In this episode of the show our trip through John Landis comedies of the 1980s continues with Trading Places. Over the course of our conversation you will hear us talk about this movie as less an example of the 80s-native edgy sketch comedy but rather an evocation of the spirit of classic screwball comedies in the style of Frank Capra and Howard Hawks. We talk about the chemistry between Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy, Hollywood slowly waking up to a possibility that a black star could carry a movie (but still only in an ensemble or a buddy setup) and where John Landis and his edge fits in all this. Finally, we discuss the infamous blackface scene and the gorilla gag, while also wondering about how exactly trading worked in the pre-digital era.

Tune in and enjoy!

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