Film History — Season 8 — The Black Case Diaries

How the Case Stole Christmas (2000)

Dr. Suess is one of the most famous children’s authors of all time. His wacky plotlines, made-up words, and iconic illustrations made his books into bestsellers. It would be hard to find a kindergarten classroom without any reference to his work, whether it’s the ever popular Green Eggs and Ham, or the challenging Fox in Sox. Suess’ work was known to illustrate difficult topics in a simplistic way, a skill he perfected while working as a political cartoonist. He addressed racism in The Sneetches, environmentalism in The Lorax, and war in The Butter Battle Book. But possibly Suess’ most celebrated creation is the Grinch, a lonely outcast who watches the Whos of Whoville from his isolated mountain, despising Christmas.

Due to the story’s popularity, it seems only natural that a film based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas was inevitable. Dr. Suess was reluctant to turn any of his books into full-length films, but at the urging of longtime friend Tex Avery, he did agree to help produce the animated special of the same name. When Dr. Suess passed away in 1991, his widow acquired the rights to his stories. She was willing to let studios purchase the rights, with a few stipulations of course. Just 9 years later, The Grinch would make his unforgettable big screen debut.
So, strap on your antlers and let’s make our way down Mount Crumpit! It’s time to learn How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Case of the Hallmark Christmas Movie

There are some films that go hand in hand with the holiday season. These are movies that we watch every year with our families because they remind us of our childhood and the spirit of Christmas. But in the past couple decades, a different kind of holiday movie has taken the season by storm. They’re known for their cheesy lines, simplistic plotlines, and by-the-numbers predictability. Many fans claim to watch these made-for-TV movies as a guilty pleasure, while others have fully embraced their comforting tropes. We’re talking, of course, about Hallmark Christmas movies.

You know the deal: He’s a small town business owner of some kind (Christmas trees/coffee shop/bakery) and she’s a successful woman from the city with a vague job title. Why don’t we know what she does? Well, that’s because it doesn’t matter; she’s quitting that job by the end of the movie. They were lovers once, or maybe she left him at the altar, and this Christmas, they may just find their way back to each other again. Each Christmas, these cookie cutter movie plots dominate social media because they are an easy target. But this got us wondering, when did it all start? Over the last twenty years or so, Hallmark essentially invented their own genre, which is honestly pretty impressive. So today, we’re getting a better look at the history of Hallmark Christmas movies and discussing the formula that has made them so successful.

So grab your favorite movie snack and cuddle up next to a roaring TV, it’s time to talk about Hallmark Christmas movies!

Christmas, Film History, PodcastBlack C. DiariesDecember 18, 2023Hallmark, Christmas

The Case of The Holiday (2006)

This year, we decided to start off December with an episode all about one of our favorite Rom-coms. This mid-2000s gem is a Christmas movie that we don’t mind watching any time of year! It’s a wonderfully cheerful film about finding love in an unexpected place. We’re talking about the 2006 Nancy Meyers film, The Holiday!

This film is the Christmas rom-com that most Hallmark movies wish they were. It plays on romantic tropes in a delightful way, with enough audience-pleasing predictability to make it a relaxing film to watch. Although it focuses on two couples meeting and falling in love, the movie takes its time letting the stories play out. This film isn’t just about people “getting together,” it’s a story about moving on from unhealthy relationships and finding out who you are.
So, let’s head to LA…or Surrey…and fall in love with The Holiday.

The Case of The Lost Boys (1987)

In the summer of 1987, movie-goers were exposed to one of the most popular horror comedies of all time: Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys. This frightening–yet sometimes goofy–romp introduced the idea of a teenage gang of vampires, living it up and having the time of their (after) lives. Much like the famed Dracula, they live in a dark and unkempt lair, surrounded by all that pleases them.
The Lost Boys continues to be a hit with audiences over 35 years after its release. The film is often referenced in popular media, and celebrated for its take on the horror genre. So let’s join in on the fun! Ride with us to Santa Carla, California, the supposed murder capital of the world (according to some spray paint on a billboard). We’ll sleep all day and party all night, and learn about how fun it is to be a vampire!In the summer of 1987, movie-goers were exposed to one of the most popular horror comedies of all time: Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys. This frightening–yet sometimes goofy–romp introduced the idea of a teenage gang of vampires, living it up and having the time of their (after) lives. Much like the famed Dracula, they live in a dark and unkempt lair, surrounded by all that pleases them.

The Lost Boys continues to be a hit with audiences over 35 years after its release. The film is often referenced in popular media, and celebrated for its take on the horror genre. So let’s join in on the fun! Ride with us to Santa Carla, California, the supposed murder capital of the world (according to some spray paint on a billboard). We’ll sleep all day and party all night, and learn about how fun it is to be a vampire!

80s, Film History, PodcastBlack C. DiariesOctober 16, 2023Vampires, The Lost Boys, Joel Schumacher

The Case of Gravity Falls

As we creep further into the Halloween season, we’re turning our attention to one of our all-time favorite supernatural TV shows. This series has it all, including zombies, ghosts, telepathy, multiverses, and even time travel; all crammed into one mysterious town in Oregon: Gravity Falls.
Gravity Falls is an animated show that aired on The Disney Channel in the early 2010’s. It ran for two planned seasons, and covered one complete story about a pair of twins living with their Great Uncle Stan in a rural Oregon town for the summer. But of course, nothing is as it seems, and these two kids end up spending their summer fighting off gnomes, solving ghostly mysteries, and even battling the weird-pocalypse. So let’s hop on the bus to Gravity Falls and uncover the mystery of how it was made!

The Case of Young Frankenstein (1974)

In December of 1974, comedy fans were treated to the latest parody by Mel Brooks. It was a farce poking fun at possibly the most classic horror story in English literature, the book that jump-started the science-fiction genre and made Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley a household name: Frankenstein.

Brooks first saw James Whale’s Frankenstein when he was just five years old, and he found it to be a fairly traumatic experience, haunting him for years to come. It turned out that Gene Wilder, Brooks’ friend and collaborator, had a similar experience. So when Wilder approached Brooks about a possible project parodying the horror classic, the men got started on what Mel Brooks would consider their biggest triumph together.

Wilder had already named the film Young Frankenstein, taking title inspiration from the 1940 film, Young Tom Edison which he saw as a child. He created an outline based on what he thought would happen if he were the great-grandson of Victor Frankenstein. He had several pages written before Mel Brooks got involved, and together they created one of the most beloved comedies of all time.
So, grab your lab coat and let’s all head down to Dr. Frankenstein’s (it’s pronounced FRONK-EN-STEEN) laboratory, where we’ll learn the electrifying history of Young Frankenstein.

The Case of The Sandlot (1993)

Back in the early 90s, audiences experienced a film that made them feel so nostalgic, it morphed from a mildly successful hit into a cult classic. The Sandlot found the magic formula previously perfected by productions like A Christmas Story and The Wonder Years. It balanced the references and experiences that older adults would recognize, with the comedic sincerity with which all children could relate.
The Sandlot was so popular among children of the 90s, watching it was almost like a rite of passage. Growing up, it was the movie that many children could quote with perfection, from the hilariously dramatic “for-e-ver,” to the universally adopted “you’re killin’ me, Smalls!” But the movie didn’t just appeal to kids. The film crossed the generational divide, placing adults and kids on a level field. Everyone who loved the film all seemed to connect with it for the same reasons. It didn’t matter what sport you loved (if any) or if you grew up in the city instead of a rural town, The Sandlot tapped into the magic of summer, the thrill of childhood problems, and the strength between childhood friends.

90s, Film History, PodcastBlack C. DiariesAugust 21, 2023The Sandlot, Tom Guiry, baseball, Babe Ruth, Hercules, PF Flyers

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Case (Part 2)

As women continued to fight for their place in the entertainment industry, the concept of the ideal woman began to change. Women were carving out a place for themselves in the male-dominated writing rooms and would eventually have the opportunity to write characters that felt like someone they could identify with. One of the very first of these characters was Mary Richards, the protagonist of The Mary Tyler Moore show.

Film History, Podcast, 70sBlack C. DiariesAugust 14, 2023Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Part 2

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Case (Part 1)

Back during the early days of TV sitcoms, audiences got familiar with a particular depiction of women. They often wore dresses, woke each morning with a full face of make-up, and stayed home to care for their children while their husband pursued a career. But these fictional portrayals of the modern woman were just that: fiction. As women continued to fight for their place in the entertainment industry, the concept of the ideal woman began to change. Women were carving out a place for themselves in the male-dominated writing rooms and would eventually have the opportunity to write characters that felt like someone they could identify with. One of the very first of these characters was Mary Richards, the protagonist of The Mary Tyler Moore show.

The Wonderful Case of Oz (1939)

Author L Frank Baum published the first book in his Oz series in 1900. He called the title character Dorothy, and set the story in a land named for the last drawer in his filing cabinet. The book was a success, and would one day be considered the first American fairytale. Although it has been over 120 years since its debut, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has never been out of print. Baum wrote 13 sequels to his book until his death in 1919. Other authors later took up the mantle as the historians of Oz and continued the series, some creating unofficial spin-offs and sequels.
The Wizard of Oz (1939) was not the first adaptation of the story, but it is certainly the most well-known. In the 1930s, powerhouse studio MGM secured the rights to the first book (beating Walt Disney to the punch). Soon after they began a notoriously difficult production featuring a now iconic cast, including 16-year-old Judy Garland. Today we’re headed back to the Emerald City to learn all about the making of this iconic film. So come join us as we follow the yellow brick road to the history of The Wizard of Oz (1939).

The Case of Newsies (1992)

Well now that Animation April has come to an end, we’ve decided to launch right into MUSICAL MAY! *cue fanfare*! This week we’re revisiting a movie that we’ve mentioned before. But this time, we’re gonna give you the whole scoop. It’s Newsies!

Back in the early 90s, Walt Disney Studios produced one of its most ambitious flops: an original live-action musical movie about the historical newsboy strike of 1899. Newsies featured songs by Alan Menkin (of Broadway and Disney film fame); a cast of well-known actors like Robert Duvall, Ann-Margaret, and Christian Bale; and hundreds of dancing teenagers and young adults, all decked out in turn-of-the-century clothing. After its disastrous showing at the box office, the musical was seemingly forgotten. Except, of course, for the fact that it gained a small-but-mighty cult following.

The Case of Shrek (2001)

Animation April is BACK and this week we are covering a movie that not only made a major impact when it was released, but that has risen to peak meme status. Shrek blew audiences away with its unapologetic lampooning of classic fairy tales and storybook tropes. From musical Disney princesses to beloved nursery rhymes, nothing was safe from this film’s hilarious commentary.

Shrek took computer animation to another level, rebuking the highly acclaimed and classic storytelling methods of major animation studios like Disney and PIXAR, and producing a full-length animated comedy featuring realistic human characters. The film refuses to take itself seriously, which makes even its most dated visuals feel timeless.

The Case of the Universal Monsters Part 2

The last time we gathered together, we talked about the history of the Universal Monster movies and their impact on film. We also covered the first two films of Universal’s monster verse: Dracula and Frankenstein. This week, we’re continuing to look at the other influential Universal Monster movies that made a lasting mark on horror media!

So grab your popcorn and get ready to pull the blanket up to your eyes, it’s time for another dive into the Monsterverse!

The Historical Case of Universal Monsters (Part 1)

Founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle, Universal achieved fame for producing popular low-budget serials starting in 1914. And although it didn’t produce the most prestigious film content of the time, Universal developed a reputation as a studio that catered to its audience. So, when other studios turned up their noses at a genre that focused on thrilling movie-goers with grotesque visuals and terrifying tales, Universal had found what would become their most well-known niche: monster movies.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Case of Narnia

This week, we’re heading to the wardrobe to grab a look at the 2005 fantasy epic, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!

This highly ambitious live-action film adapted the story of the four Pevensie children that discover a magical realm in the back of an old country wardrobe. The film was overall a box office success and led to two sequels. It’s a great example of mid-2000s CGI, and it captured the imagination of audiences with its state-of-the-art effects. It also renewed interest in a beloved book series at a time when viewers were still hungry for high fantasy content after the mega-successful Lord of the Rings film franchise.

The Case of Our Top 5 Cartoon Network Theme Songs

This week, we took a look at Cartoon Network’s animation over the last 30 years, and we decided that choosing our favorites would basically be impossible. So instead, we decided to rank our top 5 favorite theme songs from Cartoon Network shows.

First, we narrowed the field by excluding any shows that were produced for other networks before arriving on Cartoon Network. This means that you won’t hear us singing about any “Modern Stone-Age Families” today. We also decided against choosing shows from Cartoon Network’s adult programming, Adult Swim. Then, we listened to song after song and tried to keep our fondness for the shows themselves from clouding our musical judgment.

The Non-Christmas Movie Case

We’ve all seen and heard the arguments about what makes a movie a Christmas film. Does the whole movie have to take place around Christmas? Should it be about the holiday? Was it a holiday film when it first came out, or did it somehow become one as time went on?

This week, we each chose a movie that both could and could not be considered a Christmas classic. All three mention Christmas or take place during Christmas, but could be enjoyed at any time of the year. We’re going to learn a little bit about each one and maybe we’ll be able to decide if they are Christmas movies or not!

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Case

Picture it: it’s the mid-1970s and The Muppets have taken over TV. In the first few months of its premiere, the wacky variety show pulled in 14 million viewers and would soon air in 100 countries. The world had fallen in love with the puppets from Jim Henson’s creature shop, and audiences were asking for more. Soon, Henson’s team would begin working on the incredibly ambitious Muppet Movie. But before they could try their hand at a full-length feature, the puppeteers tested the waters on a heartfelt holiday special called, Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas.

A Christmas Story Case

This episode marks the beginning of not only the Christmas season, but also season 8 of our show!! This December we’re celebrating the four year anniversary of the BCD with episodes featuring some of our absolute favorite Christmas stories, including, of course, A Christmas Story. So, slip on your bunny pajamas and try not to shoot your eyes out, it’s time for A Christmas Story!