Worthy

The Life of Emile Zola and the 10th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, are faced with another “biopic” as this episode explores the 10th Academy Awards and 10th Best Picture winner ‘The Life of Emile Zola’. This picture is based on the famous French muckraking writer, Emile Zola and his quest to free a falsely imprisoned Captain in the French Army. With ten nominations, ‘The Life of Emile Zola’ received the highest number of nominations to date. 
We also discuss why the Academy Awards were delayed for the first time in their entire history as well as Joseph Schildkraut’s Oscar winning performance as Alfred Dreyfus. Is Paul Muni’s performance and makeup as Emile Zola truly transformative? Are these true events accurately depicted and should that even matter? Tune in to find out! 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

The Great Ziegfeld and the 9th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, head back to the bright lights of Broadway this episode to explore the 9th Academy Awards and 9th Best Picture winner “The Great Ziegfeld”. This Robert Z. Leonard film tells the true life story of the ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant broadway shows. This biopic would also go on to win the Best Dance Direction award most notably for it’s iconic wedding cake set piece.
The film’s exuberant production design is surrounded by dancing and singing from a huge cast. William Powell defines this legendary womanizer and producer while Luise Rainer would go on to win Best actress for her role as Anna Held. This episode explores biopics and their history in cinema as well as what makes a great biopic. We also discuss the addition of the Best Supporting Actor & Actress category as the Osars continue to grow in popularity. 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Bonus: 93rd Oscar Reactions

Ben and Jon react to the results of the 93rd Academy Awards! The Worthy hosts go through the highlights, snubs, and surprises that unfolded at Hollywood's biggest night. 
 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Mutiny on the Bounty and the 8th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, take the high seas in this episode to explore the 8th Academy Awards and 8th Best Picture winner “Mutiny On The Bounty”. This Frank Lloyd directed epic tells the notorious tale of Captain Bligh (Charles Laughton) and the crew that abandoned him. The film also starred Clark Gable as the leader of the mutinous crew, Fletcher Christian. It also stars Franchot Tone, Herbert Mundin, Eddie Quillan, Dudley Diggs and Donald Crisp.
 
The film’s impressive production and design was led by legendary MGM producer, Irving Thalberg. This week’s episode dives into the appeal of villains like Captain Bligh, the expanding nature of big Hollywood productions and how the Academy Awards continues to change through the early stages.
 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

It Happened One Night and the 7th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, explores the 7th Academy Awards and 7th Best Picture winner “It Happened One Night”. One of the last examples of pre-code Hollywood, this film focuses on the budding love story between Ellie (Claudette Colbert) and Peter (Clark Gable). Led by the direction of Frank Capra, this screwball comedy pulled off one of the rarest feats at the Academy Awards by winning the “Big 5”.
The film’s quick dialogue and top notch acting became its most successful aspects. This week’s episode dives into these performances as well as the abundant themes of sexualization and gender roles from the 1930s. Listen to hear a breakdown of one of the most unique Best Picture winners of all-time.
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Cavalcade and the 6th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, explores the 6th Academy Awards and 6th Best Picture winner “Cavalcade”. The film is a drama about two British families in the early 20th Century in England as the world was changing. Their experiences are showcased through events like World War I, the sinking of the Titanic, and the changing social-political landscape. 
 
This week's show dives into the performances, story structure, and British viewpoint of “Cavalcade”. Listen to hear the origin of the name “Oscars” and how the awards have changed through its early history. Tune in to find out!
 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Bonus: 2021 Oscar Nomination Reactions

Ben and Jon breakdown the announcement of the 93rd Academy Awards nominations. The Worthy hosts go through the highlights, snubs, and surprises of this year's nominees and categories. 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Grand Hotel and the 5th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, explores the 5th Academy Awards and 5th Best Picture winner “Grand Hotel”. A star-studded film that grabbed the attention of audiences due to the popularity of the actors and actresses. The celebrities and stars of “Grand Hotel” include Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore and Wallace Beery!
 
This week's show looks into society’s fascination with celebrities and how Hollywood utilizes them to great success. Listen to hear a review of the characters of the film and how the A-list stars playing them fared in comparison with one another. Can these legendary actors carry the weight of the Grand Hotel? Tune in to find out!
 
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

Cimarron and the 4th Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, explores the 4th Academy Awards and 4th Best Picture winner “Cimarron”. While the film is notably the first Western to take home the ceremony's top prize, it also features some of the downfalls of Hollywood typecasting and racial issues.
This week's show looks into the sophisticated production design of “Cimarron” and how that aspect of filmmaking plays its role. Listen to hear a review of the screenwriting and characters that shape the world within “Cimarron”. This episode also gives updates to the Academy Awards goals to improve upon representation on the silver screen and how that impacts future Best Picture winners. Tune in to find out more!
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!

All Quiet On The Western Front and the 3rd Academy Awards

The Best Picture breakdown by Worthy hosts, Ben Smith and Jon Roberts, explores the 3rd Academy Awards and “All Quiet On The Western Front”. With graphic war sequences and heavy themes of violence and anti-war messages, the 3rd Best Picture winner “All Quiet On The Western Front” took home the top prize for its lasting emotional impact.
This week's show looks into the popularity of war films and why they are entertaining for audiences. Listen to hear a review of the film’s cinematography and technical aspects of the battle scenes. This episode also explores the big jump that “All Quiet On The Western Front” makes compared to its Best Picture predecessors. Tune in to find out more!
If you like this episode and the show, please leave a review! It really does help us. Give us a follow on Instagram at WorthyPodcast and on Twitter @WorthyPod. Subscribe on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you may get your podcasts!