Analysis Slate's Hollywood Economist: 'Midas Formula' Franchises May 31, 2005 • Alex Chadwick talks with Slate contributor Edward Jay Epstein about how movie studios build franchises. Epstein says that studios sometimes take enormous risks to build a successful movie franchises, like the Spider-Man and The Lord of the Rings, but the rewards for success can be enormous. He also details the "Midas formula" for reaping huge profits through licensing and merchandising. Slate's Hollywood Economist: 'Midas Formula' Franchises Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4673527/4673528" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Slate's Hollywood Economist: 'Midas Formula' Franchises Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4673527/4673528" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Fresh Air' Turns 20 The Woman in Scorsese's Edit Room Fresh Air May 31, 2005 • Academy Award-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker has edited every one of Martin Scorsese's movies, from Raging Bull to The Aviator. Schoonmaker has had a front-row seat to see how film editing has changed over the past 30 years. The Woman in Scorsese's Edit Room Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4673436/4673437" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The Woman in Scorsese's Edit Room Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4673436/4673437" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Assessing the Summer Movie Crop May 30, 2005 • Critic Bob Mondello offers a selective preview of the upcoming summer movie season. Hollywood is digging into the archives with Batman Begins, Bewitched, The Honeymooners and The Dukes of Hazzard. Assessing the Summer Movie Crop Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4672789/4672790" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Assessing the Summer Movie Crop Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4672789/4672790" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
One Hundred Years of Henry Fonda May 28, 2005 • Stage and screen actor Henry Fonda was born 100 years ago this month. The Oregonian newspaper's film critic, Shawn Levy, has written about Fonda's life. He offers perspective on a diverse and utterly American film icon. One Hundred Years of Henry Fonda Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670951/4670952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
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Jeannie Epper, the Real 'Wonder Woman' May 28, 2005 • Stuntwoman Jeannie Epper is featured in a documentary on her craft called Double Dare. Now 64, Epper did the stunts for Lynda Carter in the Wonder Woman TV show, among countless other jobs. She comes from a family of stunt artists; her father doubled for Errol Flynn. Jeannie Epper, the Real 'Wonder Woman' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4671266/4671283" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Jeannie Epper, the Real 'Wonder Woman' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4671266/4671283" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Obituaries Eddie Albert, Star of 'Green Acres,' Dies at 99 May 27, 2005 • Eddie Albert, the actor best known as the constantly befuddled city slicker-turned-farmer in television's Green Acres, has died. He was 99. Albert was nominated for Academy Awards as supporting actor in Roman Holiday (1953) and The Heartbreak Kid (1972). Eddie Albert Dies at 99 Toggle more options Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670579/4670873" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Culture Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Madagascar,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'The League of Ordinary Gentlemen' May 27, 2005 • Slate contributor Mark Jordan Legan looks at what the critics are saying about this week's major movie releases, including Madagascar, The Longest Yard and The League of Ordinary Gentlemen. Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Madagascar,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'The League of Ordinary Gentlemen' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669704/4669705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Slate's Summary Judgment: 'Madagascar,' 'The Longest Yard,' 'The League of Ordinary Gentlemen' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669704/4669705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Making an Animated Escape to 'Madagascar' May 27, 2005 • Dreamworks' latest film Madagascar opens this weekend. The digitally animated comedy is about a bunch of pampered New York City zoo animals that wind up in the wilds of Madagascar. Making an Animated Escape to 'Madagascar' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669175/4669176" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Making an Animated Escape to 'Madagascar' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669175/4669176" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business DreamWorks Movie Studio Falls Short of Investors' Targets May 27, 2005 • DreamWorks' stock drops after investors realize expectations for the company may have been set too high. In light of that, the fate of the studio's upcoming animated film release Madagascar has taken on outsized importance. DreamWorks Movie Studio Falls Short of Investors' Targets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670198/4670199" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
DreamWorks Movie Studio Falls Short of Investors' Targets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670198/4670199" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture 'Madagascar' is a Perfectly Pleasant Destination May 27, 2005 • Madagascar lets the big questions about carnivore versus herbivore fall by the wayside in a successful rush for fun and visual entertainment, according to our movie reviewer. 'Madagascar' is a Perfectly Pleasant Destination Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670201/4670202" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Madagascar' is a Perfectly Pleasant Destination Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4670201/4670202" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture Kids Tango, Fox Trot Through 'Mad Hot Ballroom' Fresh Air May 27, 2005 • Film critic David Edelstein reviews Mad Hot Ballroom, a new documentary about 11-year-old kids who compete in a New York City ballroom dance competition. Kids Tango, Fox Trot Through 'Mad Hot Ballroom' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669639/4669640" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Kids Tango, Fox Trot Through 'Mad Hot Ballroom' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669639/4669640" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Nelly on Acting, Rapping and 'The Longest Yard' May 27, 2005 • Ed Gordon talks with rap artist Nelly about his acting debut in the remake of The Longest Yard, starring Saturday Night Live alumni Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Nelly on Acting, Rapping and 'The Longest Yard' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669479/4669480" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Nelly on Acting, Rapping and 'The Longest Yard' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669479/4669480" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture Skateboarding Pioneer Stacy Peralta Fresh Air May 27, 2005 • Peralta wrote and acts in the new movie 'Lords of Dogtown'. The feature evolved from Peralta's 2002 documentary 'Dogtown and Z-Boys.' Both films are about the community of skateboarders in California in the 1970s who originated extreme skateboarding. Skateboarding Pioneer Stacy Peralta Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4669636/4669637" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Obituaries Acclaimed Producer Ismail Merchant Fresh Air May 26, 2005 • Film producer Ismail Merchant died Wednesday at age 68. In conjunction with James Ivory, he produced A Room With a View (1985), Howards End (1992) and other films. Their newest film, Heights, hits theaters in June. (Original airdate: 9/10/87) Acclaimed Producer Ismail Merchant Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4667918/4667919" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Review Book Reviews 'Lion of Hollywood': MGM Founder's Long Shadow May 25, 2005 • Day to Day book critic David Kipen reviews Lion of Hollywood: The Life and Legend of Louis B. Mayer by Scott Eyman, a new biography of the former co-founder and executive of the MGM movie studio. 'Lion of Hollywood': MGM Founder's Long Shadow Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4666426/4666427" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Lion of Hollywood': MGM Founder's Long Shadow Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4666426/4666427" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript