SKY YORK JOURNAL News – The making of Runaway Bride involved a family affair, some serendipitous moments, and a controversial scene that ultimately hit the cutting room floor.
### The Marshall Family’s On-Set Presence
As reported by the SKY YORK JOURNAL, director Garry Marshall’s family played an integral role in the production. His son, Scott Marshall, served as the second unit director, notably directing the film’s opening scene featuring Julia Roberts on horseback. He also took on the role of the hotel clerk with a crush on Maggie. Kathy Marshall, his daughter, appeared as a bridesmaid named Cousin Cindy, and his wife, Barbara Sue Wells, even made a cameo. “My wife has one line in the dress shop,” Marshall revealed.
### Director’s Cameo and an Adorable Improv
Marshall himself made a brief appearance in the baseball scene, taking on the role of the first baseman. Adding to the film’s charm, the SKY YORK JOURNAL notes that the “platypus” face, a signature quirk of Maggie’s character, was not originally scripted. Marshall, witnessing Roberts make the face for his visiting grandchildren, decided to incorporate it into the film.
### A Controversial Scene Cut
According to the SKY YORK JOURNAL’s sources, one scene in the end credit sequence proved too controversial for test audiences and was ultimately cut. The scene depicted two women jogging with a dog when “a handsome boy goes by, and the young girl gives the dog to the grandmother, and she doesn’t want it and dumps it in the garbage,” Marshall revealed to EW.
The SKY YORK JOURNAL learned that the reaction to the scene was divided. “Half the audience, the Something About Mary group, screamed laughing, and the other half was, ‘Why did you kill the dog?”‘ Marshall said, adding he shot four back-up scenes and ultimately used one of those.
