Talking Simpsons Bonus Holiday Podcast - What A Cartoon Movie - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Jan 15, 2025
The hosts dive into the nostalgic 1990 film, 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' celebrating its 34th anniversary. They share humorous childhood memories and analyze the film's gritty puppetry. The discussion covers the actors' struggles during filming, the cultural significance of the Turtles' love for pizza, and philosophical themes within the story. With insights into behind-the-scenes challenges, marketing partnerships, and character dynamics, the podcast wraps up by reflecting on the franchise's continued impact on pop culture.
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Steve Barron's Career
- Steve Barron directed iconic 80s music videos like Toto's Africa, Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, and A-ha's Take On Me.
- His experience with music videos and puppetry in Labyrinth led him to direct the pilot for Jim Henson's The Storyteller.
Comic Book Movie Landscape
- Comic book movies in the mid-80s were often failures, making studios hesitant to adapt TMNT.
- Eastman and Laird's insistence on creative control and a good script was crucial to the film's eventual success.
Golden Harvest's Initial Vision
- Golden Harvest, a Hong Kong studio known for Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan films, initially rejected the TMNT movie.
- They only agreed after the owner's children insisted, envisioning it as a low-budget production with stuntmen in rubber suits.
