Ellen Albertini Dow – This Had Oscar Buzz

All January we’ll be doing a series we call Patreon Selects with episodes chosen by members of our sponsor-level tier on Patreon (and they’ll be sharing their Oscar origin stories too)! First up is 1992’s megasmash musical comedy Sister Act! Originally designed as a showcase for Bette Midler, the film became a starring vehicle for Whoopi Goldberg hot off of her Oscar win for Ghost. With Whoopi as an on-the-run lounge singer who hides out in a convent and turns the church’s choir into a sensation, the film won the affection of audiences but not an Academy with a tricky relationship with comedy.

This episode, we talk about Whoopi’s career from theatre breakthrough to movie star to Oscar host. We also talk about Dame Maggie Smith’s two Oscar wins, the career of writer Paul Rudnick (who took his name off the film), and the divine Mary Wickes.

Topics also include Hook, Nuns Having Fun, and the MTV Movie Awards.

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1998 was a brief moment in time of Studio 54 nostalgia, thanks in part to this week’s film. Starring Mike Myers chasing prestige in a dramatic role as clubowner Steve Rubell, 54 took an inside look at the notorious, celeb-packed New York City nightclub from the eyes of a fictional bartender played by Ryan Phillippe. But no amount of modern day stars could transcend the film’s poor reviews and box office, leaving Myers’ awards hopes forgotten before the season ultimately started.

One of the many films retooled by Harvey Scissorhands, the film suffered extensive reshoots and resulted in a final film that removed its queer content and failed to capture what made this disco such a cultural flashpoint. This episode, we discuss the differences between the theatrical version and the director’s cut, along with the 1998 Best Supporting Actor race that resulted in a surprise win for James Coburn and the period’s other cases for comic actors going dramatic.

Topics also include rapping grandma Ellen Albertini Dow, the impact of Phillippe’s onscreen butt flashings, and Behind the Music.

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Tag: Ellen Albertini Dow

270 – Sister Act (Patreon Selects)

116 – 54