The final round of Crooked Table Podcast episodes — prior to the rebranding, at least — continues. And of course, we had to tap into the red-headed step-child of Marvel Comics movies: 1986’s Howard the Duck. The first full-length movie based on a Marvel character, the movie was an infamous box office and critical disaster. But have its feathers been unjustly ruffled?
Jamie Williams returns to the show to help us break down Howard the Duck. We’ll discuss the movie’s reputation, how it affected stars Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins, and the behind-the-scenes drama that led to one of cinema’s most notorious movies. We’ll even make a case for why Marvel Studios should consider giving Howard the Duck a second shot at the big screen.
SYNOPSIS
In this film based on the Marvel Comics character, Howard the Duck (voiced by Chip Zien) is suddenly beamed from Duckworld, a planet of intelligent ducks with arms and legs, to Earth, where he lands in Cleveland. There he saves rocker Beverly (Lea Thompson) from thugs and forms a friendship with her. She introduces him to Phil (Tim Robbins), who works at a lab with scientist Dr. Jenning (Jeffrey Jones). When the doctor attempts to return Howard to his world, Jenning instead transfers an evil spirit into his own body.
SHOW NOTES
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