Wrapped in Podcast Episode 25, Part 1: The Elephant Man

Contrary to what the hosts seem to think, Episode 25 of “Wrapped in Podcast” is not actually about “The Greatest Showman”. Instead, J.R. Parker, T. Kyle King, and Ken Walczak discuss David Lynch’s first film as a professional director, “The Elephant Man”. They also speak a fair degree of legalese.

Based on the life of Joseph (often mistakenly called “John”) Merrick, “The Elephant Man” was nominated for eight Academy Awards and led directly to the creation of a new Oscar category. In Part One of their review of the triumphant 1980 masterpiece Mel Brooks chose Lynch to make, the “Wrapped in Podcast” gang (minus the salutary non-lawyer influence of regular panelist Jeff Fallis) expresses amazement that the movie was even made.

J.R. praises Lynch’s decision to film “The Elephant Man” in stock black and white, identifies Bytes as a precursor to BOB, and attempts (then abandons) a John Hurt impersonation. Kyle believes the word “understanding” invariably implies misunderstanding, spots the juxtaposition of natural free animal man and expendable mechanized human cogs, and thinks “The Elephant Man” in many ways seems like a movie from much later in Lynch’s career. Ken contributes biographical background on Merrick, links the film to “Freaks”, and hears what he calls “Industrial Cacophony No. 1”.

In a 66-minute discussion eschewing their usual scene-by-scene treatment, the podcasters make mention of Jeffrey Beaumont, Dale Cooper, Harry Crews, Boyd Crowder, “Dune”, golf carts, the Industrial Revolution, Jack the Ripper, Hannibal Lecter, “The Lion in Winter”, maternal impression, the Minions, moral line-drawing, Jack Nance, open flames, Laura Palmer, Karl Pilkington, the Puritans, R2-D2, “Time Bandits”, Universal Studios, Victorian hospital security, voyeurism, the War Doctor, Western capitalism, worker’s compensation, and zoning. Don’t be an animal; be a human being who’s listened to the latest installment of “Wrapped in Podcast”!