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When Pulp Fiction opened in theaters 30 years ago today, it featured one actual joke. It’s from the pilot of Mia’s television pilot, Fox Force Five, and she warns Vincent ahead of time that “you won’t laugh because it’s not funny.”
But don’t take her word for it — judge for yourself: “Three tomatoes are walking down the street, a papa tomato, a mama tomato and a little baby tomato. The baby tomato is lagging behind the papa and mama tomato. The papa tomato gets mad, goes over to the baby tomato and stomps on him and says: ‘Ketchup.’”
Okay, so maybe Mia was right about the tomato joke. But Pulp Fiction is still funny — check out these five hilarious moments on its 30th anniversary…
Royale with Cheese
The funniest thing about Europe, according to Vince Vega, is the small cultural differences. For example, the metric system required a name change for the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
The Watch
Christopher Walken’s monologue about a cherished family heirloom is structured like a classic joke — a long setup delivers the misdirection, setting the table for a jaw-dropper of a punchline. Just when you think it can’t get any more absurd, the watch continues its playful, painful journey back to a boy named Butch.
Poor Marvin
On the page, there’s not much funny about Vince Vega accidentally splattering Marvin’s skull all over the backseat. But audiences roared at Travolta’s dumbfounded reaction, treating the accidental murder like he just spilled a pumpkin spice latte on the new cloth seat covers.
A Couple of Dorks
When Vincent and Jules are forced to trade blood-spattered suits for Jimmie’s hand-me-downs, even Jimmie can’t help but laugh: “Dorks. They look like a couple of dorks.”
He’s right. Vega wearing a UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs T-shirt doesn’t exactly scream “dangerous mob goon.” Then again, Jules points out that Jimmie is in no position to laugh: “Ha ha ha. They’re your clothes, motherfucker.”
The Foot-Massage Debate
Once again, Jules and Vincent prove themselves to be the Abbott and Costello of the Tarantino-verse, debating whether or not a foot massage constitutes an intimate act worthy of savage retribution. Jules argues that while massaging the feet of Marsellus Wallace’s new wife is a bad idea, it’s not intimate like a sexual act.
It’s the same ballpark, says Vincent. It’s touching someone in a familiar way.
Not even close to the same ballpark, says Jules. Foot massages don’t mean shit.
Vincent asks Jules if he’s ever given a foot massage.
Plenty of ‘em, says Jules. He’s the foot fuckin’ master.
Have you ever, Vincent wonders, given a guy a foot massage?
After a long beat, all Jules can say is, “Fuck you.”
Secret Bonus Funny
Jerry Seinfeld in a Pulp Fiction deepfake.