Trivia Cafe
20

This 1972 criminal/comedy film starred Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn as bank thieves in Germany, and the title of the film was represented not by a word, but by a symbol. What was the title?

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entertainment

The 1972 caper film was officially and uniquely titled with only a single symbol: $. This minimalist title was a marketing choice by director Richard Brooks, but for practical purposes like theater marquees and spoken conversation, it was simply referred to as *Dollars*. The film follows Joe Collins (Warren Beatty), a professional bank security expert, who uses his inside knowledge to rob the safety deposit boxes of several high-profile criminals at a Hamburg bank, with the help of a call girl named Dawn Divine (Goldie Hawn).

This unusual title presented a commercial challenge, especially in overseas markets. To avoid confusion and make the film easier to advertise, its name was changed for distribution in the United Kingdom, where it was released under the more conventional title, *The Heist*. This contrast highlights the difficulty of using a non-verbal symbol for a movie title, a gimmick that has rarely been attempted since.

Beyond its title, the film is notable for its complex plot, dark humor, and a lengthy, elaborate chase sequence that forms the movie's climax. It also features a memorable, funky score composed by the legendary Quincy Jones, which perfectly captures the slick, early-70s atmosphere of the crime-comedy genre.