Book Vs. Movie: Home for the Holidays
The Short Story by Chris Radant & the 1995 Jodie Foster Film

The Margos are getting into the holiday spirit with the cult classic Home for the Holidays, based on a 1991 short story by Chris Radant, directed by Jodie Foster. Radant’s short story appeared in the now-defunct Boston Phoenix and is based on her experience dealing with family issues during the holiday season. (You can listen to it at this clip from the storyteller Kelley Hazen: https://soundcloud.com/bruce-kelley-3/home-for-the-holidays-by-chris-radant-narrated-by-kelley-hazen

The 1995 film stars a cast of acting superstars from Robert Downey Jr to Anne Bancroft. At the time, it had middling reviews but is considered a must-watch for its fans every Thanksgiving. Adapted by W.D. Richter and includes a killer soundtrack. So which did we like better?

In this ep, the Margos discuss:

• The short story that inspires the film.
• Jodie Foster’s career as an actor and director.
• The cast of the 1995 film: Holly Hunter (Claudia Larson,) Robert Downey Jr. (Tommy Larson,) Anne Bancroft (Adele Larson,) Charles Durning (Henry Larson,) Dylan McDermott (Leo Fish,) Geraldine Chaplin (Aunt Gladys,) Steve Guttenberg (Walter Wedman,) Cynthia Stevenson (Joanne Larson Wedman,) Claire Danes (Kitt Larson) and David Straithairn as Russell.

Clips used:

• “Kooky Aunt Gladys”
• Home for the Holidays (1995 trailer)
• Holly Hunter gets fired
• Robert Downey Jr improvises
• Gladys’s speech
• Turkey dinner on Cynthia Stevenson
• “Sad Russell”
• Music: Nat King Cole

Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts. Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”

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