Episode description

TOONS! We're taking our first dive into animation with 1988's Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Robert Zemeckis's comedy-noir pastiche, inspired in parts by the novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, the Hollywood Studio system, and the decline of the Pacific Electric Railway Company. Surprised? Don't be! DPhil Josh Lappen joins to unpack why this family comedy where cartoons live amongst us actually draws from the rich history of Los Angeles. Along the way we also talk 1974's Chinatown and the grip it has on historians and the popular imagination, the place of conspiracies in history, and how both of those relate to LA's relationship with its own past. So smile, darn ya, and join as we join Roger and all his friends in the first season's finale. 

Note: For those who want to skip spoilers for 1974's Chinatown which begin around 16:20, please jump ahead to 19:45 

You can follow Josh on twitter @jlappen1

Follow us on twitter @Flshbckhistopod

Flashback is graciously supported by the University of Oxford’s Rothermere American Institute

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