After the Sugarland Express, Steven Spielberg directed two mega-successes, Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Combined, Jaws and Close Encounters earned almost $750,000,000 at the box office. That is in 1970s money. At this point, Universal, Spielberg’s clout could get anything made. So why not make a comedy? Surely, he can climb the comedy hill as well as suspense and science-fiction.
Fast-forward to the late 1970s. Spielberg decides to direct a comedy about further attacks by the Japanese in World War II. This movie is loaded with talented writers and actors. Robert Zemekis, Robert Stack, Bob Gale, Toshirô Mifune, Christopher Lee, Murray Hamilton, Lorraine Gary, John Belushi, Ned Beatty, John Candy, and much, much, more. Spielberg is the hottest director leading one of the (if not the) finest casts in movie history.
Contrary to popular opinion, this movie did not flop. However, it was only a minor success. We are re-joined by Carmelita (from our Blues Brothers episode) to grade and discuss what some consider a well-made film and one of us graded much lower (and everyone else in-between). Be sure to give our 1941 episode a listen and let us know what you think!
Thank you for listening!
