What's In A Name

In the earlier days, Hollywood had the practice of changing actor's names. They believed that the actor or actress would be accepted by a larger segment of the movie-going public if the name was simple and easy to remember. Image was everything in tinsel town.  In any case, this is how the moguls of the "dream factories" viewed it.

Product recognition and marketability was behind this strategy and the "stable" of actors etc. were considered a sort of commodity.   Roy Rogers' name was actually Leonard Sly and John Wayne (the Duke) was born Marion Morrison.  Very few actors and actresses in the industry retained their real names back then.  There is some proof that a name change could bring financial benefits and after all that was the "name" of the game in the entertainment world.

However today's practice seems to be the reverse. Now, the more difficult the name the more the individual is expected to stick out. The story goes that a few musicians were scanning the Musician's directory for a particular instrumentalist.    They were rifling through the book when they spotted a name that was very unusual. They had never heard of this person before but were somewhat intrigued.

Feeling somewhat mischievous one of the musicians said, "I'm going to phone him.” He went to a phone and called. He asked, "Is this Fekko Von Umptedoo?" The reply was,” Yes it is."  "Well, don't forget the golf game tomorrow morning." Fekko answered " What? Are you sure? I don't even play golf. Are you sure you have the right person? The caller said, "I guess I don't. I apologize.  I must have the wrong Fekko Von Umptedoo."
 
By the way, does anyone remember Stepin Fechit?

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