August 14

The Terminator – A SIDE-CAST UPDATE, 1984

Dion Baia and J. Blake continue in their impromptu summer Side-Casts series, this time around returning to a classic and doing a supplement edition for The Terminator, from 1984. They dive into the original novelization, (which they had not read for their original podcast episode that covered this iconic film). The boys also expand their discussion of the Brad Fiedel soundtrack, utilizing interviews Blake has done with the legendary composer. Blake and Dion highlight tidbits from the novel that add a lot of dimensions to the characters, and unpack the elements of the fabulous Fiedel score- even chatting about the three pop songs supplied by the pop rock group, Tahnee Cain & Tryanglz. It’s all going down on this special, surprise edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

EXTRAS!

Check out this article by Adam Grove at the Bedlam Files of the differences between the two different Terminator novelizations.

Have a listen to the original podcast the boys did on The Terminator.

May 13

The Black Hole – The SIDE-CAST UPDATE, 1979

The boys are back, for a quick *new* special, revisiting a cult classic, Disney’s The Black Hole, from 1979!

The Black Hole, 1979

Dion Baia and J. Blake are dropping a brand new add-on to their 2015 podcast on this iconic film. They’ve now read the Alan Dean Foster novelization, the Jack Kirby comic newspaper strip translation, and the Whitman comic book adaptation– which also goes Beyond the Black Hole. The fellas learned a crap load more that answer a lot of questions they posed in their 2015 episode, and even see what supposedly happened once crew of the Palomino passed through the black hole! They also go deeper into the John Barry’s soundtrack and the journey to get it reissued and remastered. Come on down for this special companion piece ‘update‘ on an all new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

*Dion at one point referred to Robert Forester as William Forester… his apologies.

Extras!

Check out the Jack Kirby Comic Strip Adaptation!

Here’s the full 4 issue Whitman comic book translate, which continues once they go Beyond the Black Hole!

March 13

Darby O’Gill and the Little People, 1959

Welcome back to another exciting edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers ! J. Blake and Dion Baia are throwing up an episode a week early to coincide with the Saint Patrick Day holiday, and to surprise and celebrate a film that’s been on the boy’s short-list since the inception of the SNMS podcast– the 1959 Walt Disney classic, Darby O’Gill and the Little People!

After some present giving, Dion and Blake jump right in, unpacking this epic masterpiece. They discuss the 1959 Magical World of Disney Television episode, I Captured the King of the Leprechauns, where Walt Disney and Irish actor Pat O’Brien venture to Ireland as a setup to convince King Brian Connor of the Leprechauns to star in Mr. Disney‘s big budget Hollywood film. This incredible marketing ploy, along with the astounding Special Effects which used a combination of matte painting and forced perceptive, came together to create one of the best fantasy movies of all time with effects that still hold up some 60+ years later. So settle in and listen to the lads take a journey to County Kerry, Ireland and visit their old mate, Darby O’Gill, on this much requested Saint Patrick’s Day installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

EXTRAS!

Recently found, check out an article about what was thought to be a lost performance of the 1957 BBC television version of Requiem of a Heavyweight, starring Sean Connery.

Here is the trailer for the 1959 Magical World of Disney television episode of I Captured the King of the Leprechauns, starring Walt Disney, which was a behind the scenes journey of going to Ireland and meeting Darby O’Gill, and King Brian, to get his leprechaun film made.

September 20

Superman II, 1980

Welcome back to another episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! J. Blake and Dion Baia are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the podcast and after wrapping up the critically acclaimed 2019 Summer of Sequels, the boys figured they’d perform an encore to close out the season! And what better way to celebrate their anniversary then by exploring the iconic and legendary superhero sequel Superman II, from 1980!

Dion and Blake unpack the lengthy history of the Superman character, and do their best to lay out the timeline of lawsuits by creators Siegel and Shuster in their attempt to regain the rights to the character they created. The fellas then segue to Superman II and discuss the tension while filming the incredible sequel, and compare and contrast the different cuts of this film, juxtaposing the theatrical cut, to the television cut and the notorious Donner Cut. And Dion relays his fun Dean Cain story as well. So it’s a fun, fact-filled and lengthy, high-flying anniversary-installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

Please go check out this week’s sponsor, KEEPS!

(*At one point Dion accidentally referred to Sarah Douglas as Susannah Douglas– his apologies.)

Extras!

For those who didn’t know the reference, here is the 1980s toy, MUSCLE Men.

Here’s Blake having some fun with them, HERE, and HERE.

Check out the footage from the 1984 television cut, that didn’t make the theatrical or Donner Cuts of the film.

July 26

The Wizard of Oz, 1939 & The Return to Oz, 1985 Double Feature

Welcome back to another all new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ Summer of Sequels! This week J. Blake and Dion Baia are getting crazy with the cheese whiz, and doing an epic double-feature! They’re taking on a film that has been called the most watched movie of all time, the MGM 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, AND its unofficial Disney sequel which has now become a cult classic, The Return to Oz, from 1985!

In their longest running podcast to date, Dion and Blake attempt to do this massive topic some justice. On the 100th anniversary of author L. Frank Baum’s death, they discuss the original book published in 1900; the fellas unpack the 1939 MGM movie that turned 80 this year; and analyze the 1985 film which people deemed too dark and scary for a Disney film, even though it was the closest rendition of the Baum material to date. They chart what is faithful to Baum‘s original work and the incredible impact his book series has had on the world. So you better hit the bathroom now and do some stretching, because this is gonna be a long one as the boys ‘ease on down that yellowbrick road with Dorothy, in an all new exciting, hilarious and informative edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

*(Okay, with a podcast this long, the boys are bound to misspeak: They accidentally referred to the 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as The Wonderful World of Oz. They regret the error. Also, Dion misspoke when bringing up Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre, calling it Shelley Winters’ Faerie Tale Theatre-which would be a completely different thing; Dion also accidentally referred to Jack Haley as the Cowardly Lion when discussing the make-up scars on Bert Lahr‘s face; and, when mentioning Deanna Durbin‘s 1945 film Lady on the Train, Dion called it The Stranger on the Train– his apologies.)

Extras!

Check the 1980 Thanksgiving animated Special, called Dorothy In The Land of Oz.

Have a listen to the LUX Radio Show presentation of The Wizard of Oz, from 12/25/50, with Judy Garland reprising her role as Dorothy Gale.

Take a look at the official trailer to the documentary Remembering Return to Oz, which seems to be still a work in progress.

And follow the show on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram…@satsleepovers!

July 12

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 1984

Welcome back to another epic edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ 2019 Summer of Sequels! And this week Blake and Dion are covering a true epic, the 1984 Steven Spielberg / Harrison Ford classic, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom !

The boys jump right into unpacking the multiple layers of this groundbreaking installment in the Indiana Jones series. They layout the backstory infused within the novelization. Dion and Blake also discuss the surrounding events and controversy (before and after) that this film generated, and connect and analyze the similarities Temple of Doom shares with the 1939 classic, Gunga Din. Plus, they sneak in their hilarious Harrison Ford story. So grab your popcorn and Indy voodoo dolls because Anything Goes as the fellas head all the way to Asia in an all new, massive and comprehensive installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

Extras!

Teased at the very end of the podcast, check out this recently unearthed onset practical joke that Spielberg pulled on Harrison Ford that involved cameos from Barbara Streisand, Carrie Fisher and legendary director Irvin Kershner!

Check out this original 1984 making-of short on the production of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

May 31

Terminator 2: Judgement Day, 1991

Welcome to Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ 2019 Summer of Sequels! To open up the season, J. Blake and Dion Baia figured they’d kick start the summer with an absolute classic, and a film that is not only considered one of the best sequels of all time, but also revolutionized the movie industry. This week the boys are talking about the James Cameron epic, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, from 1991!

Dion and Blake unpack this masterpiece and put into context, just how big of an event this was when this movie was released in 1991. They discuss the Guns N’ Roses “You Could Be Mine” music video, the Kenner Toys and trading cards, the Universal Studios Park 3D Ride, and the film’s breathtaking CGI. They also utilize the novelizations for both Terminator 2 and the original Terminator, breaking down the extra layers of story that were developed within both. So make sure you secure your Time Displacement Equipment, because Blake and Dion are sending themselves back to 1991 in this all new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

*(During the podcast Dion referred to the limited run 1990 comic book series Terminator: The Burning Earth as being published by Dark Horse Comics, when was actually NOW Comics.)

Extras:

Check out the Guns N’ Roses “You Could Be Mine” music video that showed footage from the movie, and had Arnold in it as well!

And take a look at this promo made for the VHS release, starring Robert Patrick as the T-1000!

May 17

Assault on Precinct 13, 1976

Welcome back to another exciting edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! This week J. Blake and Dion Baia are back, and opening up the Spring/Summer season up with a classic, a debut [of sorts] from a director who went on to become sleepover royalty. The boys are tackling John Carpenter‘s thriller, Assault on Precinct 13, from 1976!

Dion and Blake discuss their history with this film and the horrifying and controversial aspects it presents, and unpack the various influences on John Carpenter that helped him pen and direct this terrifying genre film. They also talk about the groundbreaking soundtrack, and the various inspirations it drew from. Plus, the lads make their big summer announcement! It’s all going down in this episode, so keep an eye out when you visit your local ice cream trucks because anything can happen on an all new Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

And we would like to thank this week’s sponsor, Keeps!

April 19

The Craft, 1996

Welcome to an all new episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! Dion Baia and J. Blake this week to take a deep dive into another 90’s cult classic, a film that has become a favorite for more than two generations of ladies. The boys are hanging out in 1996 again this go-around, with the Wiccan horror/cautionary tale, The Craft !

Blake and Dion make some bold admissions, revealing neither one had seen this film all the way through, and discuss being Craft-virgins for this true “sleepover movie” experience, and most importantly, how much they loved it. The fellas unpack the connections to witchcraft and Wicca in cinema and society of the era, and the legions of fans The Craft has earned. They analyze the stars involved and the hefty soundtrack The Craft touts as well. So come on down and grab a seat as the boys delve into the dark arts this week, in another all new exciting and hilarious edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

Extras:

Check out this 1996 behind the scenes featurette with Fairuza Balk chatting about The Craft!

Have a look at these deleted scenes from The Craft!

Take a listen to this fabulous soundtrack to The Craft!

March 8

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, 1985

Welcome back to another enthralling edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! J. Blake and Dion Baia stay up late this week to chat about an iconic character and movie from their youth, Pee-Wee Herman and his cult classic 1985 film helmed by Tim Burton, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.

The boys talk about bike riding, theater-movie going, and the arcade game playing of their youth, as they reminisce about being kids in another era. They unpack the history of Paul ReubensPee-Wee Herman character and inception, the 1981 HBO Special, and what led to a Warner Brothers movie deal. They go over Tim Burton‘s early work at Disney and how he and composer Danny Elfman were serendipitously paired with Reubens to collaborate on the 1985 movie. Dion and Blake also delve into Pee-Wee‘s late 80’s career–the groundbreaking and Emmy Award winning CBS Saturday Morning show Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, and what led up to his notorious arrest and fall out; and his ultimate transition beyond and back to Pee-Wee Herman. It’s a very fun, sentimental and exciting, all new episode of Saturday Night Movie Sleepover!

Extras!

Check out Blake’s 2016 pictures of Pee-Wee‘s suit and bike, as well as the house used in the 1985 film!

Have a listen to Blake’s interview with composer John Massari on the latest episode of Scored to Death: The Podcast.

As discussed in the cast, take a look at the amazing mountain climbing TV movie from 1980, High Ice, starring David Janssen and Tony Musante, courtesy of YouTube.

Also discussed on this week’s episode, check out the forgotten gem The Wizard of Speed and Time, also courtesy of YouTube.

January 25

Galaxy Quest, 1999

Welcome to another brand new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! This week J. Blake and Dion Baia are celebrating a movie that’s turning 20 this year and has become a cult classic for many. The boys are going into space this go-around with the sci-fi comedy epic, Galaxy Quest, from 1999!

Dion and Blake also have named this one the “tangent” episode, as the fellas go off on some left turns, discussing seeing this in the theater together back in the day, what other films they’ve seen together, Star Trek, After School Specialsamong other things. They laugh about the layers of comedy within Quest and the brilliant casting and the obvious (and not so obvious) nods to the Star Trek franchise and its fans. It’s a celebration of multiple proportions this week as the boys explore the mysteries of the Thermian’s Omega 13 device in an all new, hilarious and informative installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

Extras!

Check out the deleted scenes of Galaxy Quest!

As discussed in the podcast, go read up on the fan-made series that premiered in 2004 called Star Trek New Voyages Phase II.

Go watch Star Trek New Voyages Phase II ‘s sequel to the Star Trek TOS episode, “The Doomsday Machine“, entitled “In Harm’s Way“.

January 11

Willow, 1988

Welcome to an all new 2019 edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! J. Blake and Dion Baia are kicking off the season with a fantasy classic, a movie which has collected a huge cult following over the years. The boys are chatting the George Lucas and Ron Howard epic, Willow, from 1988!

Dion and J. Blake reminiscence about this movie gem, discussing their history with it and the other fantasy films of the era that populated the genre. They talk about George Lucas and his influence in creating the story and working hand and hand with Ron Howard, to see this project to fruition, and the giant leap in CGI Effects, courtesy of ILM and SFX legend Dennis Muren; revolutionizing the “morphing” effects which played significant roles in many blockbusters of the late 1980’s and 1990’s. So come on and take a seat, as the fellas kick off a fun, informative and hilarious brand new installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!

Extras!

Take a look at this vintage trailer for Willow!

Check out this behind the scenes 1988 featurette discussing Willow!

Here’s a great 2013 interview with Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer!

December 21

Emmet Otter’s Jug~Band Christmas , 1977

Welcome to another Holiday Edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers! To close out 2018 J. Blake and Dion Baia are showcasing a cult Christmas classic that is getting some much-deserved love in recent years. They’re tackling the Jim Henson holiday classic, Emmet Otter’s Jug~Band Christmas, from 1977!

The boys lovingly unpack this once lost holiday gem that is celebrating its 40th anniversary in ‘the states’ this year. Dion and Blake utilize the original 1971 source book by Russell and Lillian Hoban for reference, and can’t hold back their utter amazement at the technical prose of the Jim Henson team and the unbridled magic they are able to create. Mixed with the genius that is Paul Williams and his music, they layout a Christmas Special that may have more film cuts than Blade Runner. So come pull up a chair and a have a listen as the boys grab their Mom’s washtub and head down to Waterville and Frogtown Hollow, on an all new holiday installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers

Extras!

Please go listen to J. Blake‘s 2014 Blues album, When You Coming Home?, as discussed in this week’s episode. 

Here’s Dion with Paul Williams when they met at an Emmet Otter event in Queens, in December 2018.

Check out these hilarious outtakes from the 1977-78 Christmas Special!

Have a listen to this amazing soundtrack, which has been released for the first time this year, showcasing the genius that is Paul Williams.

Here’s an unused song from the special, written for the meek Music Store Owner, titled Born in a Trunk!

Lastly, take a look at this stirring rendition of the song “When the River Meets the Sea“, song by Jerry Nelson and Louise Gold at Jim Henson’s Memorial Service.

October 26

Suspiria, 1977

Welcome to week 4 of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ 2018 October Halloween Horror Movie Extravangza! Dion Baia and J. Blake are rounding out the month with some Italian cinema, featuring what has been called the quintessential film from the director some call the “Italian Hitchcock“… Dario Argento and his masterpiece, Suspiria, from 1977!

Susperia

Blake and Dion unpack this vast topic, discussing Dario Argento‘s relationship with Daria Nicolodi and their collaboration that gave us Suspiria. The boys discuss the historical elements that influenced the story, like English essayist Thomas De Quincey’s poem that outlined “our lady’s of sorrow“, and Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner‘s principles that molded what became Argento‘s Three Mothers Trilogy. And they cover Goblin‘s massive score for this film and their partnership with the acclaimed director. It’s an intense, Italian-themed installment to close our 2018‘s epic October Halloween Horror Month Extravaganza, on an all new edition of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers!  We’d also like to thank you sponsors this week, TiVo (use PROMO CODE SAT20 to save 20% off your order) and Hello Fresh (use PROMO CODE SAT60 to save $60 off your order)!

Extras!

Check out Blake‘s book, Scored to Death: Conversations with Some of Horror’s Biggest Composers to continue to learn about music in the horror genre.

Have a listen to the fabulous and legendary Goblin soundtrack for Suspiria.

Take a look at this great documentary on Suspiria, called A Sigh From the Depths.

And to hear more about actor Pat Hingle‘s near fatal elevator shaft fall, read this article.

October 12

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, 1994

Welcome back to week two of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ October Halloween Horror Movie ExtravaganzaJ. Blake and Dion Baia are celebrating the 200th anniversary of a book that set a standard and changed history forever. That’s right, the boys are talking Mary Shelley’s legendary debut novel Frankenstein, and tackling the Kenneth Branagh epic, his Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, from 1994!

Mary Shelleys Frankenstein

Dion and Blake discuss Ms. Shelley‘s background and circumstances surrounding her penning the 1818 classic, and the decisions Branagh made in the director’s chair as to include (for the first time) portions from the novel that had been previously omitted from other film adaptations. They analyze the 1994 movie, covering some of the aspects that made his version so polarizing for some. So be prepared as the boys bring you back to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution and the 1990’s gothic revival, in an all new installment of Saturday Night Movie Sleepovers’ October Horror Movie Extravaganza!

Extras:

Have a read of the original masterpiece that started it all, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein!

Take a look at the Robert DeNiro Frankenstein vinyl model that was produced in 1994!

Take a listen to Part 1 of a 1955 Suspense! radio play of Frankenstein!

And of course, take a listen to Part 2!