Quentin Tarantino’s hidden joke in the ‘Pulp Fiction’ credits
The 1990s was one of the greatest decades for American independent cinema, with many filmmakers working in opposition to the blockbuster boom of the ‘80s. The decade gave rise to stories that weren’t typical mainstream Hollywood fodder, yet ones that had wide appeal to audiences.
From the rise of the New Queer Cinema movement to the emergence of grittier youth-oriented movies like Welcome to the Dollhouse and The Virgin Suicides, the ‘90s welcomed fresh new filmmakers who represented a new generation of movie-goers.
The decade also saw the rise of Quentin Tarantino, whose first feature, Reservoir Dogs, released in 1992, was unapologetically violent and offbeat. Many critics were astounded by the film, which was so idiosyncratic and unique despite being made on a budget of just over $1million.
There was no way Tarantino was going to fade into obscurity after releasing something as explosive as Reservoir Dogs. After selling two scripts, True Romance and Natural Born Killers, he directed his second feature, Pulp Fiction.
Made on a budget of $8m, the movie became one of the most successful independent films of all time due to its impressive worldwide gross of $213m. Tarantino proved himself to be one of cinema’s most vital new names, boasting a cinematic style that was wholly his own.
The key to Tarantino’s success is his exciting and unconventional use of form, striking musical choices, and effortless blend of violence and humour. His movies feature characters who are equally scary as they are witty and comedic, with Tarantino revelling in writing punchy, unforgettable dialogue as though his characters have possessed his pen.
His sense of humour is everpresent in his work, and in the case of Pulp Fiction, it even extends to the ending credits. Many viewers were confused by the fact that the actor Robert Ruth is credited simply as ‘Coffee Shop’.
However, this credit refers to the scene in which Ruth’s character is interrupted by Tim Roth’s Pumpkin/Ringo, as he terrifies a diner by wielding his gun at customers while announcing a robbery. He pins Ruth’s character to the counter and intimidates him, with Ruth replying, “I’m not a hero. I’m just a coffee shop…” before Roth shouts “get the fuck down!”
Because Ruth’s character wasn’t able to finish his sentence, it appears as though he is calling himself a coffee shop; thus, Tarantino literally credited him as one. It’s a silly little joke that is a testament to Tarantino’s sense of humour, which has helped him become one of the most popular filmmakers of all time.
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