May 23rd, 1980

May 23rd, 1980

Author: Edward Havens May 31, 2020 Duration: 1:14:58

Today's episode takes a look at the films playing in theatres on May 23rd, 1980, a very special weekend for movies, with not one but two inarguable classics being released the same week. The movies discussed this episode: All That Jazz (1979, Bob Fosse) American Gigolo (1980, Paul Schrader) Apocalypse Now (1979, Francis Ford Coppola) Being There (1979, Hal Ashby) Best Boy (1979, Ira Wohl) The Black Stallion (1979, Carroll Ballard) Blood Feud (1978, Lina Wertmüller) Charles et Lucie (1980, Nelly Kaplan) Coal Miner's Daughter (1980, Michael Apted) Die Laughing (1980, Jeff Werner) The Empire Strikes Back (1980, Irvin Kirshner) The Europeans (1979, James Ivory) Fame (1980, Alan Parker) Fantasia (1941, multiple directors) Friday the 13th (1980, Sean S. Cunningham) The Gong Show Movie (1980, Chuck Barris) The Hollywood Knights (1980, Floyd Mutrux) Home Movies (1980, Brian De Palma) Kill or Be Killed (1976, Ivan Hall) Knife in the Head (1978, Reinhard Hauff) Kramer vs. Kramer (1979, Robert Benton) La Cage Aux Folles (1978, Edouard Molinaro) Lady and the Tramp (1955, multiple directors) Little Darlings (1980, Ronald F. Maxwell) The Long Riders (1980, Walter Hill) The Marriage of Maria Braun (1978, Rainer Werner Fassbinder) Meetings with Remarkable Men (1979, Peter Brook) My Brilliant Career (1979, Gillian Armstrong) Norma Rae (1979, Martin Ritt) The Nude Bomb (1980, Clive Donner) On the Nickel (1980, Ralph Waite) The Shining (1980, Stanley Kubrick) Soupçon (1979, Jean-Charles Tacchella) 'Til Marriage Do Us Part (1974, Luigi Comencini) The Tin Drum (1979, Volker Schlöndorff) Tom Horn (1980, William Wiard) Where the Buffalo Roam (1980, Art Linson) Why Shoot the Teacher? (1977, Sylvio Narizzano) Winds of Change [aka Metamorphoses] (1978, Takashi Masunaga)


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…