Podcast: Smackdown '72 Conversation
Sunday, April 28, 2019 at 6:36PM Part Two of the Smackdown of 1972. (Part One ICYMI)
You've read our blurbs about Oscar's Supporting Actress Nominees of 1972, a fascinating bunch. Now hear the in-depth conversation that goes along with it. Nathaniel welcomes actresses Donna Lynne Champlin (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Kathy Deitch (American Horror Story: Freakshow) as well as writer/directors Arun Welandawe-Prematilleke and Eric Blume to discuss these talented women and their time capsule movies. Come with us to 1972! Find out which movie is accurately described as "hot garbage," which inspired a musical spoof, and marvel that the Smackdown winners were somehow the performances we were actually most divided on.
You can listen to the podcast right here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes.
Reader Comments (25)
I also watched SUNSET BEACH as a kid so I knew exactly what Arun was talking about!! I think it went on for like a month and the actors hated it because they had to spend days and days in the same uncomfortable formalwear.
https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Oscar-s-Greatest-Moments-2863410.php
Later that night, Duvall explained to the press that he was not laughing at Winters but because James Caan, his co-star in "The Godfather," had been making funny faces. If this was small comfort, at least Winters could find solace after Duvall, also nominated in the supporting category, also went home a loser.
What fun. For a sloppier Eileen Heckart, "The Bad Seed" comes to mind. I don't know her full career either, but that must be Heckart's Oma.
@ Dave S.- Her character is literally inebriated every scene she is in.
Personally, I thought Heckart's best performance was Somebody Up There Likes Me, but she is also great in Bus Stop as Marilyn Monroe's best friend.
Great article! Sri Lanka have been on of my top tour destinations. Love country it's people. If you plan to go there , you should probably go on Kandy to Sigiriya day tour.
I was literally screaming The Bad Seed to my phone as I was listening. It’s her only other nomination and she literally plays a sloppy drunk of Tyrellian proportions.
This was a great panel making for the best Smackdown podcast yet. Every one of the four needs to come back!
Wonderful podcast! You have amazing friends NAT. A total joy!
This was one of my favourite smackdowns. I guess I had a better time doing it than you did!
I love having the chance to discover Tyrrell, wonder why Berlin never got a sitcom or finally watching Butterflies.
I propose this entire panel return for another Smackdown! Fantastic.
I prefer it with journalists or actressexuals only. Actors always turn everything about themselves.
Duvall could lie and state that Caan was making faces from the audience, but his laughing has to be the rudest thing that I’ve ever seen.
The Poseidon Adventure is a great film. People can whine about its over-the-top/campiness, but I’ll always revere it and no other ‘disaster’ film is better.
Chani -- Agree (partially). Their writings were more insighful
Am I the only one who liked Fat City? It would have won 4 Independent Spirit Awards in the 90s
@Peggy Sue
I love Fat City and would have given it a slew of nominations, including Picture, Lead Actor and Supporting Actor. It's one of my favorite early performances from Bridges.
Keach was a revelation! Also loved the italian trainer (& his wife) and that beautiful end at the Café.
Drew & Peggy Sue -- I think i need to see FAT CITY again. It had a vibe and atmosphere that I wasn't expecting at all and I'd like to see it under non-supporting actress circumstances. Susan Tyrrell is truly a supporting character (you could actually lift her out of the movie entirely -- not that you'd want to!! -- and still have the same exact plot, which can't be said for any of the other nominees but for Geraldine Page)
Tom -- i'm still shocked whenever i watch that clip. It makes me really dislike Robert Duvall despite his talent.
JJ -- glad you enjoyed. I loved this panel, too.
Jakey -- how wild. I imagined that was an obscure reference but I guess not!
I remember that Sunset Beach plot as well! LOL
Is it wrong that I completely love "The Poseidon Adventure" and find it the best religious film I've seen? Which is not the best film about religion, which I think is, "Monty Python's Life of Brian".
For anyone else out there who loved Jeannie Berlin in The Heartbreak Kid, check her out in Kenneth Lonergan's flawed-but-still-excellent Margaret from 2011. You'll see a much older but just as talented Berlin in a good meaty supporting role. Love her.
Rob -- yes, she's very good in MARGARET and I thought she was sensational in THE NIGHT OF... on HBO, so it's cool she's still working occasionally.
It makes me really dislike Robert Duvall despite his talent.
Better not probe further, his politics are awful.
Rob - Berlin is great in that movie. I've only seen it one but I can't forget the speakerphone scene.
What the hell happened to her from 1990 to 2003? That's a huge gap.
The speakerphone scene! What a beautifully idiosyncratic performance. There’s an alternate timeline in which Jeannie Berlin won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Margaret and I kinda want to be there.
Thanks for the podcast! I just got to it, and it was a great, lively conversation.
I first knew Eileen Heckart from that short-lived TV show, The Five Mrs. Buchanans, about a steely matriach (Heckart) and her daughters-in-law, including Beth Broderick, Judith Ivey and Harriet Sansom Harris. I remember it as a real hoo, but mostly I'll always be thankful for it for introducing me to Harriet Harris.
Yes, Shelley chewed the scenery but Eileen Heckart stole a movie from Goldie Hawn. She's funny, acerbic, touching, even hateful. But she's consistent and ultimately real, which some of the others, saddled with juiceless screenplays, simply weren't. I watched BUTTERFLIES last week and was amazed at how well it has held up. The dazzling Heckart may be why.