10 Things You Didn't Know About A Nightmare On Elm Street
6. The Ending Was Born From Studio Interference
The ending of the first film that kick started a whole world of one-liners and dream warriors wasn't the one that was originally intended, no matter how bad*ss it might be to see Freddy's grotty dream arm popping through the window and sucking Marge through to her grisly demise. In fact, Wes Craven didn't want this nightmare coda added to the end at all, and has gone as far as to say that he actually regrets letting producer Robert Shaye interfere with his artistic vision.
In the oral history, Craven described it in his own words: "I felt that the film should end when Nancy turns her back on Freddy and his violence... Do I regret changing the ending? I do, because it’s the one part of the film that isn’t me."
Craven wanted a wholesome ending with Freddy defeated, whereas Shaye wanted Freddy to drive off in the convertible with the teens in tow. In the end, they compromised with the red and green soft top belying his influence still coming through - though neither party have been particularly happy with the half-and-half deal in the years since.