MovieChat Forums > How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) Discussion > missing scenes

missing scenes

posted 17 years ago by TonyDood
13 replies | jump to latest

Anyone remember the original version of this or have it on tape like I do? There's a missing scene when Jessica Lange goes into the men's room about 1:20--a guy comes in, takes a leak and sings a song while Jessica is hiding in a stall. My guess is they couldn't get the rights to the song he's singing, although seems they could've dubbed something else in. They cut it out on regular TV because it's too rude for regular TV, obviously, maybe one day they just never put it back. I dunno--it's weird, I've never been able to figure it out. As it stands now Lange climbs through the window into the bathroom, turns as if she's heard something (it's the guy who is cut out of the movie coming into the bathroom) then the next shot is her leaving the men's room.

Oh well, just curious if anyone else noticed.

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[–] pazuzu-2 15 years ago

As someone who actually saw this movie in a theater, I know that scene is missing too. I do remember it being shown on early 80's HBO/Cinemax broadcasts as well and then, later on, when it was shown again, it was gone.

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[–] TonyDood 15 years ago

Well, thanks pazuzu-2, if nothing else, it helps to know you're NOT crazy (at least, about THAT subject)

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[–] pazuzu-2 15 years ago

I think it's a case of some prints missing the scene and some are not because I did remember seeing it one time after that on a channel other than HBO/Cinemax.

Someday, I will have to track down an early VHS/Beta release to see if it's on there.

Polls... One of the Main Stream Media's Jedi Mind Tricks.

[–] bluehelix 14 years ago

I just watched it on CNBC and the scene was there. The song sounded like some old show tune.

[–] mit800 14 years ago

I saw it yesterday too and the scene was there.

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[–] Old70115 14 years ago

Well I have it on a DVD its there but its because its a transfer off ofa vhs

[–] pazuzu-2 12 years ago

I'd love a copy too. I am willing to bet the scene gets eliminated in some versions because whatever tune the guy sings is copyrighted.

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[–] stan39520-219-199845 13 years ago

LOVE TO HAVE A COPY WTITH THAT SCENE

[–] Blueghost 12 years ago

I vaguely remember the scene you're talking about. Vaguely. But yeah, what you say makes sense.

[–] arthurab 9 years ago

I don't remember it. I know my DVD doesn't have it, but my old VHS copy might. I'll have to check. Thanks for the heads up. I love searching for stuff like that.

[–] Blueghost 9 years ago

Got the bluray, and it's still edited out.

Oh well.

[–] TonyDood 9 years ago

Nertz :( Is it at least a wide screen print...?

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[–] Blueghost 9 years ago

It is in fact in widescreen too. And true widescreen; i.e. they didn't just crop the old DVD master, but actually did a fresh transfer. 

EDIT; I think they cut out a few frames for some reason in the bedroom scene where the couple quotes Lincoln to one another. I remember a line after Lange leaves where the husband says "Why did I start quoting Lincoln?!" ... but now it's gone. Unless I'm just imagining that and it was never there ... oh well.