Part 4 of The Holiday Season - January/New Year

In this episode, Eric Picks something disney for the New Year… dig into the curious case of Dick Tracy (1990)—a movie that was marketed as the next big cultural phenomenon but somehow slipped through the cracks of nostalgia.

The crew kicks things off by recalling their own memories of Dick Tracy: the early-90s media blitz, video game tie-ins, trading cards, and a merchandising frenzy that spread from McDonald's to toy stores. Despite the hype, most people seem to remember the branding more than the film itself—echoing Eric Hathorn’s idea that Dick Tracy is “more famous than familiar.”

But what went wrong? Was it the film’s indecisive tone—part cartoonish, part adult? Did Warren Beatty’s seriousness as the titular detective make him less relatable than a Tony Stark or Batman? The hosts explore how the movie’s world, characters, and ambitious production value were overshadowed by a marketing machine that couldn’t quite stick the landing.

They also debate whether the film’s New Year’s Eve climax makes Dick Tracy the ultimate January pick, and discuss why the movie never spawned the franchise Disney hoped for. From Al Pacino’s over-the-top Big Boy Caprice to Madonna’s memorable role, the episode is packed with nostalgia, pop culture trivia, and playful speculation (including casting Willem Dafoe in a hypothetical remake).

Join the Society as they rate and reflect on Dick Tracy—a blockbuster that’s become a rare cut over time—and set the stage for their next deep dive into concept albums from the world of music.

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