where/when does the "this story is a work of fiction" disclaimer on movies come from?

Did someone see an alien movie in the 50s and assume it was real and ever since then they had to have the disclaimer?

It’s not about thinking aliens are real, it’s about some yahoo saying “Hey, I’m also an astrophysicist named Bob who thought he saw a UFO!” and attempting to sue the studio for a cut of the profits, claiming the film was based on him.

According to this article, it dates back to 1934.

Of course, it’s hilarious when applied to films like The Greek Tycoon, about a Greek oil tanker magnate who marries the wife of an assassinated US President. No resemblance to persons living or dead in that film!

This makes me think of “Fargo” which did the opposite and opened with “This is a true story”. It was not.

Weren’t they opening themselves up to the kind of thing that Jophiel is talking about?

Tell your friend it’s for legal reasons.

Joe

Especially since that Japanese woman froze to death digging for the money.

That’s actually an urban legend. If “urban legend” is even the correct term.

She went to Minnesota to commit suicide. The whole supposed “Fargo” connection was due to miscommunication with local police due to the language difference.

I did not know that. Thanks.

Nah. There are plenty of films that advertise “Based on a True Story,” but have the disclaimer at the end.

It didn’t say “Based on a True Story”. It said “This is a True Story”. Different things.

That fence line wasn’t in Minnesota anyway. It was filmed up north of Grand Forks, ND. My mom was on set when they filmed that scene (she was a newspaper reporter interviewing the Coen brothers).