35 Messages

 • 

708 Points

Thursday, March 26th, 2026

Answered

What attribute to chose for a translated movie title - which you may not want to see as the standard IMDb display title for that language?

Dear staff,

Especially in the vintage (commonly silent) era, foreign film distributors would often make up highly fanciful, longish movie titles, in order to attract attention, because most of the audience didn't speak any foreign languages, or because the reference would be unclear. Thus I came across the Dutch "Roosje uit het speelhuis" (Little Rose from the Gambling House) for The Michigan Kid/The Gambler (1928), and "De dienstknecht in huis" (The servant at home)  for Modern Love (1929).

The Germans certainly have a habit of doing this a lot as well. Which may be more established in their case, though.

While it's certainly nice to know what (on earth) these adapted titles are supposed to refer to, I would hesitate to promote them to IMDb standard titles for that language. It just feels weird to me. 

Since I now have to choose an attribute to get submitted, what would be the best option?

Regards,

Richard

Oldest First
Selected Oldest First

Champion

 • 

16.2K Messages

 • 

349.5K Points

7 days ago

If those Dutch titles aren't how the films are primarily known in the Netherlands today, they don't necessarily have to be listed as "IMDb display title". 

"Alternative title" can be used if nothing more specific applies. There is also "promotional title" if the title wasn't used on screen.

Arguably there ought to be an attribute option for local original release title or similar.

35 Messages

 • 

708 Points

@Peter_pbn​ 

Hi Peter,

Thank you very much for your very useful suggestion. My question was partly based on the old IMDb standard, which allowed just language attributes like 'French', or 'Dutch'.

As it is almost impossible to know if these translated titles were actually shown on the screen at the premiere (bear in mind silent movies often used a live 'explicateur/explicator' who commented on the plot or dialogue), and they almost certainly wouldn't be kept for subsequent releases/screenings, I think "promotional title" or arguably "premiere title" would be good alternatives.

Regards,

Richard