💜 THE SQUASH:
That time Randy and Kevin dived headfirst into the underworld (literally) with Henry Selick’s Wendell and Wild. They discuss whether the film’s dazzling world-building and dark humor outweigh its convoluted storyline—or if it’s just the kind of ambitious chaos the animation world needs.

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💜 THE STRETCH:
In this episode of Squash 'n' Stretch, Randy and Kevin explore the twisted brilliance of Wendell and Wild, a stop-motion delight from director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and producer Jordan Peele (Get Out). They dig into the film’s stunning character design, innovative world-building, and themes of trauma, identity, and resilience.

The conversation doesn’t shy away from the film’s ambitious complexity, tackling its subversive narrative, underworld amusement parks (yes, really), and the chemistry of its mischievous demon duo. Randy and Kevin also highlight the importance of diversity and representation, celebrating Wendell and Wild as a bold, visually arresting step forward in animation.

From breaking cycles of trauma to creating worlds that feel alive, this episode celebrates how Selick’s unique vision challenges traditional animation norms—and how ambitious storytelling can resonate with audiences young and old.

Join the hosts as they examine whether Wendell and Wild is a Halloween classic in the making or a misunderstood masterpiece waiting for its moment.

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💜 CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction to Squash and Stretch Podcast

01:58 - Exploring 'Wendell and Wild' and Henry Selick's Vision

06:23 - Plot Overview and Character Dynamics

08:06 - World Building and Visual Design

12:31 - Character Design and Artistic Choices

17:22 - Target Audience and Thematic Depth

22:00 - Diversity and Production Insights

25:00 - Improv and Chemistry in Animation

27:00 - Underworld Amusement Parks: A Recurring Theme

30:00 - Convoluted Storylines and Faction Dynamics

31:00 - Exploring Trauma and Memory in Storytelling

33:00 - Themes of Breaking the Cycle and Rehabilitation

36:00 - Subversive Elements in Animated Storytelling

38:30 - Diversity and Representation in Animation

40:00 - Visual Design and Character Representation

41:00 - Final Thoughts on Ambition and Audience Engagement

💚 THE SQUASH - That time animation legend Tom Sito helps us squish into the cultural and political vibes that fueled animated classics like Fantastic Planetand Allegro Non Troppo. We're talking French sci-fi freakiness, adult-themed storylines, and satire that served as a love-hate letter to Disney's Fantasia. The 70s were wild—a time when animated storytelling wasn't just about selling merch but about breaking molds and challenging minds.

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💜 THE STRETCH - Tom and our hosts, stretch the conversation across time to explore how the ripple effects of this funky, fearless decade set the foundation for the '90s animation renaissance. The ups, the downs, and the downright bizarre—they’re all here, including the impact of underground comics, the looming shadow of television, and the fight for artistic freedom in a world obsessed with commercial viability.

Tune in for the perfect blend of highbrow insight and rebellious fun as Randy, Kevin, and Tom help you make sense of a time when animation was caught between art house expression and Saturday morning entertainment. Because without the risks of the 70s, we’d never have the animated goldmine of the 90s. Trust us—it’s a trip you don’t want to miss.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction to Squash and Stretch Podcast

04:47 - Animation History: The 1970s Shift

11:54 - Adult Themes in Animation

20:03 - Political Context of Fantastic Planet

24:50 - Art House Releases and Audience Reception

30:09 - The Evolution of Animated Features

36:10 - Art vs. Commerce in Animation

40:00 - Reflections on Animation's Past and Future

💚 THE SQUASH - That time Randy and Kevin tried to explain how Anastasia gave Disney a run for their crown…on half the budget, against all odds.

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💜 THE STRETCH - Randy and Kevin dig into the creative whirlwind behind the making of Anastasia, where Kevin, then Fox’s VP of Production, shares the excitement of bringing the story to life outside Disney’s shadow. They break down the casting process and star-studded lineup, featuring Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer and Angela Lansbury, and discuss the rare approach of recording voice overs with actors together, live in the booth, adding chemistry to the character performances. Budgetary woes take center stage, with Anastasia pushing limits at half of Disney’s typical spend while still standing strong against the coordinated releases of The Little Mermaid and Flubber.

The two dissect Anastasia’s unique animation style, focusing on the artistic challenges and financial prudence of rotoscoping to balance realism with flair and personal improvisation. They also explore the film’s cultural impact, particularly its role in the lives of young girls who grew up with Anastasia as a beloved heroine, and consider how content ratings for family films have evolved since.

The episode wraps up with a deep dive into the soundtrack development process, examining how songs were crafted to fit the story seamlessly. Randy and Kevin highlight the close collaboration between songwriters and scriptwriters, which ensured each song captured the right emotional beat and visual enchantment for audiences.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Intro!

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💜 Hosted by: Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman

💚 Produced and engineered by: Randy Young

💜 Squash 'n' Stretch is a Green Ghost Media Podcast