# Common Held Beliefs or Ignorance about a Film That Drives You Crazy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [August 13, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524 "2023-08-13T19:45:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/101 "2023-08-14T23:43:22Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > But at that stage of the war, they had a vested interest in not rocking the boat. They had people “shot while escaping”, even before the Letters Of Transit Affair, so I don’t think they cared. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/102 "2023-08-14T23:48:57Z")
Executing a lowlife like Ugarte hardly qualifies as “rocking the boat.” He was wanted for murdering two couriers on government business. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/103 "2023-08-14T23:58:51Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Regardless of what’s said in the movie, Casablanca is not in the middle of the desert. I was misinformed. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/104 "2023-08-15T00:01:32Z")
If you’ve seen (or read) _ **The Day of the Jackal** _, you should know the French have (or at least had) “interrogation” techniques as persuasive as the Nazis’. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/105 "2023-08-15T00:12:44Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > > [@RealityChuck](#): > > > > The Weygand/DeGaulle confusion > > You keep saying that like your answer is the Final Word. > > It isn’t. It is. No one can make a logical case for using “DeGaulle.” The whole argument – something everyone agrees on – is that it is an egregious error. There is no reason why the letters of transit (assuming they exist) would be signed by DeGaulle. But the error is that people mistake “Weygand” for “DeGaulle” because they have never heard of Weygand (Did you before I mentioned it?) and, if they did, didn’t know how it was pronounced. Saying “DeGaulle” in 1942 as a Vichy official is as obvious an error as saying they were signed by Winston Churchill. No one on set would have allowed it go through. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/106 "2023-08-15T00:16:32Z")
> **[Maxime Weygand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxime_Weygand)** > > Maxime Weygand (French pronunciation: ​\[vɛɡɑ̃\]; 21 January 1867 – 28 January 1965) was a French military commander in World War I and World War II, as well as a high ranking member of the Vichy regime. > Born in Belgium, Weygand was raised in France and educated at the Saint-Cyr military academy in Paris. After graduating in 1887, he went on to become an instructor at the Cavalry School at Saumur. During World War I, Weygand served as a staff officer to General (later Marshal) Ferdinand Foch. H... ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/107 "2023-08-15T00:17:11Z")
I used to believe it was “DeGaulle” as well, until I actually heard of General Weygand. Once I knew what the name was supposed to be, and was able to listen for it, there was no doubt at all. Lorre is very clearly saying “Weygand.” I can’t even hear it as “DeGaulle” anymore, even if I try. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/108 "2023-08-15T01:15:08Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > But the error is that people mistake “Weygand” for “DeGaulle” because they have never heard of Weygand Unlike the original audience who would have heard and read the name numerous times in the news over the previous two years. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/109 "2023-08-15T01:15:15Z")
> **[Case Anton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_Anton)** > > 1941 > 1942 > 1944 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/110 "2023-08-15T01:33:49Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > There is no reason why the letters of transit (assuming they exist) would be signed by DeGaulle. No one ever said there was. > [@RealityChuck](#): > > (Did you before I mentioned it?) We’re not all uninformed peasants. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/111 "2023-08-15T01:42:55Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > The movie fully established her drive, determination, and integrity. Yes - by having her walk away from her team for the majority of the World Series. Dottie is clearly a conflicted player and sister. Obviously, as that’s one of the major themes of the movie. But despite the fact that you could shoot a 110 lb. Lori Petty-shaped rocket out of a cannon 90 feet into 7-foot tall Geena Davis and she wouldn’t bat an eye, let alone let go of a baseball, there actually is no answer to this question. The question is as unanswerable as the one at the end of “Inception” whether or not Cobb is in a dream or reality. It’s even left to the viewer to make up their own mind - it’s to realize that both answers are just as likely to be true, and it doesn’t matter what the actual answer is. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/112 "2023-08-15T04:03:42Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > I was misinformed. Oh, _very_ good. My own commonly-held misconception is that the character who chased the Roadrunner was _not_ Wile E. Coyote. In the cartoons with the Roadrunner, he is (I think) only referred to as “the Coyote”. He doesn’t speak (except when breaking the fourth wall). His name may be shown on a mailbox or on some Acme packages; I don’t remember for sure. There is another series of cartoons in which Bugs Bunny faces off with a character who introduces himself as “Wile E. Coyote”. He’s drawn exactly the same, but his personality is somewhat different. I maintain that they are two separate characters. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/113 "2023-08-15T04:23:00Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > My own commonly-held misconception is that the character who chased the Roadrunner was _not_ Wile E. Coyote. In the cartoons with the Roadrunner, he is (I think) only referred to as “the Coyote”. He doesn’t speak (except when breaking the fourth wall). His name may be shown on a mailbox or on some Acme packages; I don’t remember for sure. > > **There is another series of cartoons in which Bugs Bunny faces off with a character who introduces himself as “Wile E. Coyote”. He’s drawn exactly the same, but his personality is somewhat different. I maintain that they are two separate characters.** BOLDING mine. This always bothered me too! And IFIR the Bugs Bunny WC doppleganger _spoke_ to us! It violated a natural order of things or something. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/114 "2023-08-15T04:27:54Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Bugs Bunny faces off with a character who introduces himself as “Wile E. Coyote” That would actually be… [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/4mh08Ud.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/gM6fNnZ) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/115 "2023-08-15T04:28:40Z")
That “actor” played _three_ different characters; the Roadrunner’s unnamed nemesis, Wile E. Coyote with Bugs, and (in a species bending performance) Ralph the Wolf with Sam the Sheepdog. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZJ-erJUcAAcDpF.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZJ-erJUcAAcDpF.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/116 "2023-08-15T04:35:18Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > …in a species bending performance… He had range, no doubt. Great username/post combo. You must have met him a couple times; what was he like off-screen? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/117 "2023-08-15T04:38:06Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > what was he like off-screen? Loved by all…except his stunt double. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/118 "2023-08-15T04:42:21Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > No one can make a logical case for using “DeGaulle.” The whole argument – something everyone agrees on – is that it is an egregious error. There is no reason why the letters of transit (assuming they exist) would be signed by DeGaulle. > > But the error is that people mistake “Weygand” for “DeGaulle” because they have never heard of Weygand (Did you before I mentioned it?) and, if they did, didn’t know how it was pronounced. Saying “DeGaulle” in 1942 as a Vichy official is as obvious an error as saying they were signed by Winston Churchill. No one on set would have allowed it go through. The [original screenplay typescript facsimile](http://mckeestory.com/wp-content/uploads/Digital-CASABLANCA.pdf) clearly confirms that the screenwriters wrote “Waygand” (see scene number 39 on p. 19 at that link). They may have slightly misspelled the name, but it’s definitely not “de Gaulle”. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/119 "2023-08-15T05:35:22Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > The only good thing Vito does is make his family rich and powerful, using theft and murder to do it. I don’t think anyone watching _Godfather II_ thinks of Vito as a good man. Actually I think some people do. Coppola made it a point never to show us how the Corleones actually make their money. We don’t see shopkeepers being extorted, how they obtained the corpse of a hooker they used for blackmail, or what they do to people who owe for gambling debts. And of course the whole reason they tried to whack Vito in the first movie is because he refused to use his contacts to push heroin. Granted Vito says this is because his contacts (bribed officials) are willing to ignore gambling and prostitution but would come down on drugs, but a lot of people miss that. And there are people in real life who have a somewhat romantic view of the mob. Or at least a romantic view of the mob from decades ago. I remembe watching an interview with someone who was an entertainer back in Vegas when it was mobbed up, 50s and 60s I guess, and she said something like, “They didn’t bother anyone unless they did something to deserve it.” Yeah. But I’m in agreement with you. Vito isn’t really a good man. Michael knew that and wanted to get away from the family, but ultimately decided to come back when he realized they were endangered. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2023, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524/120 "2023-08-15T06:25:12Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Actually I think some people do. Coppola made it a point never to show us how the Corleones actually make their money. We don’t see shopkeepers being extorted, how they obtained the corpse of a hooker they used for blackmail, or what they do to people who owe for gambling debts. And of course the whole reason they tried to whack Vito in the first movie is because he refused to use his contacts to push heroin. Granted Vito says this is because his contacts (bribed officials) are willing to ignore gambling and prostitution but would come down on drugs, but a lot of people miss that. I didn’t miss that, but I will agree that a lot of people do. Police and authorities are happy to ignore the Corleones’ rackets and extortion and prostitution as long as they’re getting paid to do so, but they draw the line at narcotics. Vito knows this, and acts accordingly. It works well for all parties. Vito never actually asks for, or orders, anything. He drops broad suggestions as to what he would like to have happen, his sons and Hagen and Tessio pick up the suggestion, and they invariably know a guy who knows a guy. Or he will gladly dispense a favour, using the technique described; in exchange for a favour in return in the future. Briefly, he suggests something, and it happens, but there are so many people between his initial suggestion and the actual occurrence, that it cannot be traced back to him. Vito is not a good man. But he knows how to make illegal things happen while being seen as a good man. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-held-beliefs-or-ignorance-about-a-film-that-drives-you-crazy/988524.md?page=7)