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Why Are All Action Heroes Named Jack, James, or John?

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Re: Why Are All Action Heroes Named Jack, James, or John?

#2
Another theory: Once this pattern is present, it's self-reinforcing in the same way that "good guys wear white hats, bad guys wear black hats" was in old Western movies. Most of the audience knows the meaning - and if you're making the audience think too hard, then your old Western or action movie is likely to flop.

Re: Why Are All Action Heroes Named Jack, James, or John?

#3
post #2

Another theory: Once this pattern is present, it's self-reinforcing in the same way that "good guys wear white hats, bad guys wear black hats" was in old Western movies. Most of the audience knows the meaning - and if you're making the audience think too hard, then your old Western or action movie is likely to flop.

Cool so I can build suspense/tension by naming my hero John and my villain Jack, the audience won't have a clue until the final showdown!

Re: Why Are All Action Heroes Named Jack, James, or John?

#4
post #2

Another theory: Once this pattern is present, it's self-reinforcing in the same way that "good guys wear white hats, bad guys wear black hats" was in old Western movies. Most of the audience knows the meaning - and if you're making the audience think too hard, then your old Western or action movie is likely to flop.

Cool so I can build suspense/tension by naming my hero John and my villain Jack, the audience won't have a clue until the final showdown!

Remember to have them both wear grey hats.