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Changed line(s) 7,8 (click to see context) from:
Classic examples of "bad disguises"
are the following (tropes are linked based on their overlap, not subtrope status):
are the following (tropes are linked based on their overlap, not subtrope status):
to:
Classic examples of "bad disguises"
disguises" are the following (tropes are linked based on their overlap, not subtrope status):
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Deleted line(s) 7,8 (click to see context) :
If the disguise is improved (such as by combining two or more "thin" details and changing your voice), you get an example of WigDressAccent, where the inability of the other characters to identify the disguised character becomes much more reasonable. In order to qualify as a Paper-Thin Disguise, there must be at least one obviously clear element of the character underneath. However, the probability that other characters are fooled by this disguise is just as fluid as with other disguise tropes.
Changed line(s) 11,21 (click to see context) from:
* Wearing a face-obscuring [[InTheHood cloak]] or [[EyeObscuringHeadgear hat]]
----
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on over the character's standard outfit]], which can be played seriously, or the classical Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustache prop, which never is. A fake handlebar mustache is also a very common pick for the more comedic takes. Some consider a pair of glasses or sunglasses Paper Thin Disguise, but research showed that it is rather useful to mess with people who don't really know you well. (Research is done by showing pictures of people with and without glasses and asking others to recognize them, and people got a pretty bad score in glasses while worse with sunglasses.)
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to that old man that looks like him.
Compare with ClarkKenting and NewspaperThinDisguise. Contrast with FullBodyDisguise, SuddenlyObviousFakery, and LatexPerfection. Also see CharlieBrownFromOuttaTown, ConspicuousTrenchcoat, HoldingBothSidesOfTheConversation, HughMann, MostDefinitelyNotAVillain, MrSmith, MuggedForDisguise, EasyImpersonation and NotAZombie.
----
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on over the character's standard outfit]], which can be played seriously, or the classical Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustache prop, which never is. A fake handlebar mustache is also a very common pick for the more comedic takes. Some consider a pair of glasses or sunglasses Paper Thin Disguise, but research showed that it is rather useful to mess with people who don't really know you well. (Research is done by showing pictures of people with and without glasses and asking others to recognize them, and people got a pretty bad score in glasses while worse with sunglasses.)
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to that old man that looks like him.
Compare with ClarkKenting and NewspaperThinDisguise. Contrast with FullBodyDisguise, SuddenlyObviousFakery, and LatexPerfection. Also see CharlieBrownFromOuttaTown, ConspicuousTrenchcoat, HoldingBothSidesOfTheConversation, HughMann, MostDefinitelyNotAVillain, MrSmith, MuggedForDisguise, EasyImpersonation and NotAZombie.
to:
* Wearing a face-obscuring [[InTheHood cloak]] or [[EyeObscuringHeadgear hat]]
----
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on[[EyeObscuringHat hat]] over the character's standard outfit]], which can be played seriously, or the classical outfit.
* Wearing a Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustacheprop, which never is. A fake handlebar mustache is also prop.
* Putting on or taking off glasses/sunglasses.
* Changing out of avery common pick for LimitedWardrobe, especially into a uniformed service, such as police officers or package delivery employees.
If the disguise is improved (such as by combining two or morecomedic takes. Some consider a pair "thin" details and changing your voice), you get an example of glasses or sunglasses Paper Thin WigDressAccent, where the inability of the other characters to identify the disguised character becomes much more reasonable. In order to qualify as a Paper-Thin Disguise, but research showed there must be at least one obviously clear element of the character underneath. However, the probability that it other characters are fooled by this disguise is rather useful to mess just as fluid as with people who don't really know you well. (Research is done by showing pictures of people with and without glasses and asking others to recognize them, and people got a pretty bad score in glasses while worse with sunglasses.)
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
other disguise tropes.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to [[IdenticalStranger that old man that looks likehim.
him]].
Compare with ClarkKenting (a subtrope where the disguise is used over a long period of time andNewspaperThinDisguise. remains effective despite that) and NewspaperThinDisguise (where a book, magazine, or similar is used to hide a character's face).
Contrast withFullBodyDisguise, SuddenlyObviousFakery, and LatexPerfection. Also see CharlieBrownFromOuttaTown, ConspicuousTrenchcoat, HoldingBothSidesOfTheConversation, HughMann, MostDefinitelyNotAVillain, MrSmith, MuggedForDisguise, EasyImpersonation and NotAZombie.the vast majority of other DisguiseTropes.
----
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on
* Wearing a Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustache
* Putting on or taking off glasses/sunglasses.
* Changing out of a
If the disguise is improved (such as by combining two or more
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to [[IdenticalStranger that old man that looks like
Compare with ClarkKenting (a subtrope where the disguise is used over a long period of time and
Contrast with
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Changed line(s) 9,10 (click to see context) from:
Classic examples of "bad disguises" are the following:
*
*
to:
Classic examples of "bad disguises" disguises"
are thefollowing:
following (tropes are linked based on their overlap, not subtrope status):
* Wearing a face-obscuring [[InTheHood cloak]] or [[EyeObscuringHeadgear hat]]
are the
* Wearing a face-obscuring [[InTheHood cloak]] or [[EyeObscuringHeadgear hat]]
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Changed line(s) 3,6 (click to see context) from:
Several external factors influence this trope. If the big-name SpecialGuest is going to spend most of the episode or film wearing a mask, then you'd want it to be "thin" enough for audiences to identify the actor before TheReveal.
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity for comedy.
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity for comedy.
to:
Several external factors influence this trope. If the big-name SpecialGuest is going to spend most of the episode or film wearing a mask, disguise, then you'd want it to be "thin" enough for audiences to identify the actor before TheReveal.
TheReveal. If the character frequently wears disguises, then it may be a stylistic choice to reassure the audience as to the identity of the character. This is more common in media aimed at younger audiences, but is also common enough for MasterOfDisguise characters so that the audience isn't constantly guessing as to which character is "really" in disguise. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theatre and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity.
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity forcomedy.
comedy. A character who ''can't'' identify someone just because they added sunglasses to their ensemble is another way to mock disguises as well as genre conventions.
If the disguise is improved (such as by combining two or more "thin" details and changing your voice), you get an example of WigDressAccent, where the inability of the other characters to identify the disguised character becomes much more reasonable. In order to qualify as a Paper-Thin Disguise, there must be at least one obviously clear element of the character underneath. However, the probability that other characters are fooled by this disguise is just as fluid as with other disguise tropes.
Classic examples of "bad disguises" are the following:
*
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity for
If the disguise is improved (such as by combining two or more "thin" details and changing your voice), you get an example of WigDressAccent, where the inability of the other characters to identify the disguised character becomes much more reasonable. In order to qualify as a Paper-Thin Disguise, there must be at least one obviously clear element of the character underneath. However, the probability that other characters are fooled by this disguise is just as fluid as with other disguise tropes.
Classic examples of "bad disguises" are the following:
*
Changed line(s) 8,15 (click to see context) from:
A character that the other characters ''should'' recognize (or at least recognize as out of place) dons a disguise and is treated as neither recognizable nor conspicuous. This disguise is so completely transparent that the audience wants to shout "For the love of God, it's ''him!''"
The external reason for the flimsy disguise may be that the creators want to signal the presence of a disguise to the audience before the other characters catch on (a sort of ReverseWhodunnit). Sometimes, the character may also be a SpecialGuest the director wants to get their money out of. All the same, you often get TheReveal staged in such a way to make it clear that the director [[CaptainObviousReveal really thought you wouldn't have worked it out by now]]. For the more perceptive viewers, it's a case of TheUntwist.
While not a DeadHorseTrope, these days Paper Thin Disguises are [[UndeadHorseTrope parodied as often as they are used seriously]]. Many StockParodyJokes involve a person appearing who coincidentally looks just like the person wearing a bad disguise, usually seen in cartoons. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theater and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity. This can sometimes be exaggerated for comedic effect, for example wearing bunny ears and becoming indistinguishable from a real rabbit, or pretending to be an ancient statue by simply [[NobodyHereButUsStatues standing still in a specific pose]]. Children's shows still employ this trope regularly without any parody element.
This trope differs from the general case of WigDressAccent in that a WigDressAccent disguise is always plausible. Paper Thin Disguise also includes the element of being staged as if the disguise really is convincing, which is not generally present in WigDressAccent.
The external reason for the flimsy disguise may be that the creators want to signal the presence of a disguise to the audience before the other characters catch on (a sort of ReverseWhodunnit). Sometimes, the character may also be a SpecialGuest the director wants to get their money out of. All the same, you often get TheReveal staged in such a way to make it clear that the director [[CaptainObviousReveal really thought you wouldn't have worked it out by now]]. For the more perceptive viewers, it's a case of TheUntwist.
While not a DeadHorseTrope, these days Paper Thin Disguises are [[UndeadHorseTrope parodied as often as they are used seriously]]. Many StockParodyJokes involve a person appearing who coincidentally looks just like the person wearing a bad disguise, usually seen in cartoons. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theater and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity. This can sometimes be exaggerated for comedic effect, for example wearing bunny ears and becoming indistinguishable from a real rabbit, or pretending to be an ancient statue by simply [[NobodyHereButUsStatues standing still in a specific pose]]. Children's shows still employ this trope regularly without any parody element.
This trope differs from the general case of WigDressAccent in that a WigDressAccent disguise is always plausible. Paper Thin Disguise also includes the element of being staged as if the disguise really is convincing, which is not generally present in WigDressAccent.
to:
The external reason for the flimsy disguise may be that the creators want to signal the presence of a disguise to the audience before the other characters catch on (a sort of ReverseWhodunnit). Sometimes, the character may also be a SpecialGuest the director wants to get their money out of. All the same, you often get TheReveal staged in such a way to make it clear that the director [[CaptainObviousReveal really thought you wouldn't have worked it out by now]]. For the more perceptive viewers, it's a case of TheUntwist.
While not a DeadHorseTrope, these days Paper Thin Disguises are [[UndeadHorseTrope parodied as often as they are used seriously]]. Many StockParodyJokes involve a person appearing who coincidentally looks just like the person wearing a bad disguise, usually seen in cartoons. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theater and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity. This can sometimes be exaggerated for comedic effect, for example wearing bunny ears and becoming indistinguishable from a real rabbit, or pretending to be an ancient statue by simply [[NobodyHereButUsStatues standing still in a specific pose]]. Children's shows still employ this trope regularly without any parody element.
This trope differs from the general case of WigDressAccent in that a WigDressAccent disguise is always plausible. Paper Thin Disguise also includes the element of being staged as if the disguise really is convincing, which is not generally present in WigDressAccent.
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Added DiffLines:
A disguise that is so "thin" that the audience can immediately recognize who the person behind the "mask" actually is. Note that this doesn't require an actual mask; the character may have merely styled their hair differently, added glasses, or changed into a different outfit. Regardless of exactly what was used for the disguise, the identity of the character is completely clear, usually before they remove it.
Several external factors influence this trope. If the big-name SpecialGuest is going to spend most of the episode or film wearing a mask, then you'd want it to be "thin" enough for audiences to identify the actor before TheReveal.
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity for comedy.
----
A character that the other characters ''should'' recognize (or at least recognize as out of place) dons a disguise and is treated as neither recognizable nor conspicuous. This disguise is so completely transparent that the audience wants to shout "For the love of God, it's ''him!''"
The external reason for the flimsy disguise may be that the creators want to signal the presence of a disguise to the audience before the other characters catch on (a sort of ReverseWhodunnit). Sometimes, the character may also be a SpecialGuest the director wants to get their money out of. All the same, you often get TheReveal staged in such a way to make it clear that the director [[CaptainObviousReveal really thought you wouldn't have worked it out by now]]. For the more perceptive viewers, it's a case of TheUntwist.
While not a DeadHorseTrope, these days Paper Thin Disguises are [[UndeadHorseTrope parodied as often as they are used seriously]]. Many StockParodyJokes involve a person appearing who coincidentally looks just like the person wearing a bad disguise, usually seen in cartoons. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theater and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity. This can sometimes be exaggerated for comedic effect, for example wearing bunny ears and becoming indistinguishable from a real rabbit, or pretending to be an ancient statue by simply [[NobodyHereButUsStatues standing still in a specific pose]]. Children's shows still employ this trope regularly without any parody element.
This trope differs from the general case of WigDressAccent in that a WigDressAccent disguise is always plausible. Paper Thin Disguise also includes the element of being staged as if the disguise really is convincing, which is not generally present in WigDressAccent.
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on over the character's standard outfit]], which can be played seriously, or the classical Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustache prop, which never is. A fake handlebar mustache is also a very common pick for the more comedic takes. Some consider a pair of glasses or sunglasses Paper Thin Disguise, but research showed that it is rather useful to mess with people who don't really know you well. (Research is done by showing pictures of people with and without glasses and asking others to recognize them, and people got a pretty bad score in glasses while worse with sunglasses.)
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to that old man that looks like him.
Compare with ClarkKenting and NewspaperThinDisguise. Contrast with FullBodyDisguise, SuddenlyObviousFakery, and LatexPerfection. Also see CharlieBrownFromOuttaTown, ConspicuousTrenchcoat, HoldingBothSidesOfTheConversation, HughMann, MostDefinitelyNotAVillain, MrSmith, MuggedForDisguise, EasyImpersonation and NotAZombie.
Several external factors influence this trope. If the big-name SpecialGuest is going to spend most of the episode or film wearing a mask, then you'd want it to be "thin" enough for audiences to identify the actor before TheReveal.
Internal story factors also apply. If the disguised character is supposed to be foolish, wearing a bad disguise provides plenty of opportunity for comedy.
----
A character that the other characters ''should'' recognize (or at least recognize as out of place) dons a disguise and is treated as neither recognizable nor conspicuous. This disguise is so completely transparent that the audience wants to shout "For the love of God, it's ''him!''"
The external reason for the flimsy disguise may be that the creators want to signal the presence of a disguise to the audience before the other characters catch on (a sort of ReverseWhodunnit). Sometimes, the character may also be a SpecialGuest the director wants to get their money out of. All the same, you often get TheReveal staged in such a way to make it clear that the director [[CaptainObviousReveal really thought you wouldn't have worked it out by now]]. For the more perceptive viewers, it's a case of TheUntwist.
While not a DeadHorseTrope, these days Paper Thin Disguises are [[UndeadHorseTrope parodied as often as they are used seriously]]. Many StockParodyJokes involve a person appearing who coincidentally looks just like the person wearing a bad disguise, usually seen in cartoons. The trope is still an important dramatic convention in live theater and opera productions -- where a really good disguise would render the character unidentifiable from the cheap seats, and be beyond the scope of the prop budget to boot -- but is usually employed along with some kind of nod to audience acknowledging the absurdity. This can sometimes be exaggerated for comedic effect, for example wearing bunny ears and becoming indistinguishable from a real rabbit, or pretending to be an ancient statue by simply [[NobodyHereButUsStatues standing still in a specific pose]]. Children's shows still employ this trope regularly without any parody element.
This trope differs from the general case of WigDressAccent in that a WigDressAccent disguise is always plausible. Paper Thin Disguise also includes the element of being staged as if the disguise really is convincing, which is not generally present in WigDressAccent.
Common selections include [[InTheHood hooded coats or cloaks thrown on over the character's standard outfit]], which can be played seriously, or the classical Creator/GrouchoMarx glasses-and-mustache prop, which never is. A fake handlebar mustache is also a very common pick for the more comedic takes. Some consider a pair of glasses or sunglasses Paper Thin Disguise, but research showed that it is rather useful to mess with people who don't really know you well. (Research is done by showing pictures of people with and without glasses and asking others to recognize them, and people got a pretty bad score in glasses while worse with sunglasses.)
Sometimes, the trope is present when someone is mistaken for someone else, but it isn't an intentional disguise, it's just someone that appeared for no reason and is not trying a disguise, but has slight similarities that are enough to fool someone unintentionally.
It's becoming a bit common nowadays to subvert this trope by fooling the viewers instead, showing what seems to be a terrible disguise, but then it's revealed that it isn't, you thought that Bob was badly disguised as an old man, but then Bob in regular clothes appears next to that old man that looks like him.
Compare with ClarkKenting and NewspaperThinDisguise. Contrast with FullBodyDisguise, SuddenlyObviousFakery, and LatexPerfection. Also see CharlieBrownFromOuttaTown, ConspicuousTrenchcoat, HoldingBothSidesOfTheConversation, HughMann, MostDefinitelyNotAVillain, MrSmith, MuggedForDisguise, EasyImpersonation and NotAZombie.
