Credits In Old Movies

ER · September 22, 2019, 01:04:48 PM

I was thinking about these as I watched TCM the other day. On one hand you want those who had a hand in making a film to get recognition for what they've done, no differently than a plaque in the lobby of an old building, or the writer of an old book, but on the other hand, in the business, aren't credits mainly there as proof on a resume of being part of a production, and if everyone who worked on a motion picture is long dead and not looking for work anymore...well, is it really important that credits still be shown? Are there rules about that? If so, do the rules get it right? Shearing off parts of movies is disrespectful, I think, yet I also am not the sort who usually watches credits anyway, so...at what point is it all right to say including credits is redundant?

LilCerberus · October 01, 2019, 07:24:53 PM

I was just thinking about this song by The Little Kings, & it hit me, I really had to scan the ending credits of Penelope Spheeris movies before I found out that I'd been lied to all those years before I discovered the internet, and that Dudes (1987) really did have an official soundtrack.

RCMerchant · October 01, 2019, 07:29:42 PM

I read the credits as well. I will recognize some face in a film- and I'm like-"who is that?".
I know I can find it on IMDB- but I read credits, and lotsa times I enjoy end credit music.
The Ramones do the end credit music for PET SEMATARY!

LilCerberus · October 01, 2019, 07:36:01 PM

Kinda makes me wonder how Linnea Quigley got along before the internet...

LilCerberus · October 01, 2019, 08:22:47 PM

In one film I did, the director used it as an excuse to plug different websites the cast & crew were using to try & make some extra money, including a link to this microphone rental I was trying to get started.

The movie Top Secret had some fun with the credits to see if anyone was paying attention, throwing in nursery rhymes & whatnot.

Considering some of the cable channels I used to have & all the film festivals I've had to sit through, I've always enjoyed it when there's an 'Easter egg' after the closing credits. Like when Samuel L Jackson shows up after the closing credits of Iron Man, or the director just wants to do something silly, like in the Airplane! movies, or maybe there was just one really good scene that would've explained one or two things, but just didn't fit the pacing of the film itself... That's when you've sat through all these names & titles & then- Oh!

claws · October 02, 2019, 05:18:59 AM

Back in rental days it was a must for me to read all end credits. It was interesting to see where the film was shot, who got 'special thanks', where the food came from (catering services)

and the year the film was completed. It was also helpful to see artists named that provided songs for the soundtrack.

I don't think they should get rid off old movies end credits. They are kind of like a document of its time. I would be devastated if they got rid of credits for Paranormal Activity (2007) since my name appears in the end credits

Gabriel Knight · October 02, 2019, 06:18:01 AM

I believe most of the Jim Abrahams movies have crazy credits with random and useless trivia, and stuff like that.

BoyScoutKevin · October 09, 2019, 05:53:23 PM

Quote from: Gabriel Knight on October 02, 2019, 06:18:01 AM
I believe most of the Jim Abrahams movies have crazy credits with random and useless trivia, and stuff like that.

True! And while not necessarily having crazy credits, the films from the MCU (Marvel Cinema Universe) are becoming known for their after credits scenes. Often with one after credits scene followed by another after credit scene. Which reminds me . . .

When the 1st Pixar films came out, they were often treated as being films acted by real actors, so the credits would be interspersed with suppose out takes from the films. Pixar no longer follows this rule, and frankly, I miss those supposed out takes from the early Pixar films.

Alex · October 10, 2019, 12:56:13 AM

Quote from: BoyScoutKevin on October 09, 2019, 05:53:23 PM
Quote from: Gabriel Knight on October 02, 2019, 06:18:01 AM
I believe most of the Jim Abrahams movies have crazy credits with random and useless trivia, and stuff like that.

True! And while not necessarily having crazy credits, the films from the MCU (Marvel Cinema Universe) are becoming known for their after credits scenes. Often with one after credits scene followed by another after credit scene. Which reminds me . . .

When the 1st Pixar films came out, they were often treated as being films acted by real actors, so the credits would be interspersed with suppose out takes from the films. Pixar no longer follows this rule, and frankly, I miss those supposed out takes from the early Pixar films.

Yeah, those were fun.

Trevor · October 10, 2019, 01:20:06 AM

Quote from: claws on October 02, 2019, 05:18:59 AM
where the food came from (catering services)

In the audio commentary for The Recruit (2003) Colin Farrell thanks the caterers for Montezuma's Revenge

as their credit goes by.

QuoteI don't think they should get rid off old movies end credits. They are kind of like a document of its time. I would be devastated if they got rid of credits for Paranormal Activity (2007) since my name appears in the end credits

Well, I know which DVD I will be watching tonight.

Allhallowsday · October 10, 2019, 01:05:13 PM

Sometimes the only part of a movie I look at are the opening credits and/or the end titles.

Olivia Bauer · October 12, 2019, 05:27:32 PM

I mean, they used to put credits at the beginning of movies so you HAD to see them. But they started putting them at the end so they're less intrusive. Honestly, credits are only an issue if you watch something like a Marvel movie, which makes you sit through them for an extra scene.

I usually leave a movie around the credits and I don't think they really hurt anything. But I did like Deadpool and Shazam's credits, where they made them fun to watch by putting in a little animated sequence.