Hey Oscars WWTT? Fans — for this bonus episode, a companion piece to our recent 1938 Oscars episode, “Tex” and Mark take a fun look back at an acting legend — the incomparable Humphrey Bogart. However, rather than do a full retrospective of Bogart’s entire career in front of the camera (70+ films) — instead we’re focusing on the 7 films Bogart acted in, in 1937. Two of these films received Oscar nominations (DEAD END and BLACK LEGION) while the other five showcased an actor on the rise trying to turn the corner from a bit player in the ‘Also Starring’ section of the credits — to a well-rounded actor capable of playing more than just mobsters and wise-guys. This was a breakthrough year for Bogie and a chance to learn about some great hidden gem films for anyone who is a fan of movies, great acting and the rise of one of America’s greatest acting treasures. Thanks for listening!
Movies Mentioned
(*Recommended)
*Casablanca
*High Sierra
*The Maltese Falcon
*Key Largo
*The African Queen
*Treasure of the Sierra Madre
*Black Legion
*The Great O’Malley
*Marked Woman
San Quentin
*Kid Galahad
*Dead End
Stand In
*To Have and Have Not
*In a Lonely Place
*Beat the Devil
*The Caine Mutiny
*The Petrified Forest
*The Roaring 20’s
*The Harder They Fall
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1:12:26
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1:12:26
1938 - The Awful Truth About the Oscars...
I know, I know, another old Oscars ceremony from over 85 years ago. It can’t possibly be interesting! You can think that… but you’d be wrong! This year had 10 best picture nominees, covering a wide range of interesting topics — from the rise of fascism, the great Chicago fire and a love affair with Napoleon to the struggles of making it as an actress or Broadway star, the pitfalls of divorce and the plight of ancient Chinese farmers (played by non-Chinese actors.) Plus the first of four versions of A Star is Born. It’s an amazing year featuring the rising stars of the industry (Bogart, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Greta Garbo, Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Muni and more!) Trust us, if you love movies, (and adding movies you've never heard of to your watch list) you’re gonna love this episode. As always, thanks for listening!
Films Mentioned
(* recommended)
*The Awful Truth
*The Life of Emile Zola
*A Star is Born
*Dead End
*One Hundred Men and a Girl
*Stage Door
*The Good Earth
*Lost Horizon
*In Old Chicago
*Captains Courageous
*Conquest
*Night Must Fall
*Hurricane
*The Black Legion
Topper
*Camille
*Stella Dallas
*Angel
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1:25:57
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1:25:57
Bonus: Bring Me the Head of Sam Peckinpah!
Few filmmakers achieve the level of notoriety and legendary status of Sam Peckinpah. He didn’t just direct movies — he detonated them. And while he never received any love from the Oscars, that was never his goal. Unflinching, uncompromising, and unrelenting, Peckinpah existed to turn on-screen violence into an art form… often in slow motion. Join us as we break down the bruised beauty of his short but lasting filmography — and pay homage to the man whose balletic violence and broken heroes changed the language of film forever.
Films Mentioned
*Recommended
(P) Peckinpah directed
*The Ballad of Cable Hogue (P)
Airport
Noon Wine (P)
**The Wild Bunch (P)
*Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (P)
**Straw Dogs (P)
*The Getaway (P)
*Convoy (P)
The Other Side of the Wind
*The Deadly Companions (P)
*How Green Was My Valley
*The Quiet Man
McLintock
*Ride the High Country (P)
*Lawrence of Arabia
*The Music Man
*To Kill a Mockingbird
*The Longest Day
*Major Dundee (P)
*Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
*Midnight Cowboy
A Clockwork Orange
*The French Connection
*Fiddler on the Roof
*The Last Picture Show
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Junior Bonner (P)
The Last Straighter
Smokey and the Bandit
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (P)
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
*The Godfather
The Killer Elite (P)
*Cross of Iron (P)
*Inglorious Basterds
*Saving Private Ryan
The Osterman Weekend (P)
Straw Dogs (2011)
The Killer Elite (2011)
The Getaway (1994)
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1:17:47
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1:17:47
1971 - No Poor Bastard Ever Won an Oscar Dying for His Country
Hey Oscar fans, welcome to the 1971 Oscars for the films of 1970. The title of the episode refers to the opening line of this year’s Best Picture Winner — Patton — a movie driven by one of the most powerful performances in film history. In fact, George C. Scott’s portrayal of General George S. Patton was so acclaimed that despite telling the Academy not to vote for him and that he wouldn’t show up to the Oscars; wouldn’t accept the award; and thought the entire concept of actors competing for awards was a stupid ‘meat parade’ — he still won for Best Actor! Yep, this was a strange year full of strange movies, bizarre choices and enough ‘WTF?’ to make you wonder if George C. Scott had the right idea! As always, thanks for listening!
Movies Mentioned
(*Recommended)
Love Story
Airport
*M*A*S*H
*Patton
*Woodstock
*Little Big Man
*Tora! Tora! Tora!
*Ryan’s Daughter
Catch-22
The Owl and the Pussycat
*The Haunting (1963)
*Citizen Kane
*Five Easy Pieces
*The Ballad of Cable Hogue
*The Great White Hope
*The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
*Joe
*Rocky
*The Karate Kid
Lovers and Other Strangers
The Landlord
Women in Love
Fellini’s Satyricon
*Planet of the Apes
*The Country Girl
*Miracle on 34th Street
*Diary of a Mad Housewife
*Barry Lyndon
*Easy Rider
*I Never Sang For My Father
*Hud
*Being There
*Ninotchka
*The Hustler
*The Getaway
*The Godfather
*Hobson’s Choice
*Pollyanna
*The Hours
*Lawrence of Arabia
*Bridge on the River Kwai
*Doctor Zhivago
*A Raisin in the Sun
*My Night At Maud’s
*Wanda
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1:25:37
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1:25:37
Bonus: Was 1986 the Greatest Year in Movie History?
Hello Oscar lovers, we are back with a very special bonus episode that celebrates the fabulous films from the year 1986. In fact, “Tex” and Mark think there were so many great films released that year, that we could have an ALTERNATE OSCARS where we nominate and select completely different movies and performances and still have an amazing Oscar show. And to prove it — that’s exactly what we did!
So enjoy (and play along) with our ‘Alternate 1987 Oscars’ for the non-nominated films of 1986 — one of the greatest years in movie history! As always, thanks for listening!
FILMS MENTIONED
(* Highly Recommended)
(The Room)
*Wizard of Oz
*Gone With the Wind
*Stagecoach
*Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
*Ninotchka
*The Matrix
*Fight Club
*The Sixth Sense
*Being John Malkovich
*Magnolia
The Talented Mr. Ripley
*The Green Mile
*Toy Story 2
*Platoon
*Children of a Lesser God
*The Mission
*A Room With a View
*Hannah & Her Sisters
*The Color of Money
*Top Gun
*Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
*Hoosiers
*Aliens
*Blue Velvet
*Peggy Sue Got Married
*Heartburn
*The Mosquito Coast
*Stand By Me
*Alien
Jaws 2
*Jaws
*Raging Bull
*Rocky 3
*Mulholland Drive
*The Hustler
*The Fly
*Labyrinth
*Little Shop of Horrors
*A Few Good Men
*The Breakfast Club
*The Verdict
*Manhunter
*Lucas
*Carnal Knowledge
*Witness
Hot Shots Part Deux
The Morning After
Crimes of the Heart
*Something Wild
Sid and Nancy
9 1/2 Weeks
*Working Girl
Nothing in Common
*Highlander
*Ruthless People
About Last Night
*Crocodile Dundee
*Silkwood
Iron Eagle
At Close Range
Absolute Beginners
*The Dark Knight
*Nickel Boys
*Round Midnight
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Ever watched the Academy Awards and thought, What were they thinking? You’re not alone. Join legendary comedian and writer of over 25 Oscar telecasts, Bruce Vilanch, and screenwriter/film nerd Adam “Tex” Davis (Just Friends) as they dive into Oscar history, unpacking the flubs, snubs, and surprises from Hollywood’s biggest night. From behind-the-scenes stories of A-list stars to insider insights on how the nominations and winners are really chosen, Bruce and Tex break down each Oscar ceremony year by year to reveal what the Academy got right—and what they didn’t. If you’ve ever questioned why your favorite movie or actor got overlooked, this podcast is for you. The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?
Did you know that two of the Top 100 American Films of All-Time came out the same year but weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award? Or that the film often cited as the ‘Greatest Film of All Time’ didn’t win the Oscar in its year? Or that Cuba Gooding Jr. has the same number of acting Oscars as Al Pacino?
Look, stuff happens. But if you’ve ever watched or read about the Academy Awards, you’ve probably been left scratching your head over which movies and performers won – and how many beloved films weren’t even considered.
Why do so many Best Picture winners become some of the least remembered movies? How is it that legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar? And why do great actors miss out on their best performances, only to win later for less impressive work?
Sure, the Oscars aren’t sports – there’s no scoreboard to show the winners. But with so many Academy members voting, you’d think they’d get it right. Spoiler alert: They often don’t.
On The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a deep dive into Oscar history, looking back at the biggest mistakes, controversies, and snubs. From Shakespeare in Love beating Saving Private Ryan to Dances with Wolves winning over Goodfellas, we’ll examine where the Academy went wrong.
Along the way, you’ll hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories and never-before-told moments from Hollywood’s biggest night. We’re re-examining each Oscar ceremony, year-by-year, award-by-award, to see what the Academy got right, what they missed, and how we would “fix” the Oscars.
Whether you’re a dedicated movie buff or just a casual fan, this is the podcast for you. Join us for The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?, where we break down the flubs, snubs, and forgotten gems of Oscar history.
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