I read somewhere that the director kept the head-chopping part out of the script in order to surprise Melinda Dillon and get an especially candid response.
Interesting. <Johnny carson voice> "I did not know that." </Johnny Carson voice>
I read that the same was done to Shirley MacClaine in the bar scene near the end of "The Turning Point" when Ann Bancroft tosses a drink in her face. It was never done in any rehearsals.
BTW. I evoked your namesake on This thread earlier today. I was surprised to be taken to the "A Christmas Story" thread when I clicked to read your reply. Strange coinky-dink.