The Celluloid President

In addition to being a massive hit, "Hamilton" also provides insight into three U.S. Presidents. But more important as we approach July 4, what does the musical say about America and is it still relevant today? 

Jim and Gary discuss the 1962 adaptation of "Advise and Consent," possibly the most popular American political novel of all time, which was turned into movie by the director Otto Preminger. They muse on the meaning of so many conspiracy and paranoid movies from the early 1960s and debate theU.S. Senate's power to advise and consent on a Presidential nomination.  

In 1944, Daryl F. Zanuck, the head of Twentieth Century Fox, produced a movie about his political hero Woodrow Wilson. Despite being nominated for ten Academy Awards and the winner of five, the film is now largely forgotten. Jim and Gary discuss its historical and artistic merits, while chewing over what they think about Wilson the president.

"The Apprentice" purports to tell Donald Trump's origin story, back when the notorious Roy Cohn took him under his wing and showed him how to win at any cost.  Jim and Gary take the movie on its own terms -- as a piece of history in the 1970s and 80's -- and refrain from discussing contemporary events. 

Jim and Gary discuss "A Complete Unknown," the Oscar-nominated biopic of Bob Dylan, which explores the cultural and social politics of the early 1960s. And, yes, there is a reference or two to the US President who exemplifies those years -- JFK. 

As they look forward to Lincoln's Birthday, Gary and Jim discuss John Ford's "Young Mr. Lincoln," the 1939 classic tale of Abe Lincoln as a young aspiring lawyer in Springfield, Illinois. Henry Fonda seems to embody Lincoln's very essence in a strong performance that challenges Daniel Day-Lewis for the best impersonation of Lincoln in cinematic history.

Gary and Jim discuss the 1993 political comedy "Dave," in which a Presidential lookalike assumes the powers of the Chief Executive when the real President has a stroke. And what do you know, the imposter starts solving the country's problems. Starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver as rough stand-ins for Bill and Hillary Clinton.

In the spirit of Christmas, Gary and Jim sought out a Christmas classic that depicts a U.S. President and landed on "Love Actually," one of Gary's least favorite Christmas movies. Has he changed his mind since the last time he watched it? And what did Jim think now that he's finally seen it? Crack open a bottle of Christmas cheer and fire up the podcast to find out what love actually means.

On December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley materialized at the White House gates requesting a meeting with President Nixon. The photo that was taken later that after at the subsequent meeting is the most requested image in the National Archives. Jim and Gary discuss the 2016 movie that was made of this strange event and wonder what it is about famous people that makes them so kooky.

Gary and Jim discuss the 1994 Tom Hanks film "Forrest Gump," which looks at the social history of the 1950's through the 1980's through the eyes of a low-IQ but wise soldier, runner, ping-pong player and all-around keen observer of human nature. Forrest finds his way to visit three American presidents and eventually finds love where you'd most expect it.

Jim and Gary actually went to a couple of movie theaters to watch "Reagan," the new biopic of our 40th President.  They use this episode to discuss the movie, their own personal experiences with Reagan, and a recent field trip they took to the Nixon Museum and Library.

Gary and Jim talk about "Lee Daniels' The Butler," the slightly true story of a White House butler who served and interacted with eight U.S. presidents. The White House scenes are counterpointed by highlights from the real-life Civi Rights movement. The movie was a major hit in 2014 and stars and all-star cast of white and Black actors ranging from Forest Whitaker and Oprah to Robin Williams and Jane Fonda.

Jim and Gary discuss "J. Edgar," Clint Eastwood's 2011 biopic of J. Edgar Hoover, who was arguably the most powerful bureaucrat in history. Several American presidents feared him; others used him as an ally. The movie says a lot about the rise of the national security state and the danger of federal law enforcement involving itself in politics.

Jim and Gary discuss Jerry Seinfeld's homage to 1960s business and political culture, including his hilarious take on JFK.  But do only Baby Boomers find this movie funny?

Jim and Gary discuss Martin Scorcese's epic movie about one of the most disturbing incidents in U.S. history -- the systematic murder of Osage Indians during the 1920's to steal their oil rights.  And believe it or not, there is an appearance by a President in this movie: Calvin Coolidge.

Jim and Gary don't agree about much when it comes to Barbie, except that people who criticize it for political reasons should get a life.  Gary thought the movie had surprising philosophical depth and Jim just didn't like the execution.  They do agree, though, that they'd rather be a Ken than an Allan. 

Jim and Gary take a look at the 1975 action/adventure movie "The Wind and the Lion," which stars Brian Keith as an overly energetic Theodore Roosevelt, Sean Connery as the last of the Barbary Pirates, and Candice Bergen as a kidnapped American widow who becomes a feisty pawn in internal Moroccan politics.

When President Harry S Truman dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, thereby ending World War II, he was able to do so because J. Robert Oppenheimer had successfully led the effort to build it. In this episode Jim and Gary discuss Christopher Nolan's masterpiece "Oppenheimer," which depicts the top-secret effort to build the bomb and its messy political aftermaths.