The Wedding of Indiana Jones
In January, 2002, Spielberg told us, “Kate is in it.” A few months later in April, Lucas confessed, "There is a scene where a lot of Indy's ex-girlfriends show up, but they are not major characters." Even Ford said with a wink: "It's probably going to be the best scene in the movie." That was five years ago. However, we might have the faintest clue as to which scene they may be referring. This may have sprung from Jeb Stuart’s script, Indiana Jones and the Saucer Men from Mars. (Or perhaps the idea first germinated in Jeffrey Boam’s script and brought to light through Stuart’s draft.) In any case, Indy gets married. There is a plot twist during the wedding. And what follows is a scene at a bar with Indy, Willie, and Marion, which I think would have been (and could still be) loved and embraced by all.
So I’d like to share with you that sequence, the wedding of Indiana Jones from Jeb Stuart's script.
Let me set this up. Indy’s with Dr. Elaine McGregor, a linguist from Princeton, who’s engaged to be married to Benny. She is FEISTY and just as maniacal about hunting for artifacts as he is. And after going through a big adventure with her on an excavation site in Borneo, southeast Asia, he makes a rash decision while standing with her on the deck of a PT boat…
Indy pulls her close.
She kisses him.
They kiss again.
INT. BRIDES CHAMBER - DAY
THREE BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS primp in front of a mirror.
HELEN MCGREGOR, 50s, a beautiful well-bred woman, arranges the shoulders of a wedding gown and looks into the mirror at ELAINE who’s radiant in her wedding dress. Calm, beautiful, excited. She notices her mother crying.
INT. GROOM'S CHAMBERS - DAY
Indy, completely frustrated, struggles with his tie and an OLDER PAIR OF HANDS takes over... HENRY JONES, SR.
Henry finishes Indy's tie and looks at him. For a moment he softens.
The door opens and Elaine pokes her head inside.
Elaine enters, radiant beyond words. Henry Jones is speechless.
She gives him a wink and a kiss on the cheek completely enchanting him.
He leaves. When the door is closed, Indy pulls her close.
She kisses him when there is a knock on the door and Bridesmaid #1 sticks her head in the room.
INT. CHURCH - DAY
As the organ plays the guest begin to enter. We see WILLIE and MARION, led to their seats by SHORT ROUND and SALLAH, the ushers.
Marion and Willie gives him a look. While the bride's side of the church has a very proper contingent of guests, Indy’s side tells a different story...a wilder more worldly group of guests from all points of the globe.
ANGLE FRONT OF CHAPEL
Henry and Indy step out with the MINISTER and look back at the front as the bridesmaids begin to enter the chapel. Henry smiles at each of them.
INT. NARTHEX - DAY
As the rear of the chapel we see Elaine putting the finishing touches on her veil...Her FATHER (FRED MCGREGOR) kisses her, pats her hand... Everything is perfect.
EXT. CHAPEL - DAY
Outside the church a dark sedan pulls up and a HANDSOME MAN, early forties, climbs out. He hears the strains of the WEDDING MARCH and hurries to the chapel.
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
As the last of the bridesmaids takes her place, Indy prepares for Elaine's entrance...
ON ELAINE
she and her father start toward the door when suddenly the rear door opens and the man enters. Elaine turns her head, sees him and her smile disappears...
ON INDY AND HENRY
from their viewpoint they can see Elaine and the man.
THE ORGANIST
continues her playing, but Elaine doesn't enter...
ON INDY AND HENRY
watching Elaine and the man.
Indy clearly doesn't recognize the man.
They continue to watch. Elaine and the man talk quietly but with animated gestures.
Elaine clearly appears to be telling him she's about to get married. The man is very serious.
THE GUESTS
guests begin to shift worriedly.
He looks up and Elaine's father is motioning to Indy from the rear. Elaine is nowhere to be seen.
Indy rushes up the aisle to Elaine's father.
Indy rushes out the door.
EXT. PRINCETON CHAPEL - DAY
...where the black sedan roars off. Indy looks around, spots the wedding car with “JUST MARRIED” soaped on the windows and cans hanging off the back...The DRIVER waits beside the car.
Indy brushes the driver out of the way and climbs in behind the wheel.
EXT. PRINCETON STREETS - DAY
Indy accelerates through traffic in the sleepy college town, CANS BANGING after him. He closes-in on the black sedan.
The two cars cut back and forth in and out of traffic. It is clear that the driver of the black sedan has no intention of allowing Indy to catch up.
INT. INDY'S CAR - DAY
Indy pulls out to pass, when a truck suddenly backs out in front of him. He slams on the brakes and cuts the wheel, sending the wedding car...
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
...roaring across campus. Indy cuts down sidewalks and over lawns...all the time keeping the black sedan in sight until he blasts through a hedge onto
FOOTBALL PRACTICE FIELDS
The football team scatters in front of the wedding car.
INDY
cuts hard again to avoid the band and cheerleaders who dive for cover.
THE WEDDING CAR
roars down an embankment onto a lower field where homecoming floats are being prepared.
INDY
sees the floats too late and
CRASHES
through the tallest one, taking half the chicken wire and crepe paper with him through a fence and swerving to avoid students stacking...
TWO STORIES OF WOOD FOR THE HOMECOMING BONFIRE
The car clips the bottom corner and the entire stack wobbles, then collapses as students leap to the ground and
INDY'S CAR
bursts through a picket fence and back onto...
CAMPUS STREET
...and coming out just behind the black sedan!
Indy floors it, moving closer...fender to fender. The man holds a look with Indy, then veers the black sedan into Indy's car, causing him to slam on the brakes and crash into a yard as the black sedan disappears...
AROUND THE CORNER
...and runs up a ramp, disappearing inside a tractor trailer truck.
TWO MEN
dressed as movers, fold up the ramp and close the doors of the trailer revealing the name: CAMPUS MOVERS.
INDY'S CAR
pulls out of the yard and roars around the corner to find the sedan gone. His car roars past the truck as the men climb into the cab and drive off.
Indy stops the car. The road ahead is empty. The black sedan has vanished. He climbs out and looks around but Elaine has vanished. Behind him the moving van pulls away.
EXT. CHAPEL - LATER
Indy returns to the chapel where the confused guests are milling about.
Henry consoles Elaine's mother.
Sallah and Short-Round are as confused as everyone else, though most of the guests have given-up on the wedding.
Indy moves quickly to Elaine’s father.
Henry looks at Indy, stunned.
Indy looks as if he's been punched in the stomach. Henry leaves Indy and goes to Fred, wrapping a sympathetic arm around him.
The two men move off together leaving Indy with his misery.
Sallah comes to console his friend.
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
Indy wanders back into the church. He takes off his buttoner and tosses the flower. A WOMAN'S VOICE behind him brings him out of his thoughts...
Indy sees Marion sitting in a pew.
Willie Scott joins her.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Indy drowns his sorrows in a drink, surrounded on either side by Willie and Marion.
They both emulate Indy sleeping and burst into fits of laughter.
Indy starts to protest, then realizes they have a point. He looks lower than ever.
Willie and Marion exchange a look, remembering...
They burst into laughter again.
So I’d like to share with you that sequence, the wedding of Indiana Jones from Jeb Stuart's script.
Let me set this up. Indy’s with Dr. Elaine McGregor, a linguist from Princeton, who’s engaged to be married to Benny. She is FEISTY and just as maniacal about hunting for artifacts as he is. And after going through a big adventure with her on an excavation site in Borneo, southeast Asia, he makes a rash decision while standing with her on the deck of a PT boat…
Indy pulls her close.
INDY
Dr. McGregor...
ELAINE
Yes, Dr. Jones...
INDY
Will you marry me?
ELAINE
Yes.
Dr. McGregor...
ELAINE
Yes, Dr. Jones...
INDY
Will you marry me?
ELAINE
Yes.
She kisses him.
INDY
What will Benny say?
ELAINE
Benny is a wonderful, intelligent
man... he'll think of something.
What will Benny say?
ELAINE
Benny is a wonderful, intelligent
man... he'll think of something.
They kiss again.
INT. BRIDES CHAMBER - DAY
THREE BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAIDS primp in front of a mirror.
BRIDESMAID #1
In the jungle...
BRIDESMAID #2
How romantic...
BRIDESMAID #3
Maybe I should go to the jungle...
In the jungle...
BRIDESMAID #2
How romantic...
BRIDESMAID #3
Maybe I should go to the jungle...
HELEN MCGREGOR, 50s, a beautiful well-bred woman, arranges the shoulders of a wedding gown and looks into the mirror at ELAINE who’s radiant in her wedding dress. Calm, beautiful, excited. She notices her mother crying.
ELAINE
Mom, what's wrong?
HELEN
When we bought this dress, I
thought you were going to marry
Benny...
ELAINE
Oh, mother, when you get to know
Indy, you'll see, I made the right
choice. He can do anything...
Mom, what's wrong?
HELEN
When we bought this dress, I
thought you were going to marry
Benny...
ELAINE
Oh, mother, when you get to know
Indy, you'll see, I made the right
choice. He can do anything...
INT. GROOM'S CHAMBERS - DAY
Indy, completely frustrated, struggles with his tie and an OLDER PAIR OF HANDS takes over... HENRY JONES, SR.
HENRY JONES
I'd known your mother for three
years before we got married.
INDY
What's your point, Dad?
HENRY JONES
My point is: What do you know about
this girl? Who are her parents?
What schools did they go to?
INDY
I don' t know and it doesn’t matter.
I love her.
I'd known your mother for three
years before we got married.
INDY
What's your point, Dad?
HENRY JONES
My point is: What do you know about
this girl? Who are her parents?
What schools did they go to?
INDY
I don' t know and it doesn’t matter.
I love her.
Henry finishes Indy's tie and looks at him. For a moment he softens.
HENRY JONES
Your mother would have liked to
have been here, Junior... She would
have told you something, if she was.
INDY
What?
HENRY JONES
Don't blow it.
INDY
Thanks, dad. I'll try to remember that.
Your mother would have liked to
have been here, Junior... She would
have told you something, if she was.
INDY
What?
HENRY JONES
Don't blow it.
INDY
Thanks, dad. I'll try to remember that.
The door opens and Elaine pokes her head inside.
ELAINE
Knock, knock... may I come in?
Knock, knock... may I come in?
Elaine enters, radiant beyond words. Henry Jones is speechless.
INDY
You look...fabulous.
ELAINE
I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?
INDY
No. Dad was just leaving...
HENRY
Isn't it bad luck for the bride to
be seen by the groom before the
wedding?
ELAINE
I'm not superstitious...are you?
You look...fabulous.
ELAINE
I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?
INDY
No. Dad was just leaving...
HENRY
Isn't it bad luck for the bride to
be seen by the groom before the
wedding?
ELAINE
I'm not superstitious...are you?
She gives him a wink and a kiss on the cheek completely enchanting him.
HENRY
Me, superstitious?
(to Indy)
I'll just... meet you in the
church.
Me, superstitious?
(to Indy)
I'll just... meet you in the
church.
He leaves. When the door is closed, Indy pulls her close.
ELAINE
I just wanted to tell you... This
is the most wonderful day of my
life and I love you, more than
anything.
INDY
Anything?
ELAINE
Anything.
I just wanted to tell you... This
is the most wonderful day of my
life and I love you, more than
anything.
INDY
Anything?
ELAINE
Anything.
She kisses him when there is a knock on the door and Bridesmaid #1 sticks her head in the room.
BRIDESMAID
Elaine...It's time...
Elaine...It's time...
INT. CHURCH - DAY
As the organ plays the guest begin to enter. We see WILLIE and MARION, led to their seats by SHORT ROUND and SALLAH, the ushers.
MARION
I can't believe he actually found
someone who would say "yes."
WILLIE
I know.
SALLAH
You mean other than yourselves?
I can't believe he actually found
someone who would say "yes."
WILLIE
I know.
SALLAH
You mean other than yourselves?
Marion and Willie gives him a look. While the bride's side of the church has a very proper contingent of guests, Indy’s side tells a different story...a wilder more worldly group of guests from all points of the globe.
ANGLE FRONT OF CHAPEL
Henry and Indy step out with the MINISTER and look back at the front as the bridesmaids begin to enter the chapel. Henry smiles at each of them.
HENRY
(whisper, to Indy)
It's a shame Marcus isn't alive to
be here... he loved beautiful women.
(whisper, to Indy)
It's a shame Marcus isn't alive to
be here... he loved beautiful women.
INT. NARTHEX - DAY
As the rear of the chapel we see Elaine putting the finishing touches on her veil...Her FATHER (FRED MCGREGOR) kisses her, pats her hand... Everything is perfect.
EXT. CHAPEL - DAY
Outside the church a dark sedan pulls up and a HANDSOME MAN, early forties, climbs out. He hears the strains of the WEDDING MARCH and hurries to the chapel.
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
As the last of the bridesmaids takes her place, Indy prepares for Elaine's entrance...
ON ELAINE
she and her father start toward the door when suddenly the rear door opens and the man enters. Elaine turns her head, sees him and her smile disappears...
ON INDY AND HENRY
from their viewpoint they can see Elaine and the man.
THE ORGANIST
continues her playing, but Elaine doesn't enter...
ON INDY AND HENRY
watching Elaine and the man.
HENRY
This is unusual. An old friend?
This is unusual. An old friend?
Indy clearly doesn't recognize the man.
INDY
I don't know.
HENRY
See, these are the things a long
engagement would point out.
INDY
Dad, you're getting wound up on
nothing.
I don't know.
HENRY
See, these are the things a long
engagement would point out.
INDY
Dad, you're getting wound up on
nothing.
They continue to watch. Elaine and the man talk quietly but with animated gestures.
HENRY
Does that look like nothing to you?
Does that look like nothing to you?
Elaine clearly appears to be telling him she's about to get married. The man is very serious.
THE GUESTS
guests begin to shift worriedly.
HENRY
Perhaps you should go find out
what's going on...
INDY
Dad, I'm sure it's okay.
Perhaps you should go find out
what's going on...
INDY
Dad, I'm sure it's okay.
He looks up and Elaine's father is motioning to Indy from the rear. Elaine is nowhere to be seen.
FRED MCGREGOR
She's gone!
HENRY
I knew you should have found out
more about her.
She's gone!
HENRY
I knew you should have found out
more about her.
Indy rushes up the aisle to Elaine's father.
INDY
What do you mean she's gone?
FRED MCGREGOR
He took her!
What do you mean she's gone?
FRED MCGREGOR
He took her!
Indy rushes out the door.
EXT. PRINCETON CHAPEL - DAY
...where the black sedan roars off. Indy looks around, spots the wedding car with “JUST MARRIED” soaped on the windows and cans hanging off the back...The DRIVER waits beside the car.
Indy brushes the driver out of the way and climbs in behind the wheel.
EXT. PRINCETON STREETS - DAY
Indy accelerates through traffic in the sleepy college town, CANS BANGING after him. He closes-in on the black sedan.
The two cars cut back and forth in and out of traffic. It is clear that the driver of the black sedan has no intention of allowing Indy to catch up.
INT. INDY'S CAR - DAY
Indy pulls out to pass, when a truck suddenly backs out in front of him. He slams on the brakes and cuts the wheel, sending the wedding car...
EXT. CAMPUS - DAY
...roaring across campus. Indy cuts down sidewalks and over lawns...all the time keeping the black sedan in sight until he blasts through a hedge onto
FOOTBALL PRACTICE FIELDS
The football team scatters in front of the wedding car.
INDY
cuts hard again to avoid the band and cheerleaders who dive for cover.
THE WEDDING CAR
roars down an embankment onto a lower field where homecoming floats are being prepared.
INDY
sees the floats too late and
CRASHES
through the tallest one, taking half the chicken wire and crepe paper with him through a fence and swerving to avoid students stacking...
TWO STORIES OF WOOD FOR THE HOMECOMING BONFIRE
The car clips the bottom corner and the entire stack wobbles, then collapses as students leap to the ground and
INDY'S CAR
bursts through a picket fence and back onto...
CAMPUS STREET
...and coming out just behind the black sedan!
Indy floors it, moving closer...fender to fender. The man holds a look with Indy, then veers the black sedan into Indy's car, causing him to slam on the brakes and crash into a yard as the black sedan disappears...
AROUND THE CORNER
...and runs up a ramp, disappearing inside a tractor trailer truck.
TWO MEN
dressed as movers, fold up the ramp and close the doors of the trailer revealing the name: CAMPUS MOVERS.
INDY'S CAR
pulls out of the yard and roars around the corner to find the sedan gone. His car roars past the truck as the men climb into the cab and drive off.
Indy stops the car. The road ahead is empty. The black sedan has vanished. He climbs out and looks around but Elaine has vanished. Behind him the moving van pulls away.
EXT. CHAPEL - LATER
Indy returns to the chapel where the confused guests are milling about.
Henry consoles Elaine's mother.
Sallah and Short-Round are as confused as everyone else, though most of the guests have given-up on the wedding.
Indy moves quickly to Elaine’s father.
INDY
Was that Benny?
FRED MCGREGOR
No.
HENRY
Benny?
HELEN MCGREGOR
(wails)
No. Benny would never have done
something like that.
HENRY
Will someone tell me who's Benny?
HELEN MCGREGOR
Our daughter's fiance.
Was that Benny?
FRED MCGREGOR
No.
HENRY
Benny?
HELEN MCGREGOR
(wails)
No. Benny would never have done
something like that.
HENRY
Will someone tell me who's Benny?
HELEN MCGREGOR
Our daughter's fiance.
Henry looks at Indy, stunned.
INDY
Before me, dad.
(to Elaine's father)
Have you ever seen him before?
FRED MCGREGOR
Once. At her office... about a year
ago. This is terrible...
INDY
Have you called the police and
report a kidnapping?
FRED MCGREGOR
No.
INDY
Why not?
FRED MCGREGOR
Because he didn't kidnap her.
INDY AN HENRY
What?
FRED MCGREGOR
She went with him.
Before me, dad.
(to Elaine's father)
Have you ever seen him before?
FRED MCGREGOR
Once. At her office... about a year
ago. This is terrible...
INDY
Have you called the police and
report a kidnapping?
FRED MCGREGOR
No.
INDY
Why not?
FRED MCGREGOR
Because he didn't kidnap her.
INDY AN HENRY
What?
FRED MCGREGOR
She went with him.
Indy looks as if he's been punched in the stomach. Henry leaves Indy and goes to Fred, wrapping a sympathetic arm around him.
HENRY
Are you a golfing man, Fred?...
I've always found that in extreme
cases like this, it's best to go
play a round of golf...
Are you a golfing man, Fred?...
I've always found that in extreme
cases like this, it's best to go
play a round of golf...
The two men move off together leaving Indy with his misery.
Sallah comes to console his friend.
SALLAH
Indy... It is a terrible thing when
a woman deserts the man who loves
her... If there is anything I can
do...
INDY
Thanks, Sallah...
Indy... It is a terrible thing when
a woman deserts the man who loves
her... If there is anything I can
do...
INDY
Thanks, Sallah...
INT. CHAPEL - DAY
Indy wanders back into the church. He takes off his buttoner and tosses the flower. A WOMAN'S VOICE behind him brings him out of his thoughts...
MARION (V.O.)
I've always found that in times
like this, it's always better to go
and have a drink.
I've always found that in times
like this, it's always better to go
and have a drink.
Indy sees Marion sitting in a pew.
INDY
No thanks, Marion.
No thanks, Marion.
Willie Scott joins her.
WILLIE
Oh, Indy... I'm so sorry. What you
need right now is a little womanly
comfort.
Oh, Indy... I'm so sorry. What you
need right now is a little womanly
comfort.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Indy drowns his sorrows in a drink, surrounded on either side by Willie and Marion.
INDY
How could this have happened to me?
I mean, I’m the catch of the
century...
WILLIE
Oh, honey, I know. My heart breaks
for you.
MARION
It's her loss, Indy... Though, it's
true, you've never had good timing
with women...
INDY
Good timing?
MARION
Remember the time in the desert you
left me tied up...
WILLIE
Or the time you left me all alone
in that palace just so you could go
explore some tunnel...
INDY
Well, the least she could've done
is tell me.
WILLIE
(to Marion)
He isn't the easiest person to talk
to, either.
MARION
I know, and when he sleeps he does
this little thing when he
breathes...
WILLIE
(remembering)
...like this!...
How could this have happened to me?
I mean, I’m the catch of the
century...
WILLIE
Oh, honey, I know. My heart breaks
for you.
MARION
It's her loss, Indy... Though, it's
true, you've never had good timing
with women...
INDY
Good timing?
MARION
Remember the time in the desert you
left me tied up...
WILLIE
Or the time you left me all alone
in that palace just so you could go
explore some tunnel...
INDY
Well, the least she could've done
is tell me.
WILLIE
(to Marion)
He isn't the easiest person to talk
to, either.
MARION
I know, and when he sleeps he does
this little thing when he
breathes...
WILLIE
(remembering)
...like this!...
They both emulate Indy sleeping and burst into fits of laughter.
INDY
You are wonderful company.
WILLIE
Oh, Indy, really... When it comes
to women, you are so naive. Did it
ever occur to you that you know
very little about this person?
INDY
That's not true...
MARION
What are her favorite foods?
WILLIE
What is her favorite dress?
MARION
He's probably not seen her in
anything but khakis.
You are wonderful company.
WILLIE
Oh, Indy, really... When it comes
to women, you are so naive. Did it
ever occur to you that you know
very little about this person?
INDY
That's not true...
MARION
What are her favorite foods?
WILLIE
What is her favorite dress?
MARION
He's probably not seen her in
anything but khakis.
Indy starts to protest, then realizes they have a point. He looks lower than ever.
WILLIE
Oh. Indy, don't look so sad, she
probably just got cold feet.
Oh. Indy, don't look so sad, she
probably just got cold feet.
Willie and Marion exchange a look, remembering...
WILLIE AND MARION
(together)
Cold feet!
(together)
Cold feet!
They burst into laughter again.
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