Episode 10

Howard the Duck (1986)

Published on: 25th March, 2022

A story about a duck, a girl, inter-dimensional demons, and flirting with bestiality.

Listen in as me and returning guest Dan settle in with a Duckweiser and thumb through that latest issue of Playduck as we revisit the first feature film about a Marvel character.

Directed by Willard Huyck (Messiah of Evil, French Postcards, Best Defense), who also co-wrote the film with Gloria Katz (American Graffiti, More American Graffiti, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), TV Guide Magazine called the film "a monumental waste of time" and the A.V. Club said it was "desperately unfunny." What the hell is wrong with these people? I think they saw a different film... I agree with Empire who said it was "a crazy comedy" and IGN who stated it was "fun to watch." Screw the haters!

It tells the story of Howard T. Duck, a charismatic smartass anthropomorphic duck who is ripped from his planet, Duck World, and plopped down into the best area Cleveland, Ohio has to offer. He befriends struggling up-and-coming rocker Beverly (played by the electric Lea Thompson) who introduces him to her wannabe scientist friend Phil (Tim Robbins with full-tilt Nic Cage energy), and the two set about trying to return Howard to his home. Inter-dimensional demons and a zany turn by the talented, yet problematic, Jeffrey Jones keep this adventure firing on all cylinders. Let's not forget, there's a killer theme song.

You can find the film on Amazon Prime Video for rent or purchase and on DVD and Blu-ray.

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About the Podcast

Subversive Cinema
The show about the weird, whacky, and downright wrong entries in cinema history.
There are a lot of films out there, so it's only natural that a decent amount of strange content exists. These are the films we examine.

Each week, I sit down with a guest and we take a look a one of these weird, whacky, or downright wrong cinematic entries. Each of them has something about it that makes it special — I call it the "Subversive Sauce" — and that is recipe we try to break down.

Is it scientific? Absolutely not. Will you learn things you didn't know? Maybe. Might you hear about films worth checking out? Most definitely.

Tune in and see what the subversion is all about!
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Art Hall

Art started in the podcasting ecosphere back in 2007 with the outrageous, yet short lived, scripted variety show "WBKR: Buckwilde Radio," which claimed listeners from over 20 different countries. After hanging up his headphones and heading west to move to Los Angeles, he kept podcasting in his heart but only made appearances rather than producing or hosting. It only took a global pandemic, boredom, and the pleading from his buddy, Joe, to get back into the mic booth.