Inside When Harry Met Sally: Unseen Casting Twists and Katz’s Deli Revelations
Alright, here is the inside story you need on the rom-com that forever changed Hollywood. When Harry Met Sally premiered on July 21, 1989, and posed the enduring question of whether men and women can remain just friends. Directed by Rob Reiner and penned by Nora Ephron, the film steered Billy Crystal out of comedy clubs and established Meg Ryan as America’s sweetheart. With a modest $16 million budget, it went on to gross over $90 million, proving that chemistry and clever dialogue can triumph over blockbuster budgets.
The project began unexpectedly when Reiner, still riding high from This Is Spinal Tap, pitched Ephron a courtroom drama. Ephron, fresh from Silkwood, declined but stayed for lunch. As their conversation shifted from legal battles to personal heartbreaks, Reiner sketched out a new idea: two friends agree not to sleep together after their first relationships end, only to see that pact endangered by attraction. Ephron grabbed a notebook and began capturing candid anecdotes from Reiner and producer Andy Scheinman, many becoming dialogue in the final script.
Titles evolved as much as the script. Early working names included Scenes From a Friendship, nodding to Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage, then Boy Meets Girl, It Had to Be You, and even Harry, This Is Sally. Reiner insisted on appending ellipses to the final title; Ephron grumbled but ultimately conceded. Those three dots would become as iconic as the characters themselves, despite media confusion over their inclusion.
Casting nearly took a different turn at every turn. Ephron initially imagined Reiner in the role of Harry, but the director insisted on a box-office draw. Michael Keaton, Tom Hanks, Albert Brooks, and Richard Dreyfuss all passed on the part. Crystal, known for his stand-up and TV work, awaited the call. He later recalled agents joking that he was the only lead not yet contacted. His audition won Reiner over and launched a new phase of Crystal’s career.
Meg Ryan, meanwhile, earned her breakthrough after memorable cameos in Top Gun and The Doors. Her audition demonstrated the perfect mix of wit and warmth needed to play Sally. Together with Crystal, she delivered lines that became woven into popular culture. Phrases like “baby fish mouth” and “on the side” swept the nation. And, of course, filming at Katz’s Delicatessen produced the legendary fake-orgasm scene. Ryan’s spontaneous performance stunned crew and customers alike, becoming one of cinema’s most talked-about moments.
Beyond casting and titles, the film’s conversational structure—vignettes across years and cities—reflected Ephron and Reiner’s real-life dating war stories. Supporting roles and cameos added depth, with cameos from actors like Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher providing moments of levity. Critics hailed the film’s wit and honesty, and audiences responded by making it a staple of date-night viewings.
Through a combination of sharp writing, serendipitous casting, and genuine performances, When Harry Met Sally remains a blueprint for romantic comedies. Now, over three decades later, its secrets continue to fascinate fans and filmmakers alike. There you have it, folks—time to revisit Harry and Sally with fresh eyes.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Erin Carlson
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
