055 Yankee Doodle Dandy: The Most Patriotic Movie Ever Made?

055 Yankee Doodle Dandy: The Most Patriotic Movie Ever Made?

In this special Fourth of July episode, Michelle and Cherie revisit the 1942 classic Yankee Doodle Dandy, starring James Cagney as legendary Broadway entertainer George M. Cohan. The sisters discuss: * Why this remains one of the most patriotic movies ever made * James Cagney’s Oscar-winning performance * The real George M. Cohan and his influence on Broadway * The film’s incredible stage-show-within-a-movie production numbers * The famous White House staircase tap-dancing scene * How the movie was shaped by World War II * What still holds up today—and what feels like a product of its era Songs Mentioned * You’re a Grand Old Flag * Over There * I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy * Give My Regards to Broadway * Mary’s a Grand Old Name * Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway Also Mentioned * 1776 * Hamilton * It’s a Wonderful Life * Mrs. Miniver * Tootsie Key Takeaways * Released: 1942 * Directed by: Michael Curtiz * Academy Awards: 3 wins, including Best Actor for James Cagney * AFI Ranking: Included in AFI’s 100 Greatest American Movies list * Why Watch It: If you want a movie that combines Broadway spectacle, classic Hollywood filmmaking, and unapologetic American patriotism, this is the one.

054 Goblins, Muppets, and Bowie: Revisiting Labyrinth 40 Years Later

Labyrinth Turns 40! This week, we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of Cherie's all-time favorite movies: Labyrinth (1986)! Produced by Jim Henson and George Lucas, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, and featuring some of the most memorable creature effects ever put on film, Labyrinth has grown from a box-office disappointment into a beloved cult classic. In this episode, we discuss: *  Why Labyrinth became Cherie's favorite movie  *  The incredible creative team behind the film  *  David Bowie's iconic performance as Jareth the Goblin King  *  Jennifer Connelly's breakout role as Sarah  *  The groundbreaking puppetry and special effects  *  Surprising connections to Harry Potter *  Behind-the-scenes stories and production trivia  *  The movie's mixed reception upon release  *  How Labyrinth found new life through home video and fandom  *  The film's lasting impact on fantasy cinema  *  Whether the movie still holds up 40 years later  Plus, Cherie shares personal stories about creating Labyrinth-inspired costumes, working with Muppet performers, and the creative influence the film has had throughout her life. Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering the movie for the first time, join us as we journey through the maze to celebrate one of fantasy cinema's most enduring classics. Connect With Us Follow us on Instagram: @mysistermademewatchthis Email: mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a rating, and share it with a fellow pop culture fan!

053 He-Man, Skeletor, and the Power of '80s Nostalgia

By the power of Grayskull... we're talking He-Man! This week, Michelle and Cherie journey back to Eternia to explore one of the biggest pop culture phenomena of the 1980s: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. From its surprising beginnings as a toy line to its wildly successful cartoon series, He-Man became a defining part of Saturday morning television. We discuss the show's origins, memorable characters, spin-offs like She-Ra, the infamous 1987 live-action movie starring Dolph Lundgren, and the franchise's many attempts at revival over the decades. We also tackle a bigger question: Is nostalgia for 1980s franchises starting to fade, or are studios simply choosing the wrong properties to reboot? Along the way we discuss: • How He-Man went from action figures to a television sensation • Skeletor's endless quest for Castle Grayskull • The surprising talent behind the series • The cult status of the 1987 movie • Courteney Cox before Friends • Why the newest He-Man film may be struggling to connect with audiences • Whether Gen X nostalgia still has box office power If you grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons—or if you've ever shouted "I have the power!"—this episode is for you. Connect with us: Facebook Instagram Email: mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com [mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com] If you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, leave a rating, and share the show with a friend!

052 Tootsie: Oops, We Got Side-Tracked by K&W Cafeteria

This week, one sister finally convinces the other to revisit the 1982 comedy classic Tootsie — a movie she practically wore out on Betamax. Dustin Hoffman, daytime soap operas, a red sequin dress, and a surprising amount of wisdom about judging books by their covers. Plus: a 20-year-old's verdict on whether it holds up. What we cover: * The plot: struggling actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) disguises himself as a woman to land a soap opera role — and finances his roommate's play about toxic waste * The incredible cast: Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Bill Murray, Charles Durning, Dabney Coleman, Geena Davis (in her very first film role!), and director Sydney Pollack playing the agent he never wanted to play * The behind-the-scenes story: how Dick Richards pitched the movie, got Hoffman on board, and then got fired once Hoffman got creative control * The two-hour makeup process, the Adam's apple problem, and how Hoffman tested his disguise at his own daughter's school * The Oscar race of 1983 — 10 nominations, stiff competition from Gandhi and E.T., and Jessica Lange's remarkable double nomination in the same year * The General Hospital connection (it's deeper than you think) * Bill Murray's missing opening credit, his ad-libbed lines, and the one scene that made us lose it * Hoffman's off-screen epiphany about beauty and missed connections * The Broadway musical nobody asked for * And: a Gen Z take on whether Tootsie could be made today Where to watch Tootsie: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, YouTube, or on glorious DVD. Where to find us: 📘 Facebook: My Sister Made Me Watch This 📸 Instagram: @mysistermademewatchthis 📧 mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com [mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com] If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a five-star rating and review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

051 Spaceballs: The Schwartz Awakens

This week, Michelle and Cherie blast off into the galaxy of the beloved (and hotly debated) sci-fi parody, Spaceballs. One sister is thrilled about the upcoming sequel and the return of Rick Moranis, while the other remains unconvinced that the original deserves its cult-classic status. Along the way, they discuss the film's connections to Star Wars, the surprising support of George Lucas, and the many pop-culture references packed into the movie. Topics include: *  Why the upcoming Spaceballs sequel has fans excited  *  Rick Moranis' long-awaited return to the screen  *  The cast, including Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Joan Rivers *  Dot matrix printers and why younger generations may never understand the joke  *  George Lucas' one major condition for allowing the parody  *  The famous "Merchandising!" scene  *  Hidden references to The Wizard of Oz, Alien, and Planet of the Apes *  Whether the movie still holds up nearly 40 years later  *  Why Spaceballs became a cult classic despite mixed reviews  *  The surprising connection between Spaceballs and Tesla's "Ludicrous Mode"  Plus: fried chicken cravings, pizza cravings, and one very disappointed Star Wars-loving podcaster learning that Heath isn't a Spaceballs fan. Question for listeners: Are you Team Spaceballs or Team "I Don't Get Mel Brooks"? Let us know!