Subtitle follies…

I’m watching one of the old Popeye cartoons on my new set (best DVDs of the year).  Two kids are watching a baseball game through a knothole.  Seeing Popeye, they think he’s a guard.  The subtitles translates one kids reactions as “Jesus, the watchman!”

Of course, anyone conversant with ’30s vernacular will realize instantly the kid is saying, “Cheese it, the watchman!”  I mean, seriously, they think you’d have a kid blaspheme in an old theatrical cartoon?  I’m not sure how that slipped by, but it’s pretty funny.

  • sardu

    Classic! The world through anachronistic ears…

    On the original DVD of Blade Runner Roy Batty says a line to Tyrell that is given in the subs as, “I want more life… father.” Makes perfect sense in context but it sure SOUNDS like he says, I want more life… f@cker.” I’ve never been sure if the subtitles are right and I’m just attuned to hearing vulgarities everywhere, or if they took the subs from a broadcast version or something, or they plain f@cked up. Sorry, fathered up.

  • Hasimir_Fenring

    The answer is…*drum roll, please*…you’re both right. Ridley Scott asked Rutger Hauer to blend the words ‘father’ and ‘f***er’ when he delivered the line, and damned if Hauer didn’t do it perfectly. Each time I listen, I hear the other word.