What Movie Did “I’ll Have What She’s Having” Come From?

I was thinking of the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... after I heard an elderly woman say this to a passing waitress while Sally was teaching Harry about fake orgasms.

Indeed, this iconic line was from the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally..., which was written by Nora Ephron and directed by the talented Rob Reiner. The context was a restaurant scene where Meg Ryan, playing Sally, was depicting the sounds a woman would supposedly make during a fake orgasm.

For an amusing interpretation, watch the scene where Harry, played by Barry Cryer (a British comedian), discusses this with a puppet called a Clanger, impersonated by Graeme Garden. The slide whistle sound associated with Clangers is hilariously hilarious.

The circle jumps back to the original interpretation with Harry, played by Billy Crystal, and Sally, played by Meg Ryan, having the conversation. The elderly woman who utters this line, is actually the mother of the director of the film, Ron Reiner.

The Humorous Interpretation

Due to the nature of the fake orgasm scene, Billy Crystal as Harry is discussing his impressions of it in an offbeat manner. In one version, he talks to a Clanger puppet, a character from the British science fiction series Doctor Who. The Clanger is a funny alien creature known for its quirky behavior and unique sounds, specifically a slide whistle.

Watch the following clips for a detailed breakdown:

Stephen Fry explaining the Clanger Roger Delgado as The Master from The Sea Devils

Additional Trivia

Now, for those curious about the context, an actual customer saying, "I’ll have what she’s having," was a real moment of natural dialogue. While the name of this elderly client escapes me, basking in the classic humor of this scene is what truly brings the movie to life.

Reserve your seat for a revisit of When Harry Met Sally. The dialogue, the performances, and the humor remain timeless, making this one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time. Enjoy the movie once again or introduce it to the younger generation who might have missed out!