The Enid Blyton Society

I'm surprised no one on here has mentioned this, but I just heard on Sky News that the 2016 BBC film of Swallows and Amazons is causing controversy because the name 'Titty' has been changed to 'Tatty' - politically correct gone completely mad.

I'm sure it won't be long before the character's name is also changed in the books. Half of me is hoping it is - just so that I can feel it's not just ENid's books that are mistreated in this way by publishers.

Obviously, the real Titty's family are none too pleased!

That is REALLY sad, Rob. "Tatty" isn't a very complimentary-sounding name, and what's it supposed to be short for?! (I assume Titty is really Letitia.) I'm amazed Dick is still Dick in all the books and adaptations of the Famous Five, for that matter.

Incidentally, there's a village not that far from here in southern Surrey called Titsey, but I haven't heard of any campaigns to change it to Tatsey — yet...

Titty is really Mavis. As Kate Mary said earlier in the thread, her nickname comes from the English folk tale 'Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse'.

I guess that's why they've chosen to call her 'Tatty' - but that wasn't the real little girls name - the real Titty was always known by that name.

Be interesting to know if this was a kneejerk reaction to a formal complaint (or to a giggling child), or an attack of nervous apprehension that such responses might happen.

'Aurélien Arkadiusz'

Yes, it was probably thought that the original name might cause some tittering.

I do admit, it's not the best name for a character...but still think names should be kept as they are!

Anita Bensoussane wrote:Yes, it was probably thought that the original name might cause some tittering.

Ouch, Anita, I'll concede that the sniggering humour of many young male minds can be a trial to the rest of the human race.

Yes indeed, Rob Houghton, unchanged texts are generally best.

'Aurélien Arkadiusz'

Merged with the thread on Arthur Ransome.


Anyone seen the trailer for the new Swallows and Amazons film?

I warn you though - It's not much like the book!!!

here it is -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztIQkix ... e=youtu.be

Hmmm, looks like they've added a heck of a lot that wasn't in the original book, presumably to make it exciting and dramatic enough for today's audiences... quite apart from not letting Titty be Titty!!

I've seen the clip on Facebook, but I didn't have the speakers plugged in, so couldn't hear what was being sad. However, from what I saw I think I'll be giving the film a wide berth - why do they muck about with classics?

They seem to have spiced up the story towards the end, but I like the look of the setting and characters and I think I might well enjoy it. It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the 1974 film.

The 1974 film is so incredible there is no need for a remake. It works just as well today as it did in 1974.

The big liberties seem to be towards the end of the trailer. In the book (and 1974 movie) thieves steal Captain Flint's (Uncle Arthur's) seachest (which has the manuscript of the book he is writing). In this trailer it looks like they kidnap Captain Flint himself (obviously for something more than just money). Making it in some ways more like an Enid Blyton book.

The shot of Captain Flint/Uncle Arthur hanging on to the side of the train carriage made me think of the Thirty-Nine Steps.

Wait until they remake the film of The Railway Children...including spies and hidden swag.

I really like the look of this film, and I think that it might bring a whole new audience to Arthur Ransome's 'Swallows and Amazons' books. I showed my sister the trailer, and she liked the look of it so much that she has now decided to read the series of books!