10 Iconic Sci-Fi Movie Moments That Were Totally Improvised

7. "Singin' In The Rain" - A Clockwork Orange

Will Smith Independence Day
Warner Bros.

Improvisation? In a Kubrick movie? Though it sounds far-fetched, famed filmmaker and control-freak Stanley Kubrick did allow at least one instance of actor improvisation - on the set of A Clockwork Orange. Clearly, the director knew what he was doing, however, since this scene is one of the most iconic and disturbing in his repertoire.

A Clockwork Orange chronicles the fiendish exploits of Alex DeLarge, leader of a gang of youths who engage in sadistic acts of “ultra-violence”. One such act comes in the form of a break-in to a man’s home; once there, DeLarge and his gang beat the man within an inch of his life, then turn their attention to his wife.

DeLarge proceeds to rape the woman whilst belting “Singin’ in the Rain,” in a display that is guaranteed to rattle even the most prepared viewers.

Who conceived the idea for this horrific exhibition of juxtaposition? The credit belongs to DeLarge actor Malcom McDowell whose idea it was to sing the Gene Kelly classic. Allegedly, Kubrick thought that the attack of DeLarge’s gang was playing lacklustre during rehearsal. The director subsequently asked McDowell to do something outrageous to properly convey the insanity of the character, and voila – pure terror.

Contributor
Contributor

Dan is a writer and actor originally from South Australia who now lives in a constant state of anxiety... and Los Angeles. Whether writing about movies, watching movies, or binging the Great British Bake-off, Dan approaches any endeavour with a steely resolve which is rivalled only by his ability to lie about his strengths. For professional inquiries, call Melissa Cropley - Dan's mum; she wishes he would call more often and you'd really be doing him a favour.