Give New Plots to Movies By Changing One Letter in Their Titles

You’re listening to A Way with Words, the show about language and how we use it.

I’m Martha Barnette.

And I’m Grant Barrett, and we’re joined by John Chaneski, our quiz guy direct from New York City.

Hi, John.

Hey, Grant. Hi, Martha. It’s so good to hear you guys again.

You know, I’ve been watching a lot of movies lately, as I think many of us are, since we have a lot of time to do that.

And I have a movie title quiz for you.

I’ve been keeping track of the movies that I watch on a spreadsheet.

As usual, I’m not the greatest typist.

Sometimes I’ll shock myself and find that a hilarious classic comedy that I saw sounds quite different.

For example, I changed but one letter in the title of a comedy, and suddenly it’s a film about a rebellious, spiky-haired animal that could be found in mosh pits.

It’s the punk panther.

So as you can see, all you have to do is change one letter, and the movie’s completely different.

One letter different in the movie title.

Okay.

That’s right.

We’re going to look at a few comedies that I accidentally changed by changing one letter.

Maybe for the better.

Who knows?

Now, you might think this was Forrest Gump.

It’s not.

A man travels the world playing table tennis at such blinding speed that his equipment gets red hot.

What movie is that?

Travels the world playing table tennis at such blinding speed, his equipment gets red hot.

Right.

Is this a tribute to Mel Brooks?

Oh, it is a little bit, yeah.

I would guess Blazing Paddles.

Blazing Paddles is right.

That is a movie I would watch.

Who would have thought that the evolution of citrus fruit would be interesting?

From ancient lemons to…

Wait, that’s the clue?

That’s the entire clue.

From modern…

Yeah.

Modern limes.

Yes, from ancient lemons to modern limes.

One change letter, and suddenly it’s not a comedy about a Chicago band, but about siblings who solve crimes.

They’re on a mission from, what, Scotland Yard?

The Clues Brothers.

The Clues Brothers, yes.

We’re on a mission from God.

Now, every family road trip eventually comes to an end, and you have to worry about how you’re going to earn a living.

Change a letter for a movie about choosing a career.

A letter and a movie title about choosing a career.

And it’s a comedy.

These are all comedies.

It’s a comedy, yeah.

Remember, family road trip, but then, you know what?

You’ve got to come back and decide what you’re going to do.

Oh, something vocation.

That’s it.

National Lampoon’s vocation.

Vocation, right.

No longer set in a convenience store in New Jersey, this movie is now about namesakes of the lead actor in Gone with the Wind.

Clarks instead of clerks.

Which in the UK, I think it’s still called Clarks, no matter how you spell it.

Either way, yeah.

I was thinking, Butler, what?

No, yeah, Kevin Smith’s classic film.

I’m going to be shot on a low budget after work.

All right.

Obviously, I need to work on my typing.

Some spreadsheet.

Exactly.

If any of you have recommendations on movies, I am watching at least one movie a day.

Wow.

I’ve been doing that since January 1st.

Wow.

I’ve seen about 300 movies already.

It’s a lot of fun.

All right, John.

Well, thanks, bud.

We’ll talk to you next week.

Really appreciate it.

Thank you, guys.

Talk to you then.

Bye-bye.

And we’d love to talk with you on the air.

So call us 877-929-9673 or send your stories and questions about language to words@waywordradio.org.