The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour (224)

Thank you for joining us today

Before our feature presentation, ACME would like to start the evening with another Merrie Melodies Bugs Bunny cartoon, the 1956 Half-Fare Hare, directed by Robert McKimson.



The cartoon features the song Carolina in the Morning, rather than the more obvious choice Chattanooga Choo Choo; Carolina in the Morning's faster melodic rhythm and emphatic downbeats complement the timing of the action in the cartoon.


Before the start of our feature presentation, ACME Eagle Hand Soap would like to wish English singer, songwriter, vegetarian, animal rights supporter and all around grump Steven Morrissey of The Smiths a very Happy Birthday, but heavens knows he's probably miserably now.



Whatever you do, please don't mention The Simpsons to the birthday boy..


We've picked another entry from the excellent reference book, 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die by Steven Jay Schneider for today's feature. Today's choice is the 1953, Mr Hulot’s Holiday  Jacques Tati's nearly silent comedy classic featuring himself in the title role. Although Jacques Tati wrote, directed and starred in only five feature films between 1948 and 1974, and in all but the first he plays the character, M. Hulot, is is considered by many among the world's greatest directors. Hulot isn't an unusual name in France, and Tati may have borrowed it from an architect he knew with a peculiar walk. Tati owes debts to both Charlie Chaplin, for his pantomime skill and use of sound effects, and Buster Keaton for his insistence on wide-angle shots. Rowan Atkinson cites this film as one of the influences for his Mr. Bean character. The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour would like you to join us in watching this warm and funny vacation, Mr. Hulot's Vacation. So sit back, get comfortable and enjoy the film.



Jacques Tati decided to set production on the beach at Saint-Marc-Sur-Mer, in Saint-Nazarre. He chose the location because he felt that it had a plain, universal quality of postwar beach resorts across France. Most of the establishments and setup of the town were authentic, although Tati did add some sets, such as Martine's family's rental property and the souvenir shop. A statue of Hulot stands on the promenade overlooking the beach at Saint-Marc-Sur-Mer.



Demand Euphoria!