Stephan Tropiano requests:



> I am doing research on HOllywood film endings.  Specifically, I
> am looking for suggestions of endings that warrant a second llok.
> I would appreciate any information on
>
> 1. films endings which were dramatically changed in adapting a
> book or stage play to the screen (like the recent
> Scarlett Letter)

You can doubtless find many adaptations that fiddle with the originals
in one way or another.  One well-known example (albeit British) is
Lean's version of GREAT EXPECTATIONS (and compare *that* to the recent
"version" of story with Paltrow and Hawke).  Other notable examples of
changed endings might include the troubled ending of THE MAGNIFICENT
AMBERSONS, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, the John Barrymore silent and talking
versions of MOBY DICK (aka THE SEA BEAST--Ahab kills the whale and goes
home!), SOMETIMES A GREAT NOTION, MILDRED PIERCE, NO WAY OUT (an
updated version of THE BIG CLOCK), NIGHTMARE ALLEY, THE INNOCENTS (from
THE TURN OF THE SCREW), FRANKENSTEIN, APOCALYPSE NOW (from HEART OF
DARKNESS), REBECCA, among others.


> 2. unusual end credit sequences (films in which
> the end credits are spoken, films which include outtakes in the
> ending) or anything else out fo the ordinary.

THE MAGNIFCENT AMBERSONS (and CITIZEN KANE, for that matter), the
interpellated fake credits in MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, and most
of the Zucker-Abraham films (HOT SHOTS, AIPLANE!, THE NAKED GUN, etc.,
etc.), after-credit bits in ANIMAL HOUSE, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF,
YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES, and BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, among many others.
Outtakes in BEING THERE (which is also an interesting change of
ending), most of Jackie Chan's films, LIAR LIAR, and many others.


>
> 3. any films which had alternative endings  (i.e. Fatal
> Attraction, etc.)

You may need to subdivide these.  Endings that were changed before
release (like THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS), endings changed between US
and foreign markets, and endings changed for theatrical/tv distribution
reasons.  Not to mention theatrical or video "director's cut" editions,
such as BLADE RUNNER or the recent re-release of TOUCH OF EVIL.

Don Larsson



----------------------
Donald Larsson
Minnesota State U, Mankato
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