Ep 21. John Landis

Kevin Pollak's Chat Show is an online talk show hosted by the veteran actor, comedian, and impressionist Kevin Pollak, where he interviews some of the most prominent and recognizable personalities from various fields, including entertainment, politics, sports, etc. In season 5, episode 21 of the show, Kevin sits down with the renowned film director, screenwriter, and producer John Landis for an insightful and engaging conversation.

John Landis is one of the most influential and versatile directors in the film industry, responsible for some of the biggest hits and most beloved classics of the last few decades. He has directed, written, or produced over 70 films and television episodes, including iconic titles like "The Blues Brothers," "Animal House," "Trading Places," and "An American Werewolf in London," among many others. In this episode, Kevin talks to Landis about his career, his creative process, his influences, and some of the unforgettable moments and stories from his extensive filmography.

The episode starts with Kevin introducing John Landis, who appears on-screen from his home or office location. Kevin and Landis greet each other warmly, and Kevin asks Landis about his childhood and early interest in filmmaking. Landis shares some anecdotes from his childhood and talks about how he got interested in movies, citing the influence of his father, a successful costume designer who worked for various studios in Hollywood. Landis also talks about his early forays into filmmaking, including his super-8mm films that he made with his friends, some of whom went on to become famous actors and filmmakers themselves.

Kevin then shifts the conversation towards Landis' professional career, asking him about his first big break in the film industry and how he managed to get his foot in the door. Landis talks about his early days as a production assistant and how he hustled his way up the ladder, eventually landing a job as a director for the television show "Schlock Theater." Landis then talks about the making of his first feature film, "Schlock," a horror-comedy about a prehistoric ape-like creature that terrorizes a small town. Landis shares some behind-the-scenes stories from the film, including how he managed to get a special effects budget of just $50 and how he convinced makeup artist Rick Baker to work on the film.

Kevin then asks Landis about some of his most famous and beloved films, starting with "Animal House," a raunchy college comedy that became a box-office sensation and launched the careers of many famous actors, including John Belushi, Tim Matheson, and Karen Allen. Landis talks about how the film was conceived and how he convinced producer Ivan Reitman to take a chance on the project. He also shares some memories of working with the cast and crew, including some wild parties and hijinks on-set.

The conversation then moves on to "The Blues Brothers," Landis' musical comedy featuring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as two hapless blues singers on a mission from God. Landis talks about how the film became a cultural phenomenon and how he convinced music legends like Aretha Franklin and James Brown to appear in the movie. He also shares some hilarious stories about working with Belushi, who was notorious for his drug use and partying.

The episode then delves into some of Landis' other films, including "Trading Places," a comedy about a social experiment that swaps the lives of a wealthy commodity broker and a homeless con man, and "Coming to America," a romantic comedy about an African prince who travels to America to find his true love. Landis shares some fascinating insights into the making of these films, including some behind-the-scenes stories about the casting process, the challenges of shooting on location, and the creative choices that helped make these films so successful.

Throughout the episode, Kevin and Landis engage in a lively and engaging conversation, covering a wide range of topics and exchanging jokes, anecdotes, and insights. Landis proves to be a great storyteller, with a wealth of experience and knowledge about the film industry and an infectious enthusiasm for his craft. Fans of Landis' work, as well as anyone interested in the art of filmmaking, will find plenty to enjoy in this insightful and entertaining episode of Kevin Pollak's Chat Show.