Pulp Fiction was featured at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills as part of the Academy’s newest 17-week “Great To Be Nominated” series.

It was revealed that Miramax kingpin Harvey Weinstein had plans to open a chain of Jack Rabbit Slims restaurants after Pulp Fiction became such a huge success. Apparently Quentin Tarantino had to talk him down, explaining that the restaurant in the film was actually goofing on the trend of popular theme restaurants of the early ’90s. But Tarantino acknowledged that the five-dollar milkshake is no longer just a joke, but a reality in most diners and restaurants.

The Jack Rabbit Slim sequence in Pulp fiction was actually filmed at the Famous Mel’s. In the film, Mia (Uma Thurman) takes Vincent (Travolta) to the restaurant. The waitstaff and entertainers resemble 1950s personalities such as Ed Sullivan (the maître d’), Buddy Holly and Marilyn Monroe (both of whom are waiters). Besides regular seating, patrons can also sit in a replica of a 1950s automobile, which has a table and seating inside the car. The food is also named after personalities from the 1950s or earlier - when asked what kind of milkshake Mia would like, she’s offered a choice of Amos and Andy (Chocolate) or Martin and Lewis (Vanilla). Vincent orders the Douglas Sirk Steak, while Mia has the Durward Kirby Burger. Both are given the option of having their meat “burnt to a crisp” or “bloody as hell”. A few restaurants, bars and bands across the world have since adopted the name.

Other Juicy tidbits revealed during the panel include:

• The role of Butch the boxer (Bruce Willis) was originally written for Matt Dillon.
• Daniel Day-Lewis was interested in playing Vincent Vega (John Travolta’s role).
• Laurence Fishburne was originally pegged for Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson’s role), but Fishburne thought he was above supporting roles at that point in his career.

Discuss: Would you eat at Jack Rabbit Slims?

source: pajamasmedia