Ray Bradbury talks about Michael Moore's title choice...

[SmileyTkls]

Regardless of what you think of filmmaker Michael Moore and his latest creation, this was an interesting article about Ray Bradbury's reaction to Moore's allegedly unauthorized use of the title "Fahrenheit 9/11," a play on Bradbury's classic novel "Fahrenheit 451." The article can currently be found at:

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/current/news.html

But for those of you who would hate to leave the Forum, even for a second 😉 , here's the text:

Bradbury Slams Moore

Legendary SF author Ray Bradbury has ripped into filmmaker Michael Moore for using the title Fahrenheit 9/11 for his new Bush-bashing movie, an obvious takeoff on the 84-year-old's science-fiction classic Fahrenheit 451, the WorldNetDaily.com Web site reported. Bradbury reportedly told the Swedish daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter, "Michael Moore is a screwed a--hole, that is what I think about that case," according to an English translation of the story. "He stole my title and changed the numbers without ever asking me for permission."

Bradbury added, "[Moore] is a horrible human being. Horrible human!" When asked if he agreed with Moore's political positions, Bradbury replied, "That has nothing to do with it. He copied my title; that is what happened. That has nothing to do with my political opinions." According to the Swedish daily, Bradbury said he had tried to discuss the issue with Moore several months ago, but that the director avoided him, the site reported.

According to the report, Bradbury refused to say if he would take legal action against Moore.

Personally, if it is true, it's a shame that in trying to make an expose, Mr. Moore has exposed a gaping flaw of his own. It lessens his credibility for me.

Smiley

 

[Shem the Penman]

I respect Bradbury's talent as a writer, and if he feels slighted, that's his prerogative. But he's talking out of his ass here. Moore was not under any legal or moral obligation to ask Bradbury for permission; you can't "steal" a title any more than you can copyright one.

I suspect the authors of Bored of the Rings didn't call up Professor Tolkien and ask for permission, either.

 

[SmileyTkls]

I respect Bradbury's talent as a writer, and if he feels slighted, that's his prerogative. But he's talking out of his ass here. Moore was not under any legal or moral obligation to ask Bradbury for permission; you can't "steal" a title any more than you can copyright one.

I suspect the authors of Bored of the Rings didn't call up Professor Tolkien and ask for permission, either.

Well, to respond a bit, I also respect your opinions, and they are certainly also your prerogative. But, his ass? LOL. No, I've seen far less entitled people ass-chatting about their work, but I think it's fairly deserved. While perhaps not under a legal obligation, I think he had a moral one, esp. since (a) the author was still alive and actively sought to discuss it with him (negating the "logic" of the Bored of the Rings arguement), and (b) just out of, oh, I dunno, respect of a person's work?

However, that's just my take on it, and it certainly doesn't enhance his standings with me.

Smiley

 

[Psycho]

Seriously I know that it is a play on it but the dude aint got no right to complain like that.

Psycho

 

[venray]

Nope..much as I dislike Moore, he is not in the wrong here. There are no rights given to titles and no harm has been done to Bradbury (one of my favorite SF authors).

If anything, Moore's use of the title helped get Bradbury a few more royalties by calling attention to 451. No cause for suit, so my guess is that his comments were indeed politically motivated.

Ray

 

[JoBelle]

I'm with Smiley on this.

For all the discussion going on regarding individual's rights, moral standing and power hungry jerks abusing their standing, I'm surprised that folks don't think that there was anything wrong with Moore taking advantage of an established work to promote his views. Tad bit sad that.

Like Smiley said, he could have at LEAST shown some respect for the other artist's work. I guess s'long as everyone shows Moore respect, that's all that counts.

🙄 Jo

 

[ticklebutton]

Yes, common courtesy would have been the way to go with this; to at least have written a respectful letter to Mr. Bradbury telling him how inspiring Farenheit 451 is, how perfect a title alluding to the same sort of powermongers' abuses as in the book, similar ideology, etc.

Still, I'm amused by Bradbury's reaction in light of the fact that he has appropriated words & ideas, even titles, from other authors for his own book titles:
Something Wicked This Way Comes - Shakespeare, I Sing The Body Electric - Whitman, Golden Apples of the Sun - Yeats, A Medicine For Melancholy - mmmmm I forget 🙂

His final comment in that interview was "Who cares? Nobody will see his movie, it is almost dead already. Nevermind, nobody cares." 😛

Interesting find, SmileyTickles.

Button

 

[Shem the Penman]

Bradbury says in the interview he made a call to Moore's publisher -- not his agent, not his production company or anyone who has anything to do with the movie -- was told Moore would call him back later. And then a few months passed, he was interviewed, and he's suddenly coming out with "horrible human being" and "screwed asshole" and claiming Moore avoided him. Because one call wasn't returned.

At the very least, I'd like to see Moore's side of this -- something conspicuously missing from the article.

 

[The Sean Man]

Though I'm a HUGE Bradbury fan, i've found him to be a bit of a cranky old man lately...especially after a recent playboy interview. But, hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion.

The Sean Man

 

[Roseblossom]

I have fond memories of Bradbury novels; and his short stories are great, too. October Country brrrrr - spooky.

It sounds to me as if he just doesn't like the guy. When Rod Serling was alive Bradbury was always crankin on him like this, too.

~Rose~