How Did This Get Made? Episode: Sinbad of the Seven Seas LIVE! w/ Jessica St. Clair

Release Date: May 30, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode

In this live episode of How Did This Get Made?, the award-winning comedy podcast hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas are joined by special guest Jessica St. Clair. Filmed live at the Tree Fort Music Festival, the trio dives deep into the puzzling and often nonsensical 1989 film, Sinbad of the Seven Seas.

2. Overview of "Sinbad of the Seven Seas"

The episode kicks off with Paul Scheer introducing the movie:

"Edgar Allan Poe is not a lie, but it's not fiction. Well, it is." [04:50]

Paul sets the stage by highlighting the film's convoluted plot and questionable production choices, emphasizing that Sinbad of the Seven Seas is a film burdened with inconsistencies and baffling narrative choices.

3. Discussion on Plot and ADR

The hosts delve into the film's plot, noting significant discrepancies and the heavy use of ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording):

"If you've not watched this movie, it's completely ADR'd, which means that no dialogue was recorded on set." [06:00]

Jessica St. Clair adds her confusion over the film’s storyline, particularly regarding the nonexistent prince and the fragmented narrative structure. The discussion underscores how ADR negatively impacted the film’s authenticity and coherence.

4. Specific Scenes and Characters

The conversation shifts to dissecting memorable (albeit bewildering) scenes and characters:

• Jafar and Doppelgangers:

  "They look exactly the same. But the drawings are my headlining." [25:04]

  The hosts humorously critique the character design, drawing parallels between Jafar from Aladdin and the film's antagonist, suggesting a lack of originality.

• Sinbad's Heroics:

  "Sinbad doesn't even fight Jafar. He just turns Eir into Sinbad." [27:55]

  They highlight the absurdity of Sinbad's actions, questioning the logic behind major plot points and character motivations.

• The Snake Scene:

  "He's talking so sexy to him. And then seemingly leaves those snakes hanging." [31:29]

  The hosts find the portrayal of Sinbad’s interaction with snakes both disturbing and out of place, critiquing the film’s attempt at depth that falls flat.

5. Production Backstory

A significant portion of the discussion reveals the tumultuous production history of Sinbad of the Seven Seas:

"The original director was replaced by Enzo G. Castellari, who changed Cozy's script drastically." [62:07]

Paul Scheer explains how the film's original director, Luigi Cosi, was ousted and replaced by Enzo Castellari, leading to budget overruns and incoherent reshoots. The use of stock footage from other films, such as Hercules Against the Moon Men, further complicated the movie's continuity.

"Lou Ferrigno has said this is his favorite film that he's ever made." [64:43]

Despite its flaws, Lou Ferrigno, who stars as Sinbad, ironically considers it his favorite project, adding another layer of humor to the podcast’s critique.

6. Audience Interaction and Questions

The live format allows audience members to pose questions, which the hosts tackle with their characteristic humor:

• Question from Andy:

  "How bad is that unreleasable footage?" [50:43]

  Paul provides an overview of the production issues, emphasizing the chaotic efforts to salvage the film.

• Question from Scott:

  "Did you guys catch this documentary?" [52:35]

  The hosts discuss the elusive documentary Capitan Cosi, expressing skepticism about its availability and relevance.

• Question from Gavin:

  "Did Sucre's hair change actors?" [61:43]

  They humorously speculate on the inconsistent character portrayals, attributing it to possible reshoots and budget constraints.

7. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the sheer absurdity of Sinbad of the Seven Seas:

"The movie is playing hard to get. It doesn't answer any of the questions I had, which kept me interested." [73:23]

Jason Mantzoukas summarizes the episode’s sentiment:

"It's dumb as hell, but, like, very watchable in ways that are truly confounding." [73:13]

Paul Scheer closes the discussion by appreciating the film's unique charm despite its numerous flaws, encapsulating the podcast's mission to celebrate and dissect the worst movies ever made.

Key Takeaways

• Production Chaos: The film experienced significant directorial changes and budget issues, leading to a disjointed final product.

• Plot Inconsistencies: Numerous plot holes and nonsensical narrative choices detract from any semblance of a coherent story.

• Character Critique: Characters lack depth and originality, with designs and motivations often feeling recycled or underdeveloped.

• Humorous Dissection: The hosts use humor to highlight and critique the film’s many shortcomings, providing an entertaining analysis for listeners.

Notable Quotes

• Adr Blend: "If you've not watched this movie, it's completely ADR'd, which means that no dialogue was recorded on set." [06:00]

• Jafar Doppelgangers: "They look exactly the same. But the drawings are my headlining." [25:04]

• Snake Scene: "He's talking so sexy to him. And then seemingly leaves those snakes hanging." [31:29]

• Production Backstory: "The original director was replaced by Enzo G. Castellari, who changed Cozy's script drastically." [62:07]

• Final Thoughts: "It's dumb as hell, but, like, very watchable in ways that are truly confounding." [73:13]

For those who haven't listened to this episode, Paul's insightful yet comical breakdown of Sinbad of the Seven Seas provides both entertainment and a deeper appreciation of what makes a "bad movie" memorable. Whether you're a cinephile or just in for some laughs, this episode is a testament to the podcast's ability to find humor and intrigue in the least expected places.