Adapt or Perish

Wake up, everyone! It's time to watch some questionable cartoons! In this Adapt or Perish Mini , we're looking at some kid-friendly cartoon adaptations of movies that definitely aren't kid-friendly. In this episode, we discuss: Rambo: The Force of Freedom (1986) , produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises Police Academy (1988–1989) , produced by Ruby-Spears Enterprises Toxic Crusaders (1991) , produced...

In Episode 148 of Adapt or Perish , we're going back nearly 300 years to talk about the classic satire Gulliver's Travels! In this episode, we discuss: Jonathan Swift's original 1726 novel Gulliver's Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants (1902) , the silent short directed by George Méliès Gulliver Mickey (1934) , the animated short directed by Burt Gillett and starring Walt Disney Gulliver...

For this mini-episode of Adapt or Perish , we're looking at the movie that everyone can agree is at least pretty okay, The Shawshank Redemption! In this episode, we discuss: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption , Stephen King's short story originally published in the anthology Different Seasons in 1982 The Shawshank Redemption , the 1994 movie written and directed by Frank Darabont, and starring...

Get in losers, we're watching Mean Girls! Joining Jeremy for the discussion in Episode 146 of Adapt or Perish is Rosey Mongeau, cohost of the very good podcast Really Important Fictional Things! In this episode, we discuss: Rosalind Wiseman's original 2002 self-help book Queen Bees and Wannabes Mean Girls , the 2004 movie directed by Mark Waters, written by Tina Fey, and starring Lindsay Lohan, Ra...

It's time for another Adapt or Perish Mini! In this episode, you'll get a chance to meet Alex, our show's official research assistant! You can follow Adapt or Perish on Instagram , Threads , Mastodon , and Facebook , and you can find us and all of our show notes online at adaptorperishcast.com . We're also on Patreon! You can find us at patreon.com/adaptcast . We have multiple reward levels, which...

In Episode 144 of Adapt or Perish , Jeremy and Ian are not only going right back to Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai , they're talking about its legacy with Alex, the show's official Research Assistant! (Note: Make sure to listen to Ep. 142: The Magnificent Seven to hear Jeremy and Ian discuss Seven Samurai in more detail!) In this episode, we discuss: Seven Samurai , the 1954 movie directed by Akir...

In this Adapt or Perish Mini , we're taking to the skies to experience the classic work of short horror Nightmare at 20,000 Feet! In this episode, we discuss: Richard Matheson's original 1961 short story "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," the 1963 episode of The Twilight Zone directed by Richard Donner, written by Matheson, and starring William Shatner George Miller's chapter of Twilight Zone: The Movie...

In Episode 142 of Adapt or Perish , we're traveling to the Old West (by way of 16th century Japan) for a look at the heroes of The Magnificent Seven! In this episode, we discuss: Seven Samurai , the 1954 movie directed by Akira Kurosawa, written by Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, and Hideo Oguni, and starring Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, and Isao Kimura The Magnificent Seven , the 1960 movie dire...

In this Adapt or Perish Mini , we're talking about what it means for a piece of media to be "based on a true story." Are they adaptations? Certainly. So why don't we cover them on Adapt or Perish? Footnotes: Multiplex Time Machine Ep. 9: Zodiac Multiplex Time Machine Ep. 38: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford You can follow Adapt or Perish on Instagram , Threads , Mastodon...

In Episode 140 of Adapt or Perish , we're taking our life in our hands and journeying to the Island of Dr. Moreau! In this episode, we discuss: The original 1896 novel by H.G. Wells Island of Lost Souls , the 1932 movie directed by Erle C. Kenton, written by Waldemar Young and Philip Wylie, and starring Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Bela Lugosi, and Kathleen Burke The Island of Dr....

In this mini-episode of Adapt or Perish , we're looking at Shrek, the ogre who launched one of the biggest franchises of all time! In this episode, we discuss: Shrek! , William Steig's original 1990 children's book Shrek , the 2001 animated movie directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jensen, written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S.H. Schulman, and starring Mike Meyers, Eddie...

In Episode 138 of Adapt or Perish , we're looking at the modern animated classic Avatar: The Last Airbender! In this episode, we discuss: Avatar: The Last Airbender , the original 2005–2008 animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and starring Zachary Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack DeSena, Dante Basco, and Mako The Last Airbender , the 2010 movie written and directed...

It's time for another Adapt or Perish Mini! In this episode, we'll get to know Mr. Ian Averill, our brave new co-host. You can follow Adapt or Perish on Instagram and Facebook , and you can find us and all of our show notes online at adaptorperishcast.com . We're also on Patreon! You can find us at patreon.com/adaptcast . We have multiple reward levels, which include access to a patron-only commun...

In Episode 136 of Adapt or Perish , we're heading to the jungle to spend some time with one of the pulpiest of pulp heroes: John Clayton II, Viscount Greystroke, better know as Tarzan of the apes! In this episode, we discuss: Edgar Rice Burroughs' original 1912 serialized story and novel Tarzan of the Apes , the 1918 silent movie directed by Scott Sidney, and starring Elmo Lincoln, Enid Markey, an...

In Episode 135, our very first installment of a new format we're calling Adapt or Perish Minis , we're going back to Roald Dahl to look at the Oscar-winning short film The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar! In this episode, we discuss: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More , Roald Dahl's 1977 short story collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar , the 2023 short film written and directe...

With Episode 134, we're back with a new co-host and a look at the many adaptations of Super Mario Bros. , one of the most popular video game franchises of all time! In this episode, we discuss: The Super Mario franchise, which kicked off with 1985's Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! , the 1986 animated movie directed by Masami Hata and written by Hide...

Things are changing!

Season's greetings and happy holidays from Adapt or Perish! It's that time of year, so we're back with our fourth look at A Christmas Carol , and 10 more screen adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic. Our previous Christmas Carol episodes: Part 1 on the web , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and Overcast Part 2 on the web , Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and Overcast Part 3 on the web , Apple Podcasts ,...

In Episode 132 of Adapt or Perish , we're taking a trip to Skid Row for a visit to the Little Shop of Horrors! In this episode, we discuss: The Little Shop of Horrors , the 1960 movie directed by Roger Corman, written by Charles B. Griffith, and starring Jonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles, and Dick Miller Little Shop of Horrors , the 1982 musical, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by A...

It's spooky season yet again, so with Episode 131 of Adapt or Perish , we're taking a look at The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde's classic work of Gothic horror! In this episode, we discuss: Oscar Wilde's original 1891 novel The 1915 silent movie version , directed by Eugene Moore, and starring Harris Gordon, Helen Fulton, Howard Hickman, and W. Ray Johnston The 1945 theatrical movie , writte...

With Episode 130 of Adapt or Perish , we're finally tackling the story of the only child who never grew up: Peter Pan! In this episode, we discuss: J.M. Barrie's original 1904 play ( Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up ) and 1911 novel ( Peter and Wendy ) The 1924 silent movie , directed by Herbert Brenon, written by Willis Goldbeck, and starring Betty Bronson, Ernest Torrence, and Mary Br...

We had so much fun discussing Mansfield Park earlier this year, that we made sure to get back to Jane Austen as soon as possible. We're doing that with Episode 129 of Adapt or Perish and a look at Persuasion! In this episode, we discuss: Jane Austen's original 1818 novel The 1971 series , directed by Howard Baker, written by Julian Mitchell, and starring Ann Firbank, Bryan Marshall, Basil Dignam,...

Welcome to the party, old sport! Pour yourself a drink and settle in for Episode 128 of Adapt or Perish , our look at another nominee for Great American Novel™, The Great Gatsby! In this episode, we discuss: F. Scott Fitzgerald's original 1925 novel The 1949 theatrical movie , directed by Elliott Nugent, written by Richard Mailbaum and Cyril Hume, and starring Alan Ladd, Betty Field, Macdonald Car...

In Episode 127 of Adapt or Perish , we're taking to the high seas for a look at Moby Dick , the classic tale of obsession, revenge, and chapters upon chapters of whale anatomy. In this episode, we discuss: Herman Melville's original 1851 novel The Sea Beast , the 1926 theatrical movie , directed by Millard Webb, written by Bess Meredyth, Rupert Hughes, and Jack Wagner, and starring John Barrymore...

In Episode 126 of Adapt or Perish , we're back for a second discussion about William Shakespeare's Hamlet! This time we're focusing on a selection of what can best be described as the many Hamlet "derivatives" that have been brought to the stage and screen. In this episode, we discuss: To Be or Not to Be (the 1942 theatrical movie) , directed by Ernst Lubitsch, written by Lubitsch and Edwin Justus...