Line #7 Trivia/Babe


1	* BreakthroughHit: The film boosted composer Nigel Westlake's popularity outside of his native Australia.
2	* CrossdressingVoices: Creator/ChristineCavanaugh as the male piglet Babe.
3	* DuelingMovies: Against ''Film/{{Gordy}}'', a slightly earlier film also about a young talking pig. ''Babe'' won so handily that most people now think ''Gordy'' is the knockoff, even though, besides ''Gordy'' being released earlier, the two don't have as many similarities as one would expect.
4	* EnforcedMethodActing: Creator/JamesCromwell says that the expression he has on his face in the final shots of the film was the result of shock. He hadn't been paying attention to how the makeup made him look throughout production and finally got a good look when he stared into the lens to say his final lines. When he did see his appearance, he was so struck by how much he resembled his father it felt as if his father was looking at him and telling him that he did a good job on the film and that he channeled those feelings when praising Babe.
5	* FakeAmerican: Creator/MiriamMargolyes as Fly, Creator/HugoWeaving as Rex and many Australian extras doing (or redubbed with) American accents.
6	** Although a setting is never clearly established, very hot days around Christmas time do not happen in the United States. One could argue that the movie is set in Australia, making James Cromwell a FakeAustralian.
7	* HostilityOnTheSet: Creator/JamesCromwell recalls that he detected tension between director Chris Noonan and producer Creator/GeorgeMiller during production, with Miller frequently exerting creative control over Noonan's direction and Noonan feeling like he was being pushed aside. This has led to some allegations that Miller "ghost directed" the film, which Miller denies.
8	* KidsMealToy: In 1996, UsefulNotes/McDonalds released plush toys of Babe, Ferdinand, Fly, Maa, Duchess, the Cow, and the Mouse.
9	* PlayingAgainstType:
10	** A lighthearted family film, written and produced by [[Creator/GeorgeMiller the director]] of the notoriously bloody ''Film/MadMax'' series.
11	** Late voice actress Creator/RussiTaylor is best-known for voicing sweet and friendly characters (notably WesternAnimation/MinnieMouse). Here, she voices [[CatsAreMean Duchess the Cat]], who explains to Babe that pigs are supposed to get eaten by humans, making this one of [[WesternAnimation/BikerMiceFromMars her few]] [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep antagonistic]] [[WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue voice roles.]]
12	* SleeperHit: This was not expected to be a successful film at the box office but had a strong life in theaters and video thanks to critical acclaim, excellent word-of-mouth and its multiple Oscar nominations.
13	* StarMakingRole: Although a working actor since the 1970s[[note]]he had played Archie Bunker's best friend "Stretch" Cunningham on ''Series/AllInTheFamily'', which according to Cromwell ''would'' have been his star-making role had Carroll O'Connor not been jealous of his scene-stealing and [[ActorLeavesCharacterDies gotten him fired and his character killed off]][[/note]], it was ''Babe'' that really helped put Creator/JamesCromwell on the map and establish him into a constant and recognizable presence in major films ever since, though never actually the "star" or lead.
14	* SpinoffCookbook: ''Babe's Country Cookbook'' by Dewey Gram, a book of vegetarian recipes allegedly from Mrs. Hoggett's kitchen.
15	* TroubledProduction: There's a bit of controversy over who actually directed the film. Though Chris Noonan is credited as sole director and was subsequently nominated for an Oscar, many (including lead actor Creator/JamesCromwell) allege that writer-producer Creator/GeorgeMiller actually "ghost-directed" the film, some saying that he should've been credited as a co-director with Noonan. Supporting this theory is the fact that Miller subsequently directed the sequel without Noonan's involvement, and Noonan largely left theatrical filmmaking afterwards. Cromwell has claimed in interviews that there was consistently tension on-set between Noonan and Miller, Noonan later commented "I don't want to make a lifelong enemy of George Miller but I thought that he tried to take credit for Babe, tried to exclude me from any credit, and it made me very insecure. It was like your guru has told you that you are no good and that is really disconcerting." Miller responded by saying "Chris said something that is defamatory: that I took his name off the credits on internet sites, which is just absolutely untrue. You know, I'm sorry but I really have a lot more to do with my life than worry about that... when it comes to Babe, the vision was handed to Chris on a plate."
16	* VacationDearBoy: Creator/JamesCromwell said that he initially took the role because it meant he'd get a free trip to Australia.

Context Trivia / Babe