Several years ago a radio talk show host claimed that many movies were attributed to a nonexistent director.

He said that sometimes a well known director did not want his name associated with a bad movie. Sometimes a grade B movie was slapped together, using several directors, none of whom wanted credit for the turkey.

It was claimed that the same bogus name was used by many studios for situations like the above.

Was this a made up story? If not, what name was used? Was it used often?

Allan Smithee is the name. It's not made up. In fact, at least one movie played on this concept by being called "An Allan Smithee Film." However, sometimes directors who want this change to be made don't get thier wish because of the studio, if their name is big enough to draw a crowd.

Weiser_Dub: Thanx for the information. It seems to be what I was looking for.

I thought the name was some obscure Slavic, Polish, or Russian sounding name. I did a web Search, and it looks like you had the correct name.

Several movie gurus I know claimed that it was a story made up by the talk-show host.

Thanx again.

I don't know what you mean by "it;s not made up"
Do you mean the story or the name?
The name is definitely made up. It was originally to be Allan Smith then (because it could be a real name) they thought they'd add an "e" and then this also had "real name potential (smithe)" so they added yet another so there were no discrepencies.

It is true that directors apply to the director's guild to have such a credit on a film for various reasons (most of which are as a result of not truly having the final say in the film's production), but as was previously mentioned, some are often denied this privelege by the guild or the film company.

FYI: The director or AMerican History X applied for an Allan Smithee credit but was denied.