85: The Hoffa Cinematic Universe (with Ursula Lawrence)

Comedy writer and labor organizer Ursula Lawrence (Drunk History, Adam Ruins Everything) returns to the show from Madison, Wisconsin for a look at 3 epic films that in unique ways depict the life of the controversial president of the Teamsters Union Jimmy Hoffa: Sylvester Stallone in F.I.S.T. (Norman Jewison, 1978), Jack Nicholson in Hoffa (Danny DeVito, 1992) and Al Pacino in The Irishman (Scorsese, 2019).

How do these films contrast Hoffa’s achievements for the American worker with his connections to organized crime, his mysterious disappearance and how he is remembered culturally? Why didn’t Danny DeVito continue directing historical epics? And why is there a scene in Hoffa that takes place in the woods but filmed indoors on a giant soundstage (with a live deer?)

Patrons of the Junk Filter podcast receive at least two additional exclusive episodes a month: some of our notable previous guests include Jared Yates Sexton, David Roth, Bryan Quinby, Sooz Kempner, and Jacob Bacharach. More to come! Sign up at https://www.patreon.com/junkfilter

Follow Ursula Lawrence on Twitter and her French Republican Calendar project

A must-read: Patrick Goldstein’s report for the Los Angeles Times from the set of Hoffa, 1992

Trailer for F.I.S.T. (Norman Jewison, 1978)

TV commercial for Hoffa (Danny DeVito, 1992)

Danny DeVito’s address to the 2011 Teamsters convention in Las Vegas