MovieChat Forums > The Ninth Configuration (1980) Discussion > Alternate titles

Alternate titles

posted 21 years ago by slokes
9 replies | jump to latest

When "The Ninth Configuration" hit theaters on the East Coast U.S. in the summer of 1980, it had the title "Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane." It was also the title of Blatty's novel when it was originally published.

Two points to make here:

1. Changing titles may have hurt this film in finding an audience when it was originally released.

2. "Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane," strange as it is, worked better as a title than "The Ninth Configuration," the former title having an air of mystery and beauty whereas the latter sounds like something out of a recipe book. Am I the only one who thinks this?

[–] gatmorph 21 years ago

i saw this on cable as "ttkk". it was on another network a decade later as "nth". neither time did the title entice me toward any direction. however they both played a role in my looking for the title in video/dvd stores. i didn't have to look up alternate titles.

[–] vlvetmorning98 20 years ago

TTKK was the name of a novel Blatty published in the early 60's, I believe.

In a small editorial comment before the novel THE NINTH CONFIGURATION, Blatty apologizes for TTKK, calling it a half-hearted sketch. THE NINTH CONFIGURATION was a retinkering of TTKK.

I don't know why there's so much confusion with the title. I assumed that since it was based on THE NINTH CONFIGURATION rather than TTKK, that would have been the universal title.

[–] slokes 20 years ago

<I don't know why there's so much confusion with the title. I assumed that since it was based on THE NINTH CONFIGURATION rather than TTKK, that would have been the universal title.> vlvetmorning

The confusion isn't with the title of the source book, but the movie itself. It was released in theaters in the summer of 1980 as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane," and then re-released later in the year with the title "The Ninth Configuration," under which name it won the Golden Globe for best screenplay.

Having read the original "Kane" novel, I see what you (and Blatty) mean by calling it a "half-hearted sketch." But it does contain a lot of the themes that show up in the final movie, including the fate of Kane and Capt. Cutshaw. I like the final result more than the original book, but I wish they had kept the original title.

[–] chris-1691 20 years ago

I remember trying to get people to see Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane, or discuss it, or explain how much I liked it back around 1980. Not one person took the movie seriously. It's kinda like "Killer Klowns from Outer Space", I guess.

People judge a movie A LOT by its title. While I find TTKK more "accurate" of a title to the content of the movie, I think this movie would have been enjoyed by a larger audience if it had a name that wasn't so "ambiguous" as to what the movie could be about. When ever I do get anyone interested in this movie by just talking about it, and then I mention it was released as TTKK, I get a response like "What a stupid name". Invariably.

[–] slokes 20 years ago

Yes, looking at it from an outsider's perspective, of course you are right. It's the first thing anyone knows about a movie, and if it sounds silly or affected, it can be a turnoff.

The thing is, "Twinkle, Twinkle Killer Kane" did strike me as affected and silly when I first heard of it, but then it stuck in my mind. That's what I like about the title, and think what is lacking in "The Ninth Configuration," a kind of "brood appeal." "What's up with that title, anyway?" Like Jason Miller says in the movie: "I want people to wonder..."

But there must be another title we can all agree captures some of that wonder without sounding too silly. Maybe we should have a contest, to rename "The Ninth Configuration/Twinkle, Twinkle Killer Kane." Some suggestions:

Don't Order The Swordfish

A Wagonload Of Pralines

To Occupant

What Are You Holding?

Unbridled Sex for the Masses Club (It'll pack 'em in)

[–] 20 years ago

[deleted]

[–] onecat-1 13 years ago

cool idea. at first i preferred The Ninth Configuration, but Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane sounds better every time i say it.

Here's mine:

Foot Soldiers

People from Nashville

Visiting Men

[–] slokes 13 years ago

I like em! "People From Nashville" might have bothered Robert Altman, though, but it's one of the funniest lines in the movie.

[–] onecat-1 10 years ago

hahaaa - nice.