With sequel plans, Rob Reiner turns 'Spinal Tap' up to 11

Rob Reiner is getting the band back together

CANNES, France -- One of the most memorable lines — and Rob Reiner's personal favorite — of “This Is Spinal Tap” goes: “There’s a fine line between stupid and clever.”

You could say the same thing about the classic 1984 mockumentary. It could have so easily not panned out. No one in Hollywood thought it was a good idea. It was saved by Norman Lear who, after Reiner made his pitch and departed, is said to have turned to the executives in the room and announced: “Who’s going to tell him he can’t do it?”

The movie, itself, has no script, just a four-page outline. It was almost entirely improvised. Reiner's first cut of the film was seven hours long. Even the jokes they did have planned — like the infamous “these amps goes to 11” scene — were filmed off-the-cuff.

“Quick!” Reiner recalls shouting. “Make an amp with an extra number on it!”