Six-fingered glove with Inigo Montoya's sword from the 1987 film The Princess Bride, which Mandy Patinkin used for his 2020 performance in Princess Bride Reunion, on display at The Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington

On September 13, 2020, most of the original cast members of the 1987 film The Princess Bride took part in a virtual live dramatic reading of the film script to support Wisconsin Democrats. The returning cast included Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, and Carol Kane, with additional performances by Rob Reiner as the Grandfather, Josh Gad as Fezzik, Eric Idle as the Impressive Clergyman, Whoopi Goldberg as the Ancient Booer and the Mother, and Jason Reitman as the narrator, among others. Norman Lear joined the Q&A session at the end, which was hosted by Patton Oswalt. Cast members promoted the event beforehand using the hashtags "#PrincessBrideReunion" and "#DumpTrumperdinck." More than 110,000 viewers donated a dollar or more to Wisconsin Democrats to view the livestream, which raised $4.25 million and received widely positive reviews, with special praise for Patinkin's performance.

Origin of event

The idea to recruit Princess Bride cast members for a fundraiser was inspired by a benefit event organized by Wisconsin Democrats that reunited cast members of The West Wing.[1][2] According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cary Elwes (Westley in the film) approached a friend who knew Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to ask if he could help raise money for the battleground state.[3] Wisconsin Democrats and others promoted the virtual script reading with digital ads and social media.[4][5] Elwes began teasing the event in his Twitter feed in early September 2020, announcing it openly on September 4:[6]

#Inconceivable! I’m excited to announce a virtual #PrincessBrideReunion! Chip in any amount at the link & get an invite to this special event on Sun. Sept. 13th with myself, @RealRobinWright, @PatinkinMandy, @robreiner & many more! #DumpTrumperdinck.

Wisconsin was considered an important "swing state" in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. In 2016, Donald Trump won the state, despite consistent polls that showed Hillary Clinton ahead.[7][8] The police shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020, followed by the fatal shooting of two protestors, also created political tension in Wisconsin.[9]

Senator Ted Cruz, responding to the event announcement on Twitter, said that he wished the Princess Bride movie, which he called "perfect," would stay out of "Hollywood politics".[10] Widespread news coverage of Cruz's criticism, and of pushback from the cast,[11][12][13] "led to a surge of publicity," according to The New Yorker.[14]

Cast

Although most of the original actors volunteered for the fundraiser, Deadline Hollywood announced on September 9 that there would be several replacements and additions. The replacements included Whoopi Goldberg (playing more than one part), Eric Idle (playing The Impressive Clergyman), and Josh Gad (playing Fezzik). Grandpa and The Narrator, two roles originated by Peter Falk (who died in 2011) were taken by Rob Reiner and Jason Reitman. Norman Lear joined the Q&A session at the end, which was hosted by Patton Oswalt.[15] Fred Savage was unable to join the event because it conflicted with his brother's birthday.[16][17]

The 2020 event featured:[15]

Framing story

Main story

Additions to the original

Performance

After some technical problems that delayed the performance, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler thanked the audience for supporting Democrats. Although 2020 polling showed Joe Biden ahead of Donald Trump in Wisconsin, Wikler noted that Trump won Wisconsin in 2016 despite trailing in polls throughout that campaign.[3]

To set the scene, Jason Reitman read the screenplay's stage directions in addition to reading the role of The Narrator. A few performers had transient audio problems, and King Bach did not appear due to technical problems. Finn Wolfhard read Bach's parts, as well as The Grandson. The actors were filmed individually in their homes, as was common in 2020 due to Coronavirus. Most wore ordinary street clothing and read without props, although Mandy Patinkin and Billy Crystal used some of their props from the film.[18]

After the readthrough, Patton Oswalt moderated a Q&A session with questions from the online audience. Norman Lear, the film's producer, said there were no plans to remake the movie but that he hoped to see a musical version some day.[18]

Reception and aftermath

Though live and not perfect, the table-reading received positive reviews. The A.V. Club mentioned "the obvious love and enthusiasm with which every member of the cast, original or otherwise, brought to this event," but singled out Mandy Patinkin for special praise.[19] Listing "11 delights" from the event, they mentioned Josh Gad's "surprisingly moving Andre the Giant tribute," Billy Crystal's homemade "Miracle Max" set, and "basically everything involving Mandy Patinkin."[19]

According to Rolling Stone, "highlights included Elwes donning a medical mask for the line 'It’s just that masks are terribly comfortable — I think everyone will be wearing them in the future' and Patinkin’s entire performance."[20]

The New Yorker also singled out Patinkin, and his dramatic introduction of Inigo Montoya's six-fingered sword:[14]

...he threw himself into his old role with a passion that seemed to sear the lens of his Webcam. He roared, he wept, he danced; he rolled his 'R's and sharpened his 'E's; he even came in costume—a white shirt, rakishly unbuttoned to mid-chest. At the moment of the story’s first marvelous duel, when Montoya introduces his sword, Patinkin presented—to considerable excitement in my household (and on Twitter, where my feed was briefly overwhelmed by exclamation marks and the word “sword”)—an actual prop sword from the film itself.

Entertainment Weekly noted many viewer comments on the "Miracle Max" background Billy Crystal had created (he also wore his original hat from the film.) They also enjoyed the Q&A session, including the cast's memories of Andre the Giant.[18]

More than 110,000 listeners donated $1 or more to be able to tune in to the event,[21] which raised $4.25 million for Wisconsin Democrats.[22] On September 18, the Associated Press updated earlier numbers to say that more than 142,000 viewers made donations, bringing the amount raised to $4.26 million.[23] Wikler said of the event that it was the biggest grassroots fundraiser the party has ever held.[24]

Trump campaign spokespeople, however, said that the online event would not help Biden win Wisconsin. Trump's spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "Unlike the movie, we know what inconceivable means, and a Biden victory in Wisconsin is simply inconceivable".[16] Mr Biden would go on to win the state by 20,697 votes, according to the final ballot count.[25]

Elwes, being interviewed on Morning Joe on September 17, said that following the success of the reunion other battleground states approached him about doing table reads of other classic movies.[26] By October 31, according to The Washington Post, the Princess Bride table-read[27]

propelled an unprecedented run of virtual cast reunions...The flurry of Democratic fundraising cast reunions and readings in recent months has included Veep, Seinfeld, Parks and Recreation, Happy Days and Superbad...

A recording of the live performance can be accessed using a passcode, in exchange for a donation to Wisconsin Democrats.[28]

References

  1. ^ Morena, J Edward (September 5, 2020). "'Princess Bride' cast to reunite for Wisconsin Democrats fundraiser". The Hill. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the idea came after the former cast of "The West Wing" reunited to promote When We All Vote, the voter registration initiative co-chaired by former first lady Michelle Obama.
  2. ^ Beresford, Trilby (October 31, 2020). "From 'Superbad' to 'Princess Bride': Virtual Reunions Bring Beloved Casts Together to Amplify Election Voices". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020. So I called a friend of mine, Pantera Sarah, who worked for President Obama on his election campaign who happened to be from Wisconsin to discuss what could be done. That is when we came up with the idea of a table read. After the success of that, we got a call from Speaker Pelosi thanking us
  3. ^ a b Strauss, Jackie (September 17, 2020). "How Wisconsin Democrats Used Hollywood Reunions to Make a "Critical Difference" in the 2020 Election". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. Elwes organized the Princess Bride reunion event with the original cast of the 1987 classic film in mid-September that went on to raise $4.25 million dollars.
  4. ^ Johnson, Ted (September 4, 2020). "'The Princess Bride' Cast To Reunite For Virtual Script Reading And Fundraiser For Wisconsin Democratic Party". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. The cast of The Princess Bride will reunite virtually for a reading of the script of the 1987 classic, as a virtual fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin...The event will raise money for the state party, with a signup and donation required to view but no minimum. The party also is promoting it through digital ads and social media.
  5. ^ Linnane, Rory (September 6, 2020). "Princess Bride' cast to host virtual fundraiser for Wisconsin Democrats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020. Word of the event quickly spread on Twitter, with promotions by Elwes using the hashtag #DumpTrumperdinck" as a nod to "Princess Bride" character Prince Humperdinck.
  6. ^ Fernandez, Alexia (September 4, 2020). "Robin Wright, Cary Elwes and Other Princess Bride Cast Members to Reunite for Virtual Script Reading". People (magazine). Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. Elwes, 57, teased the event on Thursday on Twitter, and shared the news on Friday, writing, '#Inconceivable! I'm excited to announce a virtual #PrincessBrideReunion! Chip in any amount at the link & get an invite to this special event on Sun. Sept. 13th with myself, @RealRobinWright, @PatinkinMandy, @robreiner & many more! #DumpTrumperdinck.'
  7. ^ Weigel, Dave; Tierney, Laura (August 16, 2020). "The seven political states of Wisconsin". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. In 2008, Barack Obama and Joe Biden carried the state by 14 points, carrying 59 of the state's 72 counties. They carried it by 7 points in 2012, despite Ryan's presence on the Republican ticket, and the 2016 Hillary Clinton-Tim Kaine ticket led in every single public poll of the state before losing by less than 1 point.
  8. ^ ""Wisconsin: Trump vs. Clinton" (Real Clear Politics, 2016)". Archived from the original on 2017-09-16. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  9. ^ Aquilina, Tyler (September 5, 2020). "The Princess Bride cast reuniting for virtual script reading fundraiser". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Wisconsin has also been the site of unrest in recent weeks after Jacob Blake, a Black man, was shot several times by a police officer in Kenosha, Wis., Two days later, two protesters demonstrating against police brutality were killed, and another injured, by a 17-year-old shooter who is a supporter of President Trump.
  10. ^ Goldman, David (September 13, 2020). "'The Princess Bride' had a prescient line about mask wearing". CNN. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. Elwes noted he began wearing a mask in February – the same time that President Donald Trump told reporter Bob Woodward that he knew the severity of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Woodward's book, Rage.
  11. ^ Schafer, Ellise (September 5, 2020). "'The Princess Bride' Cast Reunites for Wisconsin Democratic Party Fundraiser". Variety. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Elwes then quote-tweeted Cruz's reaction, saying to him 'If you only left the fire swamp you could join us,' once again referencing the film and using the hashtag #Dumptrumperdinck.
  12. ^ Goldman, David (September 6, 2020). "'The Princess Bride' cast is reuniting and Ted Cruz is livid about why". CNN. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020. In a tweet Saturday, Cruz called The Princess Bride 'perfect' and said he wishes it would stay out of "Hollywood politics." Elwes, who played the movie's hero, Westley, responded that Cruz should 'leave the fire swamp.'
  13. ^ Folley, Aris (September 7, 2020). "Ted Cruz, longtime fan of 'The Princess Bride,' swipes at cast members' plans to reunite to raise money for Democrats". The Hill. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. Ben Wikler, who chairs the Wisconsin Democratic Party, responded to Cruz's tweet later on Saturday, urging him to join the virtual read. "Just think—you can say to Trump: 'Hello. My name is Rafael Cruz. You insulted my father. Prepare to lose,' " he tweeted.
  14. ^ a b Rosner, Helen (September 14, 2020). "Highlights from a "Princess Bride" Virtual Live Read". New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020. Unfortunately for Cruz, his tweet led to a surge of publicity for Sunday's event, which drew an audience of more than a hundred thousand connected devices—and secured, therefore, more than a hundred thousand donations for the Biden-Harris campaign's operations in the battleground state.
  15. ^ a b Johnson, Ted (September 9, 2020). "Whoopi Goldberg, Eric Idle Among Guests Added To 'Princess Bride' Reunion Script Reading". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020. Whoopi Goldberg, Eric Idle, Jason Reitman and Josh Gad are among the guests added to a virtual reunion of The Princess Bride on Sept. 13.
  16. ^ a b Spicuzza, Mary (September 13, 2020). "'Inconceivable!': More than 110,000 tune into 'A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion' fundraiser for Wisconsin Democrats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. But the Trump campaign insisted the event won't help Biden win Wisconsin. 'Unlike the movie, we know what inconceivable means,' Wisconsin Trump campaign spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
  17. ^ "'Princess Bride' Reunion: Politics non-factor in Fred Savage's absence". TMZ. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. Sources close to the actor – who played The Grandson in the '80s cult classic – tell us he was in the loop about the Zoom reunion but was unable to participate because he was celebrating his younger brother Ben's birthday.
  18. ^ a b c Yang, Rachel (September 14, 2020). "Best moments from Princess Bride reunion: Mandy Patinkin and more swap André the Giant stories". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Many commenters thought that the night's MVP was Patinkin, who portrayed Inigo Montoya in the 1987 film. Fans loved the actor's spirited performance during the table read, especially when he delivered Inigo's famous "You killed my father, prepare to die" line....Many viewers also praised Crystal, who portrayed Miracle Max in the classic comedy, for his set decoration during the event. The actor even wore his character's hat from the movie.
  19. ^ a b Shoemaker, Allison (September 14, 2020). "Mandy Patinkin's six-fingered sword and other delights from the Princess Bride reunion". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on September 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020. The table-reading and reunion, which served as a fundraiser in support of Wisconsin Democrats, was a messy, technically clumsy, non-stop source of delight, with the cast giving it all they had, their giddiness coming through even when they were off camera.
  20. ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (September 14, 2020). "'The Princess Bride' Cast Reunite for Hilarious Table Read". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020. highlights included Elwes donning a medical mask for the line "It's just that masks are terribly comfortable — I think everyone will be wearing them in the future" and Patinkin's entire performance, which he supplemented with the very sword he used during the filming of the original movie
  21. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (September 13, 2020). "Inconceivable!': More than 110,000 tune into 'A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion' fundraiser". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020. More than 110,000 people donated at least $1 to tune into "A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion" on Sunday night, making the online event an inconceivable fundraising win for Democrats here.
  22. ^ Spicuzza, Mary (September 17, 2020). "'A fundraiser of unusual size': Princess Bride reunion raises $4.25 million for Wisconsin Democrats". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Actor Cary Elwes, who played Westley in the film, dropped the $4.25 million figure Thursday morning during an interview on "Morning Joe." Elwes also played a key role in organizing the fundraiser. During the event, Elwes said he called his friend Sarah Uphoff, a Wisconsin native, to see what he could do to help.
  23. ^ "Wisconsin Democrats' 'Princess Bride' reading raises $4.3M". Associated Press. September 18, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020. The original cast from the beloved 1987 film reunited Sunday for the reading along with guest stars Whoopi Goldberg, Eric Idle of Monty Python and Josh Gad. Viewers had to donate $1 to gain access for the stream. The party said the average donation was $30.
  24. ^ "'Princess Bride' Stars Reunite for Wisconsin Democratic Fundraiser". The Hollywood Reporter. 14 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Biden wins Wisconsin back from Trump, edging him closer to presidency". Independent.co.uk. 4 November 2020.
  26. ^ "'Princess Bride' stars reunite for table read, raise over $4M". Morning Joe. September 17, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Actors Robin Wright and Carry Elwes, both of the classic film 'The Princess Bride' took part in a virtual table read that was a benefit for the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Both Wright and Elwes join Morning Joe to discuss the read, which raised over $4M.
  27. ^ Cavna, Michael (October 31, 2020). "'Princess Bride,' 'Seinfeld' and more: How nostalgic cast reunions became a Democratic fundraising weapon". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020. The flurry of Democratic fundraising cast reunions and readings in recent months has included Veep, Seinfeld, Parks and Recreation, Happy Days and Superbad, and this weekend brings live-stream events involving Rocky Horror Picture Show (Saturday) and several members of the Veep team (Sunday).
  28. ^ Pocowatchit, Rod (October 2, 2020). "Inconceivable! 'Princess Bride' and other iconic casts reunite for virtual reunions". Witchita Eagle. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020. The link above asks for any monetary contribution to get access to a replay of the online event...After you donate, you'll get an emailed receipt with the link and passcode to watch the replay.
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