#shooting script

i'm sorry, did an edit

And here is actually my last post about Ophelia (for now - I know the prototype-Ophelia of Charles Addams appears in the 2019 animated movie but there isn’t really much to say about her there to make a whole post?). HOWEVER what there is enough to talk about to make a whole post is Ophelia’s appearance in the 90s movie. What? You say you never knew Ophelia was in the two classics live-action movie? You say you only thought she was in the 60s sitcom? Well get ready to REDISCOVER IT ALL!

I present to you: Cousin Ophelia Addams. The picture above was taken from the 1991 “The Addams Family” movie. This character, as identified by the credits, is Cousin Ophelia Addams (not Frump, Addams), played by the ballet dancer Allegra Kent. You can actually see her during the grand Addams family reunion dancing alone with a candle in her hand (or rather dancing WITH a lit-up candle as her partner). She also appears during the Mamushka scene: she is part of the line-up of Addams women that play the tambourines. 

You might think “Oh that’s just a little visual cameo...” WELL NO! 

  If you look at the script for the Addams Family movie (script which is nowadays available online, thanks Internet) you actually can find in there a full description of Ophelia AND small deleted dialogues she was supposed to have - before they were cut from the film. This precious behind-the-scenes and deleted content reveals to us that the movie-makers decided to go back to the original drawing of Charles Addams, and completely reinvent the sitcom character. Fully reusing the Shakespearian Ophelia reference, but by adding a modern American touch.

Here is how she was described: “COUSIN OPHELIA  ADDAMS, who looks like a Tennessee Williams heroine who’s just been fished out of the Mississipi. Later, when Morticia entertains the guests, there was supposed to be a small exchange between her and Ophelia.

Her mind water-logged and bleary, Ophelia adresses Morticia with a spacy Thorazine smile.

OPHELIA: Where is Fester?

MORTICIA: Soon, Ophelia. Soon.

OPHELIA: Where am I?

And you might be even more surprised to learn that Ophelia Addams also appears in the sequel, the “Addams Family Values” movie!

However in it she is played by a different actress, Laura Esterman. Once more, in the movie itself she just makes a visual appearance without any actual line. She is part of the numerous guests for Fester’s wedding, and when Wednesday catches the bouquet, she is one of the two women siding her (alongside Aphasia). [In the picture above you can see Ophelia on the right, biting her nails upon seeing Wednesday caught the bouquet]. 

     Once more the wonders of the Internet allow us to look into the shooting script for the movie. Here are unveiled MORE deleted scenes of the Cousin. Poor Ophelia seems to have her lines cut every time. Interestingly, originally Ophelia was intended to form a sort of comical duo alongside Countess Aphasia. Described as a “faded, demented Southern Belle”, Ophelia was supposed to have an exchange with Debby during the gift-shower.

MORTICIA: And this is Cousin Ophelia Addams, all the way from Memphis.

OPHELIA: Good afternoon, and congratulations. I was married once, you know. And for a time, I was so very happy.

DEBBY: And what happened?

OPHELIA (trying to recall, through a fog): I don’t know. (She looks around the room). Am I dead?

Later, at the wedding proper, she was also supposed to have this brief exchange with Aphasia.

ANGLE on Ophelia and Aphasia, among the guests. Ophelia dabs at her eyes with a lace hanky.

OPHELIA: I do love weddings. Have you ever been married?

APHASIA: Oh yes.

OPHELIA: In white?

Hey guys! So the last shooting script I shared with you was ‘Destiny’ which had some pretty major changes from what we saw in the episode, so it seemed only appropriate to follow on with a closer look at the shooting script for ‘The Quest’. This script was written by Chris Manheim and Steven L. Sears so we know right off the bat that this was going to be a good episode. These writers along with R.J. Stewart are the backbone of the Xena writing team and there is a serious correlation to all the impacting, emotional episodes being headed by one of these three. I don’t know why, but to be honest, I didn’t think this one would have many surprises when comparing screen to script. It seemed like it was a clear follow up to Destiny... but how pleasantly wrong I was! (read: this could be long- get a cup of tea...)

BUT! It is amazing. There is some great omitted dialogue and we find out the middle name of Xenan! 😮 Yes. First. Middle. Last. He has 3 names guys!

Lets get into it. Right from the start there are differences. There is a beautiful scene in the teaser of Gabrielle transporting Xena’s sarcophagus with people lining the road to pay their respects. We then see Xena conversing with M’Lila in the ‘ethereal place’ [remember, ‘Why and Where’ was the draft name of ‘Destiny’].

The dialogue between Gabrielle and Iolaus is also extended.

This next scene was greatly chopped up, and we lose a lot of dialogue. There is so much to pick apart in this! I will contain myself until after you have read it. 😶

Xenan’s middle name is Gabris! HOW is this never included in the show!? AHHH!! so excited! Xenan Gabris Phantes. 😍And he is 3 in this? So between ‘Is There a Doctor in the House?’ and now, 3 years have passed. Xena chronology! 🤯

This next one, I am kind of glad they did omit. Velasca the Poet? ...nahh.

There is some extended dialogue between Autolycus and Xena while they are trying to rescue Xena’s body.

This one was great. Finally we know the truth about why Amazon dance parties were included:

This scene is really interesting to compare how it was written to how it was played out in the episode. And to be honest, it answers a question I have always wondered. Why didn’t Xena just connect with Gabrielle’s mind? Now I know... I wish they had kept this in. There are some very emotive lines here.

There is extended dialogue between Xena and Gabrielle prior to the infamous ‘kiss’ scene. 😘

It’s really interesting. Looking back on both the ‘Destiny’ script and ‘The Quest’ this whole concept of Xena’s acceptance of past and realisation of future really does seem to get left on the cutting floor. We don’t get much of it at all in the aired episodes. It adds a new spin to the whole story arc.

There is a nice little extra scene added at the start of Act IV revolving around Ephiny. I think it is sweet. 🐎

The Autolycus line ‘hey, I paid for an hour!’ was ad-libbed by Bruce Campbell so its not in the script. Fun fact. 😁

The last thing I want to point out is another funny quip from Chris and Steve is a follow-up regarding ratings:

Hey, if you can’t add a bit of humor into your work day, you need a new job. 😎

To be honest, the rest of the script plays out much like it does on screen. 

I suppose I have to look at ‘A Necessary Evil’ next to wrap up this fantastic 3 episode arc so stay tuned.