A few months back Michael Branson Smith (MBS) ran the idea of doing a regular podcast about films dedicated to the idea of the “family picture.” At first I was thinking family-friendly films are “not my bag, baby.” But I had the whole idea wrong, MBS was using that frame for exploring family-specific themes across all kinds of films. For example, the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) might be considered a “family picture” about unfortunates down on their luck after a local meat factory closes; they’re just looking for a way to survive in the economic desperation that was the 70s. Get the idea? So films like The Hills Have Eyes (1977), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and even Near Dark (1987)* all very much “family pictures” with themes ranging from a troubled brood to the sins of the parents visited upon the children to blood loyalty. It’s not even a stretch!
Star Wars has nothing on National Lampoon’s Vacation when it comes to iconic characters, Luke who? Clark Griswold had far more impact than that pissant from Tatooine
While I’m showing my bias for horror from the 1970s and 80s, you can see how this idea can be easily applied to just about any film genre. So, we decided to go forward with the Family Pictures Podcast, and just yesterday we went live with our first episode about National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983).
I think the sure fire sign of success was how much we laughed throughout the podcast. MBS chose our first film, and it was a brilliant selection. Pairing the idea of the family road trip with our own experiences as kids from the 70s and 80s was a nice personal tie-in. We got to tell our own stories while tracing the plot line of the film along the way. MBS paid particular attention to everyone’s wardrobe, which was quite entertaining. On the other hand, I was taken with the bravura performance of Chevy Chase as the bumbling Clark Griswold. In fact, it lead me to argue for Griswold as one of the most important characters from the last 40 years of film. High stakes, I know, but we are not playing games on the Family Pictures Podcast—this is the real deal, Rusty!
We’ll be doing a new film every two weeks or so, so stay tuned for our next episode which will feature another gem from 1983: Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders. Stay golden, Pony Boy, until we blow your mind with episode 2!
_____________________
*Special thanks to Paul Bond for reminding me how apropos Near Dark might be for the podcast.
I think it was a great start and our appreciation for each other’s sensibilities is what will hopefully help it be fresh and interesting every week. Impressive start, flying far, at least 50 yards…
Hmmmm, 50 yards….