The Director's Chair Network

Paul Verhoeven's 1977 masterpiece Soldier of Orange isn't just another WWII film — it's a deeply personal, morally complex look at occupation, resistance, collaboration, and survival born from the director's own childhood under Nazi rule in the Netherlands. In Part 1 of this Director's Chair deep dive, we explore what shaped Verhoeven's subversive vision, the real Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema behind the bestselling memoir, shocking new questions about his story, the chaotic production that nearly destroyed the film, and the brutal historical reality of occupied Holland.
We cover Verhoeven as a "war child," the social rifts that defined Dutch society for decades, the Englandspiel tragedy, NSB collaborators, royal family exile, the massive budget battles with producer Rob Houwer, legendary on-set fights, the infamous bike scene, and how the screenplay was reshaped to ask audiences: What would YOU do in their place?
This is the film Verhoeven was arguably born to make — epic, hyper-realistic, and unafraid of gray areas.
0:00 - Welcome & Introduction to Soldier of Orange (Part 1)
0:49 - Production Credits, Rob Houwer & the Screenplay Team
2:25 - Paul Verhoeven's WWII Childhood & Dutch Society's Deep Schisms
4:23 - Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema: The Book, Million-Copy Success & New Revelations
8:23 - Life Under German Occupation: Royals Flee, NSB Rises & Resistance Reality
17:47 - Royal Connections, British Investors & Pre-Production Drama
22:57 - Production Hell: Fights with Houwer, The Bike Scene Disaster & Near-Cancellation
28:34 - Casting Stories: Rutger Hauer, Rijk de Gooyer & Real-Life Inspirations
35:15 - Nuanced Portrayals of Collaboration, Betrayal & Survival
41:49 - Epic Extras, Royal Fans & Teaser for Part 2 (The Film, Premiere & Aftermath)
Part 2 drops soon

Darryl Edge from Cage Rage (Nicolas Cage podcast) and Getting Dafoe You joins Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast for his VERY FIRST Sam Peckinpah film — the surprisingly gentle, funny, and romantic 1970 Western comedy The Ballad of Cable Hogue starring Jason Robards, Stella Stevens, and David Warner.
In this episode we break down why this is the least “Bloody Sam” Peckinpah movie ever made, the hilarious Benny Hill-style comedy moments, the sweet central romance, the themes of the dying Old West vs. the arrival of the automobile, behind-the-scenes stories (including editing The Wild Bunch at the same time), and Darryl’s wild journey from thinking Sam Peckinpah was a fictional character in a Nicolas Cage movie to loving this one.
We also rate it on the Bloody Sam Scale and Nietzsche Scale, discuss the musical number “Butterfly Mornin’”, and share why the ending hits harder than expected.
00:00 - Intro & Welcome  
01:10 - Guest Darryl Edge (Cage Rage & Getting Dafoe You)  
03:36 - Darryl’s Nicolas Cage Podcast Journey & Upcoming Projects  
11:30 - How Darryl Discovered Sam Peckinpah (via Deadfall)  
15:13 - Confirming This Is Darryl’s First Ever Peckinpah Film  
17:34 - Plot Summary of The Ballad of Cable Hogue  
19:56 - First Impressions: Not Your Typical Violent Peckinpah Western  
21:11 - Benny Hill Comedy, Cleavage Zoom & Banknote Wink Moments  
25:35 - David Warner as the Creepy “Stealing Valor” Preacher  
33:47 - Behind the Scenes: Editing The Wild Bunch Simultaneously & Difficult Shoot  
1:07:15 - Themes: Death of the Old West & the Arrival of the Car  
1:20:57 - Bloody Sam Scale & Nietzsche Scale Ratings  
1:25:47 - Surprise Reveal: It’s a Musical! “Butterfly Mornin’”
If you love classic Westerns, Sam Peckinpah deep dives, or crossover film podcast episodes, hit like, subscribe, and comment: What’s your favorite (or least favorite) Peckinpah film? Next episode we’re tackling the much more controversial Straw Dogs.
Follow Darryl Edge:  
Instagram @cageragepod (Cage Rage – A Nicolas Cage Podcast)  
Check out Getting Dafoe You podcast (@dafoeyoupod) – they cover all things Willem Dafoe and recently dropped a free Patreon live episode from Cheerful Earful.

Step back to 1994 with Katie as she welcomes back Milo Denison for a deep dive into the chaotic John Hughes-produced comedy *Baby's Day Out* — where a baby outsmarts three bumbling kidnappers in a city-wide slapstick adventure!
In this episode we spin the 1994 trivia wheel (books, cartoons & fashion), break down the full cast & production drama, compare it to *Home Alone*, and uncover why it bombed in the US but became a massive hit in India (complete with its own remake). Practical effects, great character actors, and cartoon logic collide in this wild 90s ride.
00:00 Introduction & Guest Welcome with Milo Denison  
03:25 Milo’s Show Update: Solo Format & Upcoming Sly vs Arnold Episode  
05:40 1994 Time Capsule Trivia: Books, Bestsellers & the Oprah Effect  
13:10 Saturday Morning Cartoons of 1994: X-Men, Power Rangers, Animaniacs & Sonic  
21:05 1994 Fashion Trends: Grunge Flannel, Clueless Plaid Skirts & Baggy Jeans  
29:30 Baby’s Day Out Plot, Expectations & First Impressions  
37:50 The Criminals Steal the Show: Joe Mantegna, Joe Pantoliano & Brian Haley  
50:20 Production Nightmares: John Hughes Drama, Director Fights & $48M Budget Flop  
59:00 Slapstick vs Reality, Practical Effects Praise & Pacing Issues  
1:07:10 Surprising Cultural Impact in India + Cast What-Ifs (Tom Selleck & More)  
1:19:40 Final Thoughts, Siskel & Ebert Drama & Podcast Plugs
Check out Milo’s podcast **The 80s and 90s Uncensored** (now solo with rotating guests) at the80sand90s.com — and keep an eye out for his Sly vs Arnold episode!  
Katie is also part of the **One More Round: The Rocky Series Podcast** — search it on YouTube for in-depth Rocky movie coverage.  
If you love 80s/90s nostalgia, John Hughes films, or chaotic comedy, hit that like button, subscribe to Retro Made for more pop culture rewinds, and drop a comment: Did you see *Baby’s Day Out* as a kid or is this your first time hearing about it? What’s your favorite 90s John Hughes movie?
Subscribe to the Retro Made YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RetromadePodcast

Join Katie for a deep dive into John Hughes’ 1988 film **She’s Having a Baby** starring Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern! This more personal, semi-autobiographical entry from Hughes explores marriage, suburban life, growing up, and the pressures of starting a family — with plenty of his signature humor and anxiety mixed in.
Special guest Scott Murphy (host of Bloody Sam: A Peckinpah Fan Podcast and All 90s Action) joins for a fun 1988 time capsule (top movies, boombox bangers, fashion trends), insightful discussion on the film’s fantasy sequences, tonal shifts, Hughes’ conservative streak, and more. We also talk Kevin Bacon’s golden era, Alec Baldwin’s sleazy best friend energy, and that powerful Kate Bush hospital scene.
0:00 – Intro & welcome to guest Scott Murphy  
2:19 – 1988 Time Capsule: Top movies at the box office  
13:11 – Retro Runway: 1980s fashion trends (acid wash jeans, fanny packs & more)  
17:41 – Boombox Bangers: Iconic 1988 hits (George Michael, INXS, Rick Astley & more)  
23:06 – She’s Having a Baby discussion begins  
25:54 – Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern & the cast  
37:30 – Fantasy sequences, suburban life & Hughes’ conservatism  
43:14 – The emotional hospital scene & Kate Bush song  
59:49 – Alec Baldwin’s role & gender tropes in Hughes films  
1:08:04 – Final thoughts, rating & wrap-up

Katie dives into two wildly different John Hughes projects spanning 17 years: the obscure 1980 Yugoslavian biopic **The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla** (his first writing credit) and the 1997 sequel **Home Alone 3**.
She explores the Tesla film’s ambitious story of invention, corporate greed, and free energy, plus Orson Welles as JP Morgan. Then she contrasts it with Home Alone 3’s formulaic traps, new kid Alex, and mixed results.
Includes a fun 1980 vs 1997 pop culture time capsule!
0:00 – Intro & why these two films  
3:48 – 1980 vs 1997 Time Capsule  
7:30 – The Secret Life of Nikola Tesla deep dive  
21:58 – Whiplash to Home Alone 3  
24:57 – Cast, traps & formula discussion  
36:59 – Final verdict & season thoughts