By Sara Bright
From chipped teeth to improvised scenes and a cameo that never was, the making of Dumb and Dumber is a saga as delightfully absurd as the film itself. Join us as we peel back the layers of this beloved comedy, uncovering the hilarious anecdotes and unexpected twists that transpired behind the scenes. Prepare to laugh, cringe, and revel in the sheer brilliance of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ iconic on-screen chemistry.
Opening Credits: A Comical Curtain Raiser
Right from the opening credits, the film sets the tone for the hilarity to come. Eagle-eyed viewers may notice charming mistakes scattered throughout, a subtle nod to the delightfully dumb antics that ensue.
Aspen, Breckenridge, and The Shining Connection
While the film is set in the affluent ski town of Aspen, the actual filming location was the quaint resort of Breckenridge. Rumour has it that Aspen’s authorities demanded a price tag too steep for the production, prompting a strategic relocation. Intriguingly, the Danbury Hotel featured in the movie is none other than the Stanley Hotel, the very establishment that inspired Stephen King’s horror masterpiece, The Shining.
Jim Carrey’s Haunted Hotel Stay
Speaking of The Shining, Jim Carrey’s stay at the Stanley Hotel during filming was purportedly cut short by an unsettling experience. According to hotel staff, the actor fled from Room 217 on his first night, screaming and refusing to return. Whether truth or urban legend, the anecdote adds a deliciously spooky layer to the film’s production lore.
Wild Things and Hilarious Homages
In a delightful meta-moment, Harry (Jeff Daniels) asks Lloyd (Jim Carrey) where he learned a particular scam they pull on a cafe patron. Lloyd’s reply? He saw it in the film “Wild Thing” – a movie that happens to feature Jeff Daniels himself performing the very same trick.
A Nod to Silent Comedy Greats
The Farrelly brothers paid homage to the golden age of silent cinema by naming their lead characters after the legendary comedian Harold Lloyd. A fitting tribute to the physical comedy that inspired generations of laugh-out-loud performances.
Nirvana’s “Polly” and Cryptic Connections
During a scene featuring a dead parrot, a blind boy utters the famous line “Polly wants a cracker” – the same opening lyrics to Nirvana’s iconic track “Polly.” While the connection may seem coincidental, some fans speculate deeper meanings, adding another layer of intrigue to the film’s pop culture tapestry.
Jim Carrey’s Real Chipped Tooth
Lloyd’s chipped tooth, a signature look that became synonymous with the character, was no mere prop. It was a real-life feature of Jim Carrey’s, the result of a past dental mishap. To fully embody the role, Carrey had the cap removed, embracing his imperfection and imbuing Lloyd with an added touch of authenticity.
Jeff Daniels: The Perfect Foil
While Jim Carrey’s manic energy and physical comedy stole the show, Jeff Daniels’ more subdued performance provided the perfect counterbalance. In fact, it was Carrey himself who insisted on casting Daniels as the straight man, ensuring the audience’s focus remained firmly on the film’s zany leading man.
A Brief Marital Union
Two years after Dumb and Dumber’s release, Jim Carrey and his co-star Lauren Holly (who played the object of Lloyd’s affections, Mary Swanson) tied the knot. Alas, their union was short-lived, lasting a mere 10 months – a blink of an eye compared to the film’s enduring legacy.
Lost in Translation: Untranslatable Humor
Much of the film’s humor defies easy translation, rooted in cultural references and linguistic nuances. From Lloyd’s misguided Australian accent when meeting a woman from Austria to the wordplay surrounding a hypothetical bulldog-Shih Tzu crossbreed, these moments showcase the writers’ knack for crafting jokes that dance on the edge of comprehension.
Musical Madness and Cinematic Easter Eggs
Fans of the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise will delight in the film’s subtle nod to the series. Lloyd and Harry taunt the character Mental with the same song the Griswolds famously sang in the 1983 classic. This homage is a testament to the film’s roots, as the original Dumb and Dumber script was penned by none other than Vacation writer John Hughes.
A Hockey Star’s Cameo Tradition
The role of the long-suffering carp was brought to life by Canadian hockey legend Cam Neely, who would go on to make cameo appearances in two more Farrelly brothers’ films: Me, Myself and Irene (2000) and the long-awaited Dumb and Dumber To (2014).
Clearing Harry’s Name: A Comedic Conundrum
One burning question remains: how did Harry manage to evade legal consequences for his unintentional involvement in Mental’s demise? While the film glosses over this detail, fans can only speculate as to what Harry might have offered the FBI to clear his name of such a serious crime.
A Chronology of Dumbness
Dumb and Dumber’s timeline is a delightfully convoluted tapestry, with the film taking place eight years after the events of the 2003 prequel When Harry Met Lloyd. The sequel, Dumb and Dumber To, then picks up the story in 2014, reigniting the duo’s misadventures after a decade-long hiatus.
The Cameo That Never Was
Initially, the cameo role of Bobby, Mary’s husband, was slated for none other than Mel Gibson. While the casting would have added an extra layer of star power, fans can only imagine the potential hijinks that might have ensued with Gibson’s larger-than-life presence.
Continuity Gaffes and Improvised Genius
Keen observers may spot a continuity gaffe as Lloyd grabs a bartender’s shirt, switching hands between shots. But such minor slip-ups pale in comparison to the sheer brilliance of Jim Carrey’s improvised moments, including the iconic “We Landed on the Moon” scene at the Danbury Hotel bar.
Carrey’s Meteoric Rise and Hefty Payday
Initially offered a fee of $700,000, Jim Carrey’s breakout success in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective propelled his asking price to a staggering $7 million – a figure that accounted for a whopping 40% of the film’s budget. In contrast, Jeff Daniels accepted a mere $50,000, eschewing negotiations in favour of the opportunity to work alongside his comedic counterpart.
Product Placement or Practicality?
The Aspen police’s fleet of SAAB 9000 CS vehicles raised eyebrows among viewers, prompting speculation of product placement. However, the filmmakers maintain that the choice was rooted in practicality, as the high-end vehicles were a common sight in the affluent ski town.
From opening credits blunders to improvised genius and a cameo that tantalizingly never materialised, the behind-the-scenes tales of Dumb and Dumber are as entertainingly absurd as the film itself. As we revel in the enduring hilarity of this comedy classic, let us raise a glass (or perhaps a briefcase full of ransom money) to the creative minds who brought Lloyd and Harry’s misadventures to life, ensuring that their dumbness will forever be enshrined in cinematic history.