Elaine May & The Trouble with Studios

The marvelous Elaine May (b. 1932) has worn many different hats over a lifelong career that began in the Yiddish theatre during childhood, and before she receives an overdue Honorary Academy Award at this month's Oscars, we're celebrating her with a look at the four films she directed in the 70s and 80s.

An accomplished improvisational comedian, actress, filmmaker, screenwriter, and playwright, May first took the director's chair in the early 70s and helmed classics like A New Leaf (which she also wrote and starred in), The Heartbreak Kid, and a personal favourite, Mikey & Nicky - all as the only female Hollywood director of her era. Her career was plagued by frequent studio regime changes and clashes with production heads, but her directorial efforts still stand the test of time as nuanced, ironic, and often hilarious portraits of human behaviour.

Join us as we cover the uniquely talented May's films and the studio troubles - some self-inflicted - that deprived them of the reception they deserved. Listen, subscribe, and comment on Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, and Tune In, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @closedsetpodcast. Kisses many.