# Errors on IMDB **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 9, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007 "2003-05-09T00:30:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/1 "2003-05-09T00:30:11Z")
[IMDB.COM](http://us.imdb.com/) has to be my favorite site on the web ever. I’ve heard rumors, though, that it’s chock full of errors. I was wondering if any of you had run into particularly _bad_ mistakes on IMDB, and if so, what were they? ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/2 "2003-05-09T01:04:09Z")
I don’t recall any egregious errors. IMdB makes it easy for people to correct errors on their pages. You just go to [http://us.imdb.com/Help/](http://us.imdb.com/Help/) and click on the link on the left side of the page. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/3 "2003-05-09T01:09:11Z")
I’ve submitted several corrections and have yet to see any of them added. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/4 "2003-05-09T01:23:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scarlett67 \* > \*\*I’ve submitted several corrections and have yet to see any of them added. ☹ \*\* How long has it been, girl? I submitted a correction and kept checking back disgustedly because it was never updated. Then one day, say eight or nine months later, there it was. They might just have gigantic IN baskets… ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/5 "2003-05-09T01:29:03Z")
I’m three different people on IMDb. I’ve written them and told them that we’re all the same person, but they’ve never corrected it. Not exactly an error that’s going to keep filmies up at night, but hey, it bothers me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/6 "2003-05-09T01:35:11Z")
> [@](#): > > They might just have gigantic IN baskets… I’ve no doubt they do. There are hundreds of thousands of movies on there, plus entries for every actor, actress, director… ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/7 "2003-05-09T01:46:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \* > \*\*How long has it been, girl? I submitted a correction and kept checking back disgustedly because it was never updated. Then one day, say eight or nine months later, there it was. They might just have gigantic IN baskets… \*\* Oh, a few years now . . . ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/8 "2003-05-09T03:11:15Z")
I think that they won’t correct a possible error until they are sure it is one. You may notice it right way, and send off a little email, but until enough people tell them they might not do anything about it. Eight months later when five hundred people tell them something’s wrong, time to look into it. ---
**Author:** ![Linty\_Fresh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Linty\_Fresh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linty_Fresh)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/9 "2003-05-09T03:30:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anamorphic \* > \*\*I’m three different people on IMDb. I’ve written them and told them that we’re all the same person, but they’ve never corrected it. Not exactly an error that’s going to keep filmies up at night, but hey, it bothers me. 🙂 \*\* This is off-topic, but it’s great you have an entry on IMDB. It’s a few steps up from [Navin Johnson’s](http://us.imdb.com/Quotes?0079367) realization that he’s somebody, now that his name is in the phonebook. Well, at least whatever errors are present are in short supply. This site has saved me many a sleepless night. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/10 "2003-05-09T04:00:54Z")
I had one correction that I tried every way to correct: Actress Jenna von Oy is spelled with umlauts over the “y.” Why, I don’t know, but it’s not right. I tried submitting name corrections, contacting the editors, but it’s still wrong. And if you’re wondered why I’m “so concerned” with Ms. von Oy, it’s just that I was trying to add a credit for a guest appearance (in the “Monsters” episode “Glim-Glim”), and those damned umlauts kept messing up my contribution. BTW, for three straight years, I have been one of IMDB’s top contributors. Some people just have no life. . . . ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/11 "2003-05-09T04:20:10Z")
I’ve submitted plenty of info that the IMDB has taken. My first was in 1996, when I submitted Sinbad’s appearance as the Cars salesman on Cosby! It’s still on there and I always look at it and think, “I contributed that!” ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/12 "2003-05-09T05:43:00Z")
My great uncle was [Leo F. Forbstein](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Forbstein,+Leo+F.), who was the first Musical Director for Warner Brother’s studios (I contributed all the birth, death and marriage info, and wrote the mini biography on his page). I was somewhat close with his daughter Harriett until she died a couple of years ago. She swore up and down that her father never wrote a single note of music, **ever**. Yet somehow, IMDB has credited him as the Composer on 16 movies! I should rent a couple of them and see what the credits actually say (though not “Rope” – I did see that one and hated it!). ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/13 "2003-05-09T06:31:02Z")
I’ve had several errors corrected. The only one I can remember was they misspelled Hawaiian. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/14 "2003-05-09T12:17:04Z")
I’ve corrected several errors or omissions in the IMDB and they’ve usually been added. The one case I recall was that the left off names for original music credit for “Magical Mystery Tour” – they seem to be under the impression that the Beatles wrote all the songs for it – though they did put them into the soundtrack listing (which is incorrect, since the actual soundtrack doesn’t include the song listed). AFAI can remember, they’ve added what I’ve pointed out. I’m also surprised to have been the first person to tell them about the “Carl LaFong” and "That’s something you need never worry about " quote. ---
**Author:** ![shep\_proudfoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90db22/32.png) [@shep\_proudfoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shep_proudfoot)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/15 "2003-05-10T08:15:17Z")
I like IMDB because it covers everyone who has ever been in the movies, or on TV, whether local, national, or international. I have looked up a local TV minister, a local TV wrestler, plus people like Hitler, Saddam Hussain and other bad people. If they have been in the medium, they are there. One thing I enjoyed doing was seeing all the celebs who were born in my home city of Memphis. People like Shannon Doherty, Aretha Franklin, Morgan Freeman, and Aretha Franklin were born there. Also see how many stars were born on your birthdate. It is an exhustive website and yes, there is much room for error. SP ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/16 "2003-05-10T13:08:13Z")
They have different people doing the omissions/corrections than do the review updates, too. I’ve submitted 172 reviews to them, and all were accepted the day I sent them in. So at least that part’s not too slow. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/17 "2003-05-10T15:07:44Z")
About three years ago, somebody fooled the IMDb into listing _Gilligan’s Island: The Movie_. I was instrumental in getting that listing removed after hearing one of the principals state in an interview that the movie does not and will never exist. I did have to sent the correction in twice before they removed that page. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/18 "2003-05-10T17:30:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by shep proudfoot \* > \*\*I like IMDB because it covers everyone who has ever been in the movies, or on TV, whether local, national, or international. I have looked up a local TV minister, a local TV wrestler, plus people like Hitler, Saddam Hussain and other bad people. If they have been in the medium, they are there. \*\* Gotta nitpick here. If they are an ongoing cast member of a TV program, or have any role in a movie, they can be listed. However, guest appearances on TV shows will not get a name added. So, if Uncle Elbert happened to be a guest on “Friends” in one episode, and that was his only acting role–his name can not be added. I’ve come across a number of bit-role actors/actresses that I could not supply credits for because they never had a movie role or ongoing TV cast member role. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/19 "2003-05-10T18:03:06Z")
A year or two ago, someone started a thread about this guy: [http://us.imdb.com/Name?Hawn,+Phil](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Hawn,+Phil) Apparently if you have a few credited movie appearances, you can get a IMDb webpage and can add all your uncredited appearances yourself (and even put your picture on your page). This guy has only 24 credited appearances among his 83 film roles (and it appears that none of the credited appearances are anything important). He has his own website. He’s basically an extra in movie, TV, and commercial roles who’s done a small amount of credited acting in movies and local theater. I can only suppose that he’s living on his family’s money while he continues to desperately hope that he’s going to make it as an actor some day. ---
**Author:** ![Nichol\_storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Nichol\_storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nichol_storm)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007/20 "2003-05-10T19:41:32Z")
I’m surprised everyone’s had such problems with the IMDB – I’m a longtime contributor, and my stuff goes up after a couple of weeks. Never had any trouble with my quotes, biographies, etc. I, too, like the variety on the IMDB. I’ve found entries for all sorts of folks, including medieval composer [Carlo Gesualdo](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Gesualdo,+Carlo), for whom I wrote a mini-bio. .:Nichol:. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/errors-on-imdb/174007.md?page=2)