41. Coppola Cast #23: Gardens of Stone

We’re back from summer hiatus to discuss Francis Coppola’s little seen Gardens of Stone (1987). This Vietnam War drama is about as far from Apocalypse Now as a movie about Vietnam could get. The plot follows Sergeant Hazard (James Caan), who runs the “Old Guard” that performs military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and takes a young recruit (D. B. Sweeney) under his wing. We discuss the differences between Gardens of Stone and other Vietnam War movies of the era, whether the appearances by actors from Apocalypse Now are distracting, and try to figure out why, despite the talent in front of and behind the camera, the individual aspects of the movie don’t seem to add up. We also talk about the tragedy that occurred during filming: the sudden death of Coppola’s son, Gio. Finally, we get started planning our Shocktober schedule. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2018 Black Label Claret 1910 Type.  

40. Coppola Cast #22: Faerie Tale Theatre (1987), SNL (1986), and Captain Eo (1986)

This episode we review 3 very different Coppola short projects. In the mid 1980’s, Francis Coppola, laden with debt from the collapse of Zoetrope Studios, found some short projects that would help pay down his debt but also provide some room for artistic experimentation. First up we discuss “Rip Van Winkle” (1987), his contribution to Shelley Duvall’s excellent Showtime series for children, Faerie Tale Theatre. Next we talk about maybe the weirdest episode of Saturday Night Live ever, season 11 episode 13 (1986), hosted by George Wendt with Coppola playing the director of the episode. Though it’s clear Coppola didn’t actually direct this SNL episode and George Wendt is officially the host, Coppola is clearly the focus. We also discuss the talented but peculiar cast. Finally we review Captain Eo (1986), the Disney 3-D theme park experience starring Michael Jackson and directed by Coppola. We delve into the troubled and intricate production history of the 3-D music video which brought Coppola and George Lucas together in their first professional collaboration since Apocalypse Now. As a bonus, we also talk about the Captain Eo Grand Opening TV special, an hour long parade and concert to launch the new Disneyland attraction featuring: Coppola, Lucas, Patrick Duffy, Justine Bateman, Angelica Huston, Robert Palmer, Dolph Lundgren, John Ritter, Esther Willaims, Starship, and the cavalcade only goes on and on. This episode’s Coppola Wine is: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Zinfandel 2017.

39. Coppola Cast #21: Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)

For this episode we’re whisked away to 1960 for a second chance at high school senior year in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). Francis Coppola was a director for hire on Peggy Sue Got Married, replacing Jonathan Demme and Penny Marshall, but still committed fully to the project turning in a memorable picture. This time travel fantasy that takes the main character back to 1960 hit theaters a year after Back to the Future, which takes its main character back to 1955, but audiences were still in the mood to time travel. Peggy Sue Got Married was a hit with audiences and critics ending up on Siskel and Ebert’s Best of 1986 list and earning 3 Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Kathleen Turner. We talk about Kathleen Turner’s great performance, the emphasis on the wistful, melancholy side of nostalgia, Nicolas Cage’s peculiar performance, and find out about the Edsel. We also take detours to discuss the 1986 Oscars and compare Peggy Sue Got Married to George Lucas’s American Graffiti. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 and Sauvignon Blanc 2019

38. Coppola Cast #20: The Cotton Club (1984) & The Cotton Club Encore (2019)

Robert Evans needed a hit. Francis Coppola needed a job. The result of the bitter rivals teaming up again to make another gangster movie, this time set in Harlem in the 1920’s and 30’s: The Cotton Club, starring Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, and Diane Lane. Their contentious working relationship had previously resulted in The Godfather, with each claiming to be the real cause behind the movie’s success. Neither wanted to work with the other again but both were at points in their careers where, for better or worse, they needed each other. Like many Coppola films The Cotton Club had a troubled production. Evans secured financing though some unsavory channels and found himself tied up lawsuits and police investigations. Coppola expanded the scope of the story running overschedule and over budget. The film flopped at the box office and was hit or miss with critics. In 2019, Coppola reworked the film releasing The Cotton Club Encore, adding and expanding scenes (such as musical numbers) and deleting others. We discuss the differences between the two versions, like pacing and which characters got more scenes to develop, the problems with each version, characters we wish had more screen time, the unexpected and incredible duo of Bob Hoskins and Fred Gwynne, and, of course, the musical performances. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Rose of Pinot Noir 2019 and Rosso Bianco Rosso.

37. Coppola Cast #19: Rumble Fish (1983) w/Shane Hazen

The Motorcycle Boy Reigns. To help tackle Francis Coppola’s “art film for teenagers” we’re joined by Shane Hazen of the Phi Phenomenon podcast for a special crossover episode! Though this S.E. Hinton adaptation is light on plot there is a lot to discuss. We delve into the philosophical and existential themes, the experimental approach taken by Coppola and the rest of the crew, and begin to wonder if the 1980’s was a more interesting decade for films than it gets credit for.

In addition to hosting the Phi Phenomenon podcast Shane Hazen has also worked as an editor on films like To the Wonder and The First Girl I Loved. Check out more of Phi Phenomenon here: https://phiphenomenon.com/ and wherever you find podcasts.

36. Coppola Cast #18: The Outsiders (1983) & The Outsiders: The Complete Novel (2005)

Stay gold, podcast listeners. We’re talking about Francis Coppola’s adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel, The Outsiders. In the time between the bankruptcy and foreclosure of Zoetrope Studios, Coppola secured last minute financing and rushed to Tulsa with a cast of young unknowns that would become stars of the 80’s and beyond. We also delve into the 2005 director’s cut (AKA The Complete Novel) which restores 20 minutes of deleted scenes and has an entirely different soundtrack. Our discussion includes how music choices can completely change a movie, the insanely talented and charismatic cast, recurring Coppola themes, and tangents on pseudonyms, Repo Man, and Nightmare on Elm Street 2. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection Merlot 2016 and Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2017.

35. Coppola Cast #17: Hammett (1982)

After our lengthy hiatus, we’re back to celebrate Noir-vember with Hammett (1982) directed by Wim Wenders for Francis Coppola’s short lived Zoetrope Studios. Based on a novel that has author Dashiell Hammett solving a mystery like the ones he wrote about, Hammett’s production faced almost as many troubles as Coppola’s One From the Heart. Coppola, acting as the studio head, actually shut production down, Wim Wenders left, then came back and reshot nearly the entire film with a different script. Ultimately, Hammett was a major box office flop and was forgotten about until its DVD release which sparked rumors that Coppola secretly directed the reshoots. We go over the sources of this rumor, examine the film for clues, and talk about Wenders’s other, more distinctive, films. We also talk about another film famous for being secretly directed by its producer (Poltergeist with Tobe Hooper as director and Steven Spielberg as producer), the Noir genre, David Lynch, and life advice from Garry Marshall. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot 2017 and Sofia Blanc du Blanc.

34. Coppola Cast #16: One From the Heart (1981)

This episode is from the heart, because the movie we’re talking about today is One From the Heart, Francis Coppola’s romantic pseudo-musical drama. Coppola didn’t bet the farm on the success of this movie, but he did bet his new studio, Zoetrope Studios, and, unfortunately, lost. One From the Heart was a massive flop and now we give it a reassessment. We discuss the cast, Tom Waits and Crystal Gale’s score, the intentional artificial aesthetic, and how a young Nicolas Cage helped out his uncle Francis. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2018 and Pinot Noir 2017.

33. Coppola Cast 15: Apocalypse Now (1979, Workprint, Redux, & Final Cut)

Our motto: Apocalypse Now! Coppola’s most epic movie leads to our most epic episode as we tackle his surreal, nightmarish Vietnam War film: Apocalypse Now. Not only do we break down the iconic 1979 theatrical version, but also delve into the unreleased Workprint, the 2001 Redux version, and the 2019 Final Cut version. We also talk about the documentary Hearts of Darkness, chronicling the notoriously troubled production of Apocalypse Now. We compare the different versions, discuss if the restored scenes (especially the French Plantation scene) alter or enhance the story, and wonder if Apocalypse Now is a secret horror movie. This episode’s Coppola Wines: Diamond Collection Monterrey County Pinot Noir 2017 and Sofia Brut Rose 2018.

32. Coppola Cast 14: The Godfather Saga (1977)

What would it be like to watch The Godfather Parts I and II in chronological order? We found out! We tracked down the hard to find The Godfather Saga, the TV miniseries which edits both Godfather films together in chronological order and includes additional scenes. It originally aired on NBC in 1977 and has aired on various TV stations since. We discuss what it’s like viewing the two films as one, things we overlooked the first time like ominous oranges, driveway scenes, and a Roger Corman cameo, and which new scenes work and which don’t. This episode’s Coppola wine was Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend 2017.

31. Coppola Cast 13: The Godfather Part II

It’s a prequel and a sequel in one movie: it’s The Godfather Part II. This episode we review the much acclaimed sequel to The Godfather, that, just like the first one, Francis Ford Coppola did not want to make. We work our way through the film’s parallel plotlines in different eras, dig into the themes, talk about the great performances, and much more. Once again we marvel at the lineup of the 1974 Academy Awards, spoil the less celebrated De Niro/Pacino movie Righteous Kill, and wonder who will be the next filmmaker to deliver two powerhouse films in the same year. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Director’s Coppola Sonoma County 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

30. Coppola Cast 12: The Conversation (1974)

After the massive success of The Godfather, Francis Coppola was finally able to make his passion project: a small scale personal film, The Conversation. Though Coppola first had the idea for the story of a surveillance expert that suspects the people he spied on are going to be murdered in the mid-60’s, The Conversation was made during the height of the Watergate scandal and released just after Nixon’s resignation, no doubt giving it a special resonance for audiences in 1974. We discuss Gene Hackman’s low-key performance, the contribution of Walter Murch, Catholic guilt, and how themes of privacy and surveillance keep The Conversation relevant today. We also marvel at the lineup at the 1974 Oscars and wonder if Adam Sandler has succeeded where Coppola did not. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection 2017 Black Label Claret and Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2018. 

29. Coppola Cast #11: The Way We Were (1973) & The Great Gatsby (1974)

It’s a  Francis Coppola scripted Robert Redford romance double feature! After shooting wrapped on The Godfather, Coppola, unsure of The Godfather’s success, took a job writing an adaptation of The Great Gatsby (1974), the final screenplay he wrote but did not direct. We also review the 1973 Barbara Streisand/Robert Redford romantic drama The Way We Were, on which Coppola was one of 11 uncredited screenwriters. We speculate on Coppola’s involvement on The Way We Were, discuss Robert Redford’s star persona, and go on a tangent about the Austin Film Festival. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Francis Coppola 2017 Black Label Claret and Sofia Blanc de Blancs. 

28. Coppola Cast #10: The Godfather (1972)

It’s the episode we’ve been excited about since beginning the podcast! After a brief discussion about The Irishman and ice cream we delve into the landmark film, The Godfather (1972). There is so much to talk about in The Godfather that over two bottles of Coppola wine we discuss certain aspects in detail and only scratch the surface on others. We discuss the performances, Gordon Willis’s cinematography, the stylized presentation of the mafia, and how The Godfather permeated into pop culture. This episode’s Coppola wines were: 2017 Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot and Rosso & Bianco Pinot Grigio.  

27. Coppola Cast #9: Patton (1970)

This week we’re back to reviewing Francis Coppola’s work as a writer for hire with the epic war film Patton (1970). Coppola wrote his screenplay for Patton years before the film was actually made and released and was surprised how closely the final film followed his screenplay. Patton turned out to be a major hit and won 7 Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay for Coppola, an important boost to his career. We discuss Coppola’s approach to presenting the character of Patton, George C. Scott’s incredible performance, and the 1970 Oscars. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2017 Black Label Claret.

26. Coppola Cast #8: The Rain People (1969)

The characters in Francis Coppola’s The Rain People are on a cross country roadtrip but we are sheltering in place. After directing an old fashioned studio musical, Coppola returns to a more intimate, character focused story with The Rain People. Shirley Knight stars as a young housewife that leaves on a road trip to reevaluate her decisions. Her journey of self discovery takes a turn when she picks up a former college football star with brain damage (James Caan). In terms of style and technique this is as far away from Finian’s Rainbow as you can get. We talk about road movies, the “70’s movie ending”, and the Farrelly brothers come up, naturally. This episode’s wine was: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2016.

25. Coppola Cast #7: Finian's Rainbow (1968)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s only appropriate that Bryan and A. J. discuss Frances Coppola’s roadshow musical flop Finian’s Rainbow. There’s so much wrong with this movie we don’t have much time for tangents. We talk about the death of the Hollywood musical, how this movie led to the friendship of Coppola and George Lucas, Bryan singles out the funniest moment in the movie, and A.J. compares this movie to Mallrats. The movie was a slog to watch but fun to talk about. Enjoy! This episode’s Coppola wine was: Coppola-Becker Unita Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2017.

24. Coppola Cast #6: You're a Big Boy Now (1966)

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Happy New Episode! Though You’re a Big Boy Now isn’t technically Francis Coppola’s first film, in many ways it’s his first film as an auteur. Coppola was working with material of his choice, great professional actors, and the backing of a major studio. We discuss the results and Geraldine Page’s protracted will they/won’t they history with the Academy Awards. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Coppola Sonoma County 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

23. Coppola Cast 5: Is Paris Burning? (1966)

Continuing our way through Francis Coppola’s work as a writer for hire, Bryan and A.J. march through the epic length movie of the liberation of Paris, Is Paris Burning? Writing Is Paris Burning? was a frustrating experience for Coppola who had to deal with the demands of studio executives and an intrusive Charles de Gaulle. The result was a mediocre epic movie of an important historical event. We try to keep track of the impressive but wasted ensemble cast, sort through the tangle of different storylines, and share the same frustration with the film’s poorly placed intermission. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2017 Diamond Collection Black Label Claret 1910 Type Cab Sauvignon.

#22. Coppola Cast 4: This Property is Condemned (1966)

After parting ways with Roger Corman, Francis Coppola became a writer for hire working on several projects that ultimately wouldn’t get made or he wouldn’t get official credit for. One that did get made and he did get credit for was the failed Natalie Wood comeback vehicle This Property is Condemned. Despite a great cast including Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Charles Bronson, Robert Blake, and Mary Badham, Sydney Pollack directing, and Coppola adapting a Tennessee Williams play, this movie falls flat and we attempt to get to the bottom of why. Along the way we talk about Robert Redford’s newsies cap, character actors trapped in leading men’s bodies, and learn something about Matthew Fox wines. This episode’s Francis Coppola wine is Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2017