The New World Pictures Podcast

We continue #DIEcember 2: Slay Bells Ring with another obscure slasher, 1984's THE INITIATION. This one is filled with family secrets, sharp hand rakes, and hot - temperature hot - sex. It's a movie about the power of dreams or at least the power of attraction that comes from participating in a sleep study. It's about a mother's sacrifice, and how, no matter what you do, it doesn't matter. It's about real dads and fake dads and dressing up like a penis to a party, only to get murdered in an empty mall.  Listen as we discuss this early entry into New World Pictures' second ownership group output, released the same year as ANGEL and CHILDREN OF THE CORN. You may ask yourself:  could a crowd of people with lit candles enter my room while I'm asleep without me noticing? Is it ethical for a teaching assistant to date a student? How comfortable would it be to have sex on a stack of rugs? Enjoy this slice of 1980's slasher history, as only the NWPP crew can deliver! 

We kick off #DIEcember 2: Slay Bells Ring with everyone's character rich slasher, 1983's MOUNTAINTOP MOTEL MASSACRE.  Or, if you'd prefer, MOUNTAINTOP MOTEL.  Or, as we would call it, "MOTEL MASSACRE NOT ON A MOUNTAIN". Staring Bill Thurman (THE LAST PICTURE SHOW), Anna Chappell (THE MAN IN THE MOON), and Major Brock, a guy who was working as a baggage handler for Delta before director Jim McCullough found him and put him in this movie.  We spend quite a bit of time on this subject alone. MOUNTAINTOP MOTEL MASSACRE is one of those age-old stories about a woman who is released from a psychiatric institution, finds her daughter Lorie practicing witchcraft (not really) in their basement, kills her, acquires a bloodlust and attempts to kill every guest at her rundown roadside motel.  You know, "the ushe".  We are joined for this episode by Ryan Verrill, host of The Disc Connected podcast and the Executive Director of Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network.  Ryan helps us navigate a myriad of new discoveries not yet revealed in any previous episode including Marc's inability to differentiate a rabbit from a guinea pig and Marc's new live podcast, "The Semanticast" where he criticizes the way people say things.  Thus far, it's not getting the kind of listenership that you'd expect.    We also talk about the wrong way to leave your job, when to reveal a lie or keep it to yourself, and the challenges that come with a snakebite to the face.  And when we say, "snakebite" we mean, "snakebit".  Why?  Listen and find out.  For all the shows in Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

We end #NOvember, where we watch movies with originally said "no" to, with QUENNIE, a 1987 TV Miniseries made by New World Television and, later, released by New World Video. An adaptation of a novel by Michael Korda which told the story of his real-life aunt, the actress Merle Oberon. Now, Korda's aunt may be real, but the story is, well, let's just say Michael had fun filling in the details. What true and what's not, we may never know, but we do our best to sort it out. The series starred Mia Sara, fresh from New World's APPRENTICE TO MURDER, as Queenie, and Kirk Douglas as a movie producer based on Korda's uncle Alexander.  In a story that starts in India, travels to England and back again, Queenie  goes from a young student to a exotic dancer to actress. She could have had more jobs, but, as it turns out, it's hard for pretty people to get jobs. It's also difficult for some people to smoke cigars or play a woodwind instrument, but easy for some to know the timing of their demise. There's a lot going on, but we dig deep into it anyway, because, well, it's #NOvember! For other podcasts, t-shirts, and more, head here: https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/ For all the shows in Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

John Penney returns to the podcast! Following our TORMENT reunion episode alongside his cohorts Earl Ghaffari (WAYNE'S WORLD) and Scott Alexander (ED WOOD), John is back to discuss his time working as an assistant editor for New World movies BODY ROCK, GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, and THE STUFF (as well as RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD) before writing RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III and becoming a director with 2006's ZYZZYX RD! John talks about working for Academy Award-winning editor Richard Halsey (ROCKY), learning life lessons from Sarah Jessica Palmer, and listening to movie pitches from Larry Cohen! This is a wide-ranging interview you don't want to miss! For more about John and Brian Yuzna's company Dark Arts Entertainment, head here: https://www.darkartsentertainment.com/   For all the shows in Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

It's #NOvember, where we talk about all the movies we previously said "no" to, and we're kickstarting it with 1986's EAT AND RUN, written by the father/son team of Stand and Christopher Hart and directed by Christopher. it stars Ron Silver as a Detective on the trail of an alien who is eating Italian people in New York City!  The poster proclaims it's a "comedy with taste," but where did Marc, Erica, and Ryan fall in their opinions about it? You'll have to listen to find out! Enjoy this trip through one of New World's forgotten films,  in which the following topics are also discussed: pseudonyms, anti-ASMR, and FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 4!  For more about the podcast, head here: https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/   For all the shows in Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

We were shocked to discover that 1987's Adventures in Babysitting doesn't have a DVD or Blu Ray audio commentary.  After interviewing screenwriter David Simkins in 2022, we asked if he would be willing to record an audio commentary for Adventures in Babysitting and to our delight he agreed.   David shares funny and insightful behind-the-scenes stories and talks about how the movie came together including working with Debra Hill and Lynda Obst.  We discuss the challenges of shooting both in Chicago and Canada.  David talks about how the famous blues bar scene came together, casting Elizabeth Shue, working with Chris Columbus and how Sara's obsession with Thor came to be. There is an issue with the films audio.   At roughly 6 minutes into the movie, the audio of the film can be heard during the commentary.  We've done our best to reduce the film's audio track but it was impossible to totally remove it.  We recommend turning the audio down on your TV or device, and let our audio take over.   One other call out, we recorded the audio commentary watching the PG-13 version of the movie not the one on Disney+.   We believe this is the only audio commentary available for Adventures in Babysitting.  We can't thank David Simkins enough for agreeing to do this with us.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

We end #ROBOtober like we with every October, with a franchise ranking episode! This time, to celebrate our 5th year as a podcast, we are talking about all the ALIEN movies! Roger Corman had a shot at ALIEN at one point, as we discussed in a previous episode, so this is a "Nearly New World" franchise for us! But, watching (and re-watching) these films bring up a lot of emotions and memories, so don't be surprised if the picks get personal. Listen along and delight in our choices or get frustrated at them! Then head to your nearest social media platform and tell us how we screwed up or got it very, very right! Head to www.newworldpicturespodcast.com to find all our socials and episodes! For all the shows in Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

We continue with #ROBOtober, our exploration of all the weird things new World has released, with our first live show!  And what did we subject an audience to?  A true curio from the New World library, an educational film starring Gary Coleman about being safe in your neighborhood! How on Earth did this end up in New world's hands? We explain!  How uncool was Ryan growing up? He'll explain! What the hell was this? We'll attempt to explain! You don't want to miss this live episode recorded at the Broadwater Theater in Hollywood, with appearances from past guests like Peter Fluet (Episode 33: STAR CRYSTAL), Ali Davis (GODZILLA 1985), Dunbar Dicks (GEORGIA PEACHES), and Chris Iannacone (LADY FRANKENSTEIN)! For more about the podcast, head here: https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/   For all the shows in Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/

We continue #ROBOtober with 1972's THE CREMATORS, a movie that doesn't include a single robot but that's okay because #ROBOtober is all about the weird movies made by New World Pictures.  You wouldn't be to blame for punching holes in the second part of that last sentence but we will move on. Considered one of the cheapest movies released by New World Pictures, THE CREMATORS is a science-fiction, horror movie about a minivan-sized Cheeto ball that terrorizes a small lakeside town.  The Cheeto ball feeds on human flesh but otherwise leaves everything else alone.  It also get's its powers from little rocks.  If you hold the rocks with your hands, they will leave an unremovable glitter stain not unlike Ace Frehley's outfit from the cover of KISS Alive 2.  THE CREMATORS is more than the sum of it's parts.  Hospital emergency rooms look like the living room of a house,  laboratories look like the wood paneled basement of your Uncle Flint's house, and the audio....  the audio is almost impossible understand which is unfortunate since a lot of the dialogue takes place over ham radio.  Speaking of which, looks like we at The New World Pictures Podcast will be gifting each other ham radios for the holidays.  Thank you, CREMATORS For more podcasts on the Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here: https://linktr.ee/someonesfavoriteproductions 

Welcome to #ROBOtober, where we will be discussing things you never knew New World Pictures released, starting with the 1988 Robocop Animated Series! Created by Marvel Productions, which was owned by New world at the time, this Saturday morning cartoon could've been a staple of your childhood weekend viewing, but only lasted for 12 episodes! We will go through the first episode and discuss the series as a whole, including our favorites, as we try to answer some of the questions the series raises, such as, why does everyone hate Robocop so much? How does the rest of the country work with OCP? Why does Robocop ignore his partner's obvious love for him? And can Detroit get a break? Don't miss out on this start of our wildest month ever!  For more on the podcast, go here:  www.newworldpicturespodcast.com.  For more podcasts on the Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here: https://linktr.ee/someonesfavoriteproductions    

We end #SEXtember Part Deux, our 2nd annual look at the sexy films of New World Pictures, with PARTY INCORPORATED aka PARTY GIRLS, a 1989 comedy directed by adult film director Chuck Vincent and starring adult film star Marilyn Chambers, who also starred in New World's RABID from David Cronenberg.  The film centers around Marilyn Saunders, who is famous somehow and has a TV show about her life that is being filmed that is very popular with the bar/sleepover crowds. We discuss this movie's wild history, which drawer is the best for hiding your illicit material, when exactly party planning industry became a thing, and we offer a sneak peek at one of the other varied podcasts we are working on!  Plus, Human Resources drops by and much more! For more about the podcast, head here: https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/ To learn about other podcasts in the Someone's Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://linktr.ee/someonesfavoriteproductions  

We continue #SEXtember Part Deux by checking in on 1972's NIGHT CALL NURSES. Directed by Jonathan Kaplan, in his debut, and produced by Julie Corman, this is the third in Roger Corman's "NURSES" movie. Quentin Tarantino called it "a sexy version of Three Coins in the Fountain." IYKYK. We talk about the many, many, MANY plots this movie has to offer, the subtle product placement, and learn about Erica's favorite after work activity - no spoilers - but it's not what you would think! What is a night call nurse you ask? You'll have to listen in to find out!

Our latest interview is with someone we have hoped to talk with for some time, director, writer, and actor Katt Shea! We go through her early career where Shea appeared as an actor in a few Corman-produced films before stalking Roger to get an opportunity to direct her debut feature, 1987's STRIPPED TO KILL! Shea describes  the key to landing an audition,  how acting in PSYCHO III ending up helping her sell STRIPPED TO KILL to Roger,  her difficulties after directing the 1991 hit POISON IVY,  and what it was like to work for Roger, both good and bad. Don't miss out on this great conversation with Katt Shea! For more on Katt Shea and her acting classes: https://www.kattshea.com/ Follow here on Twitter: https://x.com/KattShea For more on The New World Pictures Podcast, head here:  https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/

We can think of no better way to kick off #SEXtember Part Deux than with Katt Shea's 1987 thriller, STRIPPED TO KILL.  This isn't one of those movies the skimps (wink) on the stripping.  There's a lot of it in STRIPPED TO KILL.  So much, in fact, that it broke our titty count machine.   We talk about strange rules for strip clubs, the challenge of keeping the patrons excited during the 15-20 minutes it takes the DJ to tear down and build a new set for the next stripper and, of course, which time of year muscles are poisonous.  Which muscles?  You have to listen to find out.   And while STRIPPED TO KILL has a whole lot of stripping, that is not the sum of it's parts.  There are meat sculptures, police department employees that work at] brothels, telekinetic fire starting, and a little double identity (we're not talking about the boobies).   Finally, Ryan and Erica teach Marc how to properly tell a joke and we discover a unique new business opportunity that you need to hear about.  We are all going to get rich.

We continue the laughs this week in our #HAHAugust episode. Polish your jokes and put on your suspenders as you take the mic at 1983's THE FUNNY FARM! Written and directed by Ron Clark in his debut after working with Mel Brooks on the scripts for HIGH ANXIETY and THE SILENT MOVIE, this stars Peter Aykroyd,  Howie Mandel, and even more Canadian comics. The film follows a budding comedian (Miles Chapin) and a group of ambitious young comics as they strive to make it in the LA comedy scene, but only one can find a steady girlfriend and a club to work in after only one night in town (also Chapin). In this episode we are joined by special return guest Ali Davis, who you may remember from our previous episodes COVER GIRL MODELS, and GODZILLA 1985. Laugh with us as we learn about improv for dogs, debate if strip clubs have bathrooms, and reminisce about each of our cross-country drives.

We continue #HAHAugust, our celebration of the comedies of New World Pictures, with an interview about one of classic comedies to emerge from Roger Corman's New World Pictures, 1979's ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL! Joining us to talk about the film is author Stephen B. Armstrong, who just wrote a book on the subject called I Want You Around: The Ramones and the Making of Rock 'n' Roll High School, editor Mark Helfrich, who got his start on the movie as a production assistant and assistant editor, and the movie's director, Allan Arkush, who also spent years working at New World editing trailers for the company.  If you are a fan of this movie, you don't want to miss this episode! We discuss the many iterations of the script, Arkush's journey with the Ramones, how New World fought the movie internally, and much more!  For more about Stephen, visit his website, https://stephen-b-armstrong.com/, and buy his book wherever books are sold!  For the video about The Wiltern mentioned by Mark and Allan, head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti49ckZZNFI And for the GET CRAZY video Allan mentions on the episode, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMlpF76gRz0 For more about the podcast, please visit:  https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/

We are kicking off #HAHAugust, which could be the most hilarious month of the year! Put your feet on the coffee table and don't use a coaster while you hop onto YouTube and feast your eyes on 1984’s BAD MANNERS (aka GROWING PAINS), co-written and directed by Robert "Bobby" Houston, and starring the late, great Martin Mull and Karen Black as foster parents who find that their new addition can't separate himself from his previous family of orphans, one of which is played by a young Pamela Adlon (King of the Hill, Better Things, Facts of Life). In this episode we are joined by special guest Peter Fluet, who you may remember from previous episodes Power Pack, Generation X, and STAR CRYSTAL. With Peter's help we put manners aside to attempt to make sense of this rude, and truly ridiculous film that somehow has a theme song from Sparks? Ryan shares a truly shocking bit of research, Marc crunches cars and, of course, Erica keeps the titty count. For more information on the podcast, visit www.newworldpodcast.com.

We talk with former New World Pictures editors, Kevin Sewelson and Dave Parker.  Both Kevin and Dave started out as trailer editors during the last few years of New World Picture's existence.  Kevin also edited 1988's IN THE AFTERMATH for New World and we discuss the challenge of creating a story blending live action with Mamoru Ishii's 1985 anime ANGEL'S EGG.  Kevin and Dave describe the challenges of creating a story and dialogue to weave the two different stories into a cohesive unit. We learn about the set in Fontana and the rock bottom pricing New World Pictures paid to shoot there after THE RUNNING MAN had completed filming at the same location.  This episode is chock full of interesting behind-the-scenes stories.  We learn about Kevin and Dave's early days at New World Pictures pulling all-nighters in the editing room in the former Lion's Gate studio, and how New World went from being flush with money to the slow demise of the studio and all the new ventures that sprung from the talent that left.  We also get to discuss a couple NWPP favorites including GODZILLA 1985, 18 AGAIN!, HEATHERS, FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC, and one of Marc's favorites, ANGEL OF DEATH. Dave also tells an incredible story about a never-seen trailer he cut for HELLRAISER 2.   It's a fascinating and fun interview and we're incredibly grateful to Dave and Kevin for taking time to chat with us.  Enjoy the interview!

We continue #SciFiJuly presents #DystopianSummer with 1988's IN THE AFTERMATH! Never heard of it? You're not alone! A mixture of Mamoru Oshii's 1985 anime ANGEL'S EGG and live-action, dystopian footage directed by New World's then Head of post-production, Carl Colpaert, the film is a wild mix that skipped theatrical release and went straight to video near the end of the 2nd era of New World Pictures. Joining us for this episode is returning guest Dirk Marshall, who we had to have on after he covered ANGEL'S EGG on the VH US podcast (https://www.vh-us.com/). What did Dirk think of the blend of the two films? Listen to find out! Did Erica realize it was two films?  Listen and find out! What is Marc's pet peeve about July 4th parties? You'll have to listen to find out!  Follow Dirk here: https://x.com/VHUS_Podcast For more information about the podcast, go to https://newworldpicturespodcast.com/.  

Our #SciFiJuly Presents #DystopianSummer continues with an interview with DEAD END DRIVE-IN director Brian Trenchard-Smith! From the beginnings with the script to the purchase of the movie by New World Pictures at the Cannes Film Festival, Brian tells us all about the journey of his film, while also telling tales about a few of his other films, including DAY OF THE PANTHER and THE MAN FROM HONG KONG! Perhaps fittingly, Brian spoke to us while sitting outside during a heat wave, but that didn't damper his spirits as he told us about the importance of having a good mechanic, gave a sweet eulogy to the late, great Grant Page, broke down the MAD MAX franchise, and described how they shot two stunt sequences for DEAD END DRIVE-IN on the same day.  Don't miss this interview with an exploitation legend!