Spice World!

Dec 15, 2023

The podcast discusses the making of the Spice Girls movie 'Spice World' and its unique vision. They explore the portrayal of the Spice Girls in the film and the inclusion of cameo roles by celebrities. They also discuss the unapologetically British nature of the movie and its nostalgic appeal, contrasting it with the complexities of the present day.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

The Making of 'Spice World' and Kim Fuller's Niche

02:08 • 2min

Portrayal of the Spice Girls in 'Spice World' movie

03:55 • 2min

Discussion on the Britishness and Reception of 'Spice World!'

06:06 • 3min

The Nostalgic Appeal of 'Spice World'

09:18 • 3min

At the height of the ‘Cool Britannia’ craze, the Spice Girls released their first movie, ‘Spice World’, with a glittering premiere at the Empire Leicester Square, on 15th December, 1997. Geri, Emma, Victoria, Mel B, and Mel C donned pinstripe suits with boosted cleavage; attendees included the Prince of Wales; and their on-screen co-stars included Meat Loaf, Richard E Grant, Roger Moore, and Elton John.

The film, made for a budget of just $5m and with a production schedule of just one year, had been written by Kim Fuller, who drew inspiration from The Beatles’ "A Hard Day's Night", infusing the sketches that formed the screenplay with self-knowing British humour.

In this episode, Arion (WHO WAS AT THE AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE, WHAT?!), Rebecca and Olly consider whether a movie like ‘Spice World’ could still be made today; explain how the internet came to the rescue when it came to filming at the Albert Hall; and marvel at the eccentric characterisation of its five key protagonists…

Further Reading:

• ‘‘We ran out of parts for people’: How Spice World became the ‘must be in’ movie of the Nineties’ (The Independent, 2022):

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/spice-girls-spice-world-movie-songs-b2251622.html

• ’Inside the Absolutely Impossible, Iconic ‘Spice World’ Bus, 25 Years Later’ (Vanity Fair, 2023): https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/01/inside-spice-world-bus-25-years-later

• ‘Spice World: The Movie (U.S. Trailer)’ (Columbia Pictures, 1997): (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmSBtOHzGPM

#90s #Film #Music #UK

We'll be back on Monday - unless you join 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴, where we give you ad-free listening AND a full-length Sunday episode every week!

Plus, weekly bonus content, unlock over 70 bonus bits, and support our independent podcast.

Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!

The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices