Napalm in the Morning + Phetasy Digest
RFK Jr. Voice is Back | The Trans Tide is Turning...Rapidly | The Epstein Spectrum of Conspiracies | Bridget and Jeren Talk Religion | Gropyers Make Goyslop in Abundance
On the set of The Godfather (1972), Robert Duvall goaded James Caan into mooning Marlon Brando, who then escalated the prank into a full-blown rear-end-flashing contest. The whole Godfather set sounds like a real chuckle fest. Duvall later said, “[Director Francis Ford] Coppola would say, ‘Come on, guys. We got to be serious.’ But he knew that by all this fooling around and having fun, it relaxed everybody. Being irreverent in a positive way made the set more loose.”
True Grit (1969) is Duvall at 38, playing Lucky Ned Pepper, with his gnarly lip. He constantly fought with John Wayne, who threatened to punch Duvall at least once. When Duvall was young and poor, his roommates were Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman.
The set of Apocalypse Now (1979) was also insane. Dennis Hopper again, stoned out of his gourd, a habit he perfected on the set of Easy Rider, a perfect contrast to Duvall. Martin Sheen has a great anecdote about Duvall’s prowess as an actor on the set. Then there’s the famous “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” scene. Duvall later said, “From a quarter-mile I could feel that heat on the back of me when that thing began to go,” when describing the gasoline-based napalm used for a scene. Then there was Tender Mercies (1983). Lonesome Dove (1989), The Apostle (1997), Sling Blade (1996), Open Range (2003), Network (1976). Talk about range: He played a priest in Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and a wise heist-man in Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000), from cult cinema to about as mainstream as it gets. Those are just a handful of stories from a handful of the 80-odd movies Duvall appeared in. What a gift.
Have a good weekend, Pham.
DUMPSTER FIRE - EPISODE #290
Where Do You Fall On The Epstein Spectrum?
The Epstein files are like a box of chocolates, you never know what kind of theory you’re going to get from someone. Everyone has a take on the Epstein files and Bridget is here to explain and analyze the Epstein Spectrum.
WALK-INS WELCOME - EPISODE #378
Gender Affirming Care On Trial - Benjamin Ryan
Independent journalist Benjamin Ryan was the only reporter who sat through all three weeks of the first-ever gender surgery malpractice trial. He and Bridget discuss the chilling testimony of a mother who was browbeaten until she consented to her daughter’s mastectomy, a 15-year-old’s 11-month sprint from questioning her gender to surgery, and why the psychologist was an “enabler” instead of a measured professional.
DUMPSTER FIRE - EPISODE #291
RFK Jr. Did Lines Off a Toilet Seat and Now He Runs American Health
MAHA is furious with MAGA today and Bridget whips out her RFK Jr. impression.
THE SPECTATOR
Meet the male Kardashians
What happens when the Internet’s Groypers gather in Miami Beach for a night of “slay gurl” partying? Reality TV, the likes of which have never been seen.
Imagine making The Great Santini and it doesn't even make the list. This is when people talk about the greatest Bob Dylan songs.