The Next Reel Film Podcast

Can Steve Martin act opposite Humphrey Bogart? Does it work to intercut old films noir? Does the comedy kill the tone? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

“You know how to dial, don’t you? You just put your finger in the hole and make a tiny little circle.”

When Steve Martin and Carl Reiner latched onto the idea of acting in a scene opposite characters in other movies, they thought it was pretty funny and thought it would be even funnier if they could do an entire movie that way. It took some work to get there, but they managed to pull off a pretty clever film in Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, even if they devolve into dumb comedy at times. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Steve Martin series with Reiner’s 1982 film Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.

We talk about the nature of comedy, particularly when it’s a film that is operating as both a parody of and an homage to films noir – and why the silly humor they throw in sometimes just doesn’t work. We look at the brilliant technical feat it was to recreate costumes, sets, lighting designs, music, script, and more to make this movie work. We chat about Martin, Reiner, and Rachel Ward, and how well they work in the film. We chat about the origins of the film and why the story feels so convoluted. And we look at some other films that have tried to pull similar things off.

It’s a really interesting film in the lineup of Reiner/Martin collaborations, and we have a great time talking about it. Definitely 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.