reason: he was reminded of his late father, Don, who was known to everyone as Big Buddy.
In his autobiography, Patrick referred to Don as a “gentle cowboy.”
“I imagined my father being gone, and I loved the thought of him possibly being right there beside me,” Patrick Swayze shared.
Swayze later admitted that playing Sam Wheat was the hardest role he’d ever taken on. It was challenging for him to be a passive observer, rather than an active participant in the scenes. This approach pushed his acting skills and emotional depth to new limits.
How Swayze played a role in casting Whoopi Goldberg After landing the lead in Ghost, Patrick Swayze even got involved in casting decisions, and he undeniably stole the spotlight both on and off-screen.
Whoopi Goldberg wasn’t initially considered for the role of Oda Mae Brown. But Swayze had been captivated by her performances on Broadway and insisted that she should be cast.
In fact, Swayze went as far as to give an ultimatum to the film’s producer, Jerry Zucker.
“My agent, Ron Meyer, calls me and says, ‘Patrick Swayze is doing this movie. But Patrick won’t go forward unless you’re involved. Can you set aside time for a meeting with him and the director?’” Goldberg shared with The Hollywood Reporter in 2024.
Zucker and Swayze flew to meet Goldberg, and their connection was immediate. They talked like long-time friends, and after about forty minutes, Goldberg agreed to join Swayze in the project. That’s how it all came together.
Incidentally, in Bruce Joel Rubin’s original script for Ghost, Oda Mae was written as an authentic psychic. However, the filmmakers thought it would be far funnier if she were a complete scam artist who unexpectedly gains the ability to hear Sam’s voice.
Do you remember the eerie scene where the demons kidnap Carl and Willie? It really frightened me as a child, and I still get chills from it now. Fun fact: the specters sound like they belong in a horror film, thanks to the sound editors’ excellent work.
However, did you realize that the frightful sounds produced by the “dark shadows” are actually infant screams that have been slowed down to an unbelievably slow speed and played backwards?
Unquestionably one of the most eerie scenes in film history!
Demi Moore – cost of success
At the time, Demi Moore was the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, and the movie Ghost not only cemented its position in cinematic history but also changed her career.
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Moore was already well-known, but until this role propelled her to new heights, no one thought she was a bankable star. But the milestone had its own set of difficulties. Her record-breaking salary sparked criticism, with critics calling her avaricious and giving her the moniker “Gimme Moore.”
“It was as if I had betrayed men,” Moore reflected, speaking with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
ven years later, she struggled to understand the backlash that followed her success. “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
There were particular difficulties in filming Ghost’s thrilling pursuit sequence, particularly on chilly New York City evenings. Patrick Swayze, who played Sam Wheat, had a different issue while the rest of the cast and crew were wrapped up against the cold.
The producers wanted to make sure Sam’s breath wouldn’t be visible in the chilly air because he was a ghost and that may destroy the illusion. In order to prevent Swayze’s breath from appearing during filming, they had him chew ice beforehand.
The pottery scene
Unquestionably, one of the most famous and romantic scenes in film history is the pottery scene in Ghost. Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) created a romantic moment with their hands linked that has come to represent passion and connection. It feels like the most romantic sequence ever filmed, and the lovely soundtrack, Unchained Melody, further heightens the magic.
It’s interesting to note that many people are unaware that the scene was initially intended to be followed by a floor sex scene.
However, the filmmakers came to the realization that the pottery moment was all they really needed after giving it some thought. Less is more in some situations!
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 a few more interesting, little-known details regarding Ghost’s pottery scene!
In the beginning, Patrick Swayze claimed that it was the sexiest thing he had ever done for a movie.
And here’s something I didn’t know: the sequence wasn’t supposed to conclude with the pot breaking, but it did so while Swayze and Demi Moore were filming! They continued without stopping, and it became one of the most famous scenes in movie history. Quite awesome, isn’t it?
Pottery scene goof you probably missed
Sam and Molly become completely coated in clay, up to their elbows, while they are experimenting with the pottery wheel! However, their arms and hands are immaculate in the subsequent romantic scene.
I suppose a little tidying up is part of the charm of love. A small mistake that most people probably missed.
Unchained Melody exploded
Officially, Ghost is older than Unchained Melody was at the time of the movie’s inclusion. Do you feel old yet?
The Righteous Brothers recorded the song in 1965, and its popularity skyrocketed with the 1990 release of the movie. Fans were frantically rushing to purchase the single, and radio stations were inundated with demands to play the timeless song.
The sole issue? The demand caught several record stores completely off guard! People ended up purchasing the Greatest Hits by the Righteous Brothers in order to obtain Unchained Melody after the movie’s soundtrack ran out. Bonus: they were able to hear the song “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” which was included in the popular movie Top Gun.
The closing credits
This small error most likely went unnoticed by most people, but who am I to pass judgment? However, if you rewatch the film and remain until the end credits roll, look out for a humorous mishap.
It is incorrect to spell “Cemetery Ghost.” Cemetary Ghost is listed in the credits, but CEMETERY is the proper spelling. I’m sorry!
When Sam gets shot
After a criminal named Willie Lopez ambushes Sam and Molly, Sam tragically ends up shot and killed.
The dramatic image where Molly cradles Sam in her arms while his blood soaks her sleeves is likely still vivid in the minds of many viewers. Her sleeves, however, seem oddly clean when we see her at the police station later.
