Did you know that the series “I Dream of Jeannie” was actually inspired by a movie? Sidney Sheldon was a producer of the show and wanted to base a television series off of a movie he loved called “The Brass Bottle.” The movie actually featured Barbara Eden!
Many people thought that “I Dream of Jeannie” was just a copycat of the widely successful show “Bewitched” but clearly that is not the case. This little-known fact proves that it was not at all a ripoff of that “Bewitched” after all! Sidney just really liked the idea of a show featuring a beautiful female Genie in a Bottle, and he brought it to life.
The Last Of Its Kind
Did you know that “I Dream Of Jeannie” was actually the last TV shows to be aired in black and white? It had its entire first season in black and white before moving to color. It was rumored that the smoke they used for Jeannie’s magic was only able to be pulled off in black and white. They did not think it would translate in color. The special effects were fixed, and then they changed to color for the second season in 1966.
There was also a rumor that NBC did not think the show would last, so they did not want to spend the $400 an episode that it would take to make it in color.
Larry Hagman's Drinking Problem
Sadly, celebrities are oftentimes faced with drug addiction and alcoholism. Many famous people are also criticized for their behavior while under the influence as well since they are constantly in the spotlight.
Larry was dissatisfied with many things occurring on the set of “I Dream of Jeannie,” and he began to drink more regularly. He would drink on set and come to set drunk. His behavior started to get really weird. One time he appeared to the set ready to film, but he was wearing a full-body gorilla costume. Another time he showed up to film holding an ax and started yelling and screaming profanities.
Weird Plot
The plot of the film “I Dream of Jeannie… Fifteen Years Later” may seem a bit odd if you have not seen the film. Jeannie and the rest of the cast work tirelessly to stop an incoming meteoroid from hitting the earth. In the film, Jeannie has to leave Tony forever, and sadly it will be like she never existed at all!
Thankfully, she is able to find a loophole and is able to start a “new beginning” with Tony. She has to use her magic powers to lure Tony into a street corner. Sounds a little bit creepy, but overall pretty romantic!
Jeannie’s Origin Story
Did you know the original backstory for Jeannie? Apparently, she was not always a genie! It was said that she was actually a mortal and when she would not marry Blue Djinn he banished her to live in a bottle as a genie.
The producers must not have liked that original claim, as they went on to change the story a few years later. They then stated that Jeannie was always a genie, and so was all of her family! Later when she refused to marry Blue Djinn - he banished her to the bottle. Which story do you think is more fitting?