When a creator is dissatisfied with how the final product turned out, it’s not uncommon for them to use a pseudonym rather than their real name. It happens everywhere- movies, TV shows, music videos, even video games. Writers, directors, special effects artists, even actors use a fake name to distance themselves from a project they didn’t like. There are multiple names that have been used, often created by each individual person, but one name stands above them all.
Alan Smithee.
If you know the story, then you know what a wild ride it is. If you’re not familiar with Alan Smithee’s legacy, believe me when I say it’s one of Hollywood’s most interesting and bizarre tales. Why? Simple- Alan Smithee doesn’t exist.
Origins of a Film Industry Practice
Though the first recorded usage of the name was seen in the 1950s, the name as we know it now started in the 1960s. At the time, the Directors Guild of America was enforcing a policy that strictly forbade pseudonyms. They did this in support of ‘auteur theory’, a philosophy/discipline in filmmaking which asserts that the director should have creative control over a film. The DGA was concerned about producers taking creative control for themselves, which would deprive directors of experience and accreditation.
That is, until 1969 when the behind-the-scenes conflict of Death of a Gunfighter highlighted the policy’s flaws. Richard Widmark, the lead actor, didn’t get along with the director, Robert Totten. He brought another director, Don Siegel, onto the project to replace Robert. With the movie near completion, Don contributed about a little other week’s worth of work. Robert, on the other hand, was twenty-five days deep into the production. In spite of this, both had roughly equal amounts of footage in the final cut. Don didn’t want the credit while Robert refused it. Not only were they both responsible for half of the film, the final cut wasn’t anywhere near their respective vision. Don said that it was in fact Richard who had the creative control over the production.
They took their case to the DGA, who agreed that neither director should be forced to take credit for the movie. The alternative was to come up with a pseudonym, something “unique enough to be distinct but generic enough not to arouse suspicion”. The first choice was ‘Al Smith’, but there was already a working director by that name, so they settled on ‘Allen Smithee’. It was eventually changed to ‘Alan Smithee’, and has remained that way ever since.
The Legend Continues
‘Alan Smithee’ became the official pseudonym which directors used, and the only one members of the Directors Guild of America were permitted to use until 2000. But while the pseudonym began with film directors, Alan has certainly broadened his horizons in the entertainment industry. It’s for this reason that the pseudonym was able to accumulate 116 credits on IMDb at the time this is written. Here’s a brief list of some of the work that the industrious and multi talented Mr. Smithee is responsible for-
- Lilith (director and writer, movie, in post-production at the time this is written)
- Honey, Feed the Dog (actor, short film, 2018)
- Brain of a Killer (composer, short film, 2016)
- Sasha (actor, movie, 2010)
- The Entitled Luke Emerald Project (cinematographer, short film 2006)
- Rain (boom operator, movie, 2006)
- “The Monster That Ate Hollywood”, Frontline (writer, TV docuseries, 2001)
- “Building a Mystery” by Sarah McLaughlin (director, music video, 1997)
- Overshadows (cel painter, animated short, 1997)
- Notes From the Attic (production designer, movie, 1993)
- “Pilot”, MacGyver (director, TV show, 1985)
- “Segment 1”, Twilight Zone: The Movie (second assistant director, 1983)
- This Is Coffee (director, writer, producer, and editor; short film, 1965)
Director. Producer. Cinematographer. Editor. Movies, shorts films, a music video, telemovies, a docuseries, animation. Is there anything Alan Smithee can’t do?
And yes, I know I said it would be a brief list, but remember this guy has a total of 116 credits on IMDb as I’m writing this, a handful of which are currently in post production. I’m sure it won’t be long before Alan is at it again!
I should note that Segment 1 from Twilight Zone: The Movie is a stain on the franchise’s legacy, and perhaps the film industry as a whole. This particular project resulted in the deaths of three actors, two of whom were children working in violation of California’s labor laws. In the modern age, the idea of Alan Smithee might seem like Hollywood’s dated inside joke, but we can’t talk about it without touching on the connection it has to one of the most influential and devastating events in the history of filmmaking.
The End of an Empire
Alan Smithee, both as a name and a mythical figure of sorts, became so prominent in Hollywood that a movie was made about it. Titled An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn, the story follows a director whose real name is Alan Smithee. He also happened to make a garbage film and wanted to remove his name from it…but the only pseudonym he’s allowed to use is his own name. To keep it from getting a theatrical release, the titular character steals the film and threatens to burn it.
It’s a cool premise, but unfortunately it was poorly done and won a handful of Razzies as a result (including Worst Picture). Not only was it poorly received by movie critics and audiences alike, the movie was a failure at the box office.
Arthur Hiller, the director of the film, used the infamous pseudonym himself. He claims that he did so because the producer monopolized creative control over the project, and he was dissatisfied with the final cut. It’s a classic case of ‘does life imitate art, or art imitate life?’. However, the movie did a lot more than earn some unfortunate accolades for the cast and crew.
The general public had a negative reaction not only to the movie, but the real life phenomena which inspired it. It was an industry practice that they were completely unaware of until the film came out. The negative press drew attention to the name, and ultimately led to ‘Alan Smithee’ losing its official status as the only DGA-approved pseudonym in 2000. It fell out of favor, period, as few directors use the name anymore.
A Final Note
While a funny little tidbit of Hollywood trivia, it’s also a reminder of why we need to maintain creative control over our projects. When our creative control is undermined even the slightest the final product might be totally unrecognizable to us. I think Screen Junkies put it best in their review of 1984’s Dune, “…if you haven’t seen Alan Smithee’s other work, I mean…wow! Who is this joker? How can one director be so bad in so many different styles? Who keeps hiring this guy?” (I would link to it, but it’s pretty crass- if that’s your style of humor then it might be worth a watch!)
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