The Video Archives Podcast with Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary

On today’s After Show, Gala has discovered more information on the origins of The Jet Benny Show! She shares these new revelations, along with more excerpts from Quentin and Roger’s discussions of The Last Run and Rustlers’ Rhapsody. Plus: the next part of Gala’s one-on-one interview with Roger, all about how he approaches adaptation. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028. 

Roger & Quentin pull off one last job in The Last Run! On our very first bootleg tape of the show, George C. Scott returns to the screen as a former mob getaway driver who returns to his old life to see if he still has it.  All he has to do is complete one last job. Quentin and Roger discuss the legendary director who planned to make the film before Richard Fleischer was brought on and find out what makes this crime film work. Next up, the West goes wacko in Rustlers’ Rhapsody! Rex O’Herlihan (played by Tom Berenger) is a fast-drawing, silver-spurred singing cowboy, who slowly becomes aware that every town he rides into is the same as the last. For this ode to kiddie matinees, Quentin shares vivid stories of the genre from theaters long shuttered and both hosts praise the gorgeous cinematography and affectionate parody of the film. Finally, The Jet Benny Show is the oddest film we’ve covered on the podcast so far. Shot on Super 8, you’ll have to tune in to discover what this Jack Benny-themed spoof is all about… Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin, Roger and Gala share more background on last week’s films The Choirboys, Hennessy and Amphibian Man! Topics include: the creation of Aldrich Studios, how The Choirboys compares to Busting, what makes Hennessy a ‘corker,’ and what Pussy Riot thought of Amphibian Man. Plus: The time Quentin spent the night at the Cameo Theater. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin and Roger take a trip with the LAPD as the boys in blue blow off steam in The Choirboys, directed by Robert Aldrich and based on the outrageous best-selling novel. The Video Archives crew take a second look at the film, discussing Aldrich and his Associates, the big ensemble cast, and the scenes that work. Next up: the most intensive manhunt ever mounted. Hennessy is a gentle, peaceful man who’s been pushed too far, and carries in his right vest pocket the power to destroy a nation. Roger & Quentin sit on the edge of their seats as they cheer for Rod Steiger’s performance, the seamless documentary footage, and a surprising cameo. Finally, we travel to the sea for the beloved Russian fantasy film Amphibian Man. In this sci-fi fable, a pearl diver discovers the secret of Amphibian Man and desires to exploit it, not realizing that Amphibian Man has fallen in love with the pearl diver’s fiancée. A poignant story of love and loss, Quentin and Roger discuss the history of this popular movie and Soviet genre filmmaking. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin, Roger and Gala crack open the Video Vault for a discussion of 1983’s dueling old men high-concept comedy Better Late Than Never! After unwinding the film’s absurd plot, the crew discuss the hotness of septuagenarian David Niven and which beloved children’s character Kimberley Partridge sounds just like. Plus: Gala interviews Roger about the movies that made him want to be a filmmaker. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Sometimes, a man is forced to defend his honor; Quentin and Roger defend theirs in their discussion of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 Straw Dogs. Based on the book “The Siege Of Trencher’s Farm,” your hosts take a look at Peckinpah’s intentions and where this sits in his filmography. Then, they’ll discuss the film itself, covering Dustin Hoffman and Susan George’s performances, the ugly nature of this movie, and whether Straw Dogs can be considered a Revengeamatic. Plus, our very first Magnetic Home Video box and an examination of IB Technicolor. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin, Roger & Gala answer more listener questions this week on the After Show! Topics include: the best films about food, the most popular rental titles from Video Archives, the greatest movie tie-in board games, and an unsolved movie mystery. Plus: Quentin shares a story about a former Video Archives customer. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Director Joe Dante (Gremlins, Piranha, The Movies That Made Me podcast) joins the Video Archives crew on a journey to find Servando González’s The Fool Killer! Taking place shortly after the Civil War, a young Southern boy wanders the countryside, meeting various odd characters along the way. One of them tells him the story of the vengeful Fool Killer. Quentin, Roger & Joe discuss the history of the film, the striking performances of the actors, and the director’s determination to push the boundaries on screen. Next up, The Young Nurses have their own brand of medicine, and in their hospital, patients always come first. In this New World picture, we follow three nurses and a candy striper as they navigate their day-to-day activities inside the hospital. Quentin, Roger & Joe discuss the genre of nurse films, the relationship between Julie and Roger Corman, and Joe’s involvement with the film. Finally, let’s spend a night in the countryside with Susan, Sandra, Olga and Julie, in My Nights With Susan, Sandra, Olga and Julie. Anton has been tasked with retrieving Susan, a famous fashion model, and bringing her back to the French Riviera. Susan has other ideas, however, and Anton becomes enchanted by the strange characters that live with Susan, and slowly ensnared in their web. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin, Roger & Gala bring much more insight on Sonny & Jed, Mister Scarface and American Nitro to this week’s After Show! Tune in to hear why Sonny & Jed is a literal spaghetti Western, stories from Roger’s time in Brasil, more about the fascinating characters in American Nitro, what Peter Hyams and Sergio Corbucci have in common, and a brilliant new business idea.   Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin & Roger get the sun in their eyes as they watch Sergio Corbucci’s chaotic, mud-soaked Sonny & Jed. After a brief discussion of Corbucci’s life and cinematic influence, they’ll get into what makes Corbucci’s villains unique, the skill of his camera operators, and Telly Savalas’ role in the film. This movie is the reason the West was called wild! Next, in Fernando di Leo’s Mister Scarface, a mob loan collector hatches a plan to steal millions from Video Archives favorite Jack Palance. This is revenge, Italian style! Roger & Quentin talk sans spoilers about the movie, discussing the elaborate, strange and goofy action sequences. Finally, pulling into the finish line is the greatest funny car movie ever made, American Nitro! Featuring drivers like Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme and Shirley ‘Cha Cha’ Muldowney, this documentary puts rubber to the road with spectacular crashes and crazy cars. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Today we’re prying open the Video Vault for a discussion of Gene Wilder’s spook-show sendup Haunted Honeymoon! Quentin, Roger & Gala talk about Wilder’s old-fashioned sensibilities, the joys of seeing a classic radio play performed live, and where the film starts to fall apart. Plus: more from Gala’s interview with Roger on the history of Video Archives. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin & Roger join LAPD’s Vice Squad with Peter Hyams’ Busting! Starring Elliott Gould & Robert Blake, these two LA vice cops find themselves up against corrupt superiors when they try to bring a crime boss to justice. The duo discuss where Busting fits into Hyams’ career, how the film walks the line, and how the action sequences predate 80s Hong Kong cinema. Next up, the bet is on in Little Darlings. Two fifteen year old girls from different walks of life compete to see who can lose their virginity first at summer camp. Tatum O’Neal and Kristy McNichol star in an unexpectedly realistic portrayal of female youth in the 1980s. We’ll explore what it means for a girl to become a woman, the anxieties of keeping up with your peers, and the beautiful Paramount Home Video box. Lastly, there’s more to do than ski in the Swiss Alps, especially when it comes to the psychosexual romp Julia. Roger & Quentin dive headfirst into the tale of a sexually frustrated young man named Patrick whose problems come to a head on his Swiss vacation. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Gala’s VHS copy of Cry For Me Billy finally arrived! In today’s After Show, she talks to Roger & Quentin about the powerful impression Xochitl makes with almost no dialogue, and what makes this series of small vignettes so compelling. Plus, thoughts on the landscapes of Rage, and how The Loved One’s reel change translated to other mediums. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

They called it an accident; he called it a murder. Join Roger & Quentin as they’re filled with rage after watching George C. Scott’s Rage. The duo talks about what happens when the class system fails, Scott’s connection to Kubrick, and what a main will do when he has nothing left to lose. Next, the motion picture with something to offend everyone - at least, in 1965. Tony Richardson’s The Loved One is a blistering black comedy that pulls no punches with its portrayal of the mortuary business in Hollywood. Roger & Quentin discuss a star-studded supporting cast, the magic of a reel change, and the everlasting influence Richardson had on Roger. Remember kids, it’s not a rocket! Finally, Roger & Quentin sing a song for a little sparrow in 1972’s Cry For Me Billy. We’ll learn what makes a 70s Western unique and talk about the bravery of an actress who bares it all. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

On today’s After Show, we open up the Video Vault for a brief discussion of Arthur Hiller’s The In-Laws, how Peter Falk became a superstar, and the funniest spit take in cinema history. Plus, we have part 3 of Roger’s interview with Gala; this week, they’re talking about Roger’s favorite customers, lessons he learned working at the store, and the slow decline of the Video Archives store. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Jacqueline Coley (awards editor for Rotten Tomatoes) joins Roger & Quentin as they unlock the secrets of Billy Wilder’s The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes! Holmes & Watson take on the strange case of a beautiful woman whose husband has vanished, leading them on a journey of ballerinas, canaries, and even the Loch Ness Monster. Join the trio as they discuss Jacqueline’s love for Wilder, Watson’s role in the film, and what this movie meant for Wilder’s career and the wider scope of cinema. Next, we travel to The Light At The Edge Of The World. Violent pirates execute a plan to force ships to run aground, pillaging their wrecks; a lone member of the lighthouse crew survives to fight their devious plot. Quentin, Roger & Jacqueline discuss despicable but captivating villains, Jules Verne’s original story, and lines you just shouldn’t cross. Lastly, a band of thugs who’ve robbed a casino hide in a villa owned by a wealthy industrialist and his family in René Cardona Jr.’s Hostages. The Video Archives crew talk about bang for your buck, a war against the upper class, and the original trailers on the Paragon tape. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin, Roger & Gala continue last week’s conversation on Lipstick with an appraisal of Chris Sarandon’s career! They also get personal remembering their friend Scott Magill, appreciate the many colorful characters of Slithis, and ask what exactly makes a “classic” movie.  Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Quentin and Roger enter the world of fashion with Lamont Johnson’s revenge-o-matic Lipstick! A fashion model is raped by her sister’s music teacher - after she takes him to court, she finds that she’ll have to take justice into her own hands. We’ll discuss the genius of casting real-life sisters Margaux and Mariel Hemingway, as well as the intensity a score can bring to a film. Next, we jump into the ring with Carl Reiner’s Henry Winkler vehicle The One And Only. Andy Schmidt is a larger-than-life college student with dreams of becoming an actor, but when he finally makes it to New York, he finds that no one respects his talent - that is, until he accidentally invents show wrestling. Quentin & Roger quote their favorite lines from the film and discuss exceptional performances from Winkler and Kim Darby. Finally, we wade into the canals of Venice Beach to find Slithis (or Spawn Of The Slithis, depending on who you ask.) A nuclear leak has created a sea monster who terrorizes pets, winos and hippies, leading a high school journalism teacher to solve the mystery. The Video Archives crew talk about the importance of film as a time capsule, and the art of filling a film’s world with unique characters. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

Today on the After Show, we’ve got even more insights from Quentin, Roger & Gala’s discussion of Star 80. They discuss the Chippendales documentary that shed further light on Paul Snider, and whether it was the right choice to use a stand-in for Peter Bogdanovich in the film. Before that, however, it’s the next part of Gala’s sit-down with Roger, all about the early days of Video Archives and how Roger met Quentin. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.

This week, Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary discuss one film and one film alone: Bob Fosse’s Star 80. In 1980, Playboy Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten was murdered by her boyfriend Paul Snider. Three years later, Star 80 was released, a sensational retelling of Stratten’s story that hit too close to home for some. Roger and Quentin have a serious, personal discussion on differentiating fact from fiction, a tour-de-force performance from Eric Roberts, and how Dorothy Stratten touched the hearts of many through the silver screen. Learn more about this week’s films, get Video Archives merch and more at videoarchivespodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @videoarchives, and on Instagram @videoarchivespod. You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, c/o Earwolf Media, PO Box 66, 5551 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028.