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Unclear and Present Danger

The Rocketeer

Unclear and Present Danger

Jamelle Bouie

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, History

4.7660 Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2023

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this week’s episode, Jamelle and John watch Disney’s “The Rocketeer,” a throwback action-adventure film starring Billy Campbell, Alan Arkin, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Sorvino and Timothy Dalton. They discuss the 1930s revival of the late 80s and early 90s, the real-life conspiracies that might have inspired the plot of “The Rocketeer,” and the political power of nostalgia for Americans on the left and the right.

Episodes come out every other Friday, so we’ll see you two weeks from now with the 1992 film “Toys”" directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams. “Toys”" is basically impossible to find, so don’t worry about watching this one!

Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

To some, it was the fulfillment of a dream.

0:04.0

To others, it was an instrument of destruction.

0:09.0

A creation that could change the course of history.

0:14.0

It was stolen from my factory.

0:16.0

Where's the package?

0:20.0

This is the FBI. What do we tell the package? This is the FBI.

0:22.6

What do we tell the president?

0:24.6

Tell me exactly why this merchandise so important to the feds.

0:27.6

It's a rocket.

0:28.6

I wouldn't touch it if I were...

0:30.6

How do I look?

0:36.6

Like a hood ornament.

0:39.3

Stand clear.

0:40.3

What is that?

0:41.3

A flying man! Big Gopher.

0:55.0

Are you trying to kill yourself?

1:00.0

Are you trying to kill yourself?

1:03.0

I like it.

1:05.0

Let him have it!

1:07.0

Hand over officer rocket.

1:16.6

The Rocketeer Go get him, kid. Welcome to Unclear and Present Danger, a podcast about the political and military thrillers

1:46.8

in the 1990s and what they say about the politics of that decade.

...

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