Special Episode 41: The Lost Boys

United by their love of vampire media, Elizabeth and Lin watch Joel Schumacher’s 1987 cult-classic The Lost Boys, a film Elizabeth had never seen before, but Lin had seen many times. (“Less than a dozen, but more than five.”) Southern California, homoeroticism, a truly impressive number of confusing fluids: What more could you ask for? Topics discussed include masculinity and homosocial dynamics within the vampire metaphor, the clear influences on Buffy both visually and thematically, and the film’s real villain (the patriarchy). Plus! A little discussion of The Vampire Chronicles, as a treat.

Show Notes

[00:00:00] As always, our intro music is “Awel” by stefsax, used under a CC BY 3.0 license. 

[00:02:55]

[00:04:09] Joel Schumacher on the Bat-Nipples:

Such a sophisticated world we live in where two pieces of rubber the size of erasers on old pencils, those little nubs, can be an issue. It’s going to be on my tombstone, I know it.

[00:05:22] Anthony Lane’s review of Schumacher’s Phantom: “Unmasked.”

[00:11:39] For the record, all of the Lost Boys actors—including Jason Patric, who played Michael—were in their early 20s when the movie was filmed in the summer of 1986, save Kiefer Sutherland, who was 19. The Coreys were 15 during filming.

[00:18:08] 

[00:21:42] Boys on bridges…

[00:27:30] Elaine Showalter’s Sexual Anarchy

[00:31:00]

[00:33:06] Joel Schumacher on his tens of thousands of sexual partners, among other topics.

[00:36:28] OK, Lin didn’t get the quote verbatim, but they were close… 

 [00:38:55] Many ~geek sites say Joss Whedon cited The Lost Boys as a direct influence on Buffy, but no one is providing a good source to link to. (It’s quite obvious visually/tonally regardless.) If we find one, we’ll share it! 

[00:40:28] 

[00:47:06] By the way, if you want more Vampire Chronicles analysis:

• Special Episode 27: “Interview with the Vampire”
• Special Episode 34: “Interview with the Vampire: Season 2”
• Special Episode 39: “The Vampire Lestat”
• Gavia Baker Whitelaw’s recaps of TVL plus feature on the production design!

[00:50:52]

[00:57:00] Not a wizard…

[00:59:10] Our outro music is “Max Flashback” by Lee Rosevere, also used under a CC BY 3.0 license.