Mia Patel
In the 1970 film Five Easy Pieces, starring Jack Nicholson as Bobby Dupea, there is a scene where Bobby orders a chicken salad sandwich and tells the waitress: Hold the chicken between your legs. This scene has become known as the hold the chicken legend and has been referenced and recreated in popular culture. The specific line has also been used in the movie Pink Flamingos (1976) where a similar scene involves a slice of beef.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Movie | Five Easy Pieces |
| Year | 1970 |
| Character | Bobby/Robert Eroica Dupea |
| Actor | Jack Nicholson |
| Dialogue | "Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules." |
| Related Movie | Pink Flamingos |
| Year | 1976 |
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What You'll Learn
The 'hold the chicken' scene in *Five Easy Pieces*
The "hold the chicken" scene in the 1970 film *Five Easy Pieces* has become one of the most iconic and memorable moments in cinematic history. In the scene, Bobby Dupea (Jack Nicholson), a former concert pianist turned oil rig worker, visits a diner with his upper-class girlfriend, Rayette (Karen Black). When Rayette struggles to order the meal she wants due to the limited menu options, Bobby becomes frustrated and takes over the ordering, delivering a now-famous monologue:
"I'd like a plain omelette, no potatoes, tomatoes, or salad. Just a plain omelette, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter on the toast, and a cup of tea."
The waitress informs them that they are out of wheat toast, to which Bobby responds with increasing agitation: "Then hold the chicken between your knees." This line has become one of the most quoted and referenced moments from the film.
The scene perfectly captures Bobby's character and his frustration with the limitations of his current life. It also highlights the class tensions between Bobby and Rayette, as he embarrasses her with his aggressive behavior in the diner. The scene is made even more powerful by the fact that Bobby is holding a chicken leg in his hand as he delivers the line, emphasizing the physicality and intensity of the moment.
The "hold the chicken" scene has been praised for its writing, direction, and acting, particularly Nicholson's ability to convey complex emotions and motivations in a single scene. It has also been analyzed for its exploration of social class, masculinity, and the American Dream. The scene has left an enduring impact on popular culture, with references and homages appearing in various films and television shows, ensuring that *Five Easy Pieces* continues to be discovered and appreciated by new audiences.
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The Red Rooster Cafe
In the iconic scene, Nicholson's character, Robert Eroica Dupea, walks into a diner and sits down to order a unique meal. He asks the waitress for an omelette, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, with very specific instructions: "No mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce." The exasperated waitress repeats the order with a twist, saying, "A Number Two, chicken sal san—hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise—and a cup of coffee…anything else?"
This exchange sets the tone for the rest of the scene, as Dupea then delivers the memorable line, "Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a cheque for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules." This playful back-and-forth between the customer and the waitress has become a beloved moment in cinematic history, with its humour and wit resonating with audiences.
While the Red Rooster Cafe may not have been the filming location for this specific scene, it has embraced its connection to the movie. They even offered a special item on their menu called the "Maryland Chicken", which was a fried chicken breast served with bacon and fried banana, smothered in cream gravy, and accompanied by a corn fritter. This dish paid homage to the film and attracted curious diners eager to immerse themselves in the world of 'Five Easy Pieces'.
The impact of this scene extends beyond the walls of the Red Rooster Cafe. It has left a lasting impression on popular culture, with references and parodies popping up in various forms of media. The "hold the chicken" line, in particular, has taken on a life of its own, with viewers recalling it fondly and incorporating it into their own creative endeavours. This testament to the film's enduring appeal and the power of a well-crafted scene.
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Vancouver Island filming locations
Vancouver Island, the largest island on the West Coast of North America, is known for its old-growth forests, remote beaches, seaside towns, and dramatic wilderness landscapes. It is no surprise then that the island has been a filming location for several Hollywood movies and TV shows.
The educational institute in Deadpool, where young mutants are trained to control their powers, is actually the Hatley Castle in Colwood, just outside Victoria, BC's capital city. The Edwardian fortress, built in 1908, served as the perfect X-Mansion. Vancouver Island has also been a filming location for three X-Men films, with locations including Hatley Park National Historic Site and Royal Roads University.
Vancouver Island has been a backdrop for two Planet of the Apes films. Tofino, Ucluelet, and Campbell River were chosen for their ethereal, otherworldly scenes. Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park was featured prominently, as were local waterfalls, beaches, and cliffs, including Lupin Falls outside Campbell River.
The Southern Railway of Vancouver Island and its No. 128 locomotive were featured in Godzilla, with the train chased by Godzilla through the trestles and canyons of Goldstream Provincial Park. The Cambie Pub in Nanaimo also made an appearance, transformed into a military operation base.
Other movies filmed on Vancouver Island include Are We There Yet, Final Destination 2, Scary Movie, The Big Year, Wrecked, and Man of Steel. The Island's natural beauty and diverse scenery, including its romantic backdrops, continue to attract international film productions, with three Punjabi language movies filmed there in the last five years.
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The 'chicken between the legs' scene in *Pink Flamingos*
The 1976 film Pink Flamingos is notorious for its explicit nature, featuring a range of outrageous scenes. One of the first scenes that viewers recall is the chicken between the legs scene, which has been described as animal cruelty and torture. In this scene, Babs' son has sex in a chicken coop with one of the spies, and during the act, they squash a chicken between themselves. The spy then becomes scared and leaves, abandoning the plan to expose Babs' hideaway.
The scene has been heavily criticised by viewers, particularly those who are vegan or animal lovers. Some have argued that the intention of the actor did not seem to be to kill the chicken, but rather to display a disturbing lack of regard for its life. This compromise of the character, who is shown to be affectionate towards chickens in earlier scenes, has been seen as problematic. The scene has also been compared to a dance piece by Tatsumi Hijikata, titled Kinjiki, which caused controversy for its use of a chicken that was choked to death between a performer's thighs.
While some have tried to justify the scene by noting that the chicken was bought from a fresh-kill meat market and that the cast and crew ate fried chicken afterwards, others have strongly condemned any form of animal abuse in films. They argue that the minor difference between the slice of beef and the chicken scene is that the chicken died accidentally during the filming. The accidental death of the chicken and the subsequent decision to cook and eat it have been viewed as attempts to justify the cruelty and insensitivity displayed towards the animal.
The explicit nature of Pink Flamingos has resulted in various instances of censorship and editing throughout the world. The film has been banned in several countries and edited for content in others. Despite this, it gained a cult following and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2021.
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The actor's affection for chickens
The phrase "hold the chicken between the legs" is a reference to a scene in the 1970 film Five Easy Pieces, starring Jack Nicholson as Robert Eroica Dupea. In the scene, Dupea orders a chicken salad sandwich without mayonnaise, butter, or lettuce, instructing the waitress to "hold the chicken between your knees." This line has become a memorable part of the film and has been referenced in popular culture.
While the exact phrase may not be commonly used, the concept of holding a chicken between one's legs is not unheard of. In fact, some people who own chickens or work with them may be familiar with this position. It is believed that chickens that have been raised around gentle humans since they were young are more likely to be comfortable with human contact and interaction. These chickens might even enjoy being held or petted and may exhibit behaviours indicating their comfort and trust.
There are several celebrities who are known for their affection for chickens and even keep them as pets or in backyard coops. One such celebrity is Jennifer Garner, who is open about her love for her chickens and has even shared photos and videos of them on social media. Another celebrity chicken enthusiast is Joanna Gaines, who, along with her husband, has shown off their rustic recycled wood chicken coop in a home tour. Other famous names include Donnie Wahlberg, Nicole Kidman, and Kevin Bacon.
Some people might view chickens simply as a source of food or entertainment, but for these celebrities and many others, they are beloved pets and companions. While the idea of forming a deep emotional bond with a chicken might seem unusual to some, it is not uncommon for those who keep them as pets or work closely with them. Chickens are known to exhibit unique behaviours and can form strong attachments to their caregivers, responding positively to gentle and patient handling.
In conclusion, while the phrase "hold the chicken between the legs" may have originated from a film, it has taken on a life of its own, reflecting a broader interest in and affection for chickens. Whether as pets, companions, or sources of fresh eggs, chickens have certainly found a place in the hearts of many, including some of our favourite celebrities.
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Frequently asked questions
The line "Hold the chicken between your legs" is from the 1970 film "Five Easy Pieces", starring Jack Nicholson as Robert Eroica Dupea.
In the scene, Dupea orders a chicken salad sandwich without mayonnaise, butter, or lettuce. He then asks the waitress to "Hold the chicken" by bringing him toast and a check for the sandwich.
The "Hold the chicken" scene was not filmed at the Red Rooster Cafe, a roadside restaurant on the Trans-Canada Highway between Duncan and Chemainus, despite popular belief. The latter half of the movie is set in the San Juan Islands, with several Vancouver Island locations also featured.
