Half-Assed Internet Research
Research covers rejected titles, Crystal isolating himself, real-couple interludes, Gerald Ford’s son, the original platonic ending, Reiner’s changed outlook, and improvised material.
In the discussion (8)
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- Ephron reportedly proposed “How They Met,” and a crew contest considered Just Friends, Playing Melancholy Baby, Boy Meets Girl, Blue Moon, Words of Love, It Had to Be You, Harry, This Is Sally, and How They Met.
- Billy Crystal reportedly stayed apart from the cast and crew in another hotel to find Harry’s lonely mindset.
- The interlude couples are reported as real people rather than actors.
- Gerald Ford’s son Jack played Joe.
- The script initially kept Harry and Sally platonic; Reiner changed the ending after meeting his future wife during production.
- A 2004 stage adaptation starred Luke Perry and Alyson Hannigan.
- Reiner and Crystal met playing best friends on All in the Family, and Carrie Fisher knew Reiner through Penny Marshall.
- Harry and Sally’s final interview was reportedly improvised from a much longer filmed exchange.