If you grew up in the 80s then you know how famous the Eastwood quote "Go ahead make my day" was. But turns out the line was first uttered in this movie in a similar context. The cop had a gun in Ramrod's face and tells him to "make your move, make my day" or something very similar.
shareYes, the line originated here with Gary Swanson... Eastwood basically stole the line from this film... but hey, that's Hollywood.
shareThe line here was uttered in a very non one liner fashion. I doubt anyone would pay attention to it to steal it. And it's not SO original that no one else could ever come up with. Not to mention that Eastwood's first part of the line fits much better since it avoids using the word "make" twice.
Is there a definite confirmation by someone from the Harry crew that this was in fact stolen or is it just a theory?
VICE SQUAD became a minor hit on cable and home video back in 1982.
SUDDEN IMPACT was filmed about a year later, in the middle of '83, and released to theaters around Christmas time.
The SUDDEN IMPACT screenplay was written in late '82 and early '83, precisely when VICE SQUAD was running on TV and being rented from video stores.
So would it be that shocking to you if the screenwriter of SUDDEN IMPACT, Joseph Stinson -- the guy who ended up being credited for that line of dialogue -- had seen VICE SQUAD on cable or home video as he was writing the Eastwood film?
Does this seem that unlikely to you?
Or do you think it's just a coincidence that VICE SQUAD used this line in '82, and Eastwood delivered a minor variation of the line, under nearly identical circumstances (pointing a gun at a bad guy), one year later?
What do you think?