Ep. 140: The Harder They Come

Do you know how much reggae is played in San Diego? Marc and Ryan do, and Erica sort of does, which makes the NWPP the perfect podcast to discuss Jamaica's first film, 1972's THE HARDER THEY COME, as we continue #FFFebruary (Foreign Film February)! A foreign film where the only language used is English? You bet! But, if you think you won't need subtitles, you'd be wrong (or from Jamaica)!

Jimmy Cliff stars in this musical crime film as Ivanhoe Martin, based on a real figure from Jamaican history, who moves from the country to the city of Kingston to make his fortune and dabbles in both music and danger! From fixing up bikes to recording new club hits to taking down cops, director Perry Henzell's debut film not only introduced the Jamaican film industry to the world, but its soundtrack is often hailed as what brought reggae music to the United States, including several tracks from Jimmy Cliff himself! 

Picked up for distribution by Roger Corman's New World Pictures, the film has enjoyed cult status for many years.  We examine Henzell's feelings about New World and Corman's thoughts on the film. We also discuss the trouble with autocorrect, the popularity of barbershop quartets, the proper temperature for a recording studio, when moms don't want you to follow them to the city, and the brand new beverage that is sweeping the country!  Really, there's two and they both sound delicious!  

Don't miss this trip into another under-discussed gem from the New World Pictures vaults! We think after you listen to it, you'll "soon come" back for more!

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For all the shows in Someone’s Favorite Productions Podcast Network, head here:  https://www.someonesfavoriteproductions.com/