In the original film, a variety of methods were used to create a believable alien. Hydraulic puppets were created by Italian effects expert Carlo Rambaldi, who, along with Industrial Light & Magic's Dennis Muren and Kenneth F. Smith, received a special-effects Oscar for his efforts. In addition, a team of lilliputian actors in body suits were used for long shots, while the character's close-up hand action was done by Caprice Rothe, a mime wearing an arm-length glove. The hydraulic E.T., although advanced for its time, still suffered from moments when the proper performance could not be achieved. That was why the bathroom scene, in which E.T. playfully submerges himself into the filled tub at Elliot's home, had to be yanked from the original release.
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