Discover the remarkable film directors featured on TruStory FM’s entertainment podcasts. Learn about their creative journeys and lasting contributions to cinema through each of these archive episodes.
We’re returning to our Great Car Chases series to look at John Landis’ 1980 comedy ‘The Blues Brothers.’ It’s our monthly member bonus episode. Thanks for your support! Enjoy the conversation.
Eddie Murphy was riding high through the 80s. John Landis, on the other hand, had had a string of flops, not to mention a very difficult Twilight Zone trial. Considering their success together with Trading Places, Murphy thought Landis could use a boost and brought him on to direct his fairy tale film Coming to America. It was the hit Landis needed, and yet another film cementing that Murphy was king of the box office. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we wrap up our Eddie Murphy series with Landis’ 1988 film, Coming to America.
Eddie Murphy may have been a name on “Saturday Night Live” but he wasn’t a film star. Luckily, when John Landis wanted to cast him as Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places, Murphy had just appeared in 48 Hrs., proving he had the charisma for the big screen. Without that success, Paramount Pictures was unconvinced. But it worked out and young Murphy became box office gold. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off 2017 with a series celebrating several of Murphy’s 80s classic starting with Landis’ 1983 film Trading Places.
It was the movie that had ‘hit’ written all over it. Three of the funniest actors starred together for the first time: Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. One of the top comedy directors – John Landis – was at the helm. But for whatever reason, ¡Three Amigos! did not find its audience. Critics were harsh on it and, while it may have made its money back, it was not deemed a success. But time has proven that some films need time to find their audiences. Now with a cult following, ¡Three Amigos! has found its staying power with its absurd comedy stylings. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Seven Samurai family series with Landis’ 1986 film ¡Three Amigos!.
John Landis made a big shift in his filmmaking when we went from comedies like The Kentucky Fried Movie and Animal House to An American Werewolf in London. At the time, people weren’t used to horror films that blended with comedy and it took him over a decade to actually get it made. The film was, however, a success when it was released and still has a big fan base. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we continue our 1981 series with Landis’ horror/comedy film.