Summary
Overview
In this Last Looks episode, Paul addresses listener corrections about The Manitou, including medical explanations of teratomas, confirmation that hospitals really did have carpets in the 1970s, and details about historical seance practices. Jason then joins comedian Ashley Ray for an in-depth conversation about current peak TV shows, enthusiastically discussing Widow's Bay, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, Dark Winds, and many others. Paul concludes by announcing the 400th episode milestone movie: Circus Island.
Medical and Historical Corrections on The Manitou
Listeners provide expert clarifications on several topics from The Manitou episode. A pathologist explains that the supposed real case of a baby growing in someone's chest was likely a mediastinal teratoma, not an actual baby. Multiple callers, including a nurse's daughter, confirm the shocking truth that hospitals in the 1970s really did have wall-to-wall carpeting throughout patient rooms and hallways, which smelled horrendous when cleaned. Listeners also share fascinating historical details about spiritualist seances and paraffin wax molds.
- A pathologist explains the Tokyo case was likely a mediastinal teratoma - a tumor that grows body parts like teeth and hair - not an actual baby growing in someone's chest
- Multiple listeners confirm hospitals really had carpets throughout in the 1970s, including patient rooms and hallways, and they smelled terrible when cleaned
- In the 1920s, medium Franek Klusky claimed spirits would dip materialized limbs in paraffin wax as proof of the paranormal, but was caught using his own butt for a face mold
- The seance head in the film resembles historical 'molds' that mediums created during spiritualist circles, usually made from paraffin wax or muslin
" Actually, in the 1920s, the medium Franek Klusky claimed that spirits would dip their materialized limbs into a bowl of hot paraffin wax, and the resulting wax molds of hands should be treated as scientific proof of the paranormal. However, at one seance, the attendees asked him to produce a face mold instead of the usual hand mold, and the wax mold he produced ended up resembling a human butt more than a face. "
The Tony Curtis Alka-Seltzer Mystery
A listener points out an extremely long, seemingly pointless scene where Tony Curtis struggles with Alka-Seltzer tablets for seven minutes. The scene involves him asking for water, getting two glasses, attempting to dissolve the tablet unsuccessfully, and eventually giving up - but this setup never pays off in any way. The observation highlights how the film padded its runtime to reach feature length before delivering its spectacular 45-minute third act.
- Tony Curtis has a seven-minute scene where he tries and fails to dissolve Alka-Seltzer tablets, asking for two glasses of water, but the tablet doesn't fizz or dissolve
- The scene never pays off - no callback to killing the monster with Alka-Seltzer or any other narrative purpose
- The movie appears to be padding an hour of runtime around a truly spectacular 45-minute third act
📚 6 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future How Did This Get Made? episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new How Did This Get Made? episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.