Small Details From The 'Back To The Future' Trilogy That Fans Uncovered
Ever since a young high school student named Marty McFly traveled back in time in 1985, the Back to the Future series has been one of the most beloved and rewatched science-fiction comedy series ever made. There have been three feature films, an animated series, a Universal Studios ride, comics, and so much more. Back to the Future is one of those series that people just enjoy watching, and it's packed with incredible yet small details.
Most fans tend to watch the movie and gloss over a detail or two, but some are more attentive. When those fans find something fascinating, they often take to the MovieDetials subreddit to share their findings, and the most interesting are listed below.
Take a look at these small details from the Back to the Future trilogy that fans noticed, and when you come across one you haven't seen before, go ahead and give it an upvote to see which one rises to the top!
- 148 VOTES
Filming Locations Differed By Time, As Noted On A Poster
Even though Marty went to the same school as his parents, Redditor u/drod2015 pointed out a good reason the gyms looked so different:
Back to the Future filmed at different gyms for scenes in 1985 vs. 1955. To justify this a school poster points out the 1985 gym is new.
- 269 VOTES
Marty's Shoes Were Done Via A Practical Effect
While Marty's shoes looked futuristic, Redditor u/millamber noted that it was done entirely practically:
The self-lacing Nike shoe from Back to the Future II was modified so the laces exited the bottom of the shoe. Michael J. Fox stood on a platform and a stagehand underneath pulled the laces to make the effect.
- 380 VOTES
There's A Difference Between The Band And The Man Himself
There's a reason Marty plays the music he does in the first film, and as Redditor u/gummibear1985 noted, it was all about the late, great Eddie Van Halen:
In Back to the Future (1985) when Marty McFly scares George McFly into following his plan, the cassette he plays him is labeled as "Edward Van Halen." This is because the band denied the filmmakers' request to use their music, but Eddie Van Halen himself agreed to perform some licks.
- 475 VOTES
Marty's Destruction In The Past Changes His Present
Whatever Marty does in the past tends to have an impact, as noted by Redditor u/gametime98:
In Back to the Future the name of the mall changes when Marty goes into the past and runs over one of the two trees.
- 558 VOTES
The Statler Family Has Been In Business For 100+ Years
There's a lot of continuity across the various timelines in the series, as noted by Redditor u/OttieandEddie:
In Back to the Future the Statler family ran the transportation business in Hill Valley. In 1885, Joe Statler's business was called Honest Joe Statler, which advertised "fine horses sold, bought, and traded." In 1955, it changed to Statler Studebaker. In 1985, it was Statler Toyota.
- 648 VOTES
"Mad Dog" Tannen Insulted Marty When He Met Him
Redditor u/BeaversAndButtholes noted that "Mad Dog's" words were chosen with purpose:
In Back to the Future Part III (1990), Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen asks Marty McFly "What's your name, dude?" In the 19th century, 'dude' was an insult. It was used to refer to dandies; city dwellers who dressed in fancy clothes and who came west to their "dude ranches," or rich hobby farms.
