Hemdale Films

Hemdale Films

Author: Edward Havens April 9, 2020 Duration: 1:01:12

This episode takes a look at Hemdale Films, an outfit that started in 1967 and is better known as the production company behind The Terminator, Platoon and The Last Emperor, whose turn to theatrical exhibition was mired by a plethora of lawsuits and yielded one true masterpiece and one classic weird movie.

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The movies discussed during this episode:

Blood Red (1989, Peter Masterson) The Boost (1988, Harold Becker) Burke and Wills (1987, Graeme Clifford) Buster (1988, David Green) Cohen and Tate (1989, Eric Red) Criminal Law (1989, Martin Campbell) Defence of the Realm (1986, David Drury) The Everlasting Secret Family (1989, Michael Thornhill) Ha-Holmim/Once We Were Dreamers/Unsettled Land (1989, Uri Barbash) High Season (1988, Clare Peploe) The Howling 2 (1985, Phillipe Mora) Inside Out (1987, Robert Taicher) A Killing Affair (1988, Richard C. Sarafian) The Last Emperor (1987, Bernardo Bertolucci) Love at Stake (1987, John Moffitt) Made in USA (1987, Ken Friedman) Miracle Mile (1989, Steve De Jarnatt) My Little Girl (1987, Connie Kaiserman) Out Cold (1989, Malcolm Mowbray) River's Edge (1987, Tim Hunter) Salvador (1986, Oliver Stone) Scenes from the Goldmine (1987, Marc Rocco) Shag: The Movie (1989, Zelda Barron) Staying Together (1989, Lee Grant) Supergrass (1988, Peter Richardson) The Tale of Ruby Rose (1988, Roger Scholes) The Terminator (1984, James Cameron) The Time Guardian (1989, Brian Hannant) Vampire's Kiss (1989, Robert Bierman) War Party (1988, Franc Roddam) The Whistle Blower (1987, Simon Langton)


Edward Havens, a film historian and former critic, hosts The 80s Movie Podcast, offering a deep and curated exploration of cinema from that decade. This isn't just a surface-level recap of famous blockbusters, though those certainly have their place. Instead, the podcast serves as a guided tour through the entire ecosystem of 1980s filmmaking. Listeners will hear episodes dedicated to the obscure distribution companies that once shaped what played in theaters, and rediscover movies that have slipped from popular memory. The conversation naturally expands to profile the iconic stars and visionary directors who defined the era's unique aesthetic. Havens draws on his background to provide context and insight, treating each film as a piece of a larger historical tapestry. Tuning into this podcast means gaining a richer understanding of why the 1980s remain such a distinct and influential period in visual storytelling. It’s for anyone who loves the texture of film history, from the forgotten gems to the cultural touchstones, all examined with a knowledgeable and engaging perspective. The show carefully balances nostalgia with revelation, ensuring every episode reveals something new about a seemingly familiar landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 137

The 80s Movie Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Susan Seidelman 1980s Films Mini‑series: Making Mr. Right (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:15
On this episode, we deep dive into Susan Seidelman’s 1987 film Making Mr. Right. We analyze tone, themes, and behind‑the‑scenes context as Seidelman's follow-up to Desperately Seeking Susan, and unpack performances by Jo…
1980s Fantasy Films: Top 5 Picks by Author Todd Downing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:23
Calico Kids series author Todd Downing shares his five favorite fantasy films of the 1980s, with discussion of why each film matters, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and viewing recommendations. Host Edward Havens digs into…
Collision Course: Jay Leno's Only Leading Role Movie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:32
Season 7 Premiere: after a six-month break the host issues an apology for a previous bait-and-switch, explains the delay, and leads a focused discussion of Collision Course — the only movie to feature comedian and talk s…
Susan Seidelman 1980s Films Mini‑series: Smithereens (1982) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:32
The first episode of our Susan Seidelman miniseries. We begin a focused deep‑dive into Seidelman’s work with her 1982 directorial debut Smithereens, examining its themes, production context, and cultural impact. Part of…
Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983): Jackie Gleason Sequel Bomb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
Edward Havens returns from paternity leave to revisit 1983's Smokey and the Bandit Part 3. We examine Universal Studios' sequel with returning stars Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed (plus Burt Reynolds, just barely), discus…