Curtain call
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- For Eminem's greatest hits album, see Curtain Call: The Hits"
A curtain call (walkdown, bow) occurs at the end of a performance when individuals return to the stage to be recognized by the audience for their performance.[1][2] In musical theater, the performers typically recognize the orchestra and its conductor at the end of the curtain call.
Curtain calls are not solely limited to actors in theaters. Athletes who also perform well may return to the field of play after a big play or at the conclusion of the game for recognition. Professional baseball players usually take their helmet by the rim and hold it in the air.[3]
In film, the term "curtain call" is used when the film's end credits show clips, stills, or outtakes of each character with the actor's name written underneath. This sequence results in the same individual audience-recognition as a stage curtain calls. This is usually done in films that are light-hearted and have many characters or perhaps a long list of cameos.
[edit] Films That Use Curtain Calls During their End Credits
Citizen Kane (the first film to ever use a curtain call).
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (drawings of the actors' faces are presented with their names; this was only done in the third film to further suggest that it was the real end of the story).
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (this curtain call contains almost every single memorable character from both films in the order they were last seen, once again to suggest that this was the real end of the story)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986 film)
All three films of the Scream (film) Trilogy
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
The Deer Hunter (a rare occurance for a serious film, which went on to win Best Picture).
Zatoichi (2003 film) directed by Takeshi Kitano - curtain call in the form of a tap dance number at the end of the film.
Many of Mel Brooks's films, including both versions of The Producers, Spaceballs, and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (it is interesting to note that Robin Hood: Men In Tights only contains a curtain call for the cameos in the film, and not for the main actors).
[edit] References
- ^ Theater Terminology Biography.ms. URL Accessed July 20, 2006.
- ^ Glossary of Theatre Terms Schoolshows.demon.co.uk. URL Accessed July 20, 2006.
- ^ Detroit Free Press Freep.com. URL Accessed July 20, 2006.
