This is topic Can anyone pronounce Serendipity? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 10-05-2001, 11:26 AM:
This is going to be another one of those movies where the customers are going to butcher the title. One of my favorites was "Cedar" House Rules.
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-05-2001, 11:54 AM:
Funny you should mention that, because my theatre had Cider House Rules at the same time as Snow Falling on Cedars. 
Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 10-05-2001, 01:51 PM:
Magnolia - Mongolia was another good one.
Posted by Christopher Duvall (Member # 284) on 10-05-2001, 02:15 PM:
I think my favorite title destroyed by customers has been "Too Wong Foo, Thanks for everything, Julie Newmar". Just too much fun to watch them trying to say any part of that title.
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-05-2001, 06:39 PM:
I get tired of people making little mistakes on titles. Like for Cast Away, they would call it "Castaways." I had a lot of customers ask about "Shriek," also.
Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 10-05-2001, 06:57 PM:
One of our cashiers the other night was asked for a ticket for 'Artificial Insemination', needless to say he replied he was only a cashier but he could sell them a ticket for 'Artificial Intelligence' if they preferred!. This kind of thing happens a lot, the other popular method is when they refer to the main star, ie - 'Can i have to for Tom Cruise please?'
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-05-2001, 07:48 PM:
I do remember people sheepishly mumbling their way through trying to get a ticket for the art film 'Female Perversions'...Another mouthful of a title was "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover"...
Or "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood"
-Aaron
Posted by Michael Barry (Member # 237) on 10-05-2001, 11:46 PM:
I used to have a manager who kept a running list of such misnomers and even stood near the box office at times to listen out for such things. He printed out a list at one point which I'll have to try and dig up, but there were some great ones!Once when I worked in a video store I was asked for 'Snipper' instead of 'Sniper'.
Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 10-06-2001, 12:16 AM:
Hows about :
Captain correlli's mandolin-- sargent something, you know that guitar movie, captains.... uh ... ect.Pretty much anything that is more than two syllables is difficult for the customer, shrek is the exception to the two syllable rule.
Posted by JC Cowles (Member # 914) on 10-06-2001, 04:27 AM:
I think U-571 messed the most people up from my experience. They'd call it "U-90210", "WD-40", "U-boat", "Das-U-Boat", "U-62" (probably because it rhymed), "U-Sub-thing"...U-get the picture.Some of the people you work with should be able to verify that, Kristin.
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-06-2001, 12:57 PM:
Yeah, "Castaways" was one of my biggest pet peeves. Tom Hanks was the only castaway. Just one. Not plural. Howabout The Legend of Tiger Woods?
My GM typed "Serpendipity" in the show schedule! Ugggghhhh!!!
Of course, I thought that Max Keeble's Big Move was his Big Movie.
Check this one out. My last theatre was in a pretty rich town full of older people. You know how they can be when they're at the box office. They don't even knw what the movies are about half the time. But apparently one couple liked Tom Cruise, because I heard them discussing it among themselves when they saw the mylar for M:I-2. When they decided that's what they wanted (apparently based soley upon the fact that it had Tom Cruise), the woman said: "I'll have 2 for 'M-one-two', whatever that is."
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 10-06-2001, 01:20 PM:
Ken: The Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger has misidentified Max Keeble's Big Move as "Max Keeble's Big Movie" all the way through the movie clock. Seems they're too busy beating the war drums to hire a proofreader.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-06-2001, 01:26 PM:
When "Speed" came out, a friend of mine gave his money to the cashier and simply said "Speed." When she handed him the ticket, he replied with "hey, this is a ticket! I wanted speed!" (OK, its sounds lame now, but was funny at the time.)
"Nights of Cabiria" resulted in some interesting mis-pronounciations (not to mention that way too many people pronounced the director's name as "Frederico Fellini"...grr...)
Posted by Michael Pace (Member # 553) on 10-06-2001, 08:28 PM:
I worked with one projectionist who had never screened Doctor Zhivago but he had screened DOCTOR CHICAGO many a time.Careful explanation made absolutely no difference to him as the next time he would still call it Doctor Chicago.
Regards to all,
Michael.
Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 10-07-2001, 01:59 AM:
I can sympathize with the people who've had to sit thru customers adding an "s" to the title. That drove me crazy.
My favorite was when people would call MI:2 "The tom cruise show"The Mighty Tenenbaums should be a fun one this winter. Tannenbaums?
Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 10-08-2001, 05:08 AM:
Here are a few of the ones I have put up with over the last three years...The Fasting Furious (the fast and the furious)
Driving Miss Danger (driven)
Born on the Fourth of July (independence day)
Three Kids (three kings)
Princesses Diapers (the princess diaries)
LEGaly Blonde (pronounced LEG)
Matlox (matrix)
Bloodfanger (Bowfinger)
A ONE (A I)
The Next Sense (sixth sense)
Or how about the descriptions they give because they cant remember what it is called...
"The movie with those guys in it that are like in the desert killing people for money and stuff" (THREE KINGS)
"give me three tickets to the darth vader movie where his son is a baby" (PHANTOM MENACE)
"What movie has that lamp bizzcuts song, oh yeah, two for tarzan"
or how about these oldies but goodies, when they ask you about movies you have...
"is THE MESSENGER good for a six year old?"
"is there a lot of violence in FIGHT CLUB?"
"is the MATRIX like bill and teds adventure or is it funnier?"
"does PLANET OF THE APES have the dinosaurs in it, or is that Dr Doolittle"
"Is Lara Croft in the movie TOMB RAIDER the same Lara Croft in the TOMB RAIDER game?"
"What were the movies before FINAL FANTASY called?" (NOTE: TO THIS ONE I REPLIED....> THEY WERE CALLED GOOD!)
My favorite question of all time...
"do you have a shower in your mens room, or will I need to pop home first?"
Dave
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 10-08-2001, 08:43 AM:
<<The Mighty Tenenbaums should be a fun one this winter.
Tannenbaums?>>Uh-oh, its been goofed already.
The proper name is The Royal Tenenbaums.
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-08-2001, 12:27 PM:
I got A ONE for AI a lot at my last theatre. Mostly old people.
Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 10-08-2001, 11:13 PM:
I started this thread because I knew that just about every one would have a similar experiences to share (Also the best threads are the one that make fun of the customers it's like therapy or something). Ironically besides the occasional Serpendipity most customers have been able to pronounce it right. Anyways from my experience, the movie that customers mispronounced the most, by far, was Jumanji. Some people didn't even attempt it. Instead they wanted to see that Robin Williams movie with the game.
Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 10-08-2001, 11:37 PM:
How bout "American Beauty" instead of "America's Sweethearts"?
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 10-09-2001, 12:49 AM:
I do remember back in the 80s people confusing "Goonies" for "Ghoulies", and countless people, mostly kids, but some adults as well that pronounced "Gremlins" "Grembalins"...-Aaron
Posted by Scott D. Neff (Member # 185) on 10-09-2001, 02:22 AM:
The most recent thing I remember hearing somebody mangle was a mother and her young child wanted "2 tickets for that Dog Dog movie..." and the cashier, knowing full well she wanted 2 for Cats & Dogs walked her through all the steps it'd take to see Cats & Dogs.The other favorite of mine is "The Big Lebowski". People usually asked for "The Big Lebowitz" or "That Lesbian Movie" or just "Big" -- I believe we had that at the same times "Smoke Signals" which most people referred to as "Smoke" or "Turn Signals" or "Indian Songs". Why are people seeing these movies if they don't know what they're called?
Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 10-09-2001, 10:11 AM:
I hope everyone is ready for "Brass Monkey" this weekend 
Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 10-09-2001, 05:58 PM:
I forgot my good one from earlier.
legally Blindaka Legally Blonde for those who can read
------------------
Kristin Wahlund
Regal Cinemas
Eagan 16, MN
Posted by Craig Hanham (Member # 1010) on 10-09-2001, 06:10 PM:
Try it the other way around. I show mostly Bollywood pics. The only ones who can pronounce the titles are the punters.
Me I'm totally lost, but have been asked whats it about.
What me the 6'2" whitey trying to decipher a Hindi movie, shit wouldnt know what language its in if weren't on label.
And anyway they are all the same - boy meets girl, girl not supposed to know boy, they and the whole family get all confused sing lots of soppy songs filmed all over world (obviuosly not India) before going back to village , bad guy gets come-uppance, all live happily .....
sorry if I spoilt it for any one.
Posted by Jerry Chase (Member # 660) on 10-09-2001, 08:27 PM:
You are a true afficianado of Indian film if you understand the meanings of the different drapings of the Saadi. I once had this explained to me by a Indian gentleman, who was candid enough to say that a lot of the dress was designed to keep men from getting distracted by staring at a woman's breasts. Gonzo in the Muppet Movie had it all wrong. The Indian film industry is the largest in the world. I'm not sure how it is now, but a few years back it developed over 700 features each year, watched by over 12 million people every day. I'm sure video pirating has eroded much of the audience, but it still is an impressive number. You may be showing Bollywood long after many mainstream U.S. and U.K. theatres are dark.
Posted by Craig Hanham (Member # 1010) on 10-10-2001, 03:21 PM:
Ahh well you learn somthing everyday.
I have been told about the different sari wraps esp. for working and dress applications, but when running 12 x 2000' reels on carbon arc changeover you really don't get to watch that much.As for the main thread how about some eg. from the theatre and opera world.
Eugene Onegin (on-yay-gin as in git not 1-gin as in drunk)
"Lez Miserabils"
or the puposeful mis-pronuciations by the crew
Duck pond (Swan Lake)
The Glums (Les Miz)
Posted by Mike Jones (Member # 522) on 10-17-2001, 02:21 AM:
Some favs:
A One
Erin Brokonovich, Broklovich, Brockohitch
Moulane ROuge
Crouching something
Crouching Lion, Hidden Monkey (seriously)
Captain Corinelli, Kelly, Corleon's Mandolin
Max Keebler's Big Movie
Bolw (done by my marquee guy spelling it out front for "Blow". He was dyslexic, but it was funny)
Man IN the Moon
Hearts in Atlantaso many other countless others
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 10-21-2001, 01:31 PM:
I asked the box office employees what kind of mispronounced titles they heard.Serenity (Serendipity)
Riding in Bad Cars with Bad Boys. (I think that customer was foreign.)
My dad said Driving in Cars with Boys.
Posted by Mike Lewin (Member # 1033) on 10-25-2001, 09:53 PM:
I was standing in the lobby a few weeks ago playing Asteroids, and heard this lady talking to her kid about which movie to see."Which one do you want to see."
"What's Rush Hour 2 about?"
"Lemme Check." To Box Office employee: "What's Rush Hour 2 about?"
The employee explained to her that it's a martial arts action film with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.
Lady to her kid: "It's that Karate Kid movie with Connie Chung!" The kid ignores her, as he's playing a video game. "Do you want to see Rush Hour 2, it's got Connie Chung! You kids love those Connie Chung movies!"
This lady went on for about FIVE minutes trying to get an affirmative response from her kid, and kept announcing her absolute stupidity in a very loud voice. I felt like explaining the difference between JACKIE CHAN and CONNIE CHUNG but was too busy laughing at her.
Also, Max Keeble's Big Move is a tricky one. I actually put up "Movie" on the sign for about an hour until I realized what the title is.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 11-12-2001, 05:51 PM:
Look in the Miramax ads that ran in big-city newspapers last weekend. The Newark Star-Ledger had those ads.BTW, why did Miramax wait on this until the movie started running out of box office steam? Serendipity is already playing second-run in parts of New Jersey.
Posted by Neil Hunter (Member # 1005) on 11-30-2001, 02:31 PM:
One of the projectionists at my theater would label trailers wrong almost weekly. My favorites from her was:Count ON Monte Cristo
Vinilla Sky(as opposed to vAnilla sky)
Indisputed(as opposed to undisputed)
Al, instead of Ali
Each week I got a good laugh trying to figure some of these things out.
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 11-30-2001, 02:41 PM:
This has nothing to do with mispronunciations, but it does have to do with Serendipity. My theater got it back this week, after going 3 or 4 weeks without it. Any ideas why?
Posted by Mark McLeod (Member # 1056) on 11-30-2001, 05:13 PM:
First time poster. I work at a one screen as just general floor staff but they said they might teach me projection if I stick around long enough. Anyways, I'm not sure why Serendipity would be coming back now other then it is a Christmas/Holiday themed movie in that part of it takes place at Christmas. Still with all the major releases coming out this one returning suprises me a bit.
Mark
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 11-30-2001, 09:46 PM:
We got it back also.
I dint know why Miramax would want to give it back and not try to give us Amelie.
Maybe they think it wouldn't do as much business in a wider release.
Who knows?
On a topic-related note, the last theatre left their label on the print.
It said "serandipity"
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-01-2001, 10:23 AM:
Ken, James: Where I live 2 Regal megaplexes and 2 smaller Regals also got Serendipity back. Weekend after Thanksgiving usually means no new releases (Behind Enemy Lines the rare exception).
Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-02-2001, 01:32 AM:
Hey guys ... the Serendipity thing was just a general re-issue. Miramax did this a few weeks back with The Others. They're probably trying to get the last bit of juice out of it (it goes subrun on 12/21).
Posted by Brian Potts (Member # 429) on 12-02-2001, 01:51 AM:
I am so glad they re-released Serendipity. I don't know what I would have done without those extra 14 people at 7:00 tonight. 
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-12-2001, 12:40 PM:
The stadium theater closest to me gets Serendipity back Friday -- just so they can run the sneak preview of Kate & Leopold. At least the AMC Hamilton and UA East Hampton get to sneak Kate & Leopold in the hall that's running Amelie.
Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 12-13-2001, 04:16 AM:
They aren't getting "Serendipity" just so they can run the sneak. I've never heard of a film company doing that before ... for instance .. I snuck "Where The Heart Is" (FOX) with "Return To Me" (MGM). It all depends what kind of a deal the booker can swing with the film companies ... since the K&L gross will be reported as whatever film is dropped (my old theater is sneaking K&L with 2PR-Monsters, Inc.)
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-13-2001, 04:41 AM:
My, my, everyone complaining because they dropped Serendipity and then got it back. Some of us never dropped it in the first place! I don't know why the booker hasn't dropped it yet. It's not like anyone comes out to see it anymore. Same old print just cranking on day after day, week after week, month after month...still looks brand new though. (Of course Technicolor will probably junk it the second it returns to the depot and keep some beat up print for repertory use. 
)
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 12-13-2001, 06:37 PM:
Mike S: Thanks for enlightening me. Miramax is squeezing every last cent from a played-out picture while trying to make it "Oscar Bait".The Loews New Brunswick is also getting Serendipity back and will sneak Kate & Leopold in the hall running Serendipity.
James S: Miramax is more adept at buying Oscar nominations than at dealing with product flow. Thanks to Ali and The Lord of the Rings, I see very few megaplexes getting In the Bedroom on its national break.
Posted by James R. Hammonds, Jr (Member # 673) on 12-14-2001, 05:12 AM:
I get in the bedroom every single night.
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 08-04-2004, 04:32 PM:
It has been 964 days since the last post.
Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 08-04-2004, 04:32 PM:
Bumping this to the top ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
HMMM did my bump execute a System Notice bump?
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-04-2004, 06:42 PM:
I think it's only a matter of time until every new thread in Film-Tech consists only of a starting post, followed shortly by a link to a pre-existing thread from years previous.
What we need is an index to go along with the search engine. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
[ 08-05-2004, 01:32 AM: Message edited by: Mike Blakesley ]