Thank the Academy

In this episode we discuss Robert Towne and Robert Evan’s Los Angeles Neo-Noir Chinatown. We discuss the some of the history of Los Angeles, William Muholland, and the water wars in the 1920s and 1930’s, Jack Nicholson’s stirring turn as the lead, J.J. Gettis, and problematic director Roman Polanski. We also discuss famed actress Ingrid Bergman, her early career in Sweden, her breakout films from...

In this episode we discuss the forty-seventh Best Picture winner, The Godfather Part II! We talk about more ceremony controversy following the Best Documentary Feature win for Hearts and Minds and director Peter Davis, Bob Hope’s quick follow-up statement, and the growing relationship between Hollywood and American politics. We also talk about Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part II, sequels,...

In this episode we discuss George Lucas’s autobiographical coming of age film American Graffiti, his transition from film school to Hollywood, and friendship and business partnership with Francis Ford Coppola. We also discuss Academy Award nominated and winning child actors, the history of child actor contracts and negotiations, and Tatum O’Neal’s historic win for Best Supporting Actress.  --...

In this episode we discuss the forty-sixth Best Picture winner, The Sting! We discuss Katherine Hepburn’s first ceremony appearance, Tatum O’Neal’s historic win, and the streaker that crashed the ceremony. We also talk about Paul Newman and Robert Redford’s second collaboration on The Sting, on-set pranks with director George Roy Hill, and the classic 1930’s techniques that gave this film its sign...

In this episode we discuss Cabaret, its journey as a story from real life, to popular musical, to Oscar winning film, Bob Fosse’s choreography and direction, and Joel Grey’s influence on the character of the Master of Ceremonies. We also discuss Liza Minelli’s life and career from growing up with famous parents, creating her own career, and making her way out of the shadow of her mother, Judy Garl...

In this episode we discuss the forty-fifth Best Picture winner, The Godfather, the eligibility foibles during the ceremony, Marlon Brando’s rejected Oscar, Sacheen Littlefeather’s statement about the treatment of indigenous actors, and Francis Ford Coppola’s mafia masterpiece! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us y...

In this episode we discuss The Last Picture Show, Peter Bogdonavich’s career pivot from film critic to popular film producer, writer, and director, Larry McMurtry’s mark on the film industry, and the importance of this film in exploring relationships on screen. We also discuss composer John Williams’ impressive, award-winning, and decades long career, his friendship with Steven Spielberg, the impa...

In this episode we discuss the forty-fourth Best Picture winner, The French Connection, Charlie Chaplin’s Honorary Award for his contribution to filmmaking, the accurate portrayal of unethical behavior among police in New York City, and the famous car chase, driven by Gene Hackman, that affected all Hollywood car chases going forward! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast...

In this episode we discuss the 1970 disaster film Airport, directed by George Seaton, it’s impact on future disaster films as a genre, Burt Lancaster’s and Jean Seburg’s hesitancy at doing purely commercial films, and the immense popularity of the film despite its poor reviews. We also talk about Helen Hayes’ life and career on the stage and screen, the inspiration of her poodle Napoleon, and her...

In this episode we discuss the forty-third Best Picture winner, Patton, George C. Scott’s refusal of the Best Actor award, Helen Hayes’ momentous and record setting win for Best Supporting Actress, Best Picture winning war epics, and the complicated legacy of General George S. Patton! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Em...

In this episode we discuss Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Dame Maggie Smith. We talk about William Goldman’s fascination with the two cowboys, his expert comedic dialogue, and the quirkiness that made this film the best-selling Western of all time. We also talk about Maggie Smith and her gradual rise to fame over her seven-decade career, her iconic roles, her many accolades, and her strict...

In this episode we discuss the forty-second Best Picture winner, Midnight Cowboy, the best way to have a host-less Oscars’ Ceremony, the first and only X-Rated Best Picture winner, Dustin Hoffman’s and Jon Voight’s acting nominations splitting the vote, and the growing variety films in the post-Code era! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.co...

In this episode we discuss Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, its ground-breaking special effects, the future of the science fiction genre, and Kubrick’s only Oscar win. We also discuss New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther, the indelible impact he had on Hollywood, the film industry, and American culture, his classic and signature writing style, and some of the reviews that made him po...

In this episode we discuss the forty-first Best Picture winner, Oliver! and the many controversies at the 41st Academy Awards. We talk about the changing landscape of campaigning for an Oscar, eligibility requirements, and Oscar predictions gone wrong. We also talk about the waning popularity in musicals and British films among Academy members and Jack Ward’s acclaimed performance as the Artful Do...

In this episode we discuss two ground-breaking films from 1967: Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate. We discuss the changing landscape of Hollywood films to include more violence and sexual themes in movies, but especially in the films of 1967. We talk about Warren Beatty’s turn at being the actor-producer and Mike Nichols’ win as Best Director. We also talk about Audrey Hepburn, her last Academy Aw...

In this episode we discuss the fortieth Best Picture winner, In the Heat of the Night! We talk about recently appointed President of the Academy Gregory Peck and his influence on the ceremony, the Civil Rights Movement and its effect on Hollywood, Sydney Poitier’s favorite film role as Virgil Tibbs, and beginning of a new film renaissance in Hollywood. -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thank...

In this episode we discuss Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Elizabeth Taylor’s second Best Actress win, Mike Nichols’ first film after several successful Broadway shows, and the first film to receive an age warning in theaters. We also discuss the history of stunts in Hollywood, the Watering Hole, the need for safety protocols and procedures, and Yakima Canutt and his innumerable contributions to...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-ninth Best Picture winner, A Man for All Seasons, the AFTRA union strike that almost stopped the ceremony from being broadcast, director Fred Zinneman’s many contributions to the film industry, and Paul Scofield’s stirring Tony and Oscar winning performance as Sir Thomas More! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www....

In this episode we discuss Stanley Kramer’s Ship of Fools, Grand Hotel on a ship, the last few tumultuous years of Vivien Leigh’s life and career, and her last film role. We talk about William Wyler and his immense accomplishments and contributions to the film industry, from a lowly assistant to one of the most celebrated Hollywood directors of films like Wuthering Heights, The Heiress, The Best Y...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-eighth Best Picture winner, The Sound of Music, the first Academy Awards Ceremony to be broadcast in color, the power of defiance through art and song Julie Andrews’ historic follow-up role to Mary Poppins, and the enduring work of Rodgers and Hammerstein! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacad...

In this episode we discuss Mary Poppins and Julie Andrews, the great lengths Walt Disney traveled to secure the film rights, taking chances on his two lead actors, Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, combining live action and animation in new and exciting ways. We also discuss Julie Andrews’ early Broadway career, her rise to fame as an international movie star, and her many lasting achievements and...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-seventh Best Picture winner, My Fair Lady, the most popular and best selling Broadway show up to this point in history and its equally popular adaption into the Hollywood hit, Jack Warner’s insistence in not casting Julie Andrews and her success as Mary Poppins, and the classiness of two of Hollywood’s brightest stars in Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn! -- In...

In this episode we discuss How the West Was Won, the epic Cinerama narrative starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time, Sidney Poitier, his incredible Best Actor win, and the obstacles he overcame in becoming the first Black actor to win for a leading roles.  --  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacad...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-sixth Best Picture winner, Tom Jones, Sydney Poitier’s historic Best Actor win, the cultural landscape that gave a British sex farce a fighting chance, and the innovative new techniques that led to the success of this film! -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod  Email us your...

In this episode we discuss the 1962 film Birdman of Alcatraz and female editors in the film industry, Burt Lancaster’s stirring performance as inmate Robert Stroud, more Hollywood animal wrangling, Anne V. Coates and her Academy Award win for Best Editing for Lawrence of Arabia, the history of women working as editors in Hollywood, and the immense expertise that female editors have contributed to...