10,000 Hours

Groundhog Day deleted scene - the perfect game

I Wish Today was Just Like Every Other Day

The idea that sufficient 

knowledge of The Present allows

accurate prediction of 

The Future is an example of 

Determinist philosophy.

The mathematican Pierre-Simon Laplace 

wrote that, for one with sufficent knowledge,

"The Future just like The Past would 

be present before His Eyes."

Ending Kiss | Groundhog Day (1993) | Now Playing

Well, I woke-up, Today.

And The World seemed ….

A Rest-less place.

It could have been 

that way, for Me —

….and I wandered around —

And I Thought of : Your Face.

That Groundhog Day, 

Looking back, at Me…

I wish Today, was just-like 

•every• other day;

Yes, today has been The Best Day —

Every Thing I •ever• Dreamed…!

And I Started to Walk; 

Pretty soon, I will run —

And I’ll come running, back to You!

So, I followed My Star :

and That’s What You ARE.

I’ve had a Merry time with You!

The original idea for Groundhog Day came to writer Danny Rubin in 1990. He had moved to Los Angeles to work as a screenwriter. While waiting in a theater for a film to start, he was reading Anne Rice's book The Vampire Lestat (1985). Rubin began musing about vampiric immortality and what one would do with their time if it was limitless. He reasoned that vampires were like normal people who did not need to adhere to ordinary rules or moral boundaries. He questioned if and when immortality would become boring or pointless, and how a person would change over time, especially if they were incapable of substantial change. He singled out men he deemed to be in arrested development, who could not outlive their adolescence.

Having recently sold his first script for what would become the thriller film Hear No Evil (1993), his agent prompted him to develop a "calling-card" script that he could use to gain meetings with producers. Rubin began work on his idea of a man changing over eternal life, but quickly realized that the idea was impractical because of the expense of depicting historical and future events. At this point, Rubin recalled a brief story concept he had written two years earlier that followed a man who woke every morning to find it was the same day repeating. Rubin married the two ideas to create the outline for Groundhog Day. By portraying eternity as a repeating cycle instead of a straight line through history, he eliminated the production cost of constantly changing settings. He believed that the repetition also offered him more dramatic and comedic possibilities.

Rubin opened a calendar and picked the next nearest holiday, February 2, Groundhog Day. He saw it as a date with story potential because it was a recognised holiday without much widespread attention. Rubin believed that people were vaguely aware of the holiday, on which a groundhog predicts the coming of spring. Even so, he believed few people outside Pennsylvania were aware that the actual festival takes place in the small town of Punxsutawney, something he became aware of through a writing job for a local phone company. Setting the story in Punxsutawney provided a small area in which to trap Phil Connors, while reporting on the event gave the character a reason to visit. Rubin took the main character's name from Punxsutawney Phil. He hoped the film could become a perennial holiday favorite, like It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).

Rubin spent eight weeks working on the story: seven making notes to define the rules and characters, and one writing the script. He struggled to establish a cause for the time loop, considering technological, magical, and celestial origins. He considered these methods interchangeable and felt the cause was unimportant and could detract from the story elements he wanted to focus on. Rubin said that the lack of explanation made Phil's situation more relatable, as "none of us knows exactly how we got stuck here either." He chose to begin the story in medias res, with Phil already caught in the time loop. The first scene included Phil waking to "I Got You Babe," predicting the radio host banter and the actions of the hotel patrons, and attacking a pedestrian outside. Rubin thought this would intrigue an audience trying to understand how and why he is doing these things. He chose "I Got You Babe" because it used a lot of repeating lines and was about love, which he felt were thematically resonant aspects. He likened his original script to the 1949 British black comedy film Kind Hearts and Coronets, particularly the flippant way in which Phil's multiple suicides are shown.

Rubin did not initially write the film as a broad comedy, considering it more whimsical. He found that the funnier elements were the easiest to think of; one of the earliest scenes he wrote was about Phil using his ever-increasing knowledge to seduce women. Loops were also dedicated to Phil seeing how far he could get outside of Punxsutawney; inevitably, he was always returned to the town. Even so, the script focused much more on Phil's loneliness. He breaks the loop only after realizing that there are other lonely people and that he can do good deeds to make them happier. Scenes in the finished film happened much earlier in Rubin's script, such as Phil driving over a cliff. The passage of time was also more distinct; Phil would track it by reading one page of a book per day, reaching his low point when he realizes he has run out of books. The original ending also featured a twist: Phil breaks his loop and then confesses his love to Rita. The perspective then becomes Rita's; she rejects Phil's advance because she is not ready for love and gets trapped in a loop of her own.

"When Chekhov saw The Long Winter, he saw 

A Winter bleak and dark and bereft of Hope. 

Yet we know that Winter is just 

another step in The Cycle of Life.

But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney, and 

basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts... 

I couldn't imagine a better fate, than 

a long and lustrous Winter. 

From Punxsutawney, it's 

Phil Connors. So long."

Groundhog Day — Bummer.

Every day is exactly the same

Every day is exactly the same

There is no love here 

and there is no pain

Every day is exactly the same

Bill Murray honors the late Harold Ramis on "Groundhog Day"

The Weatherman :

Rita. Can you keep a secret, Larry? 

I'm probably leaving PBH. 

So this will be the last time we 

do The Groundhog together. 

Larry, The Cameraman :

What's wrong with The Groundhog Festival? 

In San Diego, I covered the swallows 

returning to Capistrano six years. 

The Weatherman :

Someday, somebody will see me 

interviewing a groundhog, and 

think I don't have A Future. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

I think it's a nice story. He comes out, 

and he looks aroud.... 

He wrinkles-up his little nose --

He sees His Shadow 

or he doesn't see it. 

It's nice. People like it. 

The Weatherman :

You are new, aren't you? 

People like blood sausage too. 

People are morons. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Nice attitude. 

Look in the mirror and see 

what you look like doing 

that groundhog thing.

 For me? Once? 

He comes out and looks 

at his little shadow.

The Weatherman :

Would you like some blood sausage?

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

I like blood sausage. 

The Weatherman :

Rita, I can't stay here.

Larry, The Cameraman :

Prima donna. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

I'll handle it. What's the matter? 

The Weatherman :

I hate this place. I stayed here 

two years ago. I was miserable.

It's a fleabag. I'm not staying here.

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

You're not staying here. 

The Weatherman :

I'm not? 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Larry's dropping me off. I booked 

you in a nice bed-and-breakfast. 

The Weatherman :

Great. I think this is the trait 

of a really good producer : 

Keep The Talent happy. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Anything I can do. 

The Weatherman :

Would you help me with my pelvic tilt? 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Within reason. Would you like to 

have dinner with Larry and me? 

The Weatherman :

No, Thank You. 

I've seen Larry eat. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Get your sleep. I'll see you in 

the morning. Don't be late. 

Larry, The Cameraman :

Did he actually call himself 

"The Talent"? 

Okay, campers, rise and shine. Don't forget your booties because it's cold out there today. It's cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach? Not hardly. You can expect hazardous travel later with that blizzard thing. "That blizzard thing"? Here's the report. The National Weather Service is calling for a big blizzard thing. They are. But there's another reason why today is especially exciting. Especially cold. The big question on everybody's lips….

On their chapped lips. Do you think Phil will come out and see his shadow? - Punxsutawney Phil. - That's right, woodchuck chuckers. It's Groundhog Day! - Get up and check that hog! - Come here, groundhog! 

Good morning. You off 

to see the groundhog?

I am. 

Do you think it will be an early spring? 

I'm predicting March . 

Good guess. I think that actually is 

the first day of spring. 

Did you sleep well, 

Mr. Connors? 

I slept alone, Mrs. Lancaster.

Would you like some coffee?

Is there any possibility of getting an espresso 

or a cappuccino this morning? 

I really don't know. 

How to spell "espresso" or "cappuccino. " This looks fine. 

I hope you enjoy the festivities. - I'm sure I will. There's talk of a blizzard. We may catch a break and have that blizzard blow by us. All this moisture coming up out of the south... will probably push on east of us. At high altitudes it will crystallize and give us what we call snow. Probably will be some accumulation... but here in Punxsutawney our high will be about today, teens tonight. Chance of precipitation about percent today and tomorrow. 

Did you want to talk about the weather 

or were you just making chitchat?

Chitchat. - See you later. - Bye. - Will you be checking out today? Chance of departure today : 100 percent. 

Phil Connors? I thought that was you! 

How you doing? Thanks for watching. 

Don't tell me you don't remember me. I sure as heck-fire remember you. - Not a chance. - Ned Ryerson! Needlenose Ned. Ned the Head. Come on, buddy. Case Western High. I did the whistling belly button trick at the high school talent show. Bing! Got the shingles real bad senior year, almost didn't graduate. Bing again! I dated your sister Mary Pat till you told me not to anymore. Did you turn pro with that belly button thing or what? - I sell insurance. - What a shock. Do you have life insurance? You could always use a little more. Am I right or am I right or am I right? Right? I would love to stand here and talk with you, but I'm not going to. - See you. - I'll walk with you. Whenever I see an opportunity now, I charge it like a bull. Ned the Bull, that's me now. I have friends who live and die by the actuarial tables. It's all one big crap shoot. Have you ever heard of single premium life? I think that really could be the ticket for you. God! It is so good to see you! - What are you doing for dinner? - Something else. It's been great seeing you, Needlehead. Take care. Watch out for that first step. It's a doozy! Strike up the music The band has begun The Pennsylvania Polka Pick out your partner and join in the fun It started in Scranton It's now number one It's gonna entertain you Phil, over here! Where have you been? It was horrible. A giant leech got me. You're missing all the fun. These people are great. Some have been partying all night. They sing until they get too cold... then they sit by the fire, get warm and sing some more. They're hicks, Rita. Did you sleep okay without me? You tossed and turned, didn't you? - You're incredible. - Who told you? It's groundhog time. On me in three. Two, one. Once a year, the eyes of the nation turn to this tiny Pennsylvania hamlet... to watch a master at work. The master? Punxsutawney Phil... the world's most famous weatherman, the groundhog... who, as legend has it, can predict the coming of an early spring. 

The Question we have to ask ourselves today is, "Does Phil feel Lucky?" Then it's the same old schtick. The guy with the big stick raps on the door. They pull the little rat out. They talk to him. The rat talks back and then they tell us what's gonna happen. Isn't he cute? You like your guys with prominent upper teeth? 

"This February at : and seconds,

Punxsutawney Phil, the seer of seers, 

prognosticator of prognosticators,

emerged reluctantly, but alertly, 

in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

and stated in Groundhogese :

"I definitely see A Shadow." 

Sorry, folks. Six more 

weeks of winter. 

Wah-wah, wah-waaaaa —

On Me in Three. Two, One -- Television really 

fails to capture the true excitement of 

a large squirrel predicting The Weather. 

I, for one, am very grateful to have been here. 

From Punxsutawney, this is Phil Connors. So long. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Want to try it again without the sarcasm? 

We got it. I'm out of here. 

Prima donnas. 

Boy, take a look at this. 

What is going on? 

I don't know. Perhaps 

it's that giant blizzard 

we're not supposed to get. 

This is impossible. 

Nobody honks this horn but me, pal. 

Take this rig out of here. 

The Weatherman :

Commander, what's going on? 

The Law :

There's nothing going on. 

We're closing The Road.

Big blizzard moving in.

The Weatherman :

What blizzard? 

It's a couple flakes. 

The Law :

Don't you listen to The Weather? 

We got a major storm here. 

The Weatherman :

I make The Weather! 

All this moisture coming up out of the Gulf

will push off to the east and hit Altoona. 

The Law :

Pal, you got that moisture on your head. 

You can Go Back to Punxsutawney or you can 

Freeze to Death. It's your choice. 

What's it gonna be? 

The Weatherman :

….I'm thinkin’. 

The Weatherman :

All the long-distance lines are down? 

What about the satellite? 

Is it snowing in space? 

Don't you have a line you keep open for 

emergencies or for celebrities? 

I'm both. I'm a celebrity in an emergency. 

Can you patch me through on that line, please? 

Can I have one more with 

booze in it? I like it here. 

Rita, The Weatherman's Producer :

Phil, are you going to The Groundhog Dinner? 

The Weatherman :

I had groundhog for lunch. 

It wasn't bad. Tastes like chicken. 

You two run along. Looking foxy tonight, man. 

Is your troop selling cookies again this year? 

Larry, The Cameraman :

That's so funny, Phil. 

What are you gonna do? 

The Weatherman :

I'm going back to my room and take a hot shower. 

Maybe read Hustler or something. 

Larry, The Cameraman :

Suit yourself. 

The Weatherman :

God! Yo, Mom. Isn't there 

any hot water? 

Guest-House Owner :

There wouldn't be today. 

The Weatherman :

Of course not. Silly me. 

Sweet dreams.