Hey guys. I need help with two questions.
1)Do you guys know what Heller thought of the adaptation?
2)Do you guys know why they changed the chaplain's name in the books? In early editions (and in the movie) the chaplain's name is T.A. Tapmann, while in later editions the Chaplain is called R.O. Shipman.
Any help would be great. Thanks people.
Actually it's earlier editions that have him as Shipman. He is Tappman in "Closing Time", the sequel. My guess is Shipman was based on a real character Heller knew in the Army Airforce, and he decided it was too close for confort. But this is strictly a guess, I can't find any info on this out there.
shareHe's Tappman in the book Catch-22
shareHe's R. O. Shipman in earlier versions of the novel. From what I've read, the chaplains name was changed to Tappman for some reason in the film, and Heller told his published to go with that in subsequent printings. When I saw Tappman in "Closing Time", without having seen the film or read a version of "Catch-22" after the name change, I was so confused. Kind of put me off the book, since I thought Heller was just changing his name to make it more fitting to his present situation (as a "tap" for heavy water).
shareA T Tappman, not T A Tappman.
I would like to give you a brief history of the inside of my pants.
-Stephen Hawking
In a book Catch As Catch Can, Heller states something like ''I didn't care much about the movie as long as I was being paid.'' Strange because he helped with the script through. I'll get you more details when I read it again
shareI thought he just signed away the rights to it and didn't bother with the script. From what I remember, he wasn't unimpressed with the film, but neither was he blown away.
shareHe was Shipman in early editions, but the line was ad-libbed in the book as "A. T. Tapmann, Chaplain." He says it in an embarassed way. Heller must have liked it enough to let it be changed in later American editions.
shareI have the 1995 edition and it's Shipman in mine.
shareInteresting. Versions I had read, the chaplain was called Tappman. And that was before the movie was even in the works.
There is a nother thread addressing the question of whether Heller liked the film. Apparently he did.
I have a 1994 version and its Shipman.
According to Wiki "Despite the changes in the screenplay, Heller approved of the film, according to a commentary by Nichols and Steven Soderbergh included on a DVD release. According to Nichols, Heller was particularly impressed with a few scenes and bits of dialogue Henry created for the film, and said he wished he could have included them in the novel."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_%28film%29
So if thats true, then yes, he liked it. However, it is wiki, so take it with a pinch of Salt.
And, this may also be greatest book i've ever read since I just finished it last night (well, either this or Moby Dick).
Originally the Chaplain's name was R. O. Shipman. In the movie, the chaplain introduced himself at "Chaplain Tappman" and was embarrassed at the rhyme. In later AMERICAN editions of the novel, it's changed to Tappman; in British editions, it's kept the same.
According to the wiki article, Heller really, really liked the movie.
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