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View Full Version : KFC butt-hurt over movie: suing to stop freedom of expression


TheNoNamedOne
01-18-2008, 11:21 AM
Looks like KFC can't keep their panties from getting in a bunch and not squawk over a little ol' title they seem to feel is unfair. I mean, why should cruelty, torture, blood and guts, and killing be associated with their good name, eh? Or better yet, why do they think they own the words "Kentucky" or "fried" or even the two together?

January 8: Col. Sanders hating on horror? (http://www.fangoria.com/news_article.php?id=5727)

Filmmaker C.L. Gregory got in touch with us to give us the latest on his planned horror feature KENTUCKY FRIED HORROR SHOW (start tracking back through our coverage here), and says the Midnite Films production has run into a snag before a single frame has even been shot. “We are facing a possible lawsuit from KFC over the title of our film,” Gregory tells Fango. “It seems the fast food chain objects to horror movies and has promised that it will not allow this one to be released.” ...

...KFC stated in a letter he recently received from the company’s D.C. attorney that they “do not like horror films, nor do they intend to allow it to be released for public viewing. They have further stated that they intend to silence my First Amendment right to make this movie, even though it has nothing to do with KFC, chicken or its restaurants. They stated thru their lawyers that this movie I am making is alarming, ghastly, disturbing, revolting and vile.” ...

... the filmmaker is apparently in no way prepared to kowtow to KFC’s alleged demands, although he is shocked at their purported dislike of fright films. “This is the first time that a corporation has literally stated in a written letter that they intend to censor a privately funded film simply because it’s a horror movie. They stated that they had no issues with a comedy film [John Landis’ 1977 cult fave THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE received no flak from the chain], but they detest horror.

Synopsis (http://www.horroryearbook.com/542755/what-is-the-the-kentucky-fried-horror-show) from producer's site:

“When a group of students on their first road trip find themselves stranded in the deep south, they seek help from a country church. Their discovery turns deadly as they find themselves the main ingredient in a psychotic and deeply twisted religious cult’s sadistic mass. It’s a race against time - and the Devil, as one by one they are hunted in a deadly game of cat and mouse. It’s up to a local Sheriff and a burnt out FBI agent to save them before it’s too late.”

And here is what Horror Yearbook is quoted to have said on the same site:

“What a bunch of dicks, and what a waste of their time. I hope director C.L. Gregory tells KFC to shove their chicken up their asses.”

The colonel replied, "We do censorship good!"

Anyways, here is a bucketfull:
http://horrorsociety.com/uploads/kentucky.jpg

DocTurtle
01-18-2008, 11:25 AM
Hmmm, I wanna watch it now :p
It could have something to do with that the colors and font seem to match the actual KFC's fonts and colors..of course I could be wrong, but I cbf looking the actually stuff :D So...yea...ignore me bs :p lol

DoctorP
01-18-2008, 04:54 PM
I don't remember any fuss over "Kentucky Fried Movie" several years ago, so they automatically lost this fight before it started.

DougP
01-18-2008, 05:43 PM
Ah the old case of free speech/expression rights VS. Property rights.:) I also wonder if its perfectly legal to include a companies log, banner, design or likeness thereof not to mention its name in a film without the expressed written consent of said company.. hmmm. I do know of a case recently where a certain Ford Mustang fan based forum had to give up on having their own cars printed onto a calender for their own use. This was because the Ford logo was in view and the Mustangs image itself is a registered trademarrk of Ford There might be more to this legally than the fact its just a horror film.

InFaMoUs
01-18-2008, 05:52 PM
If I saw the picture I first thought of KFC too. But like DoctorP said I dont remember ever hearing anything about it.

But the old one:
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MG/193548~Kentucky-Fried-Movie-Posters.jpg

Didnt look like this:
http://horrorsociety.com/uploads/kentucky.jpg


Still stupid to sue over it IMO, but its the world we live in now. It does look like they are going for the KFC likeness in the 2008 one though.

Tanimaga
01-18-2008, 06:28 PM
I don't remember any fuss over "Kentucky Fried Movie" several years ago, so they automatically lost this fight before it started.

Kentucky Fried Movie was out in 1977... brings back memories.

kombu_kid
01-19-2008, 05:40 AM
Kentucky Fried Movie was out in 1977... brings back memories.

I think I was Kentucky Fried when I saw it.:)

“What a bunch of dicks, and what a waste of their time. I hope director C.L. Gregory tells KFC to shove their chicken up their asses.”

Well, the pieces are greased up enough......

Synopsis:

“When a group of students on their first road trip find themselves stranded in the deep south, they seek help from a country church. Their discovery turns deadly as they find themselves the main ingredient in a psychotic and deeply twisted religious cult’s sadistic mass. It’s a race against time - and the Devil, as one by one they are hunted in a deadly game of cat and mouse. It’s up to a local Sheriff and a burnt out FBI agent to save them before it’s too late.”

Boy, what a fresh plot that is......wait a minute!!! The "dig" at KFC,...then throw in the country church with a "psychotic and deeply twisted religious cult"?

C.L. Gregory isn't one of your aliases, is it, TP? 'Fess up!