Who says the final cut is the only part of a movie worth watching? The process of shooting can be just as dramatic, comedic, and action-packed as the finished product.
One of the most extraordinary behind-the-scenes moments in horror film history took place during the filming of Scream (1996). In the movie's chilling opening sequence, Drew Barrymore's character, Casey Becker, frantically tries to call 911 while being terrorized by the killer, Ghostface. However, due to an unexpected oversight, the prop phone Barrymore used was connected to a real landline.
Unaware of this, Barrymore inadvertently dialed 911 multiple times during takes, screaming and hanging up, which triggered genuine concern from emergency operators. The confusion escalated when the police called back to the set, puzzled and alarmed by the repeated distress calls. It wasn't just a mistake; it became a perfect storm of terror and reality blending seamlessly on screen.
Wes Craven, ever the master of tension, later reflected on the mishap as a happy accident that only deepened the film's authenticity. The phone calls mirrored the very panic that Barrymore was meant to portray, turning an off-script moment into a chilling enhancement for the movie. Barrymore's performance set the tone for the franchise, her terror becoming a symbol of the slasher genre. Despite Scream's initially mixed reviews, this behind-the-scenes blunder remains one of the most memorable and intriguing stories in horror film lore.
