Two Geeks and GIT

Episode 345: The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz (1939) Watch the trailer!

Our look at the 1930s wouldn't be complete without one of the biggest films perhaps ever! Technicolor was only two years old, and as the decade drew to a close, one film would sweep filmgoers off their feet and transport them, via cyclone, to a land somewhere over the rainbow. In 1939's "The Wizard of Oz," MGM Studios finally found the film they'd been looking for that would rise to the level of Disney's hit "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" two years earlier! Directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Mervyn LeRoy (with a bit of help from King Vidor), the film stars a young Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Terry the dog, and the face and voice that would give children nightmares for decades to come, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West (among other characters)! Add to that, of course, over 120 little person actors, with some surprise technicolor cinematic magic thrown in for good measure, and the first-ever soundtrack of a film released as audio recordings for audiences to purchase, and you have an epic tale that, while straying significantly from L. Frank Baum's original story, nevertheless created a cinematic experience that would be shared generation after generation! Plus, the trio reveal which two film noir classics will populate the next pairing!

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Episode 344: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Watch the trailer!

We turn to a pivotal decade in film history for this pairing! First up - 10 years after the movies learned to talk, the Walt Disney company released what everyone was sure would be a failure, so much so that they called it "Disney's Folly," but it would end up being anything but! Directed by William Cottrell, David Hand, and Wilfred Jackson, and featuring the voices of Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell, Stuart Buchanan, Eddie Collins, Pinto Colvig, Billy Gilbert, Otis Harlan, Scotty Mattraw, and Moroni Olsen, the first feature-length animated film hit screens in 1937, and became the highest grossing animated film of all time (adjusted for inflation, of course)! We're talking about 1937's Disney classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" of course! So much is yet to be common knowledge about the inspiration, development, and production of this timeless tale, but the Two Geeks and a G.I.T. trio are here to fix that!

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Episode 343: The Last Starfighter (1984)

The Last Starfighter (1984) Watch the trailer!

The second film in our salute to early CGI moves ahead two years, and light-years ahead for the technology, which was being developed as it was being used to create the special effects for 1984's "The Last Starfighter!" Directed by Nick Castle, the story follow Alex Rogan (Lance Guest), a young man trying to break out of his trailer-park maintenance-man existence and head to college far away. His mother, Jane (Barbara Bosson), his little brother Louis (Chris Hebert), and his girlfriend Maggie (Catherine Mary Stewart) all support his goals, but his only escape at the moment is playing a video game outside the park's general store. When he breaks the record on the machine, something that quickly becomes an event for the population of the park, it signals a different kind of graduation for Alex, as shortly thereafter, a strange man calling himself Centauri (Robert Preston) takes Alex on a wild ride to another planet where he's presented as a qualified "starfighter!" After intially balking, Alex eventually winds up back in outer space as the last hope for the planet Rylos, and indeed the entire galaxy! Also starring Dan O'Herlihy, Dan Mason, Normon Snow, and Vernon Washington! Plus, the trio unveil which two 1930's classics make up the next pairing!

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Episode 342: Tron (1982)

Tron (1982) Watch the trailer!

Our first pairing of 2023 is dedicated to the very early days of CGI, a.k.a. Computer-Generated Imagery, and its use in science fiction! And, wouldn't you know, Disney was at the forefront of utilizing the developing technology! Directed by Steven Lisberger, 1982's "Tron" tells the story of hot-shot computer programmer Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), former employee of ENCOM - an American multi-national software and hardware company - who is trying to find proof that ENCOM's current Executive Vice-President, Ed Dillinger (David Warner) stole his ideas for several popular video games and presented them as his own, thus cementing his current position. Flynn breaks into ENCOM with the help of his former girlfriend Lora (Cindy Morgan) and her current boyfriend Alan (Bruce Boxleitner). Alan has created a program called "TRON" that will help restore freedom to ENCOM's computer system, but needs Flynn to get it the access it needs to do so. From a terminal inside ENCOM's laser-digitization lab, Flynn comes up against the Master Control Program, guardian of the entire ENCOM system, and the MCP uses the laser to digitize Flynn and transfer him into the computer system! From there, it's a wild ride as Flynn tries to learn how things work on the other side of the screen, and what being a "User" really means! The film also stars Bernard Hughes, Dan Shor, and Peter Jurasic (of "Babylon 5" fame)!

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See what people are saying about the Two Geeks and a G.I.T. Podcast!

May 20th, 2024

"Love this pod, loved this episode. 2 film professors and their apprentice, I learn a lot every time.

Sal Mineo was the victim of a common hate crime back then. It should be mentioned that in the late sixties and 70's he was part of the gay liberation movement, it cost him jobs and eventually his life.

There ar many web pages that completely ignore this fact, it not true that he was just mugged and stabbed, my heart that is not stabbed tells me so, also it's documented in books and mentioned in some websites. The Hollywood reporter article called him a half assed actor, ICKY the hate continues, he was out in the 60's and it cost him gigs, that doesn't make him half assed.

such a sad story, but the truth should not be erased." -Dominic Nigro.

Nov 1st, 2023

"Because I was already in the middle of my self-created Shocktober Film Fest, which always ends on Halloween with ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, and I wanted to search for any podcasts which discussed it, I stumbled upon this podcast. I am impressed with both the general discussion and the knowledge of at least two of the three who teach a movie class, I think at a college. Love their choices, their coverage and their discussion. Have now already listened to at least 7 episodes (albeit at faster than normal speed), and it will be in my regular podcast rotation from now on." -shakurav1.

Mar 27th, 2023

"These guys are great to listen to. One of my favorite pods" -Ratpak2000.

Jan 11th, 2023

"Informative, interesting, and entertaining look at a lot of movies. All pods are free, unlike some reviewers out there. These reviewers have an education background and it shows in the way they express themselves, impart information about the movies as well as listen to each fellow host give their own opinions. Check out their expansive library of free film reviews, and film types paired together. Great takes on lots of genres. Thanks, guys!" -TheMatrix.

July 24th, 2021

"Just discovered. What a great movie podcast. I especially love the range of films covered. I discovered it by searching for a podcast episode talking about UHF of all movies. Any podcast that can cover comedies such as UHF, Summer School, and Spaceballs and then can just as well inform and entertain on films like City Lights, Stagecoach, and 12 Angry Men is a winner in my book. I still have many of your episodes to discover. Well done." -Mike C.

July 12th, 2021

"Had a listen, great episode guys. I am glad you like [1408] and picked it to cover as it doesnt really get talked about all that much in the sense of a must see Stephen King movie like The Shinning, Shawshank, Stand By Me etc

Without saying too much the window scene is also the one that got me good too, I love horror movies and while my wife hides behind her pillow or hits the roof with jump scares I seem motionless to most (The Ring and Jacob's Ladder aside), however this scene, first gave me shivers when he saw what he did followed instantly by a near heartache jump scare haha" -Bruce H.

June 14th, 2021

(Regarding the review of "The Shining") "Perfect" -Alton S.

Feb 18th, 2021

"As a former student of Jeff's, I was fascinated with his opionion on movies. I still have the first business card he handed me on the first day of class. Coming from three professors, I enjoy each [of] your well thought-out points of view. Not only am I learning something new about my favorite movies, but finding interests in new films. Keep up the great work geeks! (and G.I.T.)" -Joseph N.

July 16th, 2020

"Hi, I have been working through loads of classic films. Love the podcast. Would love to hear 12 Angry Men episode (my new fave classic film). Thanks" -Tom B.

Feb 18th, 2020

"Buddy does NOT talk too much. But Chad does! Just kidding - great show as always!" -Tim J.

November 4th, 2019

"Hey 3 x G's!
Love your podcast! And since you ask for suggestions about movies to be put on the show, I have to give my two cents, about some movies that I love, and would love hear your views on:

Tootsie (1982)
Amadeus (1984)
Pleasantville (1998)
Zathura - A Space Adventure

Thanks for all the reviews! 🙂" -Frederik T.

Sept 19th, 2019

"Hi guys, love the podcast. Have you thought about doing a podcast on PTA’s ‘Boogie Nights’. Maybe ‘There Will Be Blood’ too. Would love to hear your thoughts. Keep up the good work." -Steve M.