Bell Bottom George

Mooching through Halliwells (quiet period at work !) I notice many British films are released in the US with alternative titles, most of the time with totally unconnected names. A few I`ve picked at random ;

Fanatic (1965)
US Title - Die ! Die ! My Darling

The Frightened Lady (1932)
US Title - The Criminal At Large

The Gaunt Stranger (1938)
US Title - The Phantom Strikes

The Criminal (1960)
US Title - The Concrete Jungle

Why the need to change the title, and why so different a name ?
Also, anyone else know any `corkers` ?

"What larks we had Mr Pip...........what larks !"

Aaryk Noctivagus

Its not a corker, because I think its rather sad.

'The Wisdom of Crocodiles' became 'Immortality' in the USA... a terrible title.

'Night of the Eagle' became 'Burn, Witch Burn' in the USA... an unsuitable title.

The Hammer version of 'Dracula' became 'The Horror of Dracula' in the USA... an unnecessary title.

I think the arrogance of American distributers as they patronise their own public plays a goodly part in it.

D Cairns

Well, there's a fear among distributors that if the title doesn't tell you exactly what kind of film to expect, you're in trouble. And if it's a horror film, then the title should make you expect the lowest common denominator kind of film, so DEATHLINE became RAW MEAT and EYES WITHOUT A FACE became THE HORROR CHAMBER OF DOCTOR FAUSTUS.
I understand why this is, but it has a rather negative effect on the quality of titles.

Aaryk Noctivagus

But often, the titles in the USA are downmarket and don't predict what the movie really will be like, if it isn't equally down market.

Bell Bottom George

But why is it deemed necessary by American distributors to change the name of a film ? (and vice versa - Corvette K 225 - GB Title - The Nelson Touch). Why feel the need to change the title for a particular market. Are we that different ?

"What larks we had Mr Pip...........what larks !"

Fellwanderer

I sincerely hope so!

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

Bell Bottom George

Heh Heh, that was daft of me to say such a thing. I KNOW we are different, and I`m so glad we ARE different. What I meant to say was why do the `powers that be` percieve it to be so though ?

"What larks we had Mr Pip...........what larks !"

D Cairns

They probably thought audiences in the UK wouldn't know what a Corvette was.

Re the shift downmarket, I think the assumption certainly used to be, to get an audience to come to a horror film you need to make it sound as downmarket as possible!

Able Abel

The Story of Esther Costello (1957) became The Golden Virgin

Northwest Frontier (1959) became Flame Over india, and I actually like that title better than the original British one.

City of the Dead (1960) became Horror Hotel

The Beauty Jungle (1964) became Contest Girl

Sky West and Crooked (1966) became Gypsy Girl

bertie

The film at the top of my 'wants' list LONELY ROAD (1936) became SCOTLAND YARD COMMANDS.

Doesn't make any difference though - I can't find it under either title anywhere except in the BFI archive! Unless anyone knows different.

howard 65

Here's a couple more American films (which I think were the original shooting names) where I prefer the British titles.

THE JUDGE STEPS OUT INDIAN SUMMER

THE LAWLESS THE DIVIDING LINE


I have also thought that the British prints had already been shipped here before the change of titles and that is why they remained.


There are lots of other examples.

julian_craster

THE WORLD TEN TIMES OVER

For US folks: PUSSYCAT ALLEY......

Moor Larkin

Patrick McGoohan's Men in Tights movie in 1955 was named
The Dark Avenger over here
but
The Warriors over there
not even sure if he made the final cut in this one - never seen it - not credited, but he says he was there!

His 1958 Exotic Location movie was named
Nor The Moon By Night over here
but
Elephant Gun over there
you can almost hear them saying, "Cut the crap!"

His 1962 Kitchen Sink movie was named
Life For Ruth over here
but
Walk in the Shadow over there
biblical reference for the bible belt

and as everyone knows his hour long
Danger Man
became
Secret Agent........ man!
They've given you a number and taken away your name
.....

orpheum

The Jolson film Hallelujah I m a Bum became for obvious reasons Hallujah I am a Tramp
Whiskjey Galore became Tight Little Island

Welcome To Highbury The Home Of Football

batman

The remake of The Wages of Fear is also known as The Sorceror. The director said 'I changed the title as a reference to the evil wizard of fate'. Whatever title you see it under, it's still crap!

Bats.

Don't miss out on a chance to win a rare film in Bat-Quiz 13 closing date - 31/8/8.