The film's origin is somewhat unusual for an Eastwood
film. It actually began with a marketing survey that was attempting to test the
public's opinion of Sean Connery reprising his role as James Bond. It also asked
which famous starring roles they would like to see again. When the character of
Dirty Harry topped the list of most welcome returns, the studio approached Eastwood to do
it.
As for the story itself, it began life as a small film
that Eastwood had considered producing, but not starring in. After beginning work on
the screenplay, Stinson came up with the idea of turning it into a Dirty Harry film.
Eastwood liked it, and Harry's return was set.
Watch for the cameraman's reflection in the window of
Horace's car. It is plainly visible as he exits his car to sneak up on Harry's
target practice.
Meathead the bulldog is clearly a male when urinating in
Harry's room, yet when it warns Harry about the hitman behind the door it is a female.
Camryn Manhiem, best known for her role on the TV's
"The Practice", has a brief cameo towards the beginning of the film. She
can be seen standing behind Harry in the elevator.
The return of Freddie the Fainter! Joe Bellan appears briefly as the detective
with a taste for ketchup.
According to Dean Riesner, the 'Make my day' catchphrase
was originally written by him, and intended for The Enforcer's
script. The line became so famous that President Reagan used it in an address to
Congress, when challenged on an issue.
50's B-movie star Mara Corday may not have served
Eastwood coffee for ten years in real life, but she has served him with supporting roles
for several of his films. Aside from her role as Loretta the Waitress, she has
appeared in The Gauntlet, Pink Cadillac,
and The Rookie. Eastwood had a supporting role in one of her
films back in 1955, when he played a jet pilot in Tarantula.
Watch closely when the hitmen try to gun Harry down in
the dumpster. During the first close-up of their assault, notice the handgun of the
man closest to the camera. He shakes the gun wildly, despite the fact that it isn't
firing.
Although this is the only Dirty Harry film directed by
Eastwood, it is not the first time he has directed Harry. He also directed the
suicide jumper scene in Dirty Harry, while Don Siegel was sick
with the flu.
