The Next Reel Film Podcast

How well do the jokes work for today’s world? Do Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase work as a romantic duo? Does Colin Higgins nail it for his first time directing? Tune in to this week’s show to get these answers and more!

Show Notes

“People just don’t drop dead in cinemas watching horror movies and whispering, 'Look out for the elf!'”

Even if his first screenplay was for a film that was a box office flop at the time, the success of the second film he wrote gave Colin Higgins enough clout to finally direct. As a clear fan of Hitchcock’s work, he delivered his second comedy thriller that felt very much an homage to Hitchcock in Foul Play, and he delivered another box office hit. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1978 directorial debut Foul Play.

We talk about Higgins as director and debate how he does on his first time out of the gate. We look at many of the tropes he fills the film with, both Hitchcockian thriller tropes and comedy tropes of the time. We chat about the casting of Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase and how they got the roles, plus we look at many of the other actors fleshing the film out. We touch on politically incorrect comedy involving little people and ponder how that affects our viewing in 2020. We look at the cinematography and music, and wonder if Barry Manilow, although popular at the time, made sense for a comedy thriller. And we revel in the playful titles the Swedes gave to this film as well as many other Hawn films over the years.

It’s a fun film and definitely worth talking about, even if only in context of the time when it comes to jokes involving laughing at little people suffering. We have a great time talking about it on this week’s show, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.