Retromade

Welcome to the Season 2 Finale of Retromade! Today, we wrap up the long journey through writing and directing works of John Hughes in the 80s & 90s. Please get in touch to tell me what you think - RetromadePodcast@gmail.com Follow or Listen: https://retromade.captivate.fm Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast Join the fun: https://www.facebook.com/retromadepodcast Want to offer...

The FINAL movie of the John Hughes season, we’ll be heading back to 1998 to cover his last writing credit of the 90s today - a movie I’ll bet you’ve not heard of, let alone seen - Reach the Rock and of course some 1998 memories to set the scene. I hope you like the episode even if you haven’t seen the movie… Please get in touch to tell me what you think - RetromadePodcast@gmail.com Follow or Liste...

Welcome back to Retromade! Today we’re heading back to 1996 to revisit 101 Dalmatians , Disney’s live-action take on the animated classic, complete with Glenn Close going full Cruella. Let’s get into whether this remake earns its spots or just rides the original’s coattails. I’m excited to have returning guest, Lizzy , back from the Retro Movie Roundtable podcast here with me today. Lizzy is a mot...

This is a very unique bonus episode of Retromade. Today, we’re gonna take a little detour and travel back to talk about one of our Ultimate Everymen from Season 1 - Patrick Swayze ! My guest today is Sue Tabashnik - Sue is an author and devoted Patrick Swayze historian whose five books (most recently “PATRICK SWAYZE Still Inspiring!”) span everything from fan-fueled looks at Dirty Dancing to intim...

Welcome back to Retromade! Today we’re heading back to 1994, when pop culture was firing on all cylinders, to revisit Baby's Day Ou t, a movie that dares to ask: what if a baby could outwit three grown criminals without even trying? We’ll get into the chaos, the cartoon logic, and whether this one holds up at all + a quick trip through some 1994 trivia to set the scene. Returning to the show is Mi...

Today we’re heading back to 1988 to revisit She's Having a Baby, a more personal entry from John Hughes, where he steps in as both writer and director. It’s a look at marriage, expectations, and growing up…with a little bit of that Hughes humor and anxiety mixed in. And as always, we’ll check in on what else was happening in ’88 with a quick time capsule. I’m happy to be joined by returning guest,...

Welcome back to Retromade , where we dive into the movies and moments that shaped our pop culture past. Today we’re rewinding to BOTH 1980 AND 1997 to cover movies that showcase the massive shifts Hughes’ career took, starting with his FIRST movie writing credit: The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla (never heard of it, right?) and then one of his final writing credits of the 90s: Home Alone 3. This epi...

Today we’re heading to 1986 and revisiting Pretty in Pink , the John Hughes’ class-conscious teen romance that gave us unforgettable fashion, an iconic soundtrack, and one of the most debated love triangles of the decade…depending on if you’re team Blane or team Duckie. My guest today will sound very familiar if you listen to the Rocky series podcast, One More Round - Kyle Pederson . Please get in...

Today we’re heading back to 1987 for Some Kind of Wonderful - John Hughes’ gender-flipped spin on the Pretty in Pink formula. It’s got unrequited love, drum solos, diamond earrings, and that classic Hughes mix of angst and heart. We’ll dig into the movie, the music, and the era when every teen in America was just trying to figure out who they really belonged with. I'm joined by returning guest, St...

I’ve got one more holiday movie for ya… Today, we’re heading back to 1989 and spending the holidays with the Griswolds. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is one of those movies that somehow gets funnier—and more relatable—the older you get. From family chaos and workplace letdowns to the impossible pressure of a “perfect” Christmas, this episode is all about why this movie still hits decades l...

Today we’re heading into holiday territory with the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street, the version that tried to bring Kris Kringle into the ‘90s and ended up becoming its own nostalgic time capsule. Let’s dig into the movie, the era and why this version still delivers cozy Christmas vibes decades later. My guest today is a familiar voice: my regular podcast partner-in-crime, Ryan Rebalkin - w...

We’re heading back to 1990 to revisit one of the greatest holiday classics of all time: Home Alone . In this episode, we unpack the movie’s enduring magic, from booby traps to unforgettable one-liners, and take a playful detour into some pop culture trivia from 1990. I'm I'm joined by returning guests Evan and Andrew from the Nothing Worthwhile with Moody & Groo podcast, who bring their signat...

This is a very unique bonus episode. Today, we’re gonna find out what happens when one of America’s best sports biographers turns his lens on one of hip-hop’s most misunderstood legends. My guest today is Jeff Pearlman, the NY Times bestselling author, with a new book Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur . You can also find more of Jeff here: https://www.youtube.com/@PressBoxChron...

We’re heading back to 1992 — a year of slapstick traps, Talkboys, and turtle doves — to revisit Home Alone 2: Lost in New York . It’s bigger, louder, and somehow even more chaotic than the original, set against the perfect early-’90s backdrop of neon windbreakers, Crystal Pepsi, and boy bands just starting to form. Let’s see if Kevin’s second round of mayhem still holds up… or if this sequel shoul...

Today, we go back to 1987 for another brilliant dose of John Candy and John Hughes for Thanksgiving classic: Planes, Trains & Automobiles ! I’m happy to be joined by returning guest, Scott Murphy of All ‘90s Action, All The Time! & New Horror Express podcasts. He's also got an upcoming series covering Sam Peckinpah on The Director's Chair Network . Scott is a film podcaster, music reviewer...

Today we’re heading back to 1991 to revisit Dutch —to get us in the mood for Thanksgiving! Please get in touch to tell me what you think - RetromadePodcast@gmail.com Follow or Listen: https://retromade.captivate.fm Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast Join the fun: https://www.facebook.com/retromadepodcast Want to offer a tip in support of the show: https://retromade.cap...

Today we’re rewinding to 1982 —a year packed with iconic hits and trends—but instead of E.T. or Fast Times, we’re looking at a National Lampoon experiment that didn’t quite land: Class Reunion. Please get in touch to tell me what you think - RetromadePodcast@gmail.com Follow or Listen: https://retromade.captivate.fm Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast Join the fun: http...

Today we’re diving into 1997’s Flubber —a John Hughes–penned remake. I’ll tell you I experienced a first in show history watching this movie…stay tuned to find out ;) Introducing new guest to the show: Dustin Melbardis from The Retro Movie Roundtable podcast. He's been on the show since 2021 and loves spending time chatting with new guests and old friends, even though he admittedly has seen fewer...

Pack your bags and grab your phrasebook—we’re heading back to 1985 for the 40th anniversary of National Lampoon’s European Vacation . We’ll relive the Griswold's’ chaotic trek across the continent while also diving into pop culture that defined the mid-’80s. Returning to the show is Zo from Back Look Cinema , the podcast! You can check out all his awesome stuff at https://www.backlookcinema.com/ ....

Today as a bonus episode, listen to my guest appearance on Back Look Cinema , the podcast with Zo: Teen Wolf - the 40th anniversary! You can check out all his awesome stuff at https://www.backlookcinema.com/ . Please get in touch to tell me what you think - RetromadePodcast@gmail.com Follow or Listen: https://retromade.captivate.fm Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast Jo...

40th ANNIVERSARY: Today we’re booting up 1985’s Weird Science —a teen fantasy where two nerds use a computer, a doll, and a lightning storm to create the woman of their dreams. It’s chaotic, cringey, and peak John Hughes in all the best and weirdest ways. Today's guests are Chad Robinson and Russell Guest from the Retro Movie Roundtable podcast . Check them out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...

Today we’re sailing back to 1983 for Nate and Hayes , the pirate adventure you probably missed—starring a swashbuckling Tommy Lee Jones, colonial chaos, and more explosions than you'd expect from a forgotten film. And don't forget the 1983 trivia in the time capsule segment. Ryan Rebalkin - whom I join every other Sunday on One More Round, the Rocky Series Podcast - is here to help me open the sea...

Welcome back to Retromade! Today we’re heading back to 1991 to revisit Curly Sue —John Hughes’ final film as a director. It’s got street scams, sentimentality, and one very scrappy kid with big hair and even bigger heart. I’m excited to introduce a new guest to the show: Andrew from The Nostalgia Fun House podcast. Andrew is a father of three with a passion for pop culture, particularly the 1980s,...

This is your Summer Kickoff episode covering a very apt Hughes-written screwball road trip comedy that spawned 5 sequels - National Lampoon’s Vacation from 1983! Returning to the show are Jim & Kevin from the Pool Scene Podcast - You can find Kevin & Jim on: Facebook . Instagram. TikTok. They also cover movies infused with music, pop culture and nostalgia. Please get in touch to tell me wh...

Welcome back to Retromade! Today, we’re flashing back to 1991 to discuss a lesser known Hughes flick— Career Opportunities . Returning to the show is Sean Malloy formerly of “ I Must Break This Podcast ” covering one of my favorite action stars, Dolph Lundgren Check him out on The Last of the Action Heroes Podcast Network . We also get a special bonus guest, Anson Kessinger , talking about his cha...