# Totally Different Character In Book Versus Movie/TV **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 23, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589 "2011-06-23T18:41:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/41 "2011-06-24T21:58:49Z")
In the 1940s, especially after the war, tough-guy private eyes were all the rage. Studios took older detective series that featured polite amateur detectives like Philo Vance and Ellery Queen, and re-imaged them as Chandleresque hardboiled dicks. This worked about as badly as you would think. ---
**Author:** ![Reeses\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reeses_monkey/32/2885_2.png) [@Reeses\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeses_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/42 "2011-06-25T00:34:11Z")
How about Temperance Brennan of “Bones”? In the books she’s divorced, has a daughter in college and splits her time working in both Canada and the US. The TV character has NOTHING to do with the Tempe in the novels. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/43 "2011-06-25T01:00:56Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > In Stephen King’s book “The Stand” Harold is a fat, pimply kid. In the movie he’s a skinny, babyfaced Corin Nemic. > [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > In the book, Carrie is a fat ugly teenager. In the movie, she is played by thin, gorgeous Sissy Spacek. A difference in looks is going to be a general rule. Any lead character described as ugly or overweight in a book will be played by a thin attractive actor because that’s what lead actors are supposed to look like, to bring in the crowds. Another example: Stanley in the book [_Holes_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holes_(novel)) is an overweight kid, in the movie he is planned by a young and thin Shia LaBeouf. But in these three cases, it’s only the physical appearance of the actor that has changed, the character’s personality is the same. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/44 "2011-06-25T01:03:50Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Sometimes great performances are given by actors who don’t quite match what the author intended. To use an example Ive used before, Brian Dennehy and Lee J.Cobb were brilliant as Willy Loman in _ **Death of a Salesman** _ even though they’re both big guys, not the little shrimp Arthur Miller intended Willy to be. IIRC, you have that backwards; the bit where someone refers to Willy as a shrimp was a one-word change in the script for Dustin Hoffman, since it was “walrus” in the original. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/45 "2011-06-25T02:36:52Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > IIRC, you have that backwards; the bit where someone refers to Willy as a shrimp was a one-word change in the script for Dustin Hoffman, since it was “walrus” in the original. Just the opposite- he was a “shrimp” in the original script, because Miller based Willy Loman on his own Dad, a little guy. Even Willy’s name is supposed to make you picture a little guy (as in “low man” on the totem pole). Obviously, Lee J. Cobb couldn’t be called a shrimp, so the script was changed to refer to hi mas a walrus. Dustin Hoffman is much closer to what Arthur Miller expected Willy to be. And off course, the stature of the actor affects how we look at Willy’s life. When Lee J. Cobb plays Willy as a back-slapping, glad-handing , ambitious young guy, you feel that, hey, he probably DID have a strong shot at success. When Dustin Hoffman plays Willy, he seems like a whiny pipsqueak who was probably ALWAYS deluding himself about his chances for success. ---
**Author:** ![Sodalite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@Sodalite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sodalite)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/46 "2011-06-25T04:49:47Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > You could say Nigel Bruce’s Dr Watson in the Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes movies was different than what Doyle portrayed him. Although most movie adaptions are more faithful to a a reasonably competent Watson as Doyle described him. You’re [not the only one](http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=210) to pick up on [that.](http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=264) ---
**Author:** ![Rala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Rala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rala)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/47 "2011-06-25T10:37:19Z")
In the books, Dexter’s stepchildren know his secret and admire him for it. Their experience with an abusive father left them as little sociopaths who torture animals to death and have Dark Passengers of their own. One of the main reasons Dexter marries Rita is to guide them and pass on the lessons Harry taught him. In the TV series, Astrid and Cody are perfectly normal kids and Dex would do anything to protect their innocence. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/48 "2011-06-25T11:24:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Dustin Hoffman is much closer to what Arthur Miller expected Willy to be. And off course, the stature of the actor affects how we look at Willy’s life. When Lee J. Cobb plays Willy as a back-slapping, glad-handing , ambitious young guy, you feel that, hey, he probably DID have a strong shot at success. When Dustin Hoffman plays Willy, he seems like a whiny pipsqueak who was probably ALWAYS deluding himself about his chances for success. Is he also supposed to be deluding himself about having sons built like football players? The only early copies of the script I can find have “walrus” – but earlier ones might be vanishingly rare since, as you hint, Lee J. Cobb was the first Willy Loman back in '49, so any such switch would’ve come in extremely early. (Do you have an earlier script?) ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/49 "2011-06-25T11:50:06Z")
In OLIVER TWIST, Fagin is a very nasty thief; in the play/musical OLIVER! he’s a lovable thief. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/50 "2011-06-25T15:09:08Z")
> [@Toucanna](#): > > “Lovejoy” (no first name given) the antiques dealer. I enjoyed the BBC TV version, then read the books. Yikes! Wotta a roight b@sturd! “The lechery and violence in the novels was toned down for television, and a great deal of antique lore, but not all, also reduced.” Excerpted from: [Lovejoy - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovejoy) > > “Charlie Chan”. In the books, he was more respected and spoke English well. Was made a bit buffoonish at times in the movies starring Peter Lorre. We loved the Lovejoy series when it was being played on A&E … we used to refer to it as the guide to forging antiques. I have got to find the books. I agree about the Charlie Chan difference. The books are a good read, the movies get really painful. The [Mr Moto](http://www.drberlin.com/mr_moto.htm) movies/books have the same problems. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/51 "2011-06-25T15:16:16Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Is he also supposed to be deluding himself about having sons built like football players? The only early copies of the script I can find have “walrus” – but earlier ones might be vanishingly rare since, as you hint, Lee J. Cobb was the first Willy Loman back in '49, so any such switch would’ve come in extremely early. (Do you have an earlier script?) I’ve never seen an earlier script, but I do recall they made a big deal out of this when Dustin Hoffman took the role on Broadway. Everyone agrees that Miller originally intended Willy Loman to be a small guy. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/52 "2011-06-25T15:19:54Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Same with Roger Rabbit. And that was the least of the changes that both movies made. Well in the book the plot bunny is about a magic tea kettle, and the toons in question are doppelgangers that they are able to split off to do the stunt work that involves violence - the dopples have a 24 hour lifespan then they go poof. If memory serves the plot does not involve toon town at all, it is a search for the genii containing kettle that was bought to be a prop and Roger took home. [I have not read the book in about 10 years, though I own it I have no idea where it is, out in the barn in a box I would assume.] ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/53 "2011-06-25T15:26:18Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > True… though Sissy was still very plausible as a shy, slightly weird, ostracized misfit. And while Sissy Spacek is thin, I don’t think “gorgeous” is a word I would use to describe her. In fact, I’m damn sure it’s not a word I’d use to describe her. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/54 "2011-06-25T15:29:56Z")
In the movie version of Gor, Tarl Cabot is a freedom fighter, trying to free slaves wherever he finds them. In the books … not so much! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/55 "2011-06-25T15:31:21Z")
> [@Reeses\_Monkey](#): > > How about Temperance Brennan of “Bones”? In the books she’s divorced, has a daughter in college and splits her time working in both Canada and the US. The TV character has NOTHING to do with the Tempe in the novels. Author Kathy Reichs is on record as stating that The TV Temperance Brennan is the younger version of what will become the books Temperance Brennan. Which does make sense. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/56 "2011-06-25T15:50:06Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > And while Sissy Spacek is thin, I don’t think “gorgeous” is a word I would use to describe her. In fact, I’m damn sure it’s not a word I’d use to describe her. At the very least, she was pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/57 "2011-06-25T16:05:31Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > At the very least, she was pretty. I would not even call her that. A matter of taste, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/58 "2011-06-26T03:24:50Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I would not even call her that. A matter of taste, I suspect. At the very least, if she was in a bar and asked to take me home, I’d say yes. ---
**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/59 "2011-06-26T03:46:37Z")
**Dutch Schultz** (the main gangster) in **Billy Bathgate**. In Doctorow’s novel he is an overweight, overbearing, uneducated, loudmouth slob. I got a picture of Tom Sizemore in my mind’s eye while reading it. The film cast Dustin Hoffman who played it low key, neatly coiffed, and somewhat pensive. Completely different. Of course Dutch Schultz was a real and well-known person, and the Doctorow version was closer to the mark apparently. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589/60 "2011-06-26T03:53:40Z")
In “The Maltese Falcon,” Sam Spade is referred to as a “pleasant blond Satan” with the same frequency that Clark Kent is called “mild mannered” and Doc Savage is imputed to have a " piano wire chest". Bogie fails on at least two counts. Cagney might have made a better Sam Spade. In “Jaws,” Richard Dreyfus’s character is kind of cuddly and benign. In sthe book, IIRC, he’s fucking Sheriff Brody’s wife. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/totally-different-character-in-book-versus-movie-tv/586589.md?page=4)