James Earl Jones

Made films the shows talk about.

Counted as actor. The films the hosts said they acted in, which the two lists below run through too: Dr. Strangelove (1964); The Great White Hope (1970); Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977).

Draws on

What the speakers say they, or a film of theirs, drew on. Each is a speaker's account: “the maker said so” when they report the maker's own words, “the host's read” when the read is theirs.

Dune (1984): 2 lines

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Dune ⇒ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (the host's read). The Dune book's messaging is credited as one of the things that inspired Star Wars.
    “And not only that, the messaging of this is one of the things that inspired Star Wars.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 0:22:22 · John Hodgman (0.70 sure it was them)
  2. theme (theme) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Dune ⇒ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (the host's read). Dune's Fremen/revolution material is the denser source that Star Wars abstracts; the Force is Dune without the drugs.
    “the Force in Star Wars is like doom without the drugs.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:17:01 · David Sims (0.30 sure it was them)

Adlai Stevenson: 1 line

  1. unmapped (real-life model) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Adlai Stevenson ⇒ Dr. Strangelove (the host's read). Speaker says Peter Sellers modeled the President (Muffley) on Adlai Stevenson.
    “He modeled it on Adlai Stevenson.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:27:02 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Bob Newhart: 1 line

  1. lineage (comedic influence) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Bob Newhart ⇒ Dr. Strangelove (the host's read). Speaker feels Newhart's one-sided phone-call format and his 1960 albums were a heavy influence on the President's call with the Soviet premier.
    “I feel like a heavy influence on the way the president's phone call with Russia play out in this movie.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:28:44 · Griffin Newman (0.40 sure it was them)

Curtis LeMay: 1 line

  1. unmapped (real-life model) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Curtis LeMay ⇒ Dr. Strangelove (the host's read). Jack D. Ripper is said to be very obviously based on Air Force chief Curtis LeMay.
    “Jack D. Ripper also is very obviously based on Curtis LeMay, who, uh, was the head of the Air Force at the time”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:00:51 · David Sims (0.45 sure it was them)

Dave Toschi: 1 line

  1. unmapped (namesake) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Dave Toschi ⇒ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (the host's read). Star Wars has a Tosche station, named after Dave Toschi.
    “It does. named after Dave Kosk.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Zodiac with Leslye Headland (Ad-Free) · 1:39:12 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Red Alert (novel): 1 line

  1. lineage (adaptation) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Red Alert (novel) ⇒ Dr. Strangelove (the host's read). The speaker says Dr. Strangelove is based on Peter George's serious nuclear thriller Red Alert.
    “so he scoops up this book called Red Alert, which is, of course, what Dr. Strangelove is based on by Peter George that is a serious nuclear thriller.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 0:48:54 · David Sims (0.55 sure it was them)

Seven Samurai (1954): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Seven Samurai ⇒ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (the host's read). Mallory notes Lucas drew on Joseph Campbell, Seven Samurai, and Hidden Fortress, and the cycle of influence is now returning in Mulan.
    “Obviously, Joseph Campbell, as mentioned a moment ago. 7 Samurai, Hidden Fortress.”
    The Big Picture · Did Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Experiment Work? A Binge Mode Investigation · 0:46:32 · Mallory Rubin (0.85 sure it was them)

The Hidden Fortress (1958): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: The Hidden Fortress ⇒ Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (the host's read). Mallory lists Hidden Fortress among Lucas's influences.
    “7 Samurai, Hidden Fortress.”
    The Big Picture · Did Disney’s ‘Mulan’ Experiment Work? A Binge Mode Investigation · 0:46:32 · Mallory Rubin (0.85 sure it was them)

Drawn on by

What the speakers say drew on them or a film of theirs, marked the same way.

Dune (1984): 2 lines

  1. programming (programming) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Dune (the host's read). Dune was positioned and released as the studio's answer to Star Wars, the next big space epic.
    “Uh, this movie is released with the energy of, here you go, here's the new Star Wars.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 0:22:17 · John Hodgman (0.85 sure it was them)
  2. unmapped (tentpole hope) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Dune (the host's read). Dune was meant to be the new Star Wars franchise, Lynch writing the sequel, coloring books on shelves.
    “I thought it was going to be the Star Wars.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Starman with Katey Rich · 2:18:09 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens: 2 lines

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (the host's read). The Force Awakens maps almost exactly onto A New Hope.
    “Force Awakens, which will maybe come up later on this podcast is in almost every respect.”
    The Big Picture · ‘Gladiator II’ Is Here. Are We Not Entertained? · 0:24:06 · Chris Ryan (0.50 sure it was them)
  2. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (the host's read). It ports over Death Star, Tatooine and R2-D2 as Starkiller Base, Jakku and BB-8.
    “in place of the Death Star, you have star killer base.”
    The Big Picture · ‘Gladiator II’ Is Here. Are We Not Entertained? · 1:24:09 · Mallory Rubin (0.50 sure it was them)

Adam McKay: 1 line

  1. unmapped (aspirational template) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Dr. Strangelove ⇒ Adam McKay (the host's read). Speaker says Strangelove is probably McKay's north star, the thing he strives toward.
    “But I think you're right, though, that McKay is this is probably his north star, right?”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 0:05:00 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

Alien (1979): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Alien (the host's read). In Star Wars' wake came Alien and Blade Runner rather than more 4-color space operas.
    “the Star Wars Halo effect are like alien.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:13:21 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Arthur C. Clarke: 1 line

  1. lineage (why the sequel got written) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Arthur C. Clarke (the host's read). The speaker thinks the post-Star Wars sci-fi rush is what kickstarted Clarke finally writing the follow-up.
    “I mean, I'm realizing the other thing that probably kickstarted Arthur C. Clark finally writing the follow-up novel is the mad post-Star Wars sci-fi brush of like, oh, now Star Trek, the motion picture is getting made.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · 2010: The Year We Make Contact · 0:22:43 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Battlestar Galactica: 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Battlestar Galactica (the host's read). Star Wars' direct influence landed more on television, e.g. Battlestar Galactica.
    “And of course, on television, you had Battlestar Galactic.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:14:15 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Flash Gordon (1980): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Flash Gordon (the host's read). Flash Gordon and The Last Starfighter are a grounded-in-reality category of post-Star Wars space movies.
    “Flash Gordon, I want to put as this category of things like Last Starfighter, like the Masters.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:13:54 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

George Lucas: 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ George Lucas (the host's read). Lucas's Star Wars deal (giving up salary for merch and control) enabled the Raiders deal of owning the negative.
    “he gives up his salary and his points as a director on Star Wars to retain the control and the merch.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Raiders of the Lost Ark with Brian Michael Bendis · 1:01:43 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

James Bond films (the franchise): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ James Bond films (the franchise) (the host's read). Star Wars pushed Bond into outer space.
    “James Bond went to went to the moon because of Star Wars.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Raiders of the Lost Ark with Brian Michael Bendis · 0:55:07 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Masters of the Universe (2026): 1 line

  1. lineage (origin) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Masters of the Universe (the host's read). He-Man (and the 80s toy boom) was a response to every company having passed on Star Wars merchandising.
    “so much of He-Man and the 80s for toys is a response to every major company passing on Star Wars that Star Wars is the whiff that no one can live down.”
    The Big Picture · The Top 10 Fantasy Films, The Toy Movie Hall of Fame, and ‘Masters of the Universe,’ with Griffin Newman! · 0:23:25 · Griffin Newman (0.50 sure it was them)

Roger Moore Bond films: 1 line

  1. craft (set design template) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Dr. Strangelove ⇒ Roger Moore Bond films (the host's read). Speaker says hiring a Bond designer for the war room changed how such rooms look on screen forever, and the Bond movies being covered have war-room sets.
    “It is funny how this movie, this hiring a James Bond guy to design the war room, uh, changes the way you're allowed to put these things on screen forever.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 2:14:11 · Griffin Newman (0.55 sure it was them)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979): 1 line

  1. industry (industry) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Star Trek: The Motion Picture (the host's read). Star Trek the Motion Picture happened because Star Wars scooped the studio.
    “Like Star Wars scooped our ass.”
    Blank Check with Griffin & David · Dune with John Hodgman · 1:12:22 · unknown (0.40 sure it was them)

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983): 1 line

  1. lineage (lineage) · through Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977), which they acted in: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope ⇒ Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (the host's read). A second, bigger Death Star is called a lateral remake of the first.
    “We're kind of, it's like a lateral remake.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Return of the Jedi · 0:04:32 · unknown (0.30 sure it was them)

The Long Goodbye (1973): 1 line

  1. people (casting persona) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Dr. Strangelove ⇒ The Long Goodbye (the host's read). Speaker says Strangelove was the first time Hayden's personal struggles were put on screen, and later filmmakers used that persona going forward (Godfather, Long Goodbye).
    “This is the 1st time when like his personal struggles, like were actualized in a movie, and then I felt like filmmakers only used this in movies going forward”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:55:14 · Sean Fennessey (0.50 sure it was them)

Zucker Brothers: 1 line

  1. lineage (comedic influence) · through Dr. Strangelove (1964), which they acted in: Dr. Strangelove ⇒ Zucker Brothers (the host's read). Speaker had a breakthrough that Strangelove must have been a big influence on the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams.
    “I did finally have the breakthrough watching this of how much of an influence this movie must have been on the Zucker Brothers and John Abrahams.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 0:53:55 · David Sims (0.60 sure it was them)

What the speakers said they did

Acting (3) everyone in acting

Other (1) everyone in other

What was said about them, by kind

No claims join them to a film or another person.

Fun items about them

  1. fun, about James Earl Jones: Elfman told him he'd written Santa for him and Jones angrily replied 'you don't know me'.
    “James Earl Jones got very angry and yelled, you don't know me.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · The Nightmare Before Christmas with Michael Rianda (Ad-Free) · 1:11:55 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)
  2. fun, about James Earl Jones: Jones had a big role questioning the mission; Kubrick decided he did not want the protesting crew member to be a Black actor and cut it. Jones told him he took the part for the cut material.
    “eventually Kubrick decided he didn't want the guy protesting to be a black guy and cuts everything out.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:02:27 · David Sims (0.40 sure it was them)
  3. fun, about James Earl Jones: Jones said Kubrick constantly wanted the actors eating, handing them Twinkies, because he liked the mundane aspect of horrific events.
    “I think he liked the mundane aspect of horrific events.”
    Blank Check — Patreon · Dr. Strangelove... with Sean Fennessey (Ad-Free) · 1:30:20 · unknown (0.35 sure it was them)