18 details even the biggest fans of 'When Harry Met Sally...' might not know

Eve CrosbieDec 29, 2022, 17:54 IST

IMDb/Columbia Pictures

"When Harry Met Sally..." is a classic, but fans may not know about these fascinating filming facts.
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan were both not first choice for the titular roles.

The character of Sally Albright was based on the film's screenwriter Nora Ephron.

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright in "When Harry Met Sally..." and screenwriter Nora Ephron.Columbia Pictures, Misha Erwitt/NY Daily News via Getty Images)

Likewise, Harry Burns was inspired by director Rob Reiner.

Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in "When Harry Met Sally..." and director Rob Reiner.Columbia Pictures, George Rose/Getty Images

The film's ending was changed after Reiner met his future wife and had his faith in love restored.

Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, and Meg Ryan on the set of "When Harry Met Sally..."Columbia Pictures

Meg Ryan can be seen looking off-screen at Reiner during one point in the movie.

Meg Ryan looks off camera to director Rob Reiner during an improvised scene in "When Harry Met Sally..."Columbia Pictures

A number of scenes were improvised, including the Pictionary game scene, which resulted in the memorable line "baby fish mouth."

The Pictionary scene was improvised.Columbia Pictures

The four-way phone call scene took more than 60 takes to get right.

The four-way phone call scene was difficult to film.Columbia Pictures

Fans can actually visit the restaurant and sit at the same table where Sally's fake orgasm scene was filmed.

You can visit the restaurant where the famous fake orgasm scene took place in "When Harry Met Sally..."Columbia Pictures, Chris Melzer/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

The woman who delivers the film's iconic line, "I'll have what she's having," is the director's mother, Estelle Reiner.

Director Robert Reiner's mother makes a cameo in the film.Columbia Pictures

Reiner's mother isn't the only family member he cast in the film. His daughter plays Harry's much younger girlfriend, Emily.

Harry's much younger girlfriend Emily is played by Tracy Reiner.Columbia Pictures

Reiner also makes a cameo of sorts. His voice can be heard during the film's first New Year's Eve party scene.

There are two New Year's Eve scenes in the film.Columbia Pictures

A lot of stars were considered for the role of Sally, including Molly Ringwald.

Molly Ringwald was considered for the part of Sally in the film.Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images

Similarly, the role of Harry was offered to quite a few leading men in Hollywood.

The role of Harry was offered to Tom Hanks, who declined it.CBS via Getty Images

Reiner left a clue about his follow-up film in "When Harry Met Sally…" and then included a callback to the rom-com in that very same film.

Rob Reiner references his next feature film "Misery" in "When Harry Met Sally..." and then returned the favor.Columbia Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Although not intentional, the inspiration for one of Ephron's films can also be found in "When Harry Met Sally…"

The bookstore scene was filmed in Shakespeare & Company before it shut down.Columbia Pictures

Reiner and Ephron struggled to come up with a title for the film.

The poster for "When Harry Met Sally..."Columbia Pictures

The same karaoke machine that Harry and Sally tested out in the shop is later seen in Harry's apartment, meaning he purchased it instead of a basketball hoop.

Harry is seen with the karaoke machine at the end of the film.Columbia Pictures

The six older couples who recount the stories of how they met were based on real people.

The film is interspersed with segments of married couples telling the stories of how they met.Columbia Pictures

Harry and Sally's own to-camera interview at the end of the film was completely improvised.

The final scene of the movie was improvised.Columbia Pictures

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