@Super70sSports Well said. I can picture my giant grandfather sitting in his recliner with a giant chew of beachnut and his Braves hat. His Dixie cup with a paper towel in it cursing at TV. Then winking at me sitting Indian style on the floor next to him
According to Charles Grodin, the boxcar scene in "Midnight Run" (1988) was completely improvised. Grodin had to find a way to change the mood of Robert De Niro who would be enraged because of what happened in the previous scene. Grodin had to find a way to get to the point where De Niro would feel lightened and open up about his character.
Grodin wrote 15 different lines in his Hotel room trying to achieve the desired effect. He tried the lines with his wife and family. 10 of those lines worked.
For the take one, he tried this - 'When you get your money for turning me in, you might spend some on your wardrobe.''. It didn't bring a glimmer of smile on De Niro's face.
Then Martin Brest came to Grodin and said, "'I love you. You've got to find a way.'" In take two, Out of desperation, Grodin asked, "You ever had s€x with an animal, Jack?" and it worked. And the scene ended up in the final cut.
("At the Movies", Lawrence Van Gelder, The NY Times, July 22, 1988)
P.S: Remembering Charles Grodin on his 91st birthday.