Title change for dumb America ??


I heard many,many years ago that Warner Brothers were concerned that most/all Americans would not know what a Philosopher was,hence the name change...anyone know if this is true ?.....

Mind you in light of current events,i could understand it if it was released now.

reply

You know, for someone who apparently has nothing better to do than caper about casting aspersions at alleged mental deficiencies exhibited by Americans based on recent election results (which, by the way, although they’re still incomplete, indicate that President-elect Trump is actually considerably behind in the popular vote count) you’re not exactly a paragon of intellectual prowess yourself.

Finding the proper answer to your question is rather elementary, you see. Simply open the web browser of your choice and enter the following search terms: rowling harry potter title change. Scattered amongst an estimated 749,000 results (according to Google, anyway) you should find the following link, at http://mentalfloss.com/uk/books/33874/harry-potter-why-did-the-first-book-change-name-in-the-us

There (in fairly clear language even someone of your advanced intellect should be able to comprehend) is your answer. But you really didn’t come here looking for an honest answer, did you?


reply

I like how you write. SAAH

reply

Funny, last I checked John Williams is American and he's the best damn thing about this overrated stuff.

reply

While I would have preferred the title remained "Philosopher's" in the US, your comment is ridiculous. The name Philosopher's stone is not common here and Philosopher has no inference of magic. I'm sure there are many American phrases that Brits would find unfamiliar or ridiculous. That doesn't imply Brits are "dumb."

reply

[deleted]

actually the title changed happened to the BOOKS too. The UK version is still known as the "Phillospher's Stone" but in America version is "Sorcer's Stone"

reply

J.K. Rowling was pressured by her publisher to change the title of the book for the American audience. They felt Americans would not understand and being a new author, she didn’t think she had the clout to fight it.

She later admitted that she was wrong to capitulate because whenever she does engagements in the U.S., one question she is invariably asked is “Why didn’t you call it the Philosopher’s Stone?”

reply

[deleted]

Correction:
It was her publisher's American counterparts who made the argument to change the title.

reply

Very truthful. It could have been worse - Harry Potter could have been "Hollywood-ized". The mere thought of it gives me nightmares.

reply

Yes- ''The madness of King George [III]'' WAS renamed because Americans would have thought it was a second sequel! LOL

reply