MovieChat Forums > 92 in the Shade (1975) Discussion > 2 different endings (spoiler)

2 different endings (spoiler)

posted 15 years ago by mcintyro
8 replies | jump to latest

This film has 2 different endings. One ends like the book where Dance shoots Skelton. One ends with Dance embracing Slelton as a friend.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Zando777 13 years ago

Yeah, I saw the one without the shooting.

[–] jswirb 13 years ago

whats up with the 2 different endings---i have the old key vhs with the shooting at the end...was this the original theatrical ending......their is also an ending where the fonda and oates charecters begin laughing and don't shoot each other at all ...when was this changed...what gives

[–] fs3 13 years ago

Netflix streaming currently offers the non-shooting version; first time I'd ever seen that one.

[–] mcintyro 13 years ago

I have only seen the non shooting on television prints, and these, I believe, include cable. The old Key Video and the book end with the shooting.

[–] jswirb 12 years ago

i think when this was originally released in theatres it had the shooting as the original ending.....then the other ending i don't know if it was changed in later re-releases or what......any thoughgts

[–] matt-282 12 years ago

Yes, the original ending (the same one in the novel) had Oates shooting Fonda at the end... that is the ending in the VHS version and in the original theatrical release. But I guess since audiences did not like it, the filmmakers shot a new ending of them making peace which was used in the general release. I guess the new ending which ended on an upbeat note was kind of lame. The original downbeat ending is more disturbing, but it works better.

[–] TheHungryAndAngryShow 8 years ago

The book ends with him being beaten to death with the gun, NOT shot. But he is killed.

I just saw a 35mm print of this. The movie cruises right up to the tub scene and then jumps to the spot in the boat where Oates is threatening Fonda in the boat while the customer looks on. Fonda asks him not to shot him in the face because he has a toothache, and then they fight over the gun. Eventually Fonda grabs it from Oates and throws it away. They then discuss things, make up, and everyone lives happily ever after, except the annoyed customer who walks into the water and across to the highway with his fish.

Now, the upcoming DVD has a VERY different alternate ending. After the tub scene you get a scene with Burgess Meredith talking about his secretary's nether regions as she grinds on him. Then you get a scene with Fonda's parents having breakfast and getting along all fine and dandy. Then it cuts to the dock, where Harry Dean Stanton is about to take the couple from the earlier practical joke out to fish. He then helps Fonda take off with his customer. Oates arrives a few minutes later to go find Fonda and take care of business. His boat will not start, due to an electrical problem. Stanton offers his boat to him, and after some discussion he decides to take Stanton's boat. Stanton tells the couple to get off as he won't be able to take them out today. They get mad and threaten to report him to the town council or something. He basically tells them he doesn't care, and laughs at them. Then Oates finds Fonda and the customer and we are at the exact same boat scene as the happy ending. He asks Oates not to shoot him in the face due to the toothache, and then BLAM! Oddly enough, it just looks like the same scene, but they froze the shot of Oates and added a special effect that looked like some sparks coming out of the gun, and the sound of a gunshot. There is a cut to a still shot of Fonda, credits roll.

According to what I heard from the people that showed this movie tonight, all the cast got along so well they filmed a happy ending so no one had to die. I'm not sure I buy this, but who knows. It also seemed in the happy version that much of the end was edited, not just not in the film, the jump to the ending was way too quick and wrapped up none of the other story lines. Maybe someone who saw this during its original run would know?