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I just finished revising my SIMPSONS course for the new term and thought that while I was in the mood, I would write about my favorite show and how it relates to one of my favorite pastimes—film.
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE is replete with references to other films. A partial list: TITANIC; HAPPY FEET; DR. STRANGELOVE; 2001; AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH; SPIDERMAN; HARRY POTTER; POLTERGEIST; SNOW WHITE.
Despite all this, it's the movie references in the show that thrill me. The show rewards those who know film and it serves as a wonderful introduction to some of the greatest moments for those who don't. My son finds most old movies familiar—he's seen parts of them on THE SIMPSONS already. There are still many films left to see. When he finally gets around to THE SHINING, he'll already have seen the wonderful parody that is THE SHINNING.
In honor of the show and all it's done for film in the past 19 years, here are my 11 favorite movie moments.
1. HAMLET—In "Tales from the Public Domain," we get to see the Simpsons family reenact HAMLET. Moe, as Claudius, finally gets to wed Marge, as Gertrude. A few years ago, when I was teaching a mythology class, my son accompanied me. When I asked how the HAMLET story illustrated the hero's journey by showing the hero resist action until a certain point, my son raised his hand. Although he had not read the play, he gave the right answer. He knew it from THE SIMPSONS. This riveting play-let also references the Oedipal versions of the play that, while not textually based, are in vogue. Bart: "Cool, does he get to marry his mom?" Homer: "I don't know, but that would be hot."
2. GREASE—In "Lard of the Dance," which has Homer in a grease-selling venture, Lisa feels pressured by the other girls to grow up. Her makeover is very akin to Sandy's at the end of GREASE, but Lisa learns that she doesn't have to change. (And while Sandy was hot like that—she shouldn't have had to, either.) There are no flying cars, just falling grease.
3. NORTH BY NORTHWEST—In one of the weirdest assassination attempts in film history, Cary Grant's character is attacked in a cornfield by a crop duster. Apparently, this also happened to Marge when she was a little girl, which is why she has a "Fear of Flying."*
4. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND—Both a nod to the power of advertising and movie history, "Homie 
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the Clown" features Homer's journey to becoming a Krusty impersonator. A billboard ad for clown college (which is what Side-Show Bob calls Princeton in another episode) gets into Homer's head. He sculpts his mashed potatoes into a circus tent, leading Marge to think about having a glass of wine to maintain calm.
5. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE—this is a brief reference, but it's one of the most startling. In "Treehouse of Horror III," Bart is dressed as Alex. For some reason, I don't want Bart to have seen that particular film, which is also referenced in "Duffless," "Homer Goes to College," and "Dog of Death." Maybe I'll just see the costume as Bart experimenting with transvestism—ah, that's better.
6. THE PLANET OF THE APES/AMADEUS—The only way to get these two films together is in "Stop the Planet of the Apes, I Want to Get Off!" Troy McClure stars in the stage production, which brings the magic of men in ape suits with the break-dancing spirit of Falco. A piano solo is featured. And it's all because of "A Fish Named Selma."
7. THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES—The title "The Days of Wine and D'ohses" should be a big enough hint here. The film (originally a play) starred Jack Lemon. The story is about a husband and wife who become alcoholics. The husband seeks help and has to separate from the wife, who always pulls him back to her and to drinking. Jack Lemon revealed his own struggle with alcoholism just before he died. The episode mirrors the events, as Barney gives up drinking and has to pull away from Homer.
8. GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS—This film (formerly a play) is referenced every time you see Gil, the hapless salesman of THE SIMPSONS. Gil's character is modeled after Jack Lemmon's—the older salesmen who can't cut it anymore. Gil's most poignant scene comes in "Realty Bites," when he loses his cubical wall at the real estate agency—because walls are for closers. This was his first, but not last, appearance.
9. BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA—Parodied in "Bart Simpson's Dracula" in Treehouse of Horror IV. Mr. Burns is the vampire—naturally—and his yo-yo playing shadow is perfect, as is his "queer" hair.
10. INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC—We can all remember the famous scene: Jones enters the temple, steals the idol, gets chased by a ball and angry villagers, and keeps his hat. This is replayed brilliantly in 
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"Crepes of Wrath." Bart sneaks into his parents' bedroom, steals the change jar, is chased by Homer (who rolls down the stairs a la the ball) and keeps his hat as he escapes under a closing garage door. Brilliance.
11. THE GREAT ESCAPE/A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE—"A Streetcar Named Marge" is a contender for best. episode. ever. Marge stars in a musical production of STREETCAR with Ned. Hearing him sing "Stellllaaaa, Stellllaaaa, Can't you hear me yellllaaa / You're putting me through helllaaaa . . ." brightens the day and lowers cholesterol. Seeing Maggie getting to be Steve McQueen as she attempts to escape from the Ayn Rand School for Tots could probably cure cancer.*** There's a wonderful Hitchcock sighting, too.
Well, that's it. Remember, you can always depend on the kindness of strangers!
* This episode also contains a fabulous CHEERS reference.**
**This entry isn't about TV, but I have to share my all-time favorite sitcom reference: In "Duffless," women are protesting sexism in front of McMahon and Tate advertising—the company Darren worked for in BEWITCHED.
*** I found Ayn Rand fascinating when I was in High School. People who still find her fascinating belong in High School. THE SIMPSONS have it right—the woman's philosophy is warped and frightening. For those who don't know—she believes in pure capitalism (without unions or protections) and oligarchy. Her most popular book, THE FOUNTAIN HEAD, is her most disturbing. It tells the story of a supposedly brilliant architect whose work is unrecognized by the masses. Three people like his stuff and realize he's a "genius." The whole world is wrong and he gets to rape a beautiful, cold woman because she also knows he's a genius. I ask you—if only three people like your work, is there a possibility that it might suck?
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| Comedies with Dr. Karma |
Every other Wednesday
Dr. Karma discusses all things comic, from the classics to what may become classics. Laugh with, but not at, her, please.
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| Karma Waltonen |
Dr. Karma is a silly, nerdy know-it-all, but in a good way. She brings all her overeducation to discuss that which truly matters: comedy. As some famous guy once said: “And if I laugh at any mortal thing, ‘tis that I may not weep.” Or something like that.
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