TAXI DRIVER

[The Mule]

I also heard that Paul Schrader's screenplay was modified from how he originally conceived it. From what I understand, in its original conception, it contained many racial slurs, especially in the parts when Travis' voice is narrating the "all the animals come out at night....pimps, junkies, etc." Other somewhat racist remarks, particularly against African Americans, were said to have appeared throughout the film, but were axed to order to not segregate the viewing audience.

I don't know how true that is. I'm looking at a 5/29/75 draft of the script and there are no overtly racist comments in the "All the animals come out at night speech." The most verbally racist character in the movie is Wizard--the cabbie played by Peter Boyle.

This is not to say that Travis isn't racist. Most of the racial unease is non-verbal with Travis giving black men cold stares and his obvious discomfort with the black cabbie at the diner.

Funny thing about the quick Scorsese cameo you mention. That shot of him sitting outside Palantine's campaign office lends a certain amount of credence to the story that the only reason Scorsese played the role of the jealous husband in the back of the cab is because the actor who they had cast didn't show up on the day of the shoot. If Scorsese had always intended to play that role, I doubt he would have also put himself in a non-verbal Hitchcockian background cameo as well.

[Guest Chaney]

Funny thing about the quick Scorsese cameo you mention. That shot of him sitting outside Palantine's campaign office lends a certain amount of credence to the story that the only reason Scorsese played the role of the jealous husband in the back of the cab is because the actor who they had cast didn't show up on the day of the shoot. If Scorsese had always intended to play that role, I doubt he would have also put himself in a non-verbal Hitchcockian background cameo as well.

CRIPES! I never thought of that... although I did know of the non-appearance of the originally cast backseat psycho.

Anyone ever come forward claiming to be the person originally cast to play that role?

[rockefeller center]

That shot of him sitting outside Palantine's campaign office lends a certain amount of credence to the story that the only reason Scorsese played the role of the jealous husband in the back of the cab is because the actor who they had cast didn't show up on the day of the shoot.

Yes, according to Michael Chapman the guy who was supposed to play had an accident on another movie and couldn't show up.

[The Mule]

Did a little more research last night and read an interview with Paul Schrader where he mentions Travis' racism. Evidently, in early drafts of his script, all the crooks in the whorehouse Travis kills are black. Both the producers and Scorsese demanded he change that.

Schrader also mentions that both men Travis decides to vent his rage on are "father figures" for the women in his life. Betsy works for Palantine and Iris works for Sport. He also sums up Travis' relationships with the women this way: One woman he wants but cannot have. The other he can have but does not want.