The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?!

Hey Oscar fans, welcome to just the 9th Academy Awards, AKA the 1937 Oscars for the films of 1936.  Believe it or not, despite being nearly a decade ago, many of the movies from this year are still well known and have stood the test of time. And some of them even won Academy Awards.  This is another one of those great early years for movies filled with hidden gems, some ‘must-see’ classics, and a host of smart, meaningful films that deserve to be seen and talked about today.  There’s also some great historical context as this was the first year they gave out ‘Supporting Acting’ award. So of course, they made some crazy and curious choices right off the bat!  Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” Davis as we have fun breaking down this surprisingly interesting year of movies.  As always, thanks for joining us at the Oscars!

1936 Films Mentioned

The Great Ziegfeld

Anthony Adverse

Dodsworth

Libeled Lady

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

Romeo and Juliet

San Francisco

The Story of Louis Pasteur

A Tale of Two Cities

Three Smart Girls

My Man Godfrey

Modern Times

Fury

The Secret Agent

Come and Get It

Pigskin Parade

The General Died at Dawn

Theodora Goes Wild

Valiant is the Word for Carrie

The Gorgeous Hussy

These Three

Swing Time

After the Thin Man

The Crime of Monsieur Lange

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1975 Films Mentioned

The Towering Inferno

Blazing Saddles

Young Frankenstein

Earthquake

Airport 1975

Chinatown 

The Godfather Part II

Lenny

Murder on the Orient Express

Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

The Conversation

Day for Night

Woman Under the Influence

Harry and Tonto

Claudine

The Great Gatsby

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

Amarcord

Shanks

The Longest Yard

Hearts and Minds (doc.)

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Hey Oscar fans!  Based on the past few episodes which featured some outstanding films set in courtrooms, we decided to take a closer look at The Oscars long-standing relationship with courtroom movies!  From the curious collection of courtroom movies that won Best Picture, to the outstanding nominees that didn’t win, to our favorite court (or court adjacent) films that received no love from The Academy.  Join us as we litigate our case and determine whether The Academy delivered a just verdict or whether the whole Oscars is ‘out of order!’ 

Court Movies Mentioned

To Kill a Mockingbird

And Justice for All

The Verdict

Inherit the Wind

12 Angry Men

Witness for the Prosecution

A Few Good Men

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

The Life of Emile Zola

A Man For All Seasons

Kramer Vs. Kramer

Gandhi

Chicago

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

The Caine Mutiny

Anatomy of a Murder

A Soldier’s Story

JFK

In the Name of the Father

Erin Brockovich

Michael Clayton

The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Social Network

Anatomy of a Fall

The Accused

Philadelphia

A Time to Kill

The People vs. Larry Flynt

The Rainmaker

Amistad

The Hurricane

The Wrong Man

Paths of Glory

Breaker Morant

Young Mr. Lincoln

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

A Matter of Life and Death

The Ox-Bow Incident

Fury

Phil Spector

Malice

The Devil’s Advocate

Presumed Innocent

The Firm

Defending Your Life

My Cousin Vinny

Legally Blond

Primal Fear

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Hey Oscar fans! Today we’re looking back at the 1960 Oscars for the films of 1959! In the end, just like with the famous chariot race, Ben Hur demolished his opponents — but what made it a glorious victory was the sheer quality of his competition. From devastating historical dramas to scandalous courtroom battles, from one of the all-time greatest comedy films not even securing a nomination to foreign classics from some of cinema’s masters, this was a year when Hollywood was beginning to head in a new direction. Add in a few lesser-remembered hidden gems and genre pics and you’ve got a year that not only stands the test of time — it aces it. Join Bruce Vilanch and “Tex” as they take a deep dive into swords, sandals, attics and cannibals! As always, thanks for listening!

FILMS DISCUSSED

Ben Hur

The Diary of Anne Frank

The Nun’s Story

Anatomy of a Murder

Room at the Top

Some Like it Hot

Pillow Talk

Porgy and Bess

North by Northwest

Suddenly Last Summer

The Young Philadelphians

Imitation of Life

The Last Angry Man

The Apartment

Compulsion

Carmen Jones

Rio Bravo

The 400 Blows

Wild Strawberries

Pickpocket

Hiroshima Mon Amour

Mrs. Miniver

The Best Years of Our Lives

The Lost Weekend 

The Apartment

Double Indemnity

Sunset Boulevard

Stalag 17

Sabrina

Witness for the Prosecution

Giant

Shane

A Place in the Sun

The Story of Louis Pasteur

Operation Petticoat

Ship of Fools

Black Orpheus

Dr. Strangelove

The Poseidon Adventure

Imitation of Life (1934)

Lolita

On the Beach

Sleeping Beauty

Stay One for Me

Lil’ bAner

The Five Pennies

A Hole in the Head

(The Apu Trilogy)

The World of Apu

Pather Panchali

Aparajito

(The Human Condition Trilogy)

The Human Condition Part 1:  No Greater Love

Last Year at Marienbad

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Hey Oscars fans!  What a year 1982 was for movies!  Besides having mostly one word titles: Gandhi, E.T., Missing, Tootsie, and (The) Verdict, this group of films are all Oscar worthy in multiple categories and they almost all win for something or other!  And those are just the nominees battling it out!  Strap in as Bruce Vilanch and Adam “Tex” Davis take a fun look back at a year full of fascinating films that have a Noah’s Ark, two-by-two quality. There’s two of the best sci-fi films ever made; two films about pretending to be the opposite gender; two military films about Naval officers; two acting nominations for the same actress; and the two most nominated actors to NEVER win an Oscar, both nominated this year! It’s peak Oscar’s insanity!  Enjoy, and thanks for listening!    

FiLMS MENTIONED

Just Friends

The Odyssey

Arthur

Gandhi

Tootsie

E.T.

Victor/Victoria

Das Boot

An Officer and a Gentleman

Sophie’s Choice

The Verdict

Missing

Poltergeist

Annie

Blade Runner

Francis

Tron

The World According to Garp

Lawrence of Arabia

Dr. Zhivago

A Man for All Seasons

The Great Ziegfeld

The Life of Emile Zola

Patton

Out of Africa

The Last Emperor

Schindler’s List

My Favorite Year

Get Him to the Greek

Diner

King of Comedy

Z

Jurassic Park

Fitzcarraldo

First Blood

Cat People

The Thing

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

The Dark Crystal

Bugsy

Kramer vs. Kramer

The Deer Hunter

The French Lieutenant’s Woman

Shoot the Moon

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The Tempest

Full Metal Jacket

It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas

Network

Precious

Rocky 3

Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn

Nigh Shift

All That Jazz

King Kong (1976)

Pulp Fiction

Quest for Fire

Yes, Giorgio!

Begin the Beguine

Clean Slate

Veronika Voss

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Hey Oscar fans, join us for another look back at the 1984 Oscars for the amazing films of 1983. A time when all the big stars, big directors and top talent were putting out great films to satisfy every film urge and scratch every movie itch!

With so many objectively great movies in every genre to choose from, it's hard for even the Academy to get it wrong. And yet, using the test of time, there are still some curious choices and omissions worth looking into.

And please note, we'll be back with new episodes, fresh complaints and satisfying explanations in a few weeks. Hope everyone is beating the heat by staying in and watching great movies!

For more info, go to www.Oscars.wtf

email us at [email protected]

Oscars: What Were They Thinking is edited by Kelley Marcano

Movies Mentioned (*Recommended)

*Terms of Endearment

*The Right Stuff

*Fanny & Alexander

*The Dresser

*Silkwood

*Tender Mercies

Yentl

*Cross Creek

*The Big Chill

*Educating Rita

*Reuben, Reuben

*War Games

*Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

*Trading Places

*The Outsiders

Flashdance

*Risky Business

*Sudden Impact

*The China Syndrome

*The Insider

*Norma Rae

*Breaking Away

*Bullitt

Krull

Mother, Jugs & Speed

*The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Face to Face

*The Graduate

*Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe

*Working Girl

*Raiders of the Lost Ark

Henry & June

*Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Mirror Has Two Faces

*The Prince of Tides

Rhinestone

*Dr. Zhivago

*Tom Jones

*Murder on the Orient Express

*The Godfather

*Apocalypse Now

*The Great Santini

*Ray

*Crazy Heart

*Testament

Melvin and Howard

*To Be or Not to Be (1984 & 1942)

*One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

*Easy Rider

*Five Easy Pieces

*Reds

*The World According to Garp

Precious

*Network

*To Kill a Mockingbird

Betrayal

Octopussy

Striptease

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Hey Oscars WWTT? fans -- we're going way, way back to perhaps the first truly epic year of movies! And while it all took place over 80 years ago -- when you have this many timeless classics that are still relevant, watched & enjoyed today -- it may as well be 8 years ago. Between Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Of Mice and Men, and Ninotchka we're talking about some of the biggest and best movies, directed by luminaries and starring some of the all-time greats. So join us for a year like few others; add some films to your watch list; and enjoy some behind the scenes trivia & stories you won't hear anywhere else!

FILMS DISCUSSED

(*) Recommended

*Gone With the Wind

*Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

*Wuthering Heights

Goodbye Mr. Chips

*Stagecoach

Love Affair

*The Wizard of Oz

*Ninotchka

*Of Mice and Men

*Dark Victory

*Babes in Arms

*Beau Geste

*The Hunchback of Notre Dame

An Affair to Remember

Sleepless in Seattle

*A Stolen Life

*Now Voyager

*Jezebel

*The Letter

*Only Angels Have Wings

Dodsworth

*Mrs. Miniver

*Best Years of Our lives

*The Women

*It Happened One Night

*Mutiny on the Bounty

*The Roaring Twenties

*Juarez

*(The Scarlett O’Hara Wars - Mini-series)

*A Streetcar Named Desire

*Notorious

The Last Remake of Beau Geste

Drums Along the Mohawk

*Young Mr. Lincoln

Bachelor Mother

*The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

*The Rains Came

*The Hurricane

Union Station

Topper Takes a Trip

*Hattie McDaniel Acceptance Speech:  https://youtu.be/gPJVFLv3_v8?t=852

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Hey Oscars WWTT? Fans — come take a fateful trip with us as we break down the highest-rated Oscars telecast in history! And because Bruce was there, he can regale you with some behind-the-scenes fun!  Of course, it was a big night for Titanic, which became the highest grossing film of all-tine, But while James Cameron might’ve been ‘The King of the Oscars’ that night — not everything broke his way.  Find out all the interesting stories, as well as the snubs, flubs, oversights and WTF moments as Bruce and “Tex” walk & talk their way through this night to remember.  Most of all, celebrate a year jam-packed with quality movies and hidden gems — some Oscar-worthy, others not so much — but all great films by solid filmmakers!   

FILMS DISCUSSED

Titanic

As Good as it Gets

The Full Monty

Good Will Hunting

LA Confidential

Amistad

Kundun

The Wings of the Dove

Boogie Nights

Donnie Brasco

Jackie Brown

Deconstructing Harry

The Boxer

The Ice Storm

The Sweet Hereafter

Mrs. Brown

Wag the Dog

The Game

Career Girls

Hard Eight

Contact

Rosewood

Lost Highway

Ulee’s Gold

The Apostle

In & Out

Afterglow

Anastasia

Men in Black

Starship Troopers

Con Air

Air Force One

Liar, Liar

Citizen Kane

Gone with the Wind

Bridge on the River Kwai

Lawrence of Arabia

Ben-Hur

Schindler’s List

The Poseidon Adventure

Avatar

Four Little Girls

Happy Together

Get Bruce!

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It also makes us 2 Angry Men spending a Dog Day Afternoon grousing about an unfair Verdict.  Yes, these are all ham-fisted references to Sidney Lumet films that were nominated for Best Picture and Best Director. And despite being beloved classics, all four films (12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon, Network & The Verdict) failed to win Oscars for esteemed director Sidney Lumet.  But that’s just part of the story!  On this bonus episode we dive into the films and filmmaking of a true cinematic master that will have you appreciating Lumet’s genius and leave you wanting to watch or re-watch most of his filmography!  Enjoy and thanks for listening!  

FILMS MENTIONED

12 Angry Men

Dog Day Afternoon

The Verdict

Stage Struck

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Fail Safe

The Offence

The Hill

The Iceman Cometh

The Seagull

Equus

The Pawnbroker

The Anderson Tapes

Murder on the Orient Express

Serpico

Deathtrap

Prince of the City

The Morning After

Q&A

The Wiz

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

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Hello!  We at Oscars WWTT? believe the beauty of this podcast comes from three things. 1. Looking back at the Oscars of the past to see which winners & nominees have stood the test of time, or not.  2. Trying to understand how or why the Academy voters chose that year’s winners and nominees, and 3) Putting hidden gems and/or movies you haven’t heard of on your radar.  For this episode, the 1963 Oscars for the films of 1962 — we get plenty of all three.  There are some legendary wins, some historically curious losses and lots of great movies you’ll want to add to your watch list.  So join us on an epic adventure as Bruce and “Tex” sift through the sands of time to discover WTF the Oscars were thinking!  As always, thanks for joining us!   

FILMS MENTIONED

The Longest Day

Lawrence of Arabia

The Music Man

That Touch of Mink

Mutiny on the Bounty

To Kill a Mockingbird

Days of Wine and Roses

The Miracle Worker

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

The Birdman of Alcatraz

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

Divorce, Italian Style

Gypsy

Sweet Bird of Youth

Billy Budd

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Long Day’s Journey into Night

Lonely Are the Brave

The Manchurian candidate

Through a Glass Darkly

The Bridge on the River Kwai

David and Lisa

Bonnie and Clyde

Brief Encounter

Dr. Zhivago

Auntie Mame

Elmer Gantry

Some Like it Hot

The Apartment

The Gunfighter

The Omen

Dr. No

Hatari!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Superman 2

Lolita

Freud: The Secret Passion

Last Year at Marienbad

Seesaw

Taras Bulba

Gigot

Jumbo

Tender is the Night

Walk on the Wild Side

Sundays and Cybele

Jules and Jim

Harikari

Le Eclipse

Autumn Afternoon

Cleo From 5 to 7

Vivre Se Vie (My Life to Live)

Childhood

Sanjuro

Yojimbo

The Exterminating Angel

Midnight in Paris

Knife in the Water

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