63. Remake Special: Hairspray, The alamo, The Thing from another World

Tonight on our re-make special we shall be looking at classic films that have been re-made, re-used and re-cycled. We will be saying Good Morning to Baltimore, You must remember this to San Antonio and Good Grief, I wasn’t expecting that in the antarctic. Welcome to They don’t re-make em like they used to.In tonight's remake special of They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To, host Sharon and co-hosts Shaun and Joe delve into the world of film remakes, reuses, and re-imaginings. Broadcasting from St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight, the team brings a twist to their usual format by exploring how classic pre-1980s cinema compares to more recent adaptations.Hidden Gem – Hairspray: Sharon kicks off the show with her personal choice, comparing John Waters' 1988 cult classic with the 2007 musical remake. The group discusses the evolution of characters like Edna Turnblad, traditionally played by men in drag, from Divine to John Travolta. They also examine the film's deeper themes of racial integration and civil rights in 1962 America.Bonafide Classic – The Alamo: Shaun introduces the 1960 epic directed by and starring John Wayne. The team compares this legendary portrayal of the 1836 siege with the 2004 revisionist remake starring Billy Bob Thornton and Dennis Quaid. They discuss the historical accuracies, the legendary Davy Crockett, and the emotional resonance of the musical score "The Green Leaves of Summer".Sci-Fi/Horror Remakes – The Thing: Joe sets a chilling scene in the Antarctic with the 1982 version of The Thing, directed by John Carpenter. The discussion spans from the original 1951 film The Thing from Another World to Carpenter's masterpiece and the 2011 prequel/remake. They highlight the suspenseful "blood test" scene and the sheer mastery of Carpenter's atmospheric tension.The Quiz: Joe challenges the team with a cinematic trivia quiz centered around an Academy Award-winning legend whose career spanned six decades and who beat out icons like Frank Sinatra and James Dean for Best Actor.Note: Please be aware that all music tracks discussed during this episode have been edited out due to licensing restrictions.Join us as we explore why sometimes the classics are best, and other times, they don't remake 'em like they used to.