Movies - TV
Soylent Green Was Forced To Change Its Name By A Forgotten TV Show
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
Richard Fleischer's 1973 dystopian sci-fi film “Soylent Green” takes place in 2022 when Earth's resources are dwindling, thanks to overpopulation and climate change.
It’s based on the 1966 novel “Make Room! Make Room!” by Harry Harrison, who noted in an interview that the makers couldn't use his original title for a mindless reason.
It seems the studio felt the title was too similar to the 1953 sitcom “Make Room for Daddy,” which was changed to “The Danny Thomas Show” after three seasons.
The show was about a very Danny Thomas-like character named Danny Williams (Thomas) and his inability to juggle an entertainment career and a suburban family.
“The Danny Thomas Show” wasn't canceled until 1963, so it might have lingered in the public's memory when Harry Harrison's "Make Room! Make Room!" was published.
Harrison wasn’t happy with this decision and accused MGM of making many changes to his book without asking permission and trying to short-change him.