Super Sitcoms: “WandaVision’s” Classic TV inspirations

 By Michael Lyons

In addition to changing everyone’s weekly schedules, where we now eagerly log into Disney+ as soon as we wake up on Fridays, “WandaVision” has also provided a curious, new appetitive for classic TV sitcoms.

Since debuting on January 15th, Marvel’s latest show has had a jigsaw puzzle of an otherworldly plot that features super heroes Wanda (a/k.a Scarlet Witch)  played by Elizabeth Olsen, with her sorceress-like powers and her husband Vison, played by Paul Bettany, a super-human android.  The two live in an alternate reality that seems like something out of classic TV sitcoms - complete with opening credits and a theme song.

Stranger than that, each week seems to change decades, taking us from the 1950’s to present day.  The episodes include impressively reproduced sets, camera work and titles that are indicative of each era.

With this, in addition to keeping us guessing about what will happen each week, “WandaVision” also keeps us wondering about what sitcom that particular episode is based on.

Wanda...er wonder...no more.  What follows is a breakdown of each episode’s classic sitcom inspirations:

Episode 1: “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience”  is almost a dead-ringer for a slew of ‘50’s and 60’s landmark sitcoms and mostly resembles The Dick Van Dyke Show (which ran on CBS from 1961-1966) and starred the title character as a writer for a comedy show, who lived in his cozy home in New Rochelle, NY with his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore).  Created by the legendary Carl Reiner, who originally came up with the idea for the show as a starring vehicle for himself, but after that pilot episode was unsuessful, the show was re-worked for Dick Van Dyke.

Episode 2: “Don’t Touch That Dial”  is an homage to a number of fantasy-based sitcoms of the ‘60’s particularly Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), the story of Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) a witch who is a happily married housewife and living in modern-day suburbia.  This sitcom is most notable for when  Dick York, the actor who played husband Darren, was replaced in 1969 by actor Dick Seargeant.  It was almost another bit of the sitcom’s magic in that both actors looked so much alike that audiences barely noticed!

Episode 3: “Now in Color” is a groovy re-do a number of 70’s sitcoms, but most notably The Brady Bunch (ABC, 1969-1974), one of the greatest “comfort food” shows in TV history, for a number of generations.  Like “WandaVision,” the Bradys aren’t without their weirdness, such as whatever happened to their dog Tiger and what was the deal with Cousin Oliver?

Episode 5: “On a Very Special Episode...” came after Episode 4’s break from TV sitcoms tributes.  This one seems to have taken a lot of its tone from the old TGIF ABC line-up from the late ‘80’s into the ‘90’s, most notably, Full House (1987-1995).  This has a nice, full-circle feel to it, as Olsen’s two older twin sisters, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen rose to fame playing the cuter-than-cute Michelle Tanner on “Full House.”

Episode 6: “All New Halloween Spooktacular” takes its cue from the 2000’s favorite Malcom in the Middle (Fox, 2000-2006), the now seemingly forgotten well-crafted sitcom that dared to shed a light on an imperfect, dysfunctional family, with often hilarious results.

Episode7: “Breaking the Fourth Wall” designs itself around recent, documentary-like sitcoms, in which characters talk right to the camera.  This episode resembles most notably Modern Family (ABC, 2009-2020), the show that revamped the family sitcom format and kept us wondering, “What foolish, but lovable and hysterical thing with Phil Dunphy do this week?”

With only two more episodes to go and “WandaVision” continuing to keep us guessing, we can take comfort in the fact that when it ends, we can somewhat relive each surreal episode by binging on these and other classic TV shows that gave Marvel’s show its mojo.

In the meantime, we will just continue to obsessively log-on to Disney+ as our first Friday “to do” each week!

Play the Music! Light the Lights! “The Muppet Show”: An Appreciation

 By Michael Lyons

Pure joy.  That’s The Muppet Show.  And, what’s even more joyful is the fact that every season of Jim Henson’s wondrous show that ran from 1976-1981 at the height of “Muppet-mania,” will be coming to Disney+ Starting this Friday, February 19th.

The Muppet Show was a creative, comedic, and a musical flashpoint for a generation that gave us a  mismatched menagerie that included Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rowlf and so many more that would fill our TV screens with animalistic and monstrous shapes.  All of this was marshaled together by the already famous m.c. and ringleader, Kermit the Frog, who is manager of the cabaret theater where they all appear.

Jim Henson, with his quietly brilliant mind, had been attempting to create a prime time show starring his Muppets.  He and his team had a not-so-great experience when The Muppets were part of the first season of Saturday Night Live, but Henson took lessons learned from this, particularly around TV production and applied them to The Muppet Show.

For five seasons, starting in 1976, the show gave us some surreal, silly, and ultimately memorable moments, many of them featuring some of the biggest actors, singers and dancers in entertainment, all of whom clamored to be part of the insanity and join on the "Muppet-mania" pop culture popularity that was so prevalent at the time.  

Now, wondrously, thanks to the blessed technology known as streaming, we can enjoy them all, in and out of order. some of the highlights through the years include:

• The now famous and oh-so-singable "Mahna Mahna" song from the first episode with guest Juliet Prowse.
• A Muppet jugband singing "I'm my own Grandpa," also from season one.
• Singer Rita Moreno signing "Fever," backed-up by Animal on drums, also from season one...and she won an Emmy for the episode.
• Miss Piggy, always prone to violent outbursts, lets loose with her first karate chop in the season one episode with Florence Henderson.

• From season two, Steve Martin, at the height of his own popularity, entertains a theater-full of Muppets with his trademark banjo-picking comedy.
• A scientist Muppet sings Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle," and as he does he continually gets younger, in this touching moment from season two.
• Also from season two, Fozzie tries his "hand" on ventriloquism, when Edgar Bergen guest stars
• From season three, Harry Belafonte singing his incredibly catchy song "Turn the World Around," which speaks of knowing where we've come from and world unity, in a number made all the more wonderful with Muppets that look to have been created for the number.  

• In season four, "The Stars of Star Wars" were the guests: Mark Hammill as Luke, along with C3PO, R2D2 and Chewbacca.  All of them there just in time to promote the debut of The Empire Strikes Back that summer.
• A boatload of Viking pigs sing The Village People's "In the Navy" (season five).  Enough said.

• Then, there were the recurring segments such as “The Swedish Chef,”. “Muppet News Flash” “Pigs in Space” and “At the Dance.”

All of these scratch just the tip of the many moments that made up The Muppet Show.

Through the years, the show has been called sometimes bizarre, sometimes beautiful, sometimes comedic, sometimes touching.  But, there’s one thing The Muppet Show has always been: pure joy.

Love Lines: Movies’ Most Romantic Dialogue

By Michael Lyons 

Here we are, heading into another Valentine’s Day.  It’s probably the only holiday where socially distancing is not encouraged (if you are thinking about staying six feet apart from your significant other, chocolate hearts and flowers are probably not the first things on your mind).

If you find yourself tongue-tied, as you try to find the right words to express how you feel, consider looking to the movies for some heartfelt inspiration.  What follows is a brief, not all-inclusive list of quotes from some of Hollywood’s most romantic films.  Some touching, some funny, all enjoyable...

Valentine’s Day (2010)

“When you love someone, you love all of them...you gotta love everything about them, not just the good things but the bad things too.  The things that you find lovable and the things that you don’t.”

The Notebook (2004)

“No matter what happens to us, every day spent with you is the best day of my life.”

Moulin Rougue (2001)

“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”

Ghost (1990)

“The love inside, you take it with you.”

The Princess Bride (1987)

“As you wish.”

Annie Hall (1977)

“This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, ‘Doc, my brother’s crazy; he thinks he’s a chicken.’  And the doctor says, ‘Well, why don’t you turn him in?’  The guy says, ‘I would, but i need the eggs.’  Well, I guess that’s pretty much how I feel about relationships; ya know, they’re totally irrational, and crazy, and absurd...but I guess we keep going through it because most os us need the eggs.”

Some Like it Hot (1959)

 - “I smoke, I smoke all the time!”

 - “I don’t care.”

 - “Well, I have a terrible past.  For three years now, I’ve been living with a saxophone player!”

 - “I forgive you.”

 - “I can never have children.”

“We can adopt some.”

 - “But you don’t understand...I’m a man!”

 - Well...nobody’s perfect!”

An Affair to Remember (1957)

“We’d be fools to let happiness pass us by.”

Cinderella (1950)

“So this is love.  So this is what makes life divine.”

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

“The course of true love...gathers no moss.”

It Happened One Night (1934)

 - “What are you thinking about?’

 - “By a strange coincidence, I was thinking of you.”

As with any movie quote, each of these are better when heard in the context of the entire story and the complete film.  So, consider watching some or all of these and the many other romantic films Hollywood has to offer for a “socially close” evening at home with the one you love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Football Takes its Shot: Remembering the All-Star 70’s Movie “Two Minute Warning”

By Michael Lyons

Guilty Pleasure Movies don’t feel guiltier than Two Minute Warning.  Released 45 years ago and made at the height of Hollywood’s star-studded disaster movie fad, this thriller about a sniper at a professional football game plays like a dangerous version of TV’s The Love Boat and is immensely watchable.

Best of all, it’s also perfect viewing to add to movie watching that can help get one geared-up for The Super Bowl (putting out of your mind just how dangerous the movie’s melodramatic plot about a gunman truly is!),

Two Minute Warning opens as an unknown and faceless sniper positions himself at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the “Championship X” game (generic substitute for The Super Bowl) is about to start.  The sniper is soon spotted by a Goodyear blimp and the police and SWAT teams are both called.

So begins the macho showdown between Charlton Heston as the Police Chief and John Cassavetes as the SWAT Seargent.  As they put their plan together during the game, we are introduced to the all-star parade of popular and character actors playing the fans and others at the stadium: Beau Bridges as a dad with his family in tow; David Janssen and Gena Rowlands (Cassavetes real-life wife) as an estranged couple; Jack Klugman as a gambler in trouble with the mob; Walter Pidgeon as a pickpocket; Brock Peters as the Stadium Maintenance Director and Martin Balsam as the Stadium Manager

As we cut back and forth between each of these stories throughout the film and the game unfurls, the police and SWAT teams prepare to go after the sniper (which they do at the game’s...two minute warning). The sniper then opens fire and the crowd panics, as everyone rushes to clear the stadium resulting in a bloody and frenetic conclusion to the film, that, sadly, seems more realistic today than the fictionalized action it was when Two Minute Warning was released 45 years ago.

Even at the time, the conclusion was deemed so intense that, when it was shown on network television three years after its release, newly filmed footage was inserted, including a sub-plot about an art heist, to allow for the more violent scenes to be excised. 

Released on November 12, 1976, Two Minute Warning was helmed by Larry Peerce, a journeyman director who worked quite a bit in film and TV in the ‘70’s and here does a nice job balancing tension, action and even, at times, comedy,  

Two Minute Warning, despite its serious subject matter, plays out at times like an innocent “time capsule” (complete with full-on ‘70’s fashion statements).  

Like the buffalo wings, nachos and beer you’re about to gorge on Super Bowl Sunday, you’ll consume Two Minute Warning quickly and enjoy it...you may just feel incredibly guilty afterward.

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Those Were the Days: The 50th Anniversary of “All in the Family”

By Michael Lyons

There was a seismic shift on January 12, 1971, but it wasn’t registered on any Richter scale.  It happened on TV and the landscape would never be the same.

After decades of wholesome families and fantasy settings, sitcoms got real, really real when All in the Family debuted on January 12, 1971,

The sitcom was the brainchild of Norma Lear, who based the show on the UK  series, Til Death Do Us Part, but with All in the Family, Lear stripped away all that was familiar about TV shows and added in all that was considered forbidden.

The show would very straightforwardly tackle such sensitive topics such as prejudice, politics, women’s liberation, The Vietnam War and religion, just to name a few.  All in the Family did all of this while never losing the humor or drama called for and the brilliant points and messages lying underneath each episode.

The show, set in Queens, New York, centered on Archie Bunker, played brilliantly by Carol O’ Connor, who not only won four Emmys for his portrayal, but also created one of television’s most indelible and enduring characters.  Bunker was a narrow-minded, bigoted, outspoken member of the Greatest Generation who was never at a loss for speaking what was on his mind, no matter what slur came along with it.

With him was his wife, Edith, who was as kind and innocent as Archie was harsh.  Played perfectly by Jean Stapleton, who won three Emmys for a role that gave new meaning to devotion, optimism and made a high-pitched “New Yawk” voice hysterical to listen to.

Living with the Bunkers was Archie and Edith’s daughter, Gloria (Sally Struthers) and her husband Mike (Rob Reiner), who was the complete opposite of Archie and represented the younger, liberal, hippie generation.  Archie would go on to, of course, refer to his son-in-law affectionately, as “Meathead.”

The clashes between Mike and Archie were often where the show’s messages came across.  Archie’s unfiltered language was controversial and shocking to audiences at the time (both in the studio and at home), but Lear used the character so ingeniously in the show.  Archie Bunker was politically incorrect before that was a thing, but he wasn’t used to offend, he and the show were a way to open minds and hearts at another time in our country’s history when there was a need for that.

All in the Family came on TV as a mid-season replacement and didn’t truly catch on with audiences until the summer of 1971.  The show then went on to be the number one show in the Nielsen Ratings from 1971-1976 and spawned a number of spin-offs, including Maude (1972) and The Jeffersons (1975).

The show also gave us the immensely memorable theme song, “Those Were the Days,” with Edith’s off-key signing, that’s become one of the most famous of TV’s tunes.

More than a theme song, All in the Family is a milestone in television history.  TV Guide ranks it at the number 4 spot on its list of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.  As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, it’s important to not only acknowledge the show’s impact but how it also paved the way for so much of the important, relevant TV that we enjoy today.

For eight years, All in the Family, held a mirror up to society and showed our reflection in the characters.  Through the laughter, we learned more about acceptance, peace and unity, among many other of life’s invaluable priorities.

All in the Family did indeed provide a seismic shift and one that we could benefit from today.

Reel Reflection: Looking Back at 2020’s Movie Anniversaries

 The year 2020 wasn’t...all...bad.  Wait!  Wait!  Before you stop reading.  Some of the good had to do with the time we had to enjoy and “re-enjoy” our favorite movies, particularly those that celebrated significant anniversaries this year.

Some, such as Jaws (45 years), The Shining and The Empire Strikes Back (both 40 years) have been celebrated this year by Screen Saver.  What follows is a list of just some of the other films that have reached milestones over the past twelve months, in what’s become an annual year-end tradition here at the blog!

As the year closes out and a hopeful new one begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to take the time to re visit and celebrate some, or all.

Inception - Celebrating 10 years

They truly don’t get more “Nolan-esque” than this trippy, original masterpiece from Uber-visionary Director Christopher Nolan.

Leonardo DiCaprio leads a team of “agents,” who are able to infiltrate dreams in order to extract information, including the inception of a thought.

A decade later, this film still amazes, particularly with scenes that defy answers as to how they were accomplished (the “floating sequence” is a perfect example).  Inception is a “Nesting doll” of a film that begs repeated viewing, to ensure you didn't dream just how fantastic it is.

Erin Brockovich - Celebrating 20 years

Julia Roberts deservedly won an Oscar for the title role, in this based-on-a-true-story of a brash legal secretary, who uncovers negligence on the part of a large corporation that resulted in groundwater contamination.

Director Steven Soderbergh is at the helm here, adding a touch of documentary-like realism to the film.  It was one of two amazing films he directed in the same year, two decades ago (the other being Best Picture Oscar winner Traffic) and he actually found himself competing against himself for Best Director for both of these films.

Erin Brockovich continues be that rare social commentary film that relays its message with entertaining humor, heart and humanity.

Toy Story - Celebrating 25 years

For years, the film industry was waiting for “the next Snow White,” that movie that would usher in a new age for animation.

Thanks to John Lasseter, Pixar and a partnership with Disney, that’s exactly what happened thanks to Toy Story, the first computer animated feature film.

Many say that the tale of Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and Andy’s other toys led to the sunset of 2D animation, while others say it was the revolution that had been anticipated.

Either way, Toy Story led to two and half decades of envelope pushing artistry from Pixar that we can all be grateful for.

Dances with Wolves - Celebrating 30 years

This epic Western starring and directed by Kevin Costner was and still is a prime candidate for the title of “they just don’t make them like this anymore.”  Even though it won the Oscar for Best Picture, it’s somewhat faded from view in the past three decades, but most definitely deserves to be revisited.

Back to the Future - Celebrating 35 years

Great Scott!  How can it have been over thirty years since director and movie wizard Robert Zemeckis gave us the tale of Marty McFly, Doc Brown and a time-traveling DeLoreon?  Since its debut, the film has remained as beloved and quoted as when it was first released, providing generations with a positive view of the future and familial relationships.

Dog Day Afternoon - Celebrating 45 years

Movies don’t get more “New York” than this one.  Based on a real-life story of a bank robbery that spirals out of control, Al Pacino delivers one of his best performances and Sidney Lumet directs with his usual flare for real-life, that always looks so effortless.  Compelling from beginning to end.

Psycho - Celebrating 60 years

Alfred Hitchcock’s most iconic and memorable film set the standard for a new generation of thrillers and horror films, turning traditions in Hollywood on its ear and causing audiences to lock their doors while showering after seeing it.  Anthony Perkins is brilliant, Janet Leigh is compelling, the movie is a masterpiece that never tires of impressing. 

Pinocchio & Fantasia- both celebrating 80 years 

Many consider Pinocchio the greatest animated film ever made and many consider Fantasia the most daring film ever made.  Only Walt Disney would and could make both in the same year!  Today’s generation of animated blockbusters owe everything to these two films.

And so, as we close out this unbelievable year and look to the possibilities of a new one, we sit through the Holiday Weekend, socially distant again, which  could prove to be a good time to binge these and other memorable movies that reached milestones in 2020.

Wishing everyone a Safe, Happy, Healthy and Better New Year!

Secret Santas: Forgotten Christmas Films Celebrating Anniversaries

 

By Michael Lyons

Here we are, it’s Christmas week and with so much “staying and working from home,” you probably feel as if you’ve exhausted your seemingly endless stash of Christmas movies.  Time to start the “rotation” all over again and begin watching some of your favorites for the second, third...or seventh time.

Before you resort to this “double-binging,” consider one or all of these somewhat forgotten Christmas movies that, through the years, have slipped through our collective pop-culture cracks.  Each one of them celebrates an anniversary this year and, while they may not be as celebrated as the 30th anniversary of Home Alone, or the 20th anniversary of Jim Carrey’s Grinch, these movies would still make a perfect compliment to your yearly Christmas “movie merriment.”

Remember the Night (1940) - 80th Anniversary

Fred Mac Murray plays a district attorney who is a prosecuting a shoplifter (Barbara Stanwyck) just days before Christmas.  As her trial won’t begin until after Christmas, she will have to spend Christmas in jail.  The attorney pays her bail, so she can be home for the holiday and yup, a romance begins.

This could almost be considered the “Grandfather of Hallmark Christmas movies,” but legendary screenwriter Preston Sturges, who penned the script, adds the right note of comedy and commentary, as he did with all of his movies, to allow it to rise above the predictable.

This is an under-appreciated old Hollywood gem. 

Beyond Tomorrow (1940) - 80th Anniversary

On Christmas Eve in New York City, three wealthy businessmen (C. Aubrey Smith, Harry Carey and Charles Winniger) conduct an experiment.  Each will toss their wallets out the window to the city street below, to see who (if anyone) returns it.  Two honest individuals (Jean Parker and Richard Carlson) both return the wallets and are befriended by the three businessmen.

The three men also decide to play a part in helping the young couple, even after tragedy strikes them (no spoilers here).

While Christmas only factors into the first half of this film (which is widely available, as it is in the public domain), the entire film’s message of unselfishness resounds throughout.  It’s dated in a number of ways, but Beyond Tomorrow still resonates today.

The Great Rupert (1950) - 70th Anniversary

What says Christmas better than comedian Jimmy Durante and a stop-motion squirrel?  This is truly a Christmas comedy unlike any ever seen.

A trained squirrel (the title character) who once appeared in a vaudeville act is set free and hides out in the attic of Louie Amendola (Durante) and his family, who have all fallen on hard times, during the Christmas holiday.

The smarter-than-average squirrel winds up bestowing good fortune on the family (again no spoilers).

The Great Rupert is a harmless, charming little comedy that features stop-motion animation by legendary effects wizard George Pal that, at the time, were thought so realistic many inquiries were sent to the filmmakers, asking how they trained the squirrel so well!

The Apartment (1960) - 60th Anniversary

Legendary director Billy Wilder’s Best Picture Oscar winner is a well-known classic, but many may not realize that it’s also a Christmas movie.

In the comedy, which has a plot that’s downright controversial by today’s standards, Jack Lemmon plays an office worker with dreams of climbing the coporate ladder, by loaning out his apartment to executives who are engaged in affairs and in need of a discreet place to bring their mistresses to.

Lemmon’s character develops feelings for one of these mistresses (Shirley MacLaine) which leads to complications.

A time-capsule and a more adult perspective of the season, (Santa drinking in a bar and revelry at a New Year’s Eve party) and like any Wilder film, there’s so much at work beneath the laughs.  Commentary on loneliness, alienation and finding perspective in life (during some very heavy, dramatic scenes later in the film) are relatable no matter what season it is.

Scrooge (1970) - 50th Anniversary

From the era of  Mary Poppins (1964) and Oliver! (1968) comes this big-screen movie musical treatment of A Christmas Carol.  Albert Finney is amazing in the title role, as Dickens’ infamous holiday “humbug,” bringing an element of humanity and sadness to the role (and the ability to play young and old Scrooge!)

Director Ronald Neame captures the details of Victorian London and also brings to life the story’s supernatural elements through some canny special effects.

And, the score and songs by Leslie Bricusse are brilliant, particularly the Oscar nominated Thank You Very Much, which is brought to life in the film through a show stopping number that deserves to rank as one of the best movie musical numbers ever.  After one viewing of Scrooge, you will be singing it well into the New Year.

One Magic Christmas (1985) - 35th Anniversary

Several years ago, while I was discussing this film on the podcast, Real Fans 4 Real Movies, the host, Andy said that this film was for anyone who feels that the darker scenes in It’s A Wonderful Life are too upbeat.

A perfect description for this Christmas movie that’s so unlike anything you’ve ever seen that describing the plot is almost like one giant spoiler!

Taking a little influence from director Frank Capra’s Christmas classic, this film tells the tale of an angel (Harry Dean Stanton) who teaches a mother (Mary Steenburgen) the true meaning of Christmas.  What follows is unemployment, bank robberies and a fatal car accident...and that’s just the film’s first act!

One Magic Christmas will make you think and allow you to appreciate what you have...but just know that the word Magic is only in the title.

Krampus (2015) - 5th Anniversary

This modern day take on a creature from German folklore - a giant, horned beast who is the opposite of Santa, coming to those who have been bad and taking from them, instead of giving -  is a Christmas horror film and cautionary tale.

Director Michael Dougherty (who also helmed the excellent Halloween tale, 2007’s Trick r Treat) leads an ensemble cast including Adam Scott, Toni Collette and David Koechner as a family, who are completely wrapped up in the glitzy commercialism of Christmas.

A blizzard traps them all in their home...and then Krampus comes, through some scary, creepy and tongue-in-check sequences that come to an ambiguous conclusion, right out of The Twilight Zone.

Krampus received a great deal of attention when it was released, but has become somewhat forgotten since.  It’s worth revisiting, as an antidote to standard Holiday cheer and a cunning statement on how we can easily let the superficial consume our lives.

As we head into this Christmas that, like everything else in 2020, has been dubbed “unique and different,” any or all of these seldom, or never, seen movies would fit perfectly!

Wishing you all a Very Safe and a Very Merry Christmas!...

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