Blank Check with Griffin & David – Episode 1941 with Mike Mitchell & Nick Weiger

Release Date: February 2, 2025

Hosts: Griffin Newman & David Sims
Guests: Mike Mitchell & Nick Weiger
Produced by: Ben Hosley

Introduction

In Episode 1941 of Blank Check with Griffin & David, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve deep into Steven Spielberg's infamous comedy film, 1941. Joined by special guests Mike Mitchell and Nick Weiger, the episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the movie's creation, execution, and legacy within Spielberg's illustrious filmography.

Overview of 1941

1941 is portrayed as Spielberg's attempt to follow the massive success of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind by leveraging his "blank check" from Hollywood to produce an extravagant passion project. However, the film is widely regarded as one of Spielberg's notable flops, struggling to blend comedy with war themes.

Taglines and Marketing Challenges

The discussion begins with the hosts addressing the film's marketing strategy, emphasizing the overuse of the phrase "the most explosive" combined with "Comedy Spectacular."

• David: “[00:31] '...the most explosive movie ever made and a Comedy Spectacular.' This speaks to the inherent issues with this movie that they're selling—it's supposed to be both hilariously funny and massively grandiose.”

• Griffin: “[01:39] 'Most equaling best.' It's a classic case where 'most' is used to imply superiority, which isn't always effective.”

This dual-tagline approach set unrealistic expectations, leaving audiences confused about the film's actual content and tone.

Analysis of Movie Content and Humor

Griffin and David critique the film's comedic elements, noting the scarcity of memorable and distinctive lines devoid of offensive language.

• Nick Weiger: “[02:10] *'My question for you is, did you consciously avoid a quote from the movie because you couldn't find a line of dialogue that didn't have an Asian slur?'”

• David: “[02:18] 'I think there are very few quotes from this movie. There are very few distinctive lines that don't have something offensive.'”

The guests argue that the film's humor often falls flat, relying on chaotic and excessive slapstick without clear comedic targets or context.

Character Analysis

The episode delves into the ensemble cast, focusing on characters portrayed by Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Treat Williams.

• Griffin: “[03:21] 'You could say Dan Aykroyd is like the V of reason among the various people who are going crazy.'”

• David: “[04:05] 'It's fascinating how Spielberg cast Aykroyd and Belushi but failed to give them meaningful interactions or roles that clarify their significance.'”

Treat Williams' character is critiqued for lacking depth and clear motivation, making it difficult for audiences to root for him.

Direction and Production Critique

Mike Mitchell and Nick Weiger assess Spielberg's directorial choices, highlighting how 1941 deviates from his strengths in seamlessly integrating humor into non-comedic films.

• David: “[07:09] 'Spielberg's operating principle on this movie was 'anything goes.' This feels like a deliberate attempt to screw up, possibly to feel grounded after early successes.'”

The extended cut's documentary reveals Spielberg's struggles with balancing scale and humor, ultimately leading to a disjointed narrative.

• Griffin: “[45:39] 'He led with spectacle but forgot the story, focusing too much on visual gags without sufficient narrative support.'”

Box Office Performance and Reception

1941 had a lukewarm box office performance, barely recouping its budget worldwide. The episode compares it unfavorably to contemporary comedies that succeeded through tighter narratives and stronger comedic foundations.

• Griffin: “[156:18] 'Steve Martin’s The Jerk was a major hit, making 1941 look more like a missed opportunity rather than an attempt to capitalize on Spielberg’s success.'”

Comparisons with Other Films

The guests draw parallels between 1941 and other Spielberg projects, as well as comedies that managed to balance humor and narrative effectively.

• Nick Weiger: “[31:25] 'Red One also fails as an action-comedy, similar to 1941, but Used Cars manages to succeed by maintaining a coherent comedic vision.'”

• Mike Mitchell: “[91:56] 'Movies like The Jerk and Used Cars hit the right balance of laugh-out-loud moments while keeping the story engaging, something 1941 struggled with.'”

Guest Insights and Anecdotes

Mike Mitchell and Nick Weiger share personal experiences and observations about the movie, touching on its chaotic energy and lack of cohesive humor.

• Mike Mitchell: “[112:08] 'I paused the movie to read about Dumbo and Trumbo on Wikipedia because the film itself wasn't engaging enough.'”

• Nick Weiger: “[163:21] 'The film’s attempt at parody is overstuffed, making it hard to identify why certain jokes are funny, leading to a disconnected viewing experience.'”

They also highlight the film’s technical achievements, such as Greg Jein’s special effects, which, despite their excellence, couldn’t salvage the movie's overarching flaws.

Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and guests reflect on 1941's place in Spielberg's filmography and its lessons for aspiring filmmakers. They tease upcoming episodes, including discussions on Raiders of the Lost Ark and other Spielberg films, promising more in-depth analyses and engaging conversations.

• Griffin: “[171:53] 'Next week, we'll dive into Raiders of the Lost Ark, another pivotal Spielberg film that marked his remarkable comeback.'”

• David: “[172:25] 'Stay tuned for our exploration of the Indiana Jones series, where we'll uncover what makes these adventure films stand out in Spielberg's career.'”

Notable Quotes

• David: “[00:44] 'This movie had like six similar taglines... big and funny, expensive.'”

• Nick Weiger: “[17:24] 'The unrelenting cacophony is like the Waterworld stunt show at Universal.'”

• Griffin: “[25:14] 'Movies like Dr. Strangelove have a clear point of view, whereas 1941 leaves me wondering what it's even about.'”

• Mike Mitchell: “[57:52] 'Griffin, you're getting riled up here!'”

• David: “[74:35] 'He was proud of the movie and wanted to move past it, but it ended up being a chaotic mess.'”

Conclusion

Episode 1941 of Blank Check with Griffin & David offers a thorough and critical examination of Steven Spielberg's overambitious comedy, 1941. Through engaging dialogue and insightful critiques, hosts and guests illuminate the film's shortcomings and its impact on Spielberg's career trajectory. Whether you're a seasoned film enthusiast or new to the podcast, this episode provides valuable perspectives on one of Hollywood's more notorious missteps.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.