MovieChat Forums > The 'Burbs (1989) Discussion > Things I or you have noticed in the back...

Things I or you have noticed in the background??

posted 10 years ago by Andy2411
47 replies | jump to latest

This is one of my all time fav movies ever since I was a kid and watched this in 1990 at aged 8. I have watched this countless times since and have just bought and watched this on dvd so I can watch this on the big screen. I still have it on videotape and I have just heard that it will be out on blu-ray in July so I may have to buy a blu-ray player just for that film.

But anyway I have watched this so many times over 50, sad I know but has anyone only just or has recently noticed things in the background. I only just noticed the other day when watching....

1. the scene early on when Art is eating breakfast at the petersons and he grabs some food out of a bowl from Carol without her noticing and he clearly doesnt like what he tastes ... seconds later in the background we see carol with the bowl lay it on the floor for vince the dog.

Also I heard that apparantly Mark Rumsfield was packing a knife when he went to the Klopeks house ... lol ... I never even noticed or saw that.

I'm sure I will notice other stuff later but what have you noticed??? I'm curious.

[–] tigger83138 9 years ago

The blanket that is covering the bones in the trunk moves just before Feldman says "You do now".

[–] catdaddyd 9 years ago

Tom Hanks says Citizens Arrest, Citizens Arrest when grabbing the doctor at the end. In reference to the Andy Griffith Show, which Rance Howard appeared often, and his son played Opie.

[–] PinkPancreas 9 years ago

When Ray (Tom Hanks) is sitting at the kitchen table talking to his wife after she tells him she thinks they should go on vacation to the lake house etc. He explains that "this is what I need, Carol" and he waves his arms around. While he does that motion with his arms the tv is playing cartoons in the background and the sound of the cartoons while he's doing that is funny. I can't explain it in words but you just have to hear it. I've always thought that was funny and have also wondered if they did that on purpose or if it just worked out that way. It makes this whoo-whoo wirring sound when he waves his arms. Just check it out and see if you notice it. haha (I too have loved this movie ever since it came out and have seen it dozens of times. I know every line by heart. I can and do watch it over and over and over. It is the perfect movie!)

[–] josephcq 9 years ago

I'm so glad someone brought this up! I think the cinematic term would be "micky-mousing" when the onscreen action is synchronized with the music or sound effects.

I LOVE that part and have also wondered if it was incidental that it happens PERFECTLY as he moves his arms.

Someone mentioned it being weird that Walter trusted the Klopeks instead of amy of the other neighbors. The gentleman at the end that is explaining everything to Ray and he says he was hospitalized and asked DOCTOR Klopeck to get the mail. This suggests that he didn't call them or anything but rather the Dr. Worked at the hospital he was staying at.

Also...im not sure I would trust any if those looney-tunes with MY mail either.

[–] PinkPancreas 9 years ago

This might be a little nit-picky and I could certainly be mistaken but I don't believe the cop said Walter ASKED them to get his mail. I think he just states that they were getting it- almost like it could be believed that they were just doing it to be nice. In other words I don't think there was any communication between Walter and the Klopeks but that's just my take on it- I could be wrong.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] PinkPancreas 9 years ago

Somebody already mentioned this but I'll say it again b/c I thought it was so subtle yet so funny- after the house explodes Ray comes out of the house and literally slides down the steps. Great move!

Also- the writer of the movie, Dana Olsen (Making The Grade) makes a cameo as the police officer who tries to stop Carol from entering the scene of the crime when Ricky says that he can vouch for her...

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] seth_yeah 9 years ago

During the opening credits when Queenie chases after the paperboy, it yips as it jumps over the sidewalk instead of just running over it.

When Ray and Art see Hans for the first time. "Ray, Ray, what is it?"
... It's sorta like he refers to Hans as an "it" rather than a person.

[–] mayselikethecorn 9 years ago

Nobody mentioned this but when they are in the Klopek's house, when Brother Theodore's character walks through the door, you can see a green curtain in the background with the shadow of a noose on it. I JUST noticed this tonight.

[–] jsully9 9 years ago

When the group enters Walters house Art is wearing two watches.

[–] pauladowell 8 years ago

The fact that the Klopeks, who have a trunk full of skulls and bones, would go to the cops because they saw someone in their basement which has a 5000 degree furnace with more skulls

The Klopek's unkept front yard being the only yard on that street with dried up grass, dead bushes, dried trees with no leaves in spite of the fact that it rains. But the trees in the back yard are green and healthy