Some Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About ‘Groundhog Day’

By Rachel West. 2 Feb 2021 9:08 AM

Jaded weatherman Phil Connors relives Feb. 2 over and over again in the 1993 comedy “Groundhog Day”. From rabies shots to mastering the piano, here are a few things you might not know about the Bill Murray movie.

Bill Murray Spends 34 Years Reliving The Same Day

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Bill Murray Wasn’t The First Choice For Phil

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Bill Murray Spends 34 Years Reliving The Same Day
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There are 38 different days depicted in “Groundhog Day” but experts calculate that Murray’s character Phil Connors would have been trapped 12,395 days in order to become an expert ice sculptor and pianist.
Groundhog Day - 1993
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They’re cute predictors of weather but they bite. Murray was reportedly bitten twice during filming. The bites were so severe he required two anti-rabies shots.
‘Bill Murray Stepped Here’
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The film was shot in Woodstock, Illinois, 45 miles from Murray’s hometown of Wilmette. There is a plaque that reads “Bill Murray Stepped Here”, marking the spot where Phil Connors repeatedly steps in a puddle. There’s another plaque, “Ned’s Corner”, marking the building where insurance salesman Ned Ryerson accosts Connors each day.
Vampires Inspired The Film
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Scriptwriter Danny Rubin says he was inspired by Anne Rice’s “Interview With The Vampire” when he pondered what it would be like to live forever.
Bill Murray Wasn’t The First Choice For Phil
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Bill Murray wasn’t the first choice for director Harold Ramis. His “Ghostbusters” co-star originally wanted Tom Hanks for the part but deemed the actor “too nice” to play the jaded and sometimes nasty weatherman. Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and John Travolta were all considered for the role, but ultimately fell into the same “nice” category as Hanks. Michael Keaton famously turned down the role because he “didn’t get it” – later admitting he regretted his decision.
Tori Amos Was Almost Cast
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Singer Tori Amos was originally considered for the role of Rita, which eventually went to Andie MacDowell.
Michael Shannon’s Big Screen Debut
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A 19-year-old Michael Shannon made his film debut in “Groundhog Day” as Fred, the groom at the wedding. Between takes, the young actor reportedly saw Murray listening to a cassette tape of The Talking Heads. Shannon asked Murray if he liked band, with Murray giving a not-so-kind response to the aspiring actor. Shannon recounted the story to Ramis, only to have the director force Murray to apologize to the young actor, much to his embarrassment.
Bill Murray’s Big Brother Is In It
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Brian Doyle Murray, who plays head groundhog honcho Buster Green, is the elder brother of Bill Murray. The brothers have starred together in several films including “Caddyshack”, “Ghostbusters II”, “Scrooged”, and more.
Honorary Groundhog Day Duties
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Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Stephen Tobolowsky, who plays Ned Ryerson, have all acted as honorary Groundhog Day marshals in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Some Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About ‘Groundhog Day’

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