Podcast Summary
Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Episode: Celebrating 100 Years of Robert Altman
Guest: Sean Fennessey (Co-host of The Big Picture podcast, Criterion Channel curator)
Date: September 17, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of All Of It honors the centennial of legendary American filmmaker Robert Altman (1925–2006), examining his groundbreaking cinematic legacy and influence on film, culture, and Hollywood. Host Alison Stewart is joined by Sean Fennessey, co-host of The Big Picture podcast, who curated a Criterion Channel series spotlighting Altman's work. They explore Altman’s signature techniques, his collaborative ethos, key films, themes of subversion, and his enduring relevance both in Hollywood and broader cultural conversations.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Recognizing a "Robert Altman" Movie
[01:52]
- Sean Fennessey: Altman's films stand out quickly with their unusual, deeply humanistic yet "quite weird" approach. Key markers:
- Ensemble casts
- Overlapping dialogue
- Fluid, unexpected camera movements
- Focus on "outsiders or someone on the periphery of our culture"
"They will be deeply humanistic, but also quite weird. They will be calm and gentle in some ways and disruptive in others." – Sean Fennessey [01:54]
Altman’s Enduring Themes
[02:34]
- Focus on Individuals vs. Systems: Altman "had a lot of contempt for systems... and those who participated in politics and capitalism," preferring stories about individuals "trapped between the gears."
- Love for Dreamers & Artists: His films often highlight characters "trying to break the chains of modern society and do something a little bit different."
"He seemed to have a lot of contempt for systems and structure... And he was interested in the people who kind of got trapped between the gears of those spaces." – Sean Fennessey [02:39]
The Ensemble Cast Method
[03:15]
- Generosity to Actors: Altman gave actors creative freedom, fostering a sense of troupe collaboration.
- Example: On Nashville, actors wrote their own songs, anchoring emotional and narrative authenticity.
"Altman asked his actors to write their own songs that their characters would perform… let them make the movie with him, not for him." – Sean Fennessey [03:26]
Improvisation and Trust
[05:52]
- Improvisation: Altman trusted actors—many non-professionals—to improvise and infuse roles with authenticity (e.g., Ronnie Blakely in Nashville).
- Real-World Portrayal: Preference for actors who felt rooted in reality versus "the construction of Hollywood."
"He wanted someone who felt a little bit more a part of the real world and not a part of the construction of Hollywood." – Sean Fennessey [06:34]
Altman’s Subversive & Mischievous Spirit
[07:06]
- Mischief as Method: Altman routinely defied Hollywood norms; e.g., he insisted on overlapping dialogue against studio orders in Countdown—resulting in being fired, but also setting a new style.
- Challenge to Authority: Altman “thumbed his nose at what was expected,” often dramatizing resistance to authority both in his storytelling and in industry relationships.
"He kind of looked at authority and said, I'm gonna do what I wanna do. And you can find that same energy in the text of all of his movies too." – Sean Fennessey [08:41]
Altman's Roots in Television
[09:45]
- Early Career: Started with industrial films in Kansas City, then spent a decade directing for TV (e.g., Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Westerns, Combat!) before moving into feature films.
- Unique Pipeline: Unlike most, managed to transition from TV “trenches” to become a major film director.
Collaborating with Actors: Shelley Duvall
[10:55]
- Shelley Duvall: Starred in seven Altman films; Altman recognized her “singular, individualistic quality” and unique blend of vulnerability and blind confidence.
- Casting Philosophy: Embraced actors outside the Hollywood mainstream for their distinctiveness.
"[Shelley Duvall] doesn't really look like anyone else... she had this unusual sense of, I would say, a blind confidence mixed with a vulnerability that is very rare." – Sean Fennessey [11:07]
Listener Call-Ins on Altman’s Impact
[11:54]
- Nick (caller): Praises Nashville, shares an anecdote about Vassar Clements becoming friends with Altman, highlighting the familial atmosphere Altman cultivated on set.
- Nancy (caller) [19:04]: Reminisces about Altman’s challenging late '70s period, but emphasizes the loyalty among his "production family" and the joyful, communal spirit surrounding his productions.
MASH — The Breakthrough
[13:36]
- Content Innovations: The film was shocking in its day for both frank depiction of surgery and bawdy, subversive humor that "actively winked at the viewer."
- Significance: Addressed contemporary issues under the guise of the Korean War (read as commentary on Vietnam).
"And then on top of that, there was this really bawdy, almost lewd sense of humor that permeates the film..." – Sean Fennessey [13:39]
Popeye — The Box Office "Failure"
[14:41]
- Misunderstood Film: Despite a "funky reputation," Fennessy argues Popeye is "quite charming and sweet and more or less true to the Popeye cartoon."
- Production Myths: Reports of excess in Malta painted it as a disaster, contributing to its poor commercial performance.
Post-Popeye: Artistic Reinvention
[16:45]
- Secret Honor: After commercial setbacks, Altman turned to more experimental, theatrical works, notably Secret Honor (one-man play/film starring Philip Baker Hall as Nixon).
- Technical Mastery: Showcases Altman’s ability to adapt his style for tight, character-driven storytelling.
"It's a real step up for him, technically speaking... razor sharp filmmaking style and the hall performance... is utterly captivating as Nixon." – Sean Fennessey [17:31]
The Communal Altman Company
[19:46]
- Production Family: Altman’s loyalty bred a tight-knit company; cast and crew often traveled en masse, finding joy and professional growth on his sets.
The Player — Altman's 1990s Comeback
[20:41]
- Meta-Hollywood: Satirical murder mystery about a studio executive (Tim Robbins). Packed with celebrity cameos; sharply critical and darkly comedic.
- Industry Appeal: Revitalized Altman's career by offering biting yet affectionate commentary on the movie business.
"A movie made by a guy who's like, everybody here is kind of an idiot." – Sean Fennessey [21:40]
Entry Points for New Altman Viewers
[22:21] Fennessy's top recommendations:
- The Long Goodbye — Modern noir with Elliott Gould, offers a fresh take on classic Hollywood archetypes.
- California Split — A sad, hilarious look at friendship and gambling addiction (Gould & George Segal).
- Gosford Park — British period mystery, precursor to Downton Abbey; accessible and fun.
"My favorite Altman movie is California Split... simultaneously very sad and hilarious and I think really underlines just what can happen when you get a little bit too close to the fire of gambling." – Sean Fennessey [22:34]
The Legacy of Robert Altman & Robert Redford
[23:44]
- Altman: Celebrated for his collaborative genius, subversive spirit, and contributions to American cinema.
- Redford: Brief note on Redford’s passing and legacy as an actor, activist, and director—"on the Mount Rushmore" of Hollywood.
"He is quite literally one of the greatest movie stars in American film history." – Sean Fennessey [23:46]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "He was extremely generous and open minded about what actors could bring to movies." – Sean Fennessey [03:15]
- "He was kind of thumbing his nose at what was expected of him." – Sean Fennessey [07:08]
- "There's this famous story about... Countdown... where he introduced the idea of overlapping dialogue." – Sean Fennessey [07:11]
- "He wanted someone who felt a little bit more a part of the real world and not a part of the construction of Hollywood." – Sean Fennessey [06:34]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:40 – Introduction to Robert Altman’s centennial and episode premise
- 01:52 – Altman’s signature cinematic traits
- 02:34 – Altman’s themes: systems vs. individuals
- 03:15 – Ensemble casts & actor collaboration
- 05:52 – Improvisation and trust in casting
- 07:06 – Subversiveness and overlapping dialogue anecdote
- 09:45 – Altman’s television origins
- 10:55 – Collaborating with Shelley Duvall
- 11:54 – Listener stories (Nashville, Altman set anecdotes)
- 13:36 – MASH and its innovations
- 14:41 – Popeye and box office perceptions
- 16:45 – Secret Honor and Altman’s mid-career pivot
- 19:04 – More listener stories on Altman’s production company
- 20:41 – The Player and 1990s comeback
- 22:21 – Altman “starter films”
- 23:44 – Robert Redford’s legacy tribute
Conclusion
This episode offers a comprehensive and affectionate portrait of Robert Altman—highlighting his artistic innovations, collaborative filmmaking ethos, subversive humor, and lasting relevance. Fennessey’s curation and expertise, combined with listener call-ins, paint Altman as both a singular auteur and a builder of creative, communal cinematic worlds. The episode serves as a compelling primer for longtime fans and Altman newcomers alike.