Pretty Woman: How the Crew and Richard Gere Pranked Julia Roberts During the Bathtub Scene

Some iconic scenes leave lasting memories, and not just for the audience. In Pretty Woman, the unforgettable 1990 romantic comedy, the sequence where Vivian enjoys a bubble bath while singing loudly with headphones on is a true fan favorite. But behind this seemingly light moment lies a hilarious behind-the-scenes prank orchestrated by director Garry Marshall.

A Mysterious Disappearance Beneath the Suds

When the lead actress ducked underwater for a brief moment during a take, she had no idea what was coming. In a flash, with the active complicity of Richard Gere and the entire crew, the set was completely abandoned. When she emerged from the bubbles, she found herself utterly alone in a setting as quiet as a ghost ship, missing her co-star, director, and technicians entirely.

Humor as a Directing Tool

This grand-scale prank was no accident. For Garry Marshall, such moments of collective amusement were a vital tool to relieve tension whenever fatigue weighed heavily on the set. The filmmaker regularly dropped playful rumors to entertain his crew, such as claiming goldfish had been placed in the bathtub, sending everyone scrambling to spot them.

While these jokes might not have made it into the final cut, they highlight the warm camaraderie behind this cinematic classic. To revisit this iconic scene and the timeless romance, the film is currently streaming on Disney+.