The Video Archives Podcast with Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary

Jacqueline Coley (awards editor for Rotten Tomatoes) joins Roger & Quentin as they unlock the secrets of Billy Wilder’s The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes! Holmes & Watson take on the strange case of a beautiful woman whose husband has vanished, leading them on a journey of ballerinas, canaries, and even the Loch Ness Monster. Join the trio as they discuss Jacqueline’s love for Wilder, Watson’s role in the film, and what this movie meant for Wilder’s career and the wider scope of cinema. Next, we travel to The Light At The Edge Of The World. Violent pirates execute a plan to force ships to run aground, pillaging their wrecks; a lone member of the lighthouse crew survives to fight their devious plot. Quentin, Roger & Jacqueline discuss despicable but captivating villains, Jules Verne’s original story, and lines you just shouldn’t cross. Lastly, a band of thugs who’ve robbed a casino hide in a villa owned by a wealthy industrialist and his family in René Cardona Jr.’s Hostages. The Video Archives crew talk about bang for your buck, a war against the upper class, and the original trailers on the Paragon Home Video tape. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Quentin and Roger enter the world of fashion with Lamont Johnson’s revenge-a-matic Lipstick! A fashion model is raped by her sister’s music teacher - after she takes him to court, she finds that she’ll have to take justice into her own hands. We’ll discuss the genius of casting real-life sisters Margaux and Mariel Hemingway, as well as the intensity a score can bring to a film. Next, we jump into the ring with Carl Reiner’s Henry Winkler vehicle The One And Only. Andy Schmidt is a larger-than-life college student with dreams of becoming an actor, but when he finally makes it to New York, he finds that no one respects his talent - that is, until he accidentally invents show wrestling. Quentin & Roger quote their favorite lines from the film and discuss exceptional performances from Winkler and Kim Darby. Finally, we wade into the canals of Venice Beach to find Slithis (or Spawn Of The Slithis, depending on who you ask.) A nuclear leak has created a sea monster who terrorizes pets, winos and hippies, leading a high school journalism teacher to solve the mystery. The Video Archives crew talk about the importance of film as a time capsule, and the art of filling a film’s world with unique characters. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

This week, Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary discuss one film and one film alone: Bob Fosse’s Star 80. In 1980, Playboy Playmate of the Year Dorothy Stratten was murdered by her boyfriend Paul Snider. Three years later, Star 80 was released, a sensational retelling of Stratten’s story that hit too close to home for some. Roger and Quentin have a serious, personal discussion on differentiating fact from fiction, a tour-de-force performance from Eric Roberts, and how Dorothy Stratten touched the hearts of many through the silver screen. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Quentin, Roger and Eli Roth continue their exploration of American Giallo with one of Eli’s favorite films, 1976’s Alice, Sweet Alice. When Alice’s sister Karen is found brutally murdered in a church, suspicions turn towards Alice - but could a 12-year-old girl really be the killer? The group talks about the role that religion plays in giallo, how director Alfred Sole pulled off a period piece on a budget, and how the identity of the villain is just too good to spoil. Wrapping things up in a bow, let’s all sing Happy Birthday To Me. Virginia is about to celebrate her 18th birthday, but before she can throw her party, her friends are killed off one by one. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, this film features amazing gags, unique kills, and one of the most gut-wrenching brain surgery scenes you’ll ever see. Make sure you RSVP; it’ll be a killer party. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Quentin, Roger and guest customer Eli Roth (director of Hostel and Cabin Fever) kick off our first themed series: American Giallo! After outlining their thoughts on the genre, they start with Brian De Palma’s Dressed To Kill. A mysterious tall blonde woman wearing sunglasses murders a psychiatrist’s patient, and now she’s after the prostitute who witnessed it. Quentin, Roger and Eli talk about how the villainous Bobbi affected them, discuss the controversy surrounding the film, and reveal how the story changed from script to screen. Next, we’ll look through Irvin Kershner’s Eyes Of Laura Mars. A famous fashion photographer develops a disturbing ability to see through the eyes of a killer. The hosts discuss strange plot devices, read excerpts from interviews that shed light on the true history of the film, and hear how Eli would have rewritten the ending. Tune in next week for the conclusion of this two part episode, with Alice Sweet Alice and Happy Birthday To Me! PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Take a trip to Boston Memorial Hospital for Michael Crichton’s Coma! People are falling into comas after routine procedures, and it’s up to one doctor to uncover the mystery. Roger & Quentin discuss the main character overcoming chauvinistic expectations, and go in-depth on Crichton’s talents as a writer and director. Next, travel to the streets of Philly for Elaine May’s Mikey & Nicky. A small-time bookie has stolen mob money and is in hiding; the only person he can depend on is his childhood friend. A tale with a supreme split and reversal, Roger & Quentin unravel the mystery of why Elaine May chose to make this film. Lastly, we’ll travel down the river with Joe Dante’s Piranha, discussing how big studios diving into the exploitation market affected that genre, and the unique balance between comedy and humanity that Dante brings to a movie. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Quentin and Roger earn the right to take revenge in The One Armed Executioner! An Interpol agent is out for vengeance against the gangsters that cut off his arm and killed his bride. The crew discuss the palpable on-screen connection between stars Franco Guerrero and Jody Kay, the artful sound design of this film, and the trailers packaged with the Paragon Home Video tape. Next up: in Welcome To Blood City, five strangers wake up with no memory in a world that resembles the Wild West. If they can kill twenty other people, they’ll become immortal. Quentin & Roger talk about how the great Jack Palance carries the film, how Keir Dullea breaks his typecasting, and how this premise could easily be remade today.  Lastly, in 1976’s Blind Rage, five friends get together and decide to rob a bank. The catch? All five men are blind. Roger & Quentin discuss the film’s unique heist planning sequence and never-before-seen gadgets. It’s all going down at the International House Of Pancakes on the Video Archives Podcast! PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Join Roger Avary and Quentin Tarantino as they fall deep into the stories of The Illustrated Man! Two tramps meet on the side of the road; one of their bodies is almost completely covered in tattoos—er, skin illustrations. Quentin & Roger discuss the differences between the book and the movie, an unexpected canine star, and how a Rod Steiger performance can elevate a film. Next up, Claude Chabrol’s Dirty Hands, featuring another amazing Rod Steiger performance, Roger & Quentin refuse to ruin the ending of this one, and with its Hitchcockian connections and unexpected performances, you’ll be happy you didn’t get spoiled.  Finishing this episode is Alfredo Zacarias’s Demonoid: Messenger Of Death, in which a woman and her husband unearth an ancient curse, a demon that takes control of your left hand. Featuring lots of gags and amazing effects, this film will keep you entertained from its explosive start to its fulfilling end. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Roger & Quentin travel deep into Bavaria to unlock Michael Mann’s The Keep! Originally running at 210 minutes, Mann’s second film was notoriously cut down to half that length. Your hosts discuss their excitement at the time for Mann’s rise as a director, his influence on future filmmakers, and where it all went wrong. Next, join us at the museum as we dig into Peter Hyams’ 1997 film The Relic! A monster movie mystery, Quentin & Roger pick apart the lore of the film and discuss if rules really matter when you’re having fun. This movie picks up in the third act, and you’ll have to come along for the ride to see how it ends.  Lastly, fill up a cup of Joe and board the Cafe Express, a charming 80s Italian comedy starring Nino Manfredi. Be ready to laugh, be ready to cry, and be ready to fight against Italian bureaucracy, one cup of coffee at a time. PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Blast off to outer space with Roger and Quentin as they go toe to toe on Moonraker! Heavily influenced by the science fiction craze in the wake of Star Wars, Moonraker is one of the most polarizing Bond films of all time. Pick a side as Roger and Quentin debate Bond villains that hit too close to home, baddies that turn into goodies, and Roger Moore’s Bond. Next, we’ll return to Earth with Clint Eastwood’s 1982 film Firefox. The Soviets have developed a new jet fighter called Firefox, and only one man is up for the job of stealing the plane before it’s used as a first strike weapon. Quentin and Roger think in Russian as they talk about fantastic use of exposition, the bankrupting of Russia, and how PTSD is used to shape character and story. And just as a treat, they’ll wrap up with a spoiler-free discussion of Peter Maris’s 1979 film Delirium. Trust us, you won’t want to look up this film before you watch it! PATREON MERCH TWITTER INSTAGRAM You can also write us a question by sending a letter to The Video Archives Podcast, 1014 South Westlake Boulevard, Suite #14-1328, Westlake Village, CA 91361.