MovieChat Forums > Escape from Fort Bravo (1953) Discussion > What happened to 'Escape From' in the en...

What happened to 'Escape From' in the end credits?

posted 15 years ago by hobnob53
9 replies | jump to latest

When this film was still being shown in its original (or was it?) 1.33:1 aspect ratio, in its broadcasts and on VHS, at its close it said The End and, in keeping with what was then the new MGM policy of restating a film's title at the end of each film, gave the title as Escape From Fort Bravo.

Well, that was its title, right? Says so right at the start. Right on the box.

Yeah, except...in the letterboxed version that started showing up on TCM around 2006 or so, and is now on the DVD, the title at the close is given simply as Fort Bravo.

Huh?

A clue might come in the theatrical trailer, where, although the printed title is "Escape From...", the boring narrator keeps calling it just plain "Fort Bravo". Not quite saying, "You must see 'Fort Bravo'!", but more than simply mentioning the name of the fort while describing the plot. Could the film's title have originally been intended to be simply Fort Bravo, with Escape From added at the last minute because it sounded more action-packed than staid old "Fort Bravo"?

I just never saw a movie given two different titles in the same print. (Not a mainstream Hollywood film anyway.)

Any information or ideas? Anybody out there?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 14 years ago

There you go again, being oh so prickly!

Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.

[–] hobnob53 14 years ago

Picky, yes. Prickly, never.

Except when I read posts like THAT one!!!!!

What's the Apache variant of "Aarrgh!?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 13 years ago

Just watched this again recently and must say it is exactly the same story as that truly awful "A Time for Killing". Plot is the same with Indians and Confederate prisoners at AZ fort. It is a tad better though even if it has its own special sillinesses. If you haven't looked up the other one, do so as my remarks are truly fantabulous.

Let it be unsaid: insignificance is the locus of true increpation.

[–] escalera-2 13 years ago

First thought would be that Fort Bravo was the working title however there is nothing about such a thing on this IMDb page but it does say "aka Fort Bravo". It could have been a mistake made at the film lab.

[–] hobnob53 13 years ago

The only thing that makes sense to me is that there were in fact two prints, one widescreen and one not, and that the people at the studio who compose the credits did somehow mistakenly omit Escape From at the end of the former.

[–] escalera-2 13 years ago

Certainly a possibility. Only an examination fo the actual prints would tell the tale. Perhaps a note to the UCLA film archive?

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 13 years ago

Ultimately, so what?

Let it be unsaid: insignificance is the locus of true increpation.

[–] hobnob53 13 years ago

WHAT???!!! Now that Osama's gone, only this one issue stands between mankind and world peace and prosperity. And to that you say, So what? Generations yet unborn will curse you for your cruel indifference and shrugging gesture.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 13 years ago

What's really important were the pinky rings Randy Scott always wore on the range whether he was mugging for the Confederacy or the Union. A posh piddler, indeed!

Let it be unsaid: insignificance is the locus of true increpation.