Ruined Childhoods

On the Ruined Childhoods road trip across America, Dan and Jon are stopping by the fictional town of Mount Rose, Minnesota for the mockumentary cult classic, Drop Dead Gorgeous . Though the movie has some cringy moments, it remains a classic thanks to its all-star cast and quotable script. And HEY! We have a new theme song! WOO! Next episode:  In the Heat of the Night (1967) • Mississippi See what...

From the striking Saul Bass artwork to Duke Ellington 's score, one should expect that Anatomy of a Murder wouldn't be like the films that came before it. This film, which features a star-filled cast, bucks the studio system and films on location in Michigan, uses actors not contracted by the studio, and doesn't hold back with language and themes typically avoided thanks to the Hays Code . Dan and...

This stop on the Ruined Childhoods tour across America (alphabetically) is Massachusetts where Dan and Jon visit the fictional town of Falwell to meet Elvira: Mistress of the Dark . How could one pass up the opportunity to see Edie McClurg play a character named Chastity Pariah?? Next episode:  Anatomy of a Murder (1959) • Michigan See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as M...

TV/Film writer and Bananas Podcast co-host Scotty Landes joins Jon and Dan to talk about Maryland films, pit beef sandwiches, John Waters , and more in a larger discussion about the cult classic, Pecker . Scotty also tells Jon and Dan about his experience working as an extra on the 2006 film, Annapolis . Subscribe to The WALT • thewalt.substack.com Help Scotty pet 100 dogs in 2024 • scottysgettinp...

When it comes to MAINE movies, you would be hard pressed to find one that captures the vibe of the Down East stronger than Todd Field's Oscar-nominated feature debut, In the Bedroom . Not only do Jon and Dan celebrate the entire cast, but specifically the late Tom Wilkinson - pour one out. And be sure to listen out for Jon's chat with Maine-native, Eric Gosselin , who not only is a produce...

Corrupt cops? Cajun accents? Dennis Quaid eating an envelope? Count us in! Dan and Jon stop at The Big Easy on their cinematic trek across America. Next episode:  In the Bedroom (2001) • Maine See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Louisiana Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Dan and Jon are covering a movie for each US State and on this episode, they're in Kentucky to celebrate Pam Grier in Sheba, Baby . Next episode:  The Big Easy (1986) • Louisiana See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Kentucky Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

If you haven't seen this movie, you've been living on the wrong side of the rainbow. Dan and Jon talk about the 1939 classic, round up some of the other adaptations of L. Frank Baum's Oz series , and Dan's stint as the Cowardly Lion in a 1991 Junior High production of The Wizard of Oz . Next episode:  Sheba, Baby (1975) • Kentucky See what native tribes reside or resided in what is...

When deciding to cover the 1971 satire Cold Turkey , Dan and Jon had no idea that its director, Norman Lear, would pass days later. In honor of the late, great, television legend, Ruined Childhoods celebrates the film that came before all of the Norman Lear classics that made him a legend. This film also stars TV and cinematic legend Dick Van Dyke , who turned 98 the week before this episode's...

It's Indiana week on Ruined Childhoods and the guys discuss one of the state's most cherished films, Hoosiers . Next episode:  Cold Turkey  (1971) • Iowa See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Indiana Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at  linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods

Dan and Jon are in Illinois and have zero interest in visiting Chicago. For them, it's all about Aurora, home of Wayne and Garth. This is a long one, so buckle up and send in your thoughts to ruinedchildhoodspod@gmail.com ! Next episode:  Hoosiers  (1986) • Indiana See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Illinois Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch...

Dan and Jon have made it to The Aloha State to gab about the 1961film that introduced the world to  Elvis  singing  I Can't Help Falling in Love . Dan and Jon talk about their own experiences in Hawaii, representation of indigenous Pacific Islanders, and conflicting feelings about the King of Rock and Roll. Hey, Viktor! trailer Next episode:  Wayne's World  (1992) • Illinois See what nativ...

Dan and Jon have made it to The Aloha State to gab about the 1961film that introduced the world to Elvis singing I Can't Help Falling in Love . Dan and Jon talk about their own experiences in Hawaii, representation of indigenous Pacific Islanders, and conflicting feelings about the King of Rock and Roll. Next episode: Smoke Signals (1998) • Idaho See what native tribes reside or resided in wha...

Dan and Jon have made it to Georgia, but need to quickly zip over to Texarkana, Texas and back with a truckload of Coors beer! On this episode, the Smokey and the Bandit series is celebrated and reimagined with fresh casts and plots. Next episode: Blue Hawaii (1961)• Hawaii See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Georgia Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some...

Dan and Jon travel down to Florida, specifically South Beach, to witness the meeting of a drag queen, her club owning partner, an ultra-conservative senator, and his opportunistic wife. It's only taken 211 episodes, but Ruined Childhoods is finally covering The Birdcage , celebrating how it stood out from its predecessors and theorizing how it could have a continuing legacy. Next episode: Smok...

Dan and Jon have their made their way to Delaware to enjoy the sights, sounds, and styles of Empire Records . And guess what - it's REX MANNING DAY ! The guys celebrate the cult film and it's actual legacy and the legacies that could be if they had a chance to revive the film. Next episode: The Birdcage (1996) • Florida See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Dela...

Dan and Jon travel to Mystic, Connecticut to sample the perfect blend of comedy and drama with a dash of romance. This is the movie that introduced us to Matt Damon and truly put Julia Roberts on the map. And for many, it was a sigh of relief that the actor who played Gomer Pyle in Full Metal Jacket turned out alright. This episode also features a special interview with Dan and Jon's brother S...

This stop on the Ruined Childhoods road trip across America is the 1995 crime drama, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead . Dan and Jon talk about how it stacks up in the midst of the era's Tarantino madness. Next episode: Mystic Pizza (1988) • Connecticut See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Colorado Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch a...

Dan and Jon have made it to California to experience the 2002 cult classic, Orange County . Aside from realizing that this film had more depth than previously considered, Dan and Jon also imagine how they would revisit this film over 20 years later. Next episode:  Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead  (1995) • Colorado See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Caiforn...

On their journey through America, Dan and Jon have stopped along the Mississippi River in Southern Arkansas for the 2012 Jeff Nichols drama, Mud . Ideas are tossed around about how to keep the story of Ellis, Neckbone, and the whole gang alive - PLUS, Dan and Jon play the Matthew McConaughey Name Game! Next episode:  Orange County  (2002) • California See what native tribes reside or resided in wh...

After a chilly week in Alaska revisiting the 1925 classic, The Gold Rush , Dan and Jon are down in Arizona with the likes of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, Virgil Earp, Morgan Earp, Curly Bill, Johnny Ringo and the rest of the characters in the 1993 western hit, Tombstone . Next episode: Mud (2012) • Arkansas See what native tribes reside or resided in what is now known as Arizona Contact us, follow us...

Dan and Jon are up in Alaska (or down if you’re Santa Claus) and featuring Charlie Chaplin’s 1925 hit, The Gold Rush . Much like The Tramp himself, Dan and Jon are exploring the Yukon territory — except in their case, it’s cinematically. In addition to sharing thoughts and ideas for The Gold Rush , they also share some of their favorite iconic Alaska films. Next episode: Tombstone (1993) • Arizona...

Dan and Jon are traveling through each state in America in an alphabetically-ordered exploration of the movies that define the American experience. And to kick it off, they’re taking a look at the 2002 rom-com classic, Sweet Home Alabama , that takes us from New York City to the deep south. Dan and Jon share their thoughts about how it works through a 2023 lens and have a few ideas on how it could...

Wrapping up the 200 episode celebration, Dan and Jon are looking back at what they had said in May 2021 about a new Fletch movie and then discuss the 2022 film Confess, Fletch starring Jon Hamm . Also, Dan and Jon do a lightning round of updates on news pertaining to other past episodes that are expecting reboots, sequels, prequels, stage plays, etc. Next episode: Sweet Home Alabama (2002) • Alaba...

Celebrating 200+ episodes, Dan and Jon are back at it to revisit some of their older episodes that have since welcomed new properties to their franchises — The Addams Family & Rocky IV . The original Addams Family episode was released on 3/12/2019 and we have since gotten two new Addams Family animated films and the popular Netflix series, Wednesday . And although we certainly didn’t expect it...