Lost in Translation

Somewhere along the line, someone decided that many of Agatha Christie's British novel titles were "inappropriate" for American audiences. Thus, for example, 4.50 From Paddington became What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!, Lord Edgware Dies became Thirteen at Dinner and Murder in the Mews became Dead Man's Mirror. And though it may...

By Michelle Mathews

May 25, 2006

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Somewhere along the line, someone decided that many of Agatha Christie's British novel titles were "inappropriate" for American audiences. Thus, for example, 4.50 From Paddington became What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!, Lord Edgware Dies became Thirteen at Dinner and Murder in the Mews became Dead Man's Mirror. And though it may not have caused racial outcry when it was first published in 1939, Christie's novel and play Ten Little Niggers were published under the titles And Then There Were None and Ten Little Indians in America. While some publishers have reverted to using the British titles, we can't imagine that the n-word would fill community theater seats today. So, fortunately for them, ICT Mainstage presents Ten Little Indians at Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., beginning May 26 at 8 p.m. Call 972-252-2787.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m.; Thu., June 8, 8 p.m. Starts: May 26. Continues through June 4

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.