On the Waterfront

Continuity mistake: When Johnny Friendly is threatening Charlie about keeping Terry from testifying, they are seated at a table across from each other. There is a bottle of alcohol in front of Charlie. In most of the scenes of Charlie behind the bottle, the label can be seen in full. In a couple of scenes, the bottle is turned to the right and only shows a partial label. Charlie was obviously not handling the bottle.

Continuity mistake: In the scene where Terry is in the coop with all the dead pigeons, he is holding a dead pigeon in one of his hands, and he grabs the hook with the other hand. But when he stands up the pigeon and the hook have switched places.

Continuity mistake: As Terry approaches the coop, he has a dead pigeon in his left hand. The shot changes and he has it in his right hand, too quickly to have swapped it.

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Continuity mistake: In the scene when Terry is in the coop talking to the detective, watch the rubber leg bands for the birds that he pulls off the wire and puts on a string.

On the Waterfront mistake picture Video

Continuity mistake: During the start of the famous "I coulda been a contender" scene, watch Terry's head. When he tells Charlie that "it was you", his head is tilted to the left. In the next shot, it's tilted to the right.

Continuity mistake: In the taxicab scene when Charley threatens Terry with a gun, it is obviously a toy or a starter pistol that shoots blanks. When Terry appears in the Bar scene with what is supposed to be the same gun, it has become a very real .38 snub nose Detective Special.

Continuity mistake: When Terry finds Charley's dead body, in the first shot there are several bullet holes in his shirt, but then they're gone.

MikeH

Continuity mistake: In the scene where Terry is travelling in the back of the car with his brother Charley then hops out his exit is shown from outside the car. He gets out the rear passenger side door but it is clear from the in car shots Terry is sat behind the driver and so would have to climb over Charley to get out the rear driver side door.

Continuity mistake: When Johnny Friendly is threatening Charlie about keeping Terry from testifying, they are seated at a table across from each other. There is a bottle of alcohol in front of Charlie. In most of the scenes of Charlie behind the bottle, the label can be seen in full. In a couple of scenes, the bottle is turned to the right and only shows a partial label. Charlie was obviously not handling the bottle.

More mistakes in On the Waterfront

Terry Malloy: I coulda been a contender! I coulda been a somebody!

More quotes from On the Waterfront

Trivia: During the McCarthy Red Scare, director Elia Kazan decided to name suspected Communists in Hollywood and was severely criticized for doing so. It's widely believed this film was his attempt at vindication by portraying Terry Malloy as a hero who testifies in court against his friends.

More trivia for On the Waterfront

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