Updated by Colin McCormick on February 01, 2020: The Oscars are right around the corner and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is still a top contender to take home the gold in several categories. Tarantino and his cast have been making the award season rounds, discussing just went into creating this wild, engrossing look back at Hollywood in 1969. With the award talk still going strong and Tarantino recently weighing in on the comic book film debate, we decided to five a little deeper into his penultimate film.
Over a month after its release and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is still one of the most talked-about films around. The Hollywood set period piece has been met with considerable controversy as well as in-depth explorations of what Tarantino presents in his ninth film.
All of Tarantino’s work is packed with fun Easter Eggs and nods to other works, but this film is particularly dense with hidden details. It is the kind of film that demands multiple viewings, and even then you might not catch everything Tarantino has included. Here are some of the best-hidden details in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Driving Around Hollywood
The film luxuriates in its period setting, especially in the sequences involving Cliff Booth driving down Hollywood boulevard. The movie production went to great lengths to recreate the look of the time by transforming several blocks of Hollywood.
However, Tarantino wanted to be selective in what billboard, neon signs and radio songs played during these sequences. In his approach, he was recreating Hollywood as he remembered it as a young kid and only featured things that would stand out to a kid. The low-angled shot of Cliff driving is even meant to represent the view Tarantino would have of his stepfather driving him around.
Real Cowboy Vs Movie Cowboy
The friendship between Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth is really the heart of this movie and it is clear these two guys are genuine friends. However, the movie also shows how different they are, particularly in one sequence.
As Rick is filming his role on the television series Lancer, Cliff is meanwhile amongst the Manson family on Spahn Ranch. The juxtaposition between these scenes was meant to show Rick pretending to be a cowboy while Cliff was acting like a real modern cowboy.
Spahn Ranch Sequence
Indeed, one of the most memorable sequences of the film is Cliff’s visit to Spahn Ranch. In actuality, the Manson followers were staying on this ranch, which was owned by a man named George Spahn, played by Bruce Dern in the film.
Knowing what we know about the Manson family, this scene plays with incredible tension. In Tarantino’s mind, this was the closest thing he would get to making a horror film as he thought the audience might think in the back of their minds that Cliff really could die at this moment.
Casting The Manson Family
We see several members of the Manson family in the film, however, only a handful of them have substantial roles. This led to a tricky casting process as several of the bigger roles came in the third act of the film, but Tarantino wasn’t willing to share that section of the script.
In order to find actors who could fit this type of role, the filmmakers brought in countless actors from Los Angeles. They were either given the lines of the Pussycat and Squeaky character to audition with or they could come in character as a specific Manson girl and improvise with Tarantino.
Lancer
During one extended sequence during the filming of the show Lancer, we get to learn a lot about who Rick Dalton is as an actor. We see him playing the villain opposite James Stacy (Timothy Olyphant), messing up his lines and eventually finding redemption.
This sequence was near and dear to Tarantino and he had originally envisioned it differently. Being a fan of Western shows, Tarantino wanted to film as much of this pretend episode as possible. It was Leonardo DiCaprio who came up with the idea of Rick messing up. Tarantino was initially reluctant as he just wanted to film the episode earnestly, but had to admit it was a good idea.
The Title
There is a lot you could read into with the title of this film. The most direct interpretation is that this is a bit of a fairy tale of a Hollywood story that did not actually happen. Though it is based around real events, Tarantino once again rewrites history with a happy ending.
However, the title also speaks to Tarantino’s fanboy dreams. Italian director Sergio Leone made two similarly titled films, Once Upon a Time in the West and Once Upon a Time in America. Tarantino has spoken of Leone’s influence on him and this is his chance to make his own “Once Upon a Time” epic.
I’ll Never Say Never To Always
Obviously, the Manson family plays a prominent role in the film even if Manson himself only appears briefly. The family is seen early in the film, scavenging for food in Hollywood and singing together as a seemingly peaceful yet creepy clan.
The song that the family sings together is called “I’ll Never Say Never to Always” which is a song written by Charles Manson. It is known that Manson wanted to be a songwriter and that ordering the murders could have been partially due to his failure in that regard.
James Stacy’s Exit
Timothy Olyphant is no stranger to Western television shows, having appeared in Deadwood and the modern Western Justified. That trend continues as Olyphant appears in a memorable role as James Stacy, the star of the Western Lancer that Rick Dalton is guest-starring on.
The last we see of Stacy in the film, he is leaving the setoff the show on his motorcycle. In 1973, Stacy was in a motorcycle accident that resulted in the death of his girlfriend and him losing his left arm and leg.
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell has become a regular participant in Tarantino’s films so it’s not too surprising he pops up in this one as well. Russell appears onscreen in a brief role as the stunt coordinator in the set of Green Hornet where Cliff Booth has his run-in with Bruce Lee.
Many fans were quick to point out the fun connection between that role and Russell’s role as Stuntman Mike in Tarantino’s Death Proof. But you might not have caught that Russell also provides the narration which comes in and out of the film.
Hollywood Daughters
Though Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are the stars of the show, there are plenty of famous faces all over this film. Stars like Michael Madsen, Luke Perry, and Damien Lewis appear in small roles. Other notable stars like Tim Roth and James Marsden had roles cut in the final film.
However, there are a few interesting casting choices for the film that stands out. Tarantino cast several actors who are daughters of famous Hollywood celebrities. Amy Hawke and Rumer Willis are the daughters of former Tarantino stars Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis respectively, while Harley Quinn Smith, daughter of Kevin Smith, also appears in the film.
Porno Theater
The film is a clear homage to the films, television shows, and actors that have had a significant impact on Tarantino’s career. However, the film is not just a tribute to the work of Hollywood but also Hollywood as a place.
Tarantino grew up in this environment around this time and he seems to have recreated it with painstaking detail. One small nod to his own life in the town before becoming famous is when Sharon Tate makes mention of a premiere at a local porno theater. As it turns out, Tarantino worked at that same theater, which he’s called his first job in the film industry.
Mamas And The Papas
Part of the fun of this film is Tarantino’s use of music from the era. His films are always filled with interesting music and this might be one of his best soundtracks yet. There is one song choice in particular that speaks to Tarantino’s research into this film.
As the film switches to the night of the Manson murders, we see a detailed look at Sharon Tate’s activities for the night. In her home, we see Sharon and her friends gathered around the piano singing to a song from the Mamas and the Papas. It was revealed that the same sheet music was found the night of the actual murders.
Spaghetti Western Directors
Tarantino has often talked about his love of Spaghetti Westerns and he gets the chance to explore that love again in this film. With his career on the rocks, Rick Dalton is convinced to go to Rome to make several Spaghetti Westerns with some Italian directors.
One director mentioned is Sergio Corbucci, a real-life director who made the 1966 Spaghetti Western Django which influenced Tarantino’s own Django Unchained. The other name mentioned is Antonio Margheriti which is the fake name Donny Donowitz used in Inglourious Basterds.
Burt Reynolds
It is widely known that Burt Reynolds was originally cast in the role of George Spahn in this film. Sadly, Reynolds died before he began filming and Bruce Dern was cast in the role. However, Reynolds’ legacy is still felt throughout the film.
It is reported that Reynolds was actually meant to appear in the film as a character with James Marsden playing him before the scene was cut. The relationship between Rick and Cliff is also said to have been based on the partnership of Reynolds and stuntman Hal Needham. Also, the role Rick plays in the series The FBI was played by Reynold in real life.
Bruce Lee And Steve McQueen
Many famous people from this era pop up in the film, cementing the story in the world of 1969 Hollywood. One of the most talked-about appearances is Bruce Lee whose role has been met with controversy. We also get to see Steve McQueen briefly along with a mention that Rick nearly had a career similar to McQueen’s.
While Lee and McQueen were big stars at the time, their inclusion in the story could have deeper meaning. It was reported that on the night of the Manson murders, both McQueen and Lee were meant to be at Sharon Tate’s house until their plans changed. By including them in the film, Tarantino could be alluding to this fact and perhaps the way things played out in his own ending.
