The Valley Of Gwangi (Welcome To The Basement)

[@dcanmore]

loved this movie (& Jason and the Argonauts) as a kid growing up in Scotland in the 1970s, they seemed so exotic to me, wonderful escapism. I had the pleasure to meet and chat with Ray Harryhausen back in 2010, such a lovely and warm gentleman who never lost his enthusiasm for movies, he would happily chat all day about filmmaking and techniques. His memory and humour was still sharp as a pin at 90 years old. Up until his death in 2013 his home address and phone number was still publicly listed in the phone book.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

He was still listed in the phone book up to his death?What a great guy.

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

Rodeo is a ballet composed by Aaron Copland and choreographed by Agnes de Mille, which premiered in 1942. Subtitled "The Courting at Burnt Ranch", the ballet consists of five sections: "Buckaroo Holiday", "Corral Nocturne", "Ranch House Party," "Saturday Night Waltz", and "Hoe-Down". I think this work inspired Bernstein and all the later scores with similar motifs and orchestration.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Good to know.

[@Luciegirl14]

"Tell money I love it!" is one of the funniest bits of commentary you've ever had. Perhaps some day there will be a way to put it in the Hall of Fame. I still can't stop laughing. :-D

[@samvimes9510]

Ray Harryhausen is an absolute legend and stop motion is still one of my favorite types of special effects. I think that's why I like Laika's films so much, stop motion is almost a lost art but they put their heart and souls into making outstanding stop motion movies. I'm still mad that general audiences and award ceremonies ignore their films and just go for generic CGI garbage instead. And I don't know if you two have seen the Disney cartoon Gravity Falls (something for you to show your kid in a few years, Craig), but one of the episodes has a whole 3D stop-motion bit and pays tribute to Harryhausen.

[@nerdsman567]

I'm so glad you guys got around to reviewing a Ray Harryhausen movie! :D

[@katsujinken10]

The only Harryhausen movie Craig has seen is Clash of the Titans? Fingers crossed for a future upcoming episode featuring Jason and the Argonauts or those Sinbad movies!

[@jackalackb17]

I love the fact that the movie ends with a cowboy killing a dinosaur WITH a cathedral.

[@johnloxley8705]

Great times … great old movies …. & Dinosaurs !! Love it 👍🏽😀

[@MessnMan]

You guys should do a side episode of the show where it's just Seen It for 20 minutes

[@joe-zz5cs]

Craig! You must see Mighty Joe Young! See all of Harryhausen's movies

[@brantblackard]

An attempt to answer your question about music in westerns: a great deal of the modern "American" musical sound can be traced back to the American composer Aaron Copeland. His works from the 1930s and 40s, like Billy the Kid, Rodeo, and Appalachian Spring tried to evoke the wide expanses of the American frontier. This quickly became codified and greatly influenced future composers when they tried capturing that frontier aesthetic., Thanks guys, love the show!

[@Babychucuhu]

Brant Blackard You beat me to the answer! Dang it.

[@CaptChrispy]

Brant Blackard Also, that clip they played seemed to have a Mexican influence

[@brantblackard]

Absolutely; Mexican composers like Revueltas can't be ignored as another great source of inspiration for those early film score depictions of the west.

[@jazztrombone]

And Copland himself was influenced by the music of Mexico. The clearest example of this is his symphonic piece "El Salon Mexico."

[@alecwasawesome]

glad to see that when they were wondering where this music came from that i wasn't the first person to think "ooh ooh it's aaron copeland"

[@katelynnemcdougall5760]

Hello Matt and Craig! Hope you're both doing well. Thank you so much for this wonderfully entertaining and thought provoking commentary. In celebration of Craig becoming a father, my question is: who is the best dad in cinema and why? Who is the worst father in cinema?

[@MELANIE1001]

Harryhausen was such a genius...I never get tired of watching his work. When I was young I played around with stop motion myself, inspired completely by his movies.

[@eeriedragonjiheun838]

I'm gonna constantly recommend 'Valerie and Her Week of Wonders' until it's either on Seen It, or until they actually review it, because if it happens to be that they haven't seen it, then it's gonna make for a great episode.

[@klipkultur2951]

Thanks guys. A forgotten classic of my youth that I must now rewatch in its totality.

[@PokerJoker811]

When you asked about the gypsy woman's motivation, my mind went back to The Magician, and how Matt dissected power and discussed the power of mythos. If you think about it, that power has to be maintained by a knowledge that the outsiders lack. This woman is queen of her particular hill. By the dinosaur becoming known, the valley would also be known, and the secret would become common knowledge. It's that concern for the preservation of her mystic authority that wants her to set the curse in motion, to preserve the secret of the valley from the townsfolk. That's my theory, anyway.

[@PlastoJoe]

I liked Cowboys & Aliens too. I went to see what was in the title, and that was exactly what I got. Satisfied!

[@notcinema]

Those Magnificent Seven style scores really remind me of Gustav Holst's 'Jupiter'. I don't know if that's the direct inspiration, but it might be.

[@JorgeSanchezFilms]

I just realized that the cover for the "Animal EP" by The Savages is a screenshot from this film! You guys always end up teaching me new things, or making me understand stuff better on my own, thanks for that. By the way, Seen It: Ghost In The Shell? Awesome movie that really isn't what everybody thinks it is; it resembles a philosophic essay movie much more than it does an action flick. Keep it up guys!

[@lyricsfromsweden]

Hey, here's a viewer question for you guys. What is a movie that you'd love to have been made by a different director? For instance, I would love to have seen Titanic directed by Gregg Araki.

[@RLucas3000]

Your talk of presidents and John Adams made me wonder if you've ever seen 1776? Saw it in the 6th grade and still love it. Definitely the best musical ever made.

[@raez5714]

My mom put this movie on for me to watch A LOT when I was young. I had forgotten about it until now. I wonder why she picked this movie? Strange..

[@lyricsfromsweden]

Never thought I'd hear Craig say "Bird up". Amazing!

[@Tobio88]

Nice little detail with the T.rex album behind Craig. Maybe that's why he sensed dinosaur? I wonder if you have seen the comedy To be or not to be, either the 1942 original or the Mel Brooks remake. If both, which one do you prefer and why? :)

[@bigred7509]

Have you guys seen Seven Psychopaths? It's a great film that subverts and satirizes a lot of genre expectations and does it with the typical McDonagh dry, dark wit. Sam Rockwell, Colin Farrel, and your boy Christopher Walken give great performances. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

[@CaptChrispy]

Oh. T-REX! I get it!

[@alexanderforbes1452]

Ah, the hunt for the wilderpeople is such a wonderful movie, the scene with Taika as the reverend is hysterical. I didn't really care for Shark vs Eagle (or is it Eagle vs Shark) but what we do in the shadows is right on the same level as hunt or the wilderpeople. And of course it goes without saying that Flight of the Concords is a great show, one of my all time favorites.

[@moriahpictures8819]

Great episode, gents! SEEN IT: My wife recently introduced me to a German film entitled, The Lives of Others. It's about East Germany in the 80s, and a wiretapping spy who follows the lives of government funded artists. From it's description, it sounds like a boring film, but it's filled with drama, suspense and is surprisingly charming. The cinematography is beautiful. And the wiretapper you end up falling in love with him- even though he's a little creepy.

[@NinjaDimes]

Hey, I watched Hunt for the Wilderpeople two weeks ago, I'm surprised you guys watched it. I really enjoyed it. It was not what I was expecting at all, and I feel like it really played up quirky New Zealand humor. Also, the older I get the more I appreciate Sam Neil, too I find.

[@thomaseastmond8455]

I remember when I was little and saw the end, I wanted to break the DVD to avenge Gwangi.

[@MasterofPuberty]

Love that The Jam LP peaking out behind you, Matt!

[@MasterofPuberty]

Ha, thanks.

[@caffeineadvocate]

Didn't Chester Arthur have Die Hard With A Vengeance?

[@claymanryan5679]

is there some sort of symbolism I'm not picking up on with a dinosaur dying in a church?

[@parkerhowell2012]

New to this channel, wow! You guys are so entertaining keep it up!

[@jhagen22]

Another great episode guys!

[@joelthefirst]

Digging the shirt, Matt.

[@ercrd]

have you seen green room? one of my favorites of last year, and one of the most authentically punk movies I've seen. Anton Yelchin is dearly missed.

[@Hannah-vh3tm]

Have you guys seen Notes on a Scandal? (Based on the book) Cate and Judi are wonderful, as always.

[@GonzoCiosain]

The Phantom Of Liberty is another great Bunuel film you guys should check out if you haven't already.

[@ironikkronik]

Great episode!

[@Jimb3rts]

If nobody rides a horse alongside a pack of trained raptors in this movie, I will be sorely disappointed.

[@Femkroner]

Plot twist, Craig did see "Still Alice".

[@blamesocietyfilms]

Ha ha

[@craigjohnson6423]

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

[@GoatHeadWalletProdt]

I would say that the western Soundtrack idea kinda came from John Fords Stagecoach.

[@RobotEthanMars]

The ending of this film could be considered symbolic of the relationship between science and religion, where they are destined to be at odds, and to fight battles that neither can "win" due to the nature of the subjects involved. Naturally, religion "wins" here through misdirection, and the result is lost knowledge and understanding. Not going to guess this was the filmmaker's idea, but something I thought was interesting.

[@Noyjeetut]

Movie Suggestion: The Quiet Man From the Christmas episode I remember you guys not loving Maureen O'Hara performance, so I thought you could give her another chance in this John Wayne classic.

[@johnthemachine]

Im watching this on MLK day.....so it IS a national holiday..... INCEPTION

[@skeksis98]

i really enjoyed this episode and for sure will check this movie out !! i wish you guys would check out Dinotopia for laughs

[@adamjg4]

You have to admit that old gypsy woman was pretty hot - eyepatch and all.

[@youwayo]

Gwangi is an allisaurus

[@jonbays-broils598]

The first time I saw this movie it reminded me of the Dead Milkmen song It's the Thing That Only Eats Hippies. That Gwanji only eat hispanics.

[@samarkandra]

GUYS. have you seen the movie Pepperminta?

[@neverboardofgaming]

Hey guys can I suggest a movie? Possibly my favorite, and I think you both may enjoy it! The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki, this being his last film. You've already watch My Neighborhood Totoro which was great, I think a deeper movie by Hayao might be right up your alley 😃 If you do... get ready to feel many emotions haha.

[@neverboardofgaming]

Or! A Letter to Momo. Another fantastic animation movie that is just a joy to watch, and a crazy labor of love for the director. It always amazes me how much work goes into animation!

[@Faynwulf]

GWAAAAAANGI

[@Grinix0]

hey matt could you tell aaron i said wasup when you see him

[@MattStum]

Rated "G", eh? Do you think it would receive the same rating today, and what does that say?

[@mulletboater]

there were fewer ratings back then. if the EXCACT movie were done today with the highly unrealistic effects it could slide on a PG. if it was contemporary effects, it could go PG -13 . not an R unless a bare female nipple appears

[@adriancoria2584]

You have to do more samurai movies, Kobayashi's Harakiri is one of the best if you haven't seen it yet

[@thehulkmadsmash6716]

the fluid motion of the animation is fantastic, but what always makes it look fake to me is the lighting of the model compaired to its surroundings. It is always much brighter and seperates it from the rest of the scene.

[@brentrichards4160]

Does Zombieland count as a B movie?

[@joelalexander4513]

"They Harryhausened that horse" - grade A.

[@hcalmijebi]

Aaron Copland created the sound of the West. Give him a listen

[@BlackHoleBrew42]

Secret Honor is the best

[@mergus]

Craig hasn't seen Jason and the Argonauts? For shame!

[@pvtjhon]

13:41 Braizers

[@musclesmarinara88]

i'd love to see a movie about jimmy carter or woodrow wilson

[@HankCarver]

The fact that Craig hasn't seen Jason and the Argonauts is frankly insulting.

[@blamesocietyfilms]

When did anyone say that?

[@blamesocietyfilms]

Oh right, he said that at the beginning. Nevermind.

[@HankCarver]

He did comment on how great the special effects were in the Scene It portion of the show. I assume he just hasn't seen the whole thing?

[@Trevin_Taylor]

the skeleton fight, where the skeleton jumps over a fallen body, is a mastery of effects. you need to watch this movie.

[@craigjohnson6423]

What I should have seen by now is the Seventh Voyage of Sinbad, because the star Kerwin Matthews is from my hometown, and I have also worked with a different actor in the movie. I started watching it, then got lazy.

[@tylerskiss]

I think William Henry Harrison would be the perfect US President to make a film about. and I can honestly say the only reason I know about WHH is not because of schooling- in fact, I don't think they ever mentioned him in all my years of schooling. No, I learned about him where most US citizens did: the Simpsons!

[@craigjohnson6423]

You could tell the WHH story in real time practically.

[@AdudenamedKemp]

T. Rex...? Oh! I GET it!

[@Alsis]

You guys need to watch G.O.R.A

[@OfficialChrissums]

kung pow enter the fist! theres nothing like it!

[@MrNakki]

the trumpage is strong with this episode, hahaha

[@heavyhands1383]

Oatmeal raisin 4 lyfe

[@Scallycowell]

Seen it? Meets The Feebles

[@smacksalad]

James Franciscus ftw!

[@ApparitorQuebecensis]

BIRD UP

[@peterkroger7112]

Actually, I think the audience back in the 60ies probably was Not that sympathetic to Gwangi. Most were surely happy that that evil monster died in the end.

[@Phil-r6k]

I saw it at the theater in 1969 when I was a little kid, and I felt sorry for Gwangi when he was kidnapped, taken to a strange land, exploited and murdered. The same can be said for King Kong.

[@zachthomas1638]

so much like King Kong

[@emilyeisenheim2630]

Are you seeing anyone right know? funniest joke XD love this B-movie march.. sorry, barch ;)

[@3ldyrnce759]

The Gally of tha Wandzy

[@Sir_Master_Kaino]

Gwangi is an Allosaurus. Not a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

[@Phil-r6k]

I’ve loved THE VALLEY OF GWANGI since I saw it at the theater back in 1969, when I was a kid. I don’t consider this a B-movie at all.

[@mustang6172]

I was really hoping Craig was going to mention Chester Arthur. Fun fact: a Woodrow Wilson biopic could double as a remake of Weekend at Bernie's.

[@omarsoliman6430]

Never seen a full Harryhausen movie!!!! You guys call yourselves movie fans,... and you have CLEARLY missed a few of the absolute BEST movies EVER made. The ones you've missed are glaringly obvious. I need not even begin to mention them. Just get on with it for the LOVE OF GOD!!! Go watch them

[@kevink706]

Are you guys a couple?

[@meticulator]

But Zendaya is Meechee and LeBron James is Gwangi!

[@GreatWightSpark]

Wow, if I had seen this film as a kid I would probably have joined one of those church hating Norwegian death metal bands. Poor Gwangi! His entrance scene, where he comes in from the right, suddenly, to kill the running/screaming ostrich-dinosaur might be the inspiration behind the "flocking" scene in JP.

[@musclesmarinara88]

and like craig i too have a love of presidential history

[@venomousspiderwookie]

Second

[@MrPolecat]

I love this movie. In a cringey way. :D

[@Mandrak0s]

Should have found that woman eight years ago.

[@cgreenwade2000]

Mandrakos salty

[@pcwkid76]

Oh spare me.

[@Mandrak0s]

But right, nonetheless. :)