Meaning of the title? - The Tall T (1957) Discussion

[–] old-bolingbroke 18 years ago

In an interview with Bernard Tavernier (pre-1970), Boetticher said:

'I've never known what the title meant. The title of the novel was The Captives, but another studio had the rights on that title. We sent the film to New York and the bureaucrats there who don't know anything gave it this 'commercial' title, which has no connection with the film whatever.

I was sure I'd read somewhere else that The Tall T is the name of the ranch where Scott loses his horse, but I'm still trying to get hold of the film, and can't check that out.

It ain't like it used to be. But it'll do.

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[–] teejay6682 18 years ago

i was wondering what it meant while watching it...??

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[–] agoreski 18 years ago

I had the same question. Did not hear this mentioned in the whole movie.

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[–] agoreski 18 years ago

Or you can read the tagline on the front page. Taut ..... T is for terror!!

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[–] wtl471629 17 years ago

Possible SPOILER!

Cen I saw this movie when it first came out in 1957 and I remember the advertisement (I think). Please beat in mind that was about 50 years ago as seen by a boy of about 9 years old but I think I remember in the preview of the movie that it showed the title The Tall T that right below it for a few seconds it said T for Treachery. I think it might have referred to the treachery that the husband showed his wife in trying to ride away free and leaving her to the outlaws. Of course Boone orders him shot as he rides away. That is as best I remember. It would be nice if we could find that trailer somewhere that has this preview and we might know for sure. As I mentioned this is fifty years ago as viewed by a then 9 year old.

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[–] clive-ihd 16 years ago

I thought the title refers to the name of the ranch. It was owned by a Mr Tenvoorde, and his cattle would have been branded with his initial letter, and the letter T on the branding irons was a tall T.

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[–] a_heathen_conceivably 16 years ago

Well I think you're right, and unless we're wrong and Mr Tenvoorde is inclined to carry out punishment by crucifixion on insubordinate ranch-hands, then this screenshot should clear a few things up around here: http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/The_Tall_T.jpg (I've added the title from the opening credits).

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

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[–] krdement 16 years ago

Many thanks for the link to a heathen conceivably! It doesn't really explain anything very well, but it certainly shows the strange Tall T sticking above Tenvoorde's barn. Kind of wierd. It is as though the words "The Tall" are framed by two tall T's. It is a very transient detail for the folks in the production office to latch onto for their film's title. I don't know how many times we see it throughout the film, but it is never overtly pointed out or mentioned and, therefore, doesn't seem to have any real significance. BUT it's certainly there!

John 3:16

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[–] gleetroy 16 years ago

Thanks! That shot with the tall "T" above the ranch house clinches it for me. That is the reason, as far as I am concerned fo rthe movie's title. Since the ranch he worked at was really only background for the character and not a crucial part of the plot, you tend to forget the name of the ranch. Thanks again!!

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[–] a_heathen_conceivably 16 years ago

On the other hand, maybe that was his TV aerial? No wonder they couldn't get a picture in those days... wooden TV aerial, tch!

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

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[–] shiloh_3 15 years ago

According to the trailer for the film, "T" stands for "Terror." They show it like this:

The Tall T ("T" for TERROR)

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[–] wtl471629 15 years ago

Great find shiloh 3! I saw the trailer too and you are absolutely correct. Goes to show you can't always trust long year memeries. The Trailer is at You Tube and you can see it by just doing a search at You Tube on The Tall T 1957 trailer. Watch for what shiloh 3 has found at about the 56 sec. mark of the trailer. Great work shiloh 3!!
When one thinks about it the T for terror makes sense even though it is a western and not a horror film because the outlaws are murderers and are no doubt planning to kill their hostages when they get the ransom money.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] John-367 11 years ago

I'd never assume that anything put out by the publicity dept (which would include the trailer) would have anything to do with what the actual creators of the film intended.

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[–] FANatic-10 10 years ago

I was stumped too, and that explains it, but even though its a catchy title it really has zero significance to the plot of the film itself. Oh well, I still thought this was a superb western, and I was surprised how dark and adult this progressively became after a beginning that I thought signaled strictly family fare. Richard Boone and Henry Silva are very memorable villains!

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[–] MikeOne496 7 years ago

Aloha from heavenly Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA, 1400~, Thursday, December 22nd, 2016, Light Rain Showers - Cloudy, 51°F, Wind NW @ 7 mph, 85% Humidity...
thanks to imdb contributors for this handy source of so many answered questions!
merry christmas!

MikeWn, NSWM ke

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[–] liscarkat (16515) a year ago

Was Scott's character a Texan?

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