Question 1

What was Mike Nichols' rule for Nathan Lane and Robin Williams before allowing improvisation?

Accepted Answer

Mike Nichols required that Nathan Lane and Robin Williams filmed at least one good take of each scene sticking to the script before he would allow them to improvise.

Question 2

Why did Robin Williams switch roles from Albert to Armand in The Birdcage?

Accepted Answer

Robin Williams wanted a change from flamboyant characters and didn't want to repeat his Mrs. Doubtfire drag role, so he asked to be cast as Armand after Steve Martin dropped out.

Question 3

What unplanned moment happened during the shrimp scene with Robin Williams?

Accepted Answer

Robin Williams's slip and fall during the shrimp scene was not planned. He really fell, and he, Hank Azaria, and Dan Futterman are holding back laughter in the scene.

Question 4

What surprising inspiration did Hank Azaria use for his character's voice?

Accepted Answer

Hank Azaria realized after filming that he had based his character Agador's voice on his grandmother's.

Question 5

What political reference did Gene Hackman make while on the ladder?

Accepted Answer

Gene Hackman gives the peace sign while on the ladder as a reference to Richard Nixon, since Hackman was on Nixon's enemies list in the 1970s.

Question 6

What was Mike Nichols' rule for Robin Williams and Nathan Lane's improvisation?

Accepted Answer

Mike Nichols required that Nathan Lane and Robin Williams filmed at least one good take of each scene sticking to the script before he would allow them to improvise.

Question 7

Why did Robin Williams switch roles from Albert to Armand?

Accepted Answer

Robin Williams was originally cast as Albert but wanted a change from flamboyant characters and to avoid repeating his role in Mrs. Doubtfire, so he asked to be cast as Armand instead.

Question 8

What unplanned moment happened during the shrimp scene?

Accepted Answer

Robin Williams's slip and fall during the shrimp scene was not planned; he really fell, and he, Hank Azaria, and Dan Futterman are holding back laughter in the scene.

Question 9

What is the central conflict in The Birdcage?

Accepted Answer

A gay cabaret owner and his drag queen partner agree to put up a false heterosexual front so that their son can introduce them to his fiancée's conservative parents.

Question 10

Which major awards recognized The Birdcage in 1997?

Accepted Answer

The Birdcage was recognized at the Golden Globes, Academy Awards, and Writers Guild of America in 1997.

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The Birdcage

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