Earliest example of the “THE END?” trope in film?

[u/CapableLanguage5480]

I’ve been digging into the origin of the old movie gag where the closing title card says “THE END” … but then adds a “?” (as in The Blob (1958), which ends with “The End” which then morphs into a questions mark to suggest the monster might return).

The earliest explicit one I’ve found so far is actually German: 1930's Westfront 1918 concludes with “ENDE?!” being displayed in rough handwritten letters, a properly haunting final frame in the context of the anti-war message. Nearly 100 years later It's essentially a cliche, a form of unresolved storytelling/sequel bait that reeks of cheesiness.

Does anyone know of any earlier examples — especially silent-era films — that play with the final “THE END” card in this way? Either literally with punctuation, or in some similar wink at the audience? Bonus points if the title card literally shows "THE END" before a question marks is cheekily appended.

Thanks in advance — I’d love to trace how far back this schlocky trope goes

[u/IllAppointment419]

The earliest documented example is indeed Westfront 1918 (1930) with “ENDE?!”

Silent-era films leaned on “To Be Continued…” rather than “The End?” — so the trope as we recognize it seems to start around 1930 Germany, then resurfaces strongly in 1950s–60s American horror/sci-fi.

[u/Practical-Vanilla-41]

I'm not sure it was really common. You go straight to Jack H. Harris. He used the The End? on a trilogy of films directed by Shorty Yeaworth: The Blob, 4D Man, and Dinosaurus!.

[u/mskrabapel]

I’m pretty sure Flash Gordon did. They were very optimistic about a sequel.

[u/Common_Decision1594 → u/mskrabapel]

🎶Savior of the Universe!🎶

🎸🎸🎸🎸

[u/NeedsToShutUp → u/Common_Decision1594]

GORDONS ALIVE?

[u/googajub → u/mskrabapel]

Ah hahaha, Ah hahahahahah,! Ah hahahaha!

Underrated

[u/Thatnewaccount436]

I choose to believe Manos The Hands of Fate pioneered this and I will not be looking into it further.

[u/Torgo73 → u/Thatnewaccount436]

[haUnTiNG TOrGo thEmE intensifies]

[u/Fooldozer]

my favorite is from Godzilla 2000. it capped a just bonkers ending sequence, and when the ? showed up my friends were all hooting and cackling , it was so fun

[u/decom83]

Not your question, but I’m still waiting for a Mac and me sequel, after they put “we’ll be back” instead of the “the end”.

[u/donkeylipswhenshaven]

Gandhi (1982)

[u/Mutilid]

Clone High's season 1 is probably the earlist exemple of the "To be continued...?!" trope.

[u/Blackgaze → u/Mutilid]

And we learnt some good things should really just end

[u/Mutilid → u/Blackgaze]

I liked the second season, haven't watched the third one yet

[u/AzureBluet → u/Mutilid]

"J-Chl-!"

[u/Simmons54321]

I wouldn't say it was a trope to begin with. Audiences needed to be cued that the film was over, when it was the silent film era. Then it sort of carried over! It's an old literary trope more than anything.

[u/FiveStarSuperKid → u/Simmons54321]

They’re talking about ending with The End? with a question mark specifically.