This time out we have an extra-sized and extra-AWESOME episode of the podcast.  Joining me is my friend and fellow podcaster Michael Bailey (of Views From the Longbox and From Crisis to Crisis) and we spend THREE FULL HOURS discussing the films of Savage Steve Holland!

Who is Savage Steve Holland, you ask?

You may not necessarily recognize the name but any child of the Eighties will recognize the phrase “I want my two dollars!”  That’s right, Savage Steve directed Better Off Dead …, the 1985 John Cusack classic about breakups, French foreign exchange students, psychotic paperboys, and weird neighbors who sit at home crocheting and snorting nasal spray.

But that’s not all we talk about.  We also reminisce about Savage Steve’s other two films:  the 1986 beach romp One Crazy Summer, which also stars John Cusack as well as Demi Moore and Bobcat Goldthwait; and we talk about his least-known but most-underrated film, How I Got Into College.

Here’s where to listen:

iTunes:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Direct Download

Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

Also, here’s a few great extras.  First, the theatrical poster for Better Off Dead …

The cover of the soundtrack to Better Off Dead …, which is a CD that is out of print and not on iTunes (except for the song “Like to Get To Know You Well” by Howard Jones) but various clips can be found on YouTube …

Here’s “One Way Love” by Elizabeth Daily (she performs the song at the dance — it’s the one that has the movie’s title in the lyrics) …

And “A Little Luck,” also by Elizabeth Daily (also performed at the dance — the slower of the two songs) …

Here’s the poster for One Crazy Summer …

Here is “What Does It Take” by Honeymoon Suite, which plays over the movie’s end credits …

Here’s the theatrical poster for How I Got Into College …

A behind the scenes look at the making of How I Got Into College …

And “Young” by Jason Scheff, which plays during one of the movie’s montages as well as over part of the end credits …

Also, if you’re interested in some further reading on Savage Steve Holland and his films, here’s a few great articles that I used in my research for the episode …

The Sneeze’s Tribute to Better Off Dead … This excellent website features an interview with both Savage Steve Holland and Dan Schneider.  They talk about the filming of both Better Off Dead … and One Crazy Summer.

“Revenge of the Spazzes” from L.A. Weekly  An interview with Savage Steve about his career and his films.

Film Arcade, “Savage Steve Holland Talks About Better Off Dead … & One Crazy Summer at the Aero Theater Coverage of a special night at the movies with Savage Steve–a screening of his two movies as well as an after-screening Q&A.

Better off Dead Camaro  Someone tracked down the Camaro from Better Off Dead … and restored it.  A great, very fun site.

Time Magazine, “Admission Accomplished”  A look at How I Got Into College as part of a list of great college admission movies.

Forgotten Films, How I Got Into College Another blog takes a look at the very underrated How I Got Into College