The Next Big Idea Daily
How Hollywood’s Biggest Flops Changed Film History
Feb 28, 2025
Tim Robey, a film critic and author of 'Box Office Poison,' dives into the dark art of Hollywood flops. He discusses how catastrophic releases like 'Queen Kelly' and the troubled production of 'Dr. Doolittle' reflect shifting industry trends. Robey highlights 'Catwoman' as a warning for female superheroes, revealing the gender biases in Hollywood. He also examines the challenges faced by creative visionaries like Charlie Kaufman in a landscape resistant to innovation. Each failure offers lessons that shape the future of filmmaking.
18:59
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Quick takeaways
- Hollywood's biggest flops, like 'Queen Kelly' and 'Dr. Doolittle', reveal crucial lessons about adapting to industry transitions and audience preferences.
- The failure of 'Catwoman' underscores systemic gender representation issues in Hollywood, impacting the future of female-led superhero films.
Deep dives
The Impact of Timing on Film Success
Films can fail due to poor timing in industry transitions, which can be exemplified by the 1929 film 'Queen Kelly.' Initially featuring silent film star Gloria Swanson, this production struggled as it was being made during the industry's shift from silent films to talkies following the success of 'The Jazz Singer.' Creative conflicts worsened the situation, resulting in an unfinished product that failed to resonate with audiences at the time of its release. This film serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to industry changes and the risks of maintaining outdated practices.
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