Talk:Chinatown (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is part of WikiProject California, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to California on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit this article, or visit the project page to join the project and/or contribute to the discussion.

	Film Portal This article is within the scope of WikiProject Films. This project is a central gathering of editors working to build comprehensive and detailed articles for film topics on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and/or contribute to the discussion.
B This article has been rated as B-Class on the quality scale. Mid This article has been rated as Mid-importance on the priority scale.
Editing Guidelines Please remember these guidelines when editing a film article: If a non-film article already exists with the name of the film that you are trying to create an article for, disambiguate and use (film) in the title: Film Title (film) For more information see: Wikipedia:Naming conventions (films) When writing an article about a particular film, the general format should be a concise lead section, followed by a plot summary of no more than 900 words, production details, a cast list, a reception section, and references. Create an Infobox that tells all pertinent information about the film.
Additional Information: This article has been checked against the following criteria for B-Class status: Referencing and citation: not checked Coverage and accuracy: not checked Structure: not checked Grammar: not checked Supporting materials: not checked To fill out this checklist, please add the following to the template call: <!-- 1. It is suitably referenced, and all major points are appropriately cited. --> |B-Class-1=yes/no <!-- 2. It reasonably covers the topic, and does not contain major omissions or inaccuracies. --> |B-Class-2=yes/no <!-- 3. It has a defined structure, including a lead section and one or more sections of content. --> |B-Class-3=yes/no <!-- 4. It is free from major grammatical errors. --> |B-Class-4=yes/no <!-- 5. It contains appropriate supporting materials, such as an infobox, images, or diagrams. --> |B-Class-5=yes/no This article has been identified as a core article. Large improvements may make editors eligible for awards.

Is it possible to add John A. Alonzo to the credits panel? He could do with a bit more recogntion seeing as he shot it!

How about an explanation of the word 'chinatown' and its significance? ZephyrAnycon 13:12, 24 Mar 2005 (UTC)

This article is absurd. I want to find the plot of the film and am informed it involved "a vast conspiracy" and "at least one murder". Well, that's REAL helpful. Thanks.

Along somewhat similar lines: A swindle of the water from the farming Owens Valley to the areas that developers wanted to build tract homes on did occur — but I believe all this may have occurred in earlier decades than the movie is set. The cars, music and clothing in the film all seem like very late 1930s. In any case, I wonder if someone knows a bit of the actual story of the dam building and aqueducts? Might make good background for understanding the plot. In a word, I'm talking about the relationship between Towne's story ("Chinatown") and history. Joel Russ 14:22, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

I would like to see the dialog between Gittes and the corrupt former Sheriff the water department hired added to quotations. Essentially Jake suggested the former Sheriff could not have known his water was turned off since he did not drink it or bath in it, and if the city had sent a note he would have to be able to read... priceless stuff.

• I would second that. Kamagurka 00:16, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

Anyone note that the trivia section is taken verbatim from the imdb? Should probably be removed.74.130.112.195 00:55, 23 May 2006 (UTC)

• I took the liberty of deleting a quote that revealed a major plot element and as such would spoil the film to would-be viewers.--128.163.110.72 15:41, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

I think there should be an explanation of "Chinatown", in a retrospective interview with Robert Towne he explains that the title refers to a statement made to him by a Hungarian Vice squad officer who worked in Chinatown. Towne asked the officer what he did there and he replied "as little as possible" (This line is repeated in the film by Gittes). He expalined that because of the linguistic and cultural differences of the CHinatown inhabitants, Police could never be sure if they took action on an incident whether they would be preventing or aiding the commission of a crime. This I think is a major theme in the film, that taking action or becoming involved can have tragically damaging effects. So Gittes investigations ends up leading to the tragic death of Mrs Mulwray. Pierre

[edit] Photo

The hand holding the knife belongs to Roman Polanski but his face is not shown. angela26 04:55, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Faye Dunaway

Nowhere does it say what part she plays. Saintmesmin (talk) 12:38, 20 February 2008 (UTC)