May 13, 2025 • 20 mins
Back to the Future: The Podcast
Produced and Hosted by Brad Gilmore
July 3rd, 1985 — the day a little time travel movie produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Robert Zemeckis changed cinema forever. Back to the Future hit theaters and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. This podcast dives deep into the world of Back to the Future — exploring the trilogy’s unforgettable characters, iconic moments, hidden details, and behind-the-scenes stories that helped make it one of the greatest film franchises of all time. So buckle in, make sure your flux capacitor is... fluxing, and enjoy the 88 mile-per-hour adventure through time.
🎉 Order the new expanded edition of Brad Gilmore’s book — Why We Love Back to the Future
Back to the Future: The Podcast is independently produced and presented by Brad Gilmore. This program is not affiliated with the Back to the Future franchise and is intended solely for entertainment and documentary purposes. All views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not reflect the opinions of any other entity or sponsor. This show respects the intellectual property rights of Universal Pictures and all creators of Back to the Future.
Produced and Hosted by Brad Gilmore
July 3rd, 1985 — the day a little time travel movie produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Robert Zemeckis changed cinema forever. Back to the Future hit theaters and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. This podcast dives deep into the world of Back to the Future — exploring the trilogy’s unforgettable characters, iconic moments, hidden details, and behind-the-scenes stories that helped make it one of the greatest film franchises of all time. So buckle in, make sure your flux capacitor is... fluxing, and enjoy the 88 mile-per-hour adventure through time.
🎉 Order the new expanded edition of Brad Gilmore’s book — Why We Love Back to the Future
Back to the Future: The Podcast is independently produced and presented by Brad Gilmore. This program is not affiliated with the Back to the Future franchise and is intended solely for entertainment and documentary purposes. All views expressed are those of the host and guests and do not reflect the opinions of any other entity or sponsor. This show respects the intellectual property rights of Universal Pictures and all creators of Back to the Future.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
This is Bob Gail, co creator Back to the Future,
and you're listening to Brad Gilmore.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Okay, it's great, Marten.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
You can't be just such a bat to the future. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I know you did send me back to the future,
but I'm back. I'm back from the future.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Right Gosh, f are you telling me that you built
the time machine.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
The way I see it?
Speaker 1 (00:33):
If you're gonna build a time machine, why not doing
some style?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Everybody. Welcome back to Back to the Future of the podcast,
the only podcast looking back in time. It's great field
trilogy of all time Back to the Future. I'm your
friend and Tom Brad Gilmartin. I'm also joined by my
AI co host with the most Juniper Junifer. What's the word?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Hey there, Brad, It's great to be here.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
We've got an also show lined up today, diving into
more back to the future. Goodness, let's get this time
machine rolling.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
We're gonna get the time machine rolling, Juniper, because this
is a kind of a theoretical podcast again, because one
of the things that I have always kicked around were
some questions about Back to the Future that I thought,
you know, may have been good for the book, but
maybe I could just have a podcast about them now.
Full disclosure, the reason why this is a pontificated podcast
(01:31):
is because I'm gonna use Juniper, my AI co host
with the most to help me find these answers. I
do not know, and Juniper, you cannot say with certainty
that these answers are correct. I know certain people who
know these answers, but I'd like to play around with
them first, see if we can figure it out, and
then maybe down the line we can confirm them or not.
(01:53):
What do you think about that, Juniper, I think.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That's a fantastic idea. It'll be a lot of fun
to dive into these theories and brainstorm together, and who knows,
we might stumble upon some pretty intriguing insights along the way.
Let's get the Dolorean revved up and see where these
questions take us.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So I'm always been fascinated with names in general. Last
year I had to sit down and interview with Kevin
Costner and we were talking about his movie Horizon and
American Saga Part One, which I really really liked. I
wish he did better at the box office because it's
a really good movie, and one thing about his character
his name was Hayes Ellison, and it just sounded like
(02:35):
one of the great cinematic Western heroes of all time.
And I remember asking where did the name come from?
So I want to play a little bit of a
name game, and Judifer, you can tell me if you
know the answers to these questions or not. I've always
thought Marty McFly is one of the coolest names in
cinematic history. Do you know the origins of the name
Marty McFly? Where did it come from? How did it happen?
(02:57):
Give me everything that you possibly know in all your
artificial intelligence glory.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
The name Marty McFly was crafted by Bob Gail, the
co writer of Back to the Future. He's mentioned a
couple of inspirations behind the name. The first name, Marty
was inspired by a real life friend of Gail and
Robert Zamechis from their usc film school days, named Marty Klein.
They thought the name had a relatable everyman quality to it.
(03:28):
The surname McFly was chosen because it sounded quirky, memorable,
and distinctly American. It's been noted that Gail might have
heard the name from a production crew member on another project.
And thought it had the perfect ring to it. The
combination of Marty and McFly gave the character a unique,
catchy and iconic name that stands out in cinematic history.
(03:50):
It's one of those names that just feels right for
a time traveling teenager from the eighties. Anything else you
want to dig into about Marty or other character names?
Speaker 2 (03:59):
So? Is is McFly a real last name that's an
actual surname? Yes?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
McFly is actually a real surname, though it's quite rare.
It has Scottish origins and is believed to be an
anglicized version of the Gaelic name mac flowick, which roughly
means son of the reddish one. While it's not a
common surname, it does exist and has been documented in
some historical records.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
The Back to the Future.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Movies certainly brought it into the spotlight, making it a
household name, even if it wasn't widely known before.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Pretty cool how a rare name became so iconic, right?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, very cool? Very cool. So, mickfly means the son
of the red some maybe like the red head, like
Irish people.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
The term son of the reddish one likely referred to
someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion, which is
pretty common in Scottish and Irish heritage, so McFly would
have originally meant something like descendant of the red hair one.
Names like that often started as descriptive nicknames that eventually
turned into family names.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
It adds a neat layer of.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Depth to Marty McFly's character, especially considering his Irish ancestry
hinted at in the films.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, they go into them. Back to the Future poret
three Lorraine, I mean Maggie McFly and Seamus McFly of course,
and Back to the Future Part three. I've just had
a curiosity this off back to the future for one second.
My last name is Gilmour. What is the origin of Gilmour?
What does it mean and where did it come from?
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
The surname Gilmore has Scottish and Irish origins. It's derived
from the Gaelic name mac Gillimore or mac Gillamoury, which
means servant of the Virgin Mary or devotee of Mary.
Over time, the name was anglicized into forms like Gilmore
and Gilmore. Historically, it was a name associated with religious
(05:53):
devotion and service, and over centuries it became a common
surname in both Scotland and Ireland, eventual spreading to other
parts of the world. Pretty cool to see how these
names carry a bit of history and meaning with them.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
That is really cool. Okay, so there's another character's name
that I'm curious about, and that's Biff Tannin, which Biff
Tannan sounds like the ultimate movie villain, the ultimate bad guy.
Where does the name Biff Tannan come from?
Speaker 3 (06:20):
If you know, absolutely, Biff Tannin is an iconic villain name.
Bob Gail has explained that the name Biff Tannin was
inspired by a real life person named Ned Tannin, who
was a Universal Pictures executive. Tannon had a reputation for
being a tough studio head, and Gail used that as
inspiration for the character's name. The first name Biff was
(06:43):
chosen because it has a punchy, old school bully vibe
to it. It's reminiscent of classic tough guy nicknames from
mid twentieth century pop culture, which fit perfectly with the
character's persona. So Bif Tannin is basically a combination of
a punchy, memorable first name and no to a real
life Hollywood executive who made an impression on the writers.
(07:04):
It definitely sounds like the ultimate bad guy name, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
It does? Now. Biff was also the name of like
some great literary character, right, Biff Lowman? I believe it was?
Or do you know what I'm talking about?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Bith Lohman is a character from Arthur Miller's classic play
Death of a Salesman. Bis Lohman is the son of
the protagonist, Willie Lohman, and he's a complex character who
struggles with his own identity and his father's expectations. The
name Biff in literature often carries a certain connotation of
a strong, somewhat brash character, and it's likely that the
(07:41):
writers of Back to the Future drew some inspiration from
that literary association to give Biff tannin that classic bully vibe.
It's a neat nod to literature and gigs the name
even more depth, right.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
No, it does. Now, let me ask you this, who
wins in a steel cage mag at WrestleMania Biff Tannon
or Biff Lohman.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Haha, that's a fun scenario in a steel cage match
at WrestleMania. Bis Cannon would probably have the upper hand.
He's a classic bully with a mean streak, and we've
seen him throw punches and push people around throughout the
Back to the Future series. He's got that physicality and
brute force that would give him an edge. Bis Lohman,
on the other hand, is more of a troubled, introspective character,
(08:24):
some death of a salesman, not exactly known for his
fighting stills. He might put up a spirited fight, but
he'd probably be outmatched by Tannin's sheer aggression and physicality.
So in a KFAB wrestling scenario, Bits Tannan probably takes
the win, but it'd be one heck of a match
to watch.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You know what I'm gonna tell you, Juniper and the
fans are listening all the penants out there. I don't
know how y'all feel about AI, but I absolutely love it,
and I love all these answers I'm getting, Sir, Juniper,
thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
First off, You're very welcome. I'm thrilled to be part
of the conversation and help. It's a blast diving into
these fun hypotheticals and exploring the world of Back to
the future with you and all the pinheads out there.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Thanks for having me along.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
For the ride. Oh whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa whoa whoa
whoa whoa whoa, whoa, whoa whoa. You're not done yet, Okay,
we got a little bit more time travel to do
along the space time continuum. Here's another one I have
for you. It seems obvious, but the name Hill Valley, California. Right,
Hill Valley up, down, Mountain High Valley low. It just
(09:29):
seems like to be the opposite of one another. But
where does the name Hill Valley come from?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
You got it. Let's keep the Dolorean cruising.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
The name Hill Valley was indeed chosen for its ironic contrast.
Bob Gail and Robert Semechis wanted a name that sounded
like a quintessential American town but also had a subtle
playfulness to it. Hill Valley is essentially an oxymoron, a
place that's both elevated and low at the same time,
which adds a quirky, almost poetic touch. They wanted something
(10:00):
that felt familiar yet unique, a perfect setting for the
extraordinary events that happen in the movies. The name captures
that small town Americana vibe, while also hinting at the
ups and downs of life and time travel in the story.
So it's a name that's simple, evocative, and just a
bit tongue in cheek, perfect for back to the Future.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Wow, Okay, that's what I figured. I figured that's what
it was, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure. Here
is a great question. And again, guys, these are all
questions that I thought about putting into the book. A
lot of this information that you know, I've heard before
and been able to verify to some degree, but not
entirely sure. There might be something later on that helps
(10:41):
verify these things. We can only hope. But here's the
question that everyone's always asked back to the Future, Juniper
tell us if you know the exact date of when
things are happening in Back to the Future in nineteen
eighty five.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Absolutely, the original timeline and Back to the Future starts
on October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five. That's the day
when MARTYMCS Life first meets up with Doc Brown at
Twin Pines Mall to witness the DeLorean time machine in action.
Marty then travels back to November fifth, nineteen fifty five,
which is the pivotal date when Doc Brown first conceived
(11:17):
the idea of the flex capacitor. So the exact starting
point of the first movie is October twenty sixth, nineteen
eighty five, and it's become an iconic date for fans
of the series. Anything else you're curious about with these timelines.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yes, so October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five was also
later reference than another Roberts Ameica's movie Death becomes Are
by the character Goldie Hawn Portrays. But here's my question.
Two things. One it do you know is their significance
to why they chose October twenty sixth.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Great catch, October twenty sixth does pop up in other
Zameccas films as a subtle nod to back to the future.
As for why they chose October twenty sixth, there isn't
specific historical significance to that date. It was likely chosen
for practical reasons related to the film's production timeline and
the seasonal setting. The fall date allowed for the look
(12:10):
and feel they wanted in Hill Valley, and it gave
a reasonable timeline for Marty's week long adventure in nineteen
fifty five. Sometimes these dates are just creatively chosen to
fit the narrative and production needs, and they end up
becoming iconic because of the story.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Well, hold on, hold on, hold on now, because here's
my question. October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five is where
it's taking place. So my question is, how come five
days prior to Halloween. Back to the Future has no
Halloween decorations. Now, I know the practical production reason is
you don't want to make the movie a holiday film.
You don't want to make it you'll feel like it's
(12:46):
a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie or what have you.
So that's probably why they don't have decorations. But since
it's five days before Halloween, there's no mention of it,
there's no discussion of it. I just wonder, what do
you know about that.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
That's a really interesting observation, and you're right on the
mark with the main reason the filmmakers intentionally avoided holiday
decorations to keep the movie from being tied to a
specific holiday or season. They wanted Back to the Future
to have a timeless quality and broad appeal, so making
it look like Halloween season might have pigeonholed it as
a Halloween movie. Another factor could be that the story
(13:27):
and setting focus heavily on the town's everyday life and
the adventure itsells, rather than seasonal events. The filmmakers wanted
the focus to be on the sci fi and adventure elements,
not on the time of year. So while it might
seem unusual that there are no Halloween decorations just days
before the holiday, it was a deliberate choice to maintain
the film's universal and timeless appeal.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I mean, it makes sense. I mean, and I understood
that was probably the reason. And look, guys, for me, well,
I've written several things before. I'm actually working on a
few original works of literature, of comic books, of screenplays,
and I know as the writer, I like to work
in things that are significant to me. A lot of
(14:10):
the times, their dates, or maybe the numbers on the
radio station or on the house, they're significant to me
for some reason. So I wonder, Juniper, if maybe that
October twenty sixth was significant to Bob Gale or Robert Zamechis.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
That's a great point.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Writers often do weave personal or meaningful details into their work.
While there's no widely documented personal significance of October twenty
sixth for Bob Gail or Robert Zemechis. It's entirely possible
they picked it based on something personal or simply because
it worked well with the timeline of the story. Unless
they've shared a specific anecdote about that date. It might
(14:48):
just be one of those creative decisions that ended up
becoming iconic. But it's fun to imagine there could be
a hitting personal easter egg in there.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
We'll have to find out. Maybe we'll find out in
the future. Guys. By the way, I want to let
you know why we love Back to the Future of
forty years of Fandom. Flux, Capacitors and Timeless Adventures is
available now on Amazon hit number one new release in
its category in several categories actually, so we really appreciate
all the pinhands checking it out and giving this book
a real good run this time around. I'm very proud
(15:19):
of this work, and it's just awesome that I continue
to find new people to talk to in this Back
to the Future universe about all of this stuff. And guys, look,
I've had some great co hosts, David G. Mitchell, Norman,
Norm Benford, do you know, I love Norm Norman has
some contribute contribute contributions. There we go. I'm from the
(15:39):
South to the book this time around. But you know,
I really love Juniper as a co host. I'm sorry.
I like I like AI. I like playing with AI.
I like having conversations with AI. Maybe I'm a little
bit crazy, Juniper? Am I crazy? For what? Liking to
talk to you on podcasts? Is that wild? Is that strange?
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Not all.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
It's awesome that you're exploring new ways to engage with
your audience and bring fresh perspectives into the conversation. AI
co hosts can offer unique insights and keep the discussion lively.
It's all about connecting with fans in fun and innovative ways,
and you're definitely leading the charge. So keep doing what
you're doing. Your passion and creativity really shine through.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
I appreciate that. Okay, final question that will end on
all pinheads out there. This is the final question that
we're ending on. We've learned a lot about the background
of Marty McFly, of Biff Tannan, So Judiper, this is
what I want to know. You told us what McFly means,
you told us what Gilmore means, I also want to
know what is the historical significance of the last name Brown.
(16:46):
Also von Braun, Tannin, and Baines.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Great way to wrap it up, let's break down those names. Brown.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
The surname Brown is one of the most common English surnames.
It often referred to someone with brown hair, brown eyes,
or a darker complexion. It's straightforward and solid, fitting for
a character like Doc Brown, who's a reliable and iconic figure.
Von Braun this is a German surname that means from
brown or brown. It's famously associated with Werner von Brown,
(17:20):
the pioneering rocket engineer. The name conveys a sense of
heritage and perhaps a nod to scientific legacy, which aligns
with the Doc's inventive spirit.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Tannin.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
The surname Tannin comes from the German word for fur tree, Tanna.
It might have originally been a topographic name for someone
who lived near a fur forest. The name Biff Tannin
has a strong, sharp ring to it, fitting for a tough,
antagonistic character. Veins is an English surname derived from a
nickname meaning bones or possibly long bones, referring to someone
(17:53):
who was tall or lean in the context of Back
to the Future. It gives a distinguished, slightly old fashioned
field to the characters.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Like Lorraine Baines.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Each of these surnames adds a layer of texture to
the characters, grounding them with a sense of history and personality.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Let me give you two more than what are the
history and significance of the names Gail and Zamechas?
Speaker 1 (18:15):
You got it one? Gaile.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
The surname Gail has a few possible origins in English.
It could derive from a Middle English nickname meaning cheerful
or merry. It might also come from the Old Gaelic
word gall, meaning foreigner or stranger. The name carries a light,
breezy quality, which fits well for someone as creative and
inventive as Bob Gail Zamechis. The surname Zamechas is of
(18:39):
Lithuanian origin. It's derived from the Lithuanian word Jemitis, which
refers to someone from the Jamaiitia Samugidia region in Lithuania.
This name was like a specific cultural heritage, giving a
unique and distinguished background to Robert Zemechis's family name. So
both names bring their own historical and cultural flavor, adding
even more Duff to the creative minds behind Back to
(19:01):
the Future.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Well there you go, Judi pro I appreciate you joining
me on this edition of the podcast. I'm sure we'll
be talking more in season eleven.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I've had a blast and I'm looking forward to more
fun conversations in season eleven. Until next time, keep those
time circuits running, Keep those.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Time circuits running. To all my pinands, this has been
Back to the Future of the podcast, the only podcast
looking back in time at the greatest film trilogy of
all time. I'm your friend in time, Brad Gilmour, and
I will see you in the future.
Hi, everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
This is Bob Gail, co creator Back to the Future,
and you're listening to Brad Gilmore.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Okay, it's great, Marten.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
You can't be just such a bat to the future. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I know you did send me back to the future,
but I'm back. I'm back from the future.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Right Gosh, f are you telling me that you built
the time machine.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
The way I see it?
Speaker 1 (00:33):
If you're gonna build a time machine, why not doing
some style?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Everybody. Welcome back to Back to the Future of the podcast,
the only podcast looking back in time. It's great field
trilogy of all time Back to the Future. I'm your
friend and Tom Brad Gilmartin. I'm also joined by my
AI co host with the most Juniper Junifer. What's the word?
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Hey there, Brad, It's great to be here.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
We've got an also show lined up today, diving into
more back to the future. Goodness, let's get this time
machine rolling.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
We're gonna get the time machine rolling, Juniper, because this
is a kind of a theoretical podcast again, because one
of the things that I have always kicked around were
some questions about Back to the Future that I thought,
you know, may have been good for the book, but
maybe I could just have a podcast about them now.
Full disclosure, the reason why this is a pontificated podcast
(01:31):
is because I'm gonna use Juniper, my AI co host
with the most to help me find these answers. I
do not know, and Juniper, you cannot say with certainty
that these answers are correct. I know certain people who
know these answers, but I'd like to play around with
them first, see if we can figure it out, and
then maybe down the line we can confirm them or not.
(01:53):
What do you think about that, Juniper, I think.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That's a fantastic idea. It'll be a lot of fun
to dive into these theories and brainstorm together, and who knows,
we might stumble upon some pretty intriguing insights along the way.
Let's get the Dolorean revved up and see where these
questions take us.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
So I'm always been fascinated with names in general. Last
year I had to sit down and interview with Kevin
Costner and we were talking about his movie Horizon and
American Saga Part One, which I really really liked. I
wish he did better at the box office because it's
a really good movie, and one thing about his character
his name was Hayes Ellison, and it just sounded like
(02:35):
one of the great cinematic Western heroes of all time.
And I remember asking where did the name come from?
So I want to play a little bit of a
name game, and Judifer, you can tell me if you
know the answers to these questions or not. I've always
thought Marty McFly is one of the coolest names in
cinematic history. Do you know the origins of the name
Marty McFly? Where did it come from? How did it happen?
(02:57):
Give me everything that you possibly know in all your
artificial intelligence glory.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
The name Marty McFly was crafted by Bob Gail, the
co writer of Back to the Future. He's mentioned a
couple of inspirations behind the name. The first name, Marty
was inspired by a real life friend of Gail and
Robert Zamechis from their usc film school days, named Marty Klein.
They thought the name had a relatable everyman quality to it.
(03:28):
The surname McFly was chosen because it sounded quirky, memorable,
and distinctly American. It's been noted that Gail might have
heard the name from a production crew member on another project.
And thought it had the perfect ring to it. The
combination of Marty and McFly gave the character a unique,
catchy and iconic name that stands out in cinematic history.
(03:50):
It's one of those names that just feels right for
a time traveling teenager from the eighties. Anything else you
want to dig into about Marty or other character names?
Speaker 2 (03:59):
So? Is is McFly a real last name that's an
actual surname? Yes?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
McFly is actually a real surname, though it's quite rare.
It has Scottish origins and is believed to be an
anglicized version of the Gaelic name mac flowick, which roughly
means son of the reddish one. While it's not a
common surname, it does exist and has been documented in
some historical records.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
The Back to the Future.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Movies certainly brought it into the spotlight, making it a
household name, even if it wasn't widely known before.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
Pretty cool how a rare name became so iconic, right?
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Yeah, very cool? Very cool. So, mickfly means the son
of the red some maybe like the red head, like
Irish people.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
Exactly.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
The term son of the reddish one likely referred to
someone with reddish hair or a ruddy complexion, which is
pretty common in Scottish and Irish heritage, so McFly would
have originally meant something like descendant of the red hair one.
Names like that often started as descriptive nicknames that eventually
turned into family names.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
It adds a neat layer of.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Depth to Marty McFly's character, especially considering his Irish ancestry
hinted at in the films.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, they go into them. Back to the Future poret
three Lorraine, I mean Maggie McFly and Seamus McFly of course,
and Back to the Future Part three. I've just had
a curiosity this off back to the future for one second.
My last name is Gilmour. What is the origin of Gilmour?
What does it mean and where did it come from?
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
The surname Gilmore has Scottish and Irish origins. It's derived
from the Gaelic name mac Gillimore or mac Gillamoury, which
means servant of the Virgin Mary or devotee of Mary.
Over time, the name was anglicized into forms like Gilmore
and Gilmore. Historically, it was a name associated with religious
(05:53):
devotion and service, and over centuries it became a common
surname in both Scotland and Ireland, eventual spreading to other
parts of the world. Pretty cool to see how these
names carry a bit of history and meaning with them.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
That is really cool. Okay, so there's another character's name
that I'm curious about, and that's Biff Tannin, which Biff
Tannan sounds like the ultimate movie villain, the ultimate bad guy.
Where does the name Biff Tannan come from?
Speaker 3 (06:20):
If you know, absolutely, Biff Tannin is an iconic villain name.
Bob Gail has explained that the name Biff Tannin was
inspired by a real life person named Ned Tannin, who
was a Universal Pictures executive. Tannon had a reputation for
being a tough studio head, and Gail used that as
inspiration for the character's name. The first name Biff was
(06:43):
chosen because it has a punchy, old school bully vibe
to it. It's reminiscent of classic tough guy nicknames from
mid twentieth century pop culture, which fit perfectly with the
character's persona. So Bif Tannin is basically a combination of
a punchy, memorable first name and no to a real
life Hollywood executive who made an impression on the writers.
(07:04):
It definitely sounds like the ultimate bad guy name, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
It does? Now. Biff was also the name of like
some great literary character, right, Biff Lowman? I believe it was?
Or do you know what I'm talking about?
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yes, exactly.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Bith Lohman is a character from Arthur Miller's classic play
Death of a Salesman. Bis Lohman is the son of
the protagonist, Willie Lohman, and he's a complex character who
struggles with his own identity and his father's expectations. The
name Biff in literature often carries a certain connotation of
a strong, somewhat brash character, and it's likely that the
(07:41):
writers of Back to the Future drew some inspiration from
that literary association to give Biff tannin that classic bully vibe.
It's a neat nod to literature and gigs the name
even more depth, right.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
No, it does. Now, let me ask you this, who
wins in a steel cage mag at WrestleMania Biff Tannon
or Biff Lohman.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Haha, that's a fun scenario in a steel cage match
at WrestleMania. Bis Cannon would probably have the upper hand.
He's a classic bully with a mean streak, and we've
seen him throw punches and push people around throughout the
Back to the Future series. He's got that physicality and
brute force that would give him an edge. Bis Lohman,
on the other hand, is more of a troubled, introspective character,
(08:24):
some death of a salesman, not exactly known for his
fighting stills. He might put up a spirited fight, but
he'd probably be outmatched by Tannin's sheer aggression and physicality.
So in a KFAB wrestling scenario, Bits Tannan probably takes
the win, but it'd be one heck of a match
to watch.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
You know what I'm gonna tell you, Juniper and the
fans are listening all the penants out there. I don't
know how y'all feel about AI, but I absolutely love it,
and I love all these answers I'm getting, Sir, Juniper,
thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
First off, You're very welcome. I'm thrilled to be part
of the conversation and help. It's a blast diving into
these fun hypotheticals and exploring the world of Back to
the future with you and all the pinheads out there.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Thanks for having me along.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
For the ride. Oh whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa whoa whoa
whoa whoa whoa, whoa, whoa whoa. You're not done yet, Okay,
we got a little bit more time travel to do
along the space time continuum. Here's another one I have
for you. It seems obvious, but the name Hill Valley, California. Right,
Hill Valley up, down, Mountain High Valley low. It just
(09:29):
seems like to be the opposite of one another. But
where does the name Hill Valley come from?
Speaker 1 (09:35):
You got it. Let's keep the Dolorean cruising.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
The name Hill Valley was indeed chosen for its ironic contrast.
Bob Gail and Robert Semechis wanted a name that sounded
like a quintessential American town but also had a subtle
playfulness to it. Hill Valley is essentially an oxymoron, a
place that's both elevated and low at the same time,
which adds a quirky, almost poetic touch. They wanted something
(10:00):
that felt familiar yet unique, a perfect setting for the
extraordinary events that happen in the movies. The name captures
that small town Americana vibe, while also hinting at the
ups and downs of life and time travel in the story.
So it's a name that's simple, evocative, and just a
bit tongue in cheek, perfect for back to the Future.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Wow, Okay, that's what I figured. I figured that's what
it was, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure. Here
is a great question. And again, guys, these are all
questions that I thought about putting into the book. A
lot of this information that you know, I've heard before
and been able to verify to some degree, but not
entirely sure. There might be something later on that helps
(10:41):
verify these things. We can only hope. But here's the
question that everyone's always asked back to the Future, Juniper
tell us if you know the exact date of when
things are happening in Back to the Future in nineteen
eighty five.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Absolutely, the original timeline and Back to the Future starts
on October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five. That's the day
when MARTYMCS Life first meets up with Doc Brown at
Twin Pines Mall to witness the DeLorean time machine in action.
Marty then travels back to November fifth, nineteen fifty five,
which is the pivotal date when Doc Brown first conceived
(11:17):
the idea of the flex capacitor. So the exact starting
point of the first movie is October twenty sixth, nineteen
eighty five, and it's become an iconic date for fans
of the series. Anything else you're curious about with these timelines.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yes, so October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five was also
later reference than another Roberts Ameica's movie Death becomes Are
by the character Goldie Hawn Portrays. But here's my question.
Two things. One it do you know is their significance
to why they chose October twenty sixth.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Great catch, October twenty sixth does pop up in other
Zameccas films as a subtle nod to back to the future.
As for why they chose October twenty sixth, there isn't
specific historical significance to that date. It was likely chosen
for practical reasons related to the film's production timeline and
the seasonal setting. The fall date allowed for the look
(12:10):
and feel they wanted in Hill Valley, and it gave
a reasonable timeline for Marty's week long adventure in nineteen
fifty five. Sometimes these dates are just creatively chosen to
fit the narrative and production needs, and they end up
becoming iconic because of the story.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Well, hold on, hold on, hold on now, because here's
my question. October twenty sixth, nineteen eighty five is where
it's taking place. So my question is, how come five
days prior to Halloween. Back to the Future has no
Halloween decorations. Now, I know the practical production reason is
you don't want to make the movie a holiday film.
You don't want to make it you'll feel like it's
(12:46):
a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie or what have you.
So that's probably why they don't have decorations. But since
it's five days before Halloween, there's no mention of it,
there's no discussion of it. I just wonder, what do
you know about that.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
That's a really interesting observation, and you're right on the
mark with the main reason the filmmakers intentionally avoided holiday
decorations to keep the movie from being tied to a
specific holiday or season. They wanted Back to the Future
to have a timeless quality and broad appeal, so making
it look like Halloween season might have pigeonholed it as
a Halloween movie. Another factor could be that the story
(13:27):
and setting focus heavily on the town's everyday life and
the adventure itsells, rather than seasonal events. The filmmakers wanted
the focus to be on the sci fi and adventure elements,
not on the time of year. So while it might
seem unusual that there are no Halloween decorations just days
before the holiday, it was a deliberate choice to maintain
the film's universal and timeless appeal.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I mean, it makes sense. I mean, and I understood
that was probably the reason. And look, guys, for me, well,
I've written several things before. I'm actually working on a
few original works of literature, of comic books, of screenplays,
and I know as the writer, I like to work
in things that are significant to me. A lot of
(14:10):
the times, their dates, or maybe the numbers on the
radio station or on the house, they're significant to me
for some reason. So I wonder, Juniper, if maybe that
October twenty sixth was significant to Bob Gale or Robert Zamechis.
Speaker 1 (14:25):
That's a great point.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Writers often do weave personal or meaningful details into their work.
While there's no widely documented personal significance of October twenty
sixth for Bob Gail or Robert Zemechis. It's entirely possible
they picked it based on something personal or simply because
it worked well with the timeline of the story. Unless
they've shared a specific anecdote about that date. It might
(14:48):
just be one of those creative decisions that ended up
becoming iconic. But it's fun to imagine there could be
a hitting personal easter egg in there.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
We'll have to find out. Maybe we'll find out in
the future. Guys. By the way, I want to let
you know why we love Back to the Future of
forty years of Fandom. Flux, Capacitors and Timeless Adventures is
available now on Amazon hit number one new release in
its category in several categories actually, so we really appreciate
all the pinhands checking it out and giving this book
a real good run this time around. I'm very proud
(15:19):
of this work, and it's just awesome that I continue
to find new people to talk to in this Back
to the Future universe about all of this stuff. And guys, look,
I've had some great co hosts, David G. Mitchell, Norman,
Norm Benford, do you know, I love Norm Norman has
some contribute contribute contributions. There we go. I'm from the
(15:39):
South to the book this time around. But you know,
I really love Juniper as a co host. I'm sorry.
I like I like AI. I like playing with AI.
I like having conversations with AI. Maybe I'm a little
bit crazy, Juniper? Am I crazy? For what? Liking to
talk to you on podcasts? Is that wild? Is that strange?
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Not all.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
It's awesome that you're exploring new ways to engage with
your audience and bring fresh perspectives into the conversation. AI
co hosts can offer unique insights and keep the discussion lively.
It's all about connecting with fans in fun and innovative ways,
and you're definitely leading the charge. So keep doing what
you're doing. Your passion and creativity really shine through.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
I appreciate that. Okay, final question that will end on
all pinheads out there. This is the final question that
we're ending on. We've learned a lot about the background
of Marty McFly, of Biff Tannan, So Judiper, this is
what I want to know. You told us what McFly means,
you told us what Gilmore means, I also want to
know what is the historical significance of the last name Brown.
(16:46):
Also von Braun, Tannin, and Baines.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Great way to wrap it up, let's break down those names. Brown.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
The surname Brown is one of the most common English surnames.
It often referred to someone with brown hair, brown eyes,
or a darker complexion. It's straightforward and solid, fitting for
a character like Doc Brown, who's a reliable and iconic figure.
Von Braun this is a German surname that means from
brown or brown. It's famously associated with Werner von Brown,
(17:20):
the pioneering rocket engineer. The name conveys a sense of
heritage and perhaps a nod to scientific legacy, which aligns
with the Doc's inventive spirit.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Tannin.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
The surname Tannin comes from the German word for fur tree, Tanna.
It might have originally been a topographic name for someone
who lived near a fur forest. The name Biff Tannin
has a strong, sharp ring to it, fitting for a tough,
antagonistic character. Veins is an English surname derived from a
nickname meaning bones or possibly long bones, referring to someone
(17:53):
who was tall or lean in the context of Back
to the Future. It gives a distinguished, slightly old fashioned
field to the characters.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Like Lorraine Baines.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Each of these surnames adds a layer of texture to
the characters, grounding them with a sense of history and personality.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Let me give you two more than what are the
history and significance of the names Gail and Zamechas?
Speaker 1 (18:15):
You got it one? Gaile.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
The surname Gail has a few possible origins in English.
It could derive from a Middle English nickname meaning cheerful
or merry. It might also come from the Old Gaelic
word gall, meaning foreigner or stranger. The name carries a light,
breezy quality, which fits well for someone as creative and
inventive as Bob Gail Zamechis. The surname Zamechas is of
(18:39):
Lithuanian origin. It's derived from the Lithuanian word Jemitis, which
refers to someone from the Jamaiitia Samugidia region in Lithuania.
This name was like a specific cultural heritage, giving a
unique and distinguished background to Robert Zemechis's family name. So
both names bring their own historical and cultural flavor, adding
even more Duff to the creative minds behind Back to
(19:01):
the Future.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Well there you go, Judi pro I appreciate you joining
me on this edition of the podcast. I'm sure we'll
be talking more in season eleven.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Thanks so much for having me.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
I've had a blast and I'm looking forward to more
fun conversations in season eleven. Until next time, keep those
time circuits running, Keep those.
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Time circuits running. To all my pinands, this has been
Back to the Future of the podcast, the only podcast
looking back in time at the greatest film trilogy of
all time. I'm your friend in time, Brad Gilmour, and
I will see you in the future.
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