Alternate versions

The version shown at the New York Film Festival and some other pre-release screenings used the original Beatles version of "Hey Jude" for the opening introduction. The final version used a new instrumental recording of the song arranged by Mark Mothersbaugh and performed by his Mutato Muzika Orchestra.

Three different songs were used for the final sequence at various points. Some advance screenings (including the New York Film Festival version) featured the Beatles' "I'm Looking Through You" (not the "official" version, but rather the alternate version available on the "Anthology 2" CD set), while others used the Beach Boys' "Sloop John B." The final version of the scene is accompanied by Van Morrison's "Everyone."

There's another scene involving Etheline Tenenbaum (Anjelica Huston) and Henry Sherman (Danny Glover) eating dinner together. Etheline once again turns him down and leaves while he's lighting a piece of toast on fire.

A short segment involving Eli's family (a wife and children) was cut. It would have been where Richie goes to visit for the first time. The segment can be seen in the Criterion Collection DVD and read in the Screenplay.