15 Pop Culture Facts About That Weirdo Movie Masterpiece ‘Edward Scissorhands’
Thirty-five years ago, one of the most bold and bizarre film ideas ever hit the big screen. Edward Scissorhands was the vision of director Tim Burton, who wanted to tell a story about what it feels like being different. And, of course, he told it in the most Tim Burton way possible, with tons of gothic whimsy and plenty of humor and heart. The film was a big success at the box office and has become a classic. It also transformed Johnny Depp's career from a teen idol into a serious actor. We dug up some arcane facts to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
A Modern Fairy Tale
Winona Ryder, who plays Kim in the film, described the character of Edward Scissorhands as “A combination of all my favorite fairy tale characters, of course in modern day, in suburbia.”
Welcome to Burbank
Tim Burton said that the unnamed town in Edward Scissorhands depicted what it was like for him growing up in Burbank, California.
Why Burton Cast Johnny Depp
For Edward Scissorhands, Burton said he was “looking for somebody who got the idea of that sadness of being misperceived.”
It Made Depp Cry
Johnny Depp cried when he read the script for Edward Scissorhands. “It was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever read in my life,” he said.
Sleeping with Scissorhands
To understand what Edward goes through while asleep, Depp left the scissorhands on and tried it. When he awoke the next morning, he’d found the hands across the room. “I’d flung them off during the night at some point,” Depp said.
Danny Elfman’s Music
Burton described Danny Elfman’s score as like “a lead character” in the film.
Another Edward
Gary Oldman turned down the role of Edward Scissorhands because his reaction to the script was “It’s ridiculous.” However, upon seeing the film, Oldman said "Literally two minutes in I went ‘Yeah, I get it. I get it.’ I just got it too late.”
Kim’s View of Edward
Ryder said that she thought her character was the only one who had an honest reaction to Edward Scissorhands, whereas everyone else in the town treated him like a celebrity.
Peg’s View of Edward
Diane Wiest, who plays Peg in the film, said that her character “doesn’t look at Edward’s hands — or deformity, if you will — as a deformity or something that could hurt her.” She also said Peg has “A tremendous amount of empathy.”
Alan Arkin on ‘Edward Scissorhands’
Alan Arkin, who plays Bill in the film, called Edward Scissorhands “The most original production I’ve ever been connected with.”
Arkin on Bill
Arkin described his character as “A barbecue-y kinda guy.”
Why Scissors?
Speaking on why he thought of scissors for hands, Burton said “It first started out of just those very simple teenage impulses of wanting to touch and wanting to communicate but not being able to. You know, the internal being at odds with the external. Again, very universal, very classic.”
No Edward Knifehands
On another occasion when Burton was asked “Why scissors?” he explained that scissors are very suburban and are associated with “making things,” whereas knives were more associated with horror and “destroying things.”
From ‘21 Jump Street’ to ‘Edward Scissorhands’
Johnny Depp was a bold casting choice as the actor was seen as a “teen heartthrob” thanks to his part in 21 Jump Street. Burton, however, saw that Depp was misperceived, just like Edward.
A Beautiful Story
Edward Scissorhands was one of the final roles of horror legend Vincent Price, who played The Inventor in the film. In an interview, Price described Edward Scissorhands as “A beautiful story.”