The Envelope Please

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Join friends Sam and Rance as they watch and discuss every single Academy Award winner for Best Picture starting from the very first ceremony.

Samuel Erdahl & Rance Collins


    • Feb 25, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 100 EPISODES

    5 from 22 ratings Listeners of The Envelope Please that love the show mention: guys, great podcast.


    Ivy Insights

    The Envelope Please podcast, hosted by Sam and Rance, is an absolute delight for movie enthusiasts. From the very first episode, I was hooked and eagerly awaited each new release. What sets this podcast apart from others in the genre is Sam and Rance's extensive knowledge of Oscar history and film history in general. Their depth of knowledge is simply fascinating, and they bring a unique perspective to each episode that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.

    One of the best aspects of The Envelope Please is Sam and Rance themselves. Not only do they possess a wealth of knowledge, but they are also incredibly entertaining. Their chemistry as co-hosts is evident, and their banter adds a fun dynamic to each episode. They have a great sense of humor which keeps the podcast light-hearted and enjoyable. It is rare to come across such engaging hosts who are both informative and genuinely funny.

    Another standout feature of this podcast is the attention given to Oscar history. Sam and Rance dive deep into the archives, exploring past winners, snubs, controversies, and everything else related to the Academy Awards. As a result, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the Oscars' significance in film history. This aspect sets The Envelope Please apart from other movie podcasts as it provides a unique perspective on one of Hollywood's most prestigious events.

    While there are many positives to this podcast, one potential downside could be that some listeners may find it overwhelming if they have limited knowledge or interest in Oscar history or films in general. Given that the hosts delve into specific details regarding past winners and nominees, it may not appeal as much to casual movie fans who prefer more current film discussions or reviews.

    In conclusion, The Envelope Please podcast with Sam and Rance is truly a gem for movie enthusiasts. Their extensive knowledge of Oscar history combined with their entertaining banter makes for an engaging listening experience. While it may not be for everyone due to its specialization in Oscar history, those who appreciate a deep dive into film history will find this podcast to be an absolute treat. I highly recommend giving it a listen and getting hooked on their fascinating insights and entertaining personalities.



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    Latest episodes from The Envelope Please

    2025 Oscar Predictions

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 85:39


    Surprise! We're back for a special episode where we breakdown this year's Oscars race and choose our predicted winners. Feel free to steal our picks for your Oscars pool and may the best movie win!

    75th Anniversary Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 110:49


    Buckle up everyone, we're ranking every Best Picture winner from the first 75 years of Oscar.

    2002: Chicago

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 62:58


    It's been a long time coming, but Chicago is the first movie musical to win Best Picture since 1968's Oliver! Both of us love this movie so tune in to hear us fawn over the great cast and excellent musical numbers.

    2001: A Beautiful Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2022 70:19


    The second Best Picture winner in a row to star Russell Crowe! Ron Howard is finally triumphant with his movie, A Beautiful Mind. We both agree that the Best Picture lineup for this year is outstanding so tune in and hear us give all five of them some love.

    2000: Gladiator

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2022 57:41


    Welcome to a new decade! The first Best Picture winner of the 2000s was Ridley Scott's Gladiator. However, our pick for the best film is an animated one. Tune in to find out which movie it is!

    Rankings: 1990-1999

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 34:45


    We're back with a special episode! We rank all ten Best Picture winners of the 90s. And we also throw in our favorite winners of the acting categories.

    1999: American Beauty

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 48:18


    The final movie to win Best Picture in the 20th century was American Beauty. We had the pleasure of interviewing its producer, Dan Jinks, last week; so tune in to this episode to catch the rest of our regular coverage!

    Interview With Dan Jinks (American Beauty Producer)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2022 37:23


    Welcome to a special episode of The Envelope Please! We had the pleasure of interviewing the producer of our next Best Picture winner, Dan Jinks. Tune in as we grill him on the making of American Beauty and his experience at the 1999 Academy Awards.

    1998: Shakespeare In Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 60:02


    We have landed at one of the most controversial Best Picture winners of all time! Shakespeare in Love beat out the heavy favorite, Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan, for the top spot. Tune in to find out where we stand on this touchy subject!

    1997: Titanic

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 66:19


    Ladies and gentlemen.. we have finally arrived at Titanic. Nominated for 14 Oscars and winning 11, this is one of the most honored movies of all time. But does it hold up? Tune in to hear our take on this undeniable classic.

    1996: The English Patient

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 53:07


    Welcome back to what we're calling Season 3 of our show! We kick things off with a big winner, The English Patient. Although it took home 9 Oscars, we don't agree that it was the best movie of the year. Tune in to find out what movie we think should have won!

    1995: Braveheart

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2021 55:51


    This year we have another Hollywood star turned director winning Best Picture. This time it's Mel Gibson. Often cited as one of the most historically inaccurate movies ever made, Braveheart walked away with five Oscars. But it certainly isn't our favorite of the year! Tune in to find out which movie we would have picked for the top award.

    1994: Forrest Gump

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 63:35


    I think it's safe to say that just about everyone has seen this 1994 Best Picture winner. Forrest Gump is one of those rare winners that has fully crossed over into the pop culture lexicon. But did it truly deserve the top honor? Our opinions may be a little controversial!

    1993: Schindler's List

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2021 54:56


    Steven Spielberg finally reigned supreme with his undisputed Best Picture winner Schindler's List. Listen as we break down this amazing year at the Oscars!

    1992: Unforgiven

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2021 55:53


    Clint Eastwood finally got his due in 1992 by winning both Best Picture and Best Director for his brutally honest depiction of violence in Unforgiven. We also highlight other great movies of the year like The Crying Game, A League of their Own and The Bodyguard!

    1991: The Silence of the Lambs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 62:02


    We finally have a horror movie winning Best Picture! Silence of the Lambs is now our third movie to sweep the top 5 Oscar categories... but it didn't come without its controversy. Tune in as we break down this incredible movie and year in film.

    1990: Dances With Wolves

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2021 53:17


    We kick off the new decade with another actor-turned-director winning for his first outing: Dances With Wolves. Although it is credited for re-popularizing the Western genre, it's now looked upon as another example of a "white savior" narrative. Tune in to find out which movies of 1990 we would have liked to see in the Best Picture lineup!

    Rankings: 1980-1989

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 55:30


    We rank the 10 Best Picture winners of the 1980s in order of our personal preferences. And we also throw in 5 movies that would have made our list had they been nominated or won!

    1989: Driving Miss Daisy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2021 68:48


    We've reached the end of the 80s! And what a year this was. Driving Miss Daisy controversially won the top honor over the likes of My Left Foot, Glory and Do The Right Thing. We break down why we think this happened, and what movie WE think deserved Best Picture.

    Our Trip To The Academy Museum!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 44:20


    Check out our special episode where we give you the entire low-down on what's inside the Academy Museum!

    Exciting Announcement!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 12:46


    We have a very exciting announcement for you all!

    1988: Rain Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 50:05


    Dustin Hoffman nabbed his second Oscar for Best Actor in crowd-pleasing film Rain Main, which also took home Oscars for Best Picture/Director and Screenplay. Tune in as we break down this classic film and a couple other favorites of ours from this year!

    60th Anniversary Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 49:14


    Happy 6oth, Oscar! For this special, we are ranking our top 30 favorite Best Picture losers. What are some of your favorite Best Picture nominees that failed to win?

    1987: The Last Emperor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 54:11


    The Last Emperor completely swept the 1987 Academy Awards, going 9 for 9 in the evening. However, this was an incredibly stacked year featuring such classics as Fatal Attraction, Broadcast News and Moonstruck. Which one do you think we would have voted for? Tune in to find out!

    1986: Platoon

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 49:53


    Almost a decade after The Deer Hunter took home the Best Picture award, we have another Vietnam War movie front and center: Oliver Stone's Platoon. Quieter and more poetic, Platoon is one of the best depictions of what the soldiers experienced during the war. But is it OUR favorite of the year? Tune in and find out!

    1985: Out Of Africa

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2021 53:51


    We now have our third Best Picture winning film staring Meryl Streep. This time it's Out Of Africa that sweeps the awards, taking home seven. However, neither of us think this is the best 1985 had to offer. Tune in to hear what our pic for Best Film is!

    1984: Amadeus

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 55:30


    Amadeus swept the 1984 Academy Awards, winning a total of eight statues during the evening. Tune in as we cover this impressive cinematic achievement while also highlighting other greats movies of the year like Splash and Muppets Take Manhattan.

    1983: Terms of Endearment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 54:29


    1983 was the year of James L. Brooks, who took home three Academy Awards (including Best Picture) for his sentimental family-drama Terms of Endearment. You will hear no complaints from us as we break down this year in Oscar movies.

    1982: Gandhi

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2021 60:10


    Gandhi swept the 1982 Academy Awards, winning eight golden statues. However, this year also included heavyweights like Tootsie, E.T., and Victor/Victoria. Do we agree with the outcome? Tune in to hear our take!

    1981: Chariots of Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 53:10


    1981 is another unique year at the Oscars. All of the five Best Picture nominees were nominated in the top 5 categories (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor, Actress). However, the awards were fairly spread out. The Academy may have chosen Chariots of Fire, but our hearts stay with On Golden Pond.

    1980: Ordinary People

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 60:48


    Ordinary People is looked upon as one of the most controversial Best Picture winners of all time, and not because of content, but because it beat out Raging Bull. We take a look at both of these movies to express why we think Ordinary People is the rightful winner. We also highlight movies such as 9 to 5 and Airplane!

    1979: Kramer vs. Kramer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2021 52:21


    The 1970s come to a close with a powerful, family drama winning the top award: Kramer vs. Kramer. No surprises here that we are both in total agreement with this win, but tune in as we highlight other great movies of the year like Norma Rae and The Rose.

    1978: The Deer Hunter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2021 55:01


    Let the Vietnam War movies BEGIN! 1978 really came down to two movies, Coming Home and the eventual winner The Deer Hunter. We chit chat on the merits and shortcomings of both movies while also highlighting other favorites of the year like Grease and Superman.

    50th Anniversary Special: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2021 72:46


    We conclude our Anniversary Special by giving you our top 25 Best Picture movies from the first 50 years of Oscar. Do you think our number one movies match? Tune in to find out!

    50th Anniversary Special: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 58:14


    We have officially covered the first 50 years of the Academy Awards, so now we're taking a look back on the first 51 Best Picture winners to rank them in order of personal preference. In Part 1, we share our 51-26 rankings. Tune in next week for our top 25 winners!

    1977: Annie Hall

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 70:01


    It's been a few decades, but we finally have another comedy break through and win Best Picture. We do our best to look at Annie Hall objectively, but it was difficult trying to separate the art from its creator. We also highlight other movies from this year like Julia and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. And an episode about 1977 wouldn't be complete without a little discussion on Star Wars.

    1976: Rocky

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 66:05


    Welcome to Part 2 of our 1976 special! This week we break down the Best Picture winner Rocky, while also highlighting some of our other favorites of the year like Carrie and The Omen.

    1976: Best Picture Nominees

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 64:21


    In this special episode, we break down the four nominees for Best Picture in 1976, which is often considered to be one of the strongest group of movies ever nominated. Which of the four is your favorite?

    1975: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 62:03


    We have arrived at the second movie to sweep the top five Academy Awards! 1975 was a huge year for movies. We discuss exactly why we think Cuckoo's Nest triumphed over the likes of Jaws and Dog Day Afternoon.

    1974: The Godfather Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 59:15


    1974 saw the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Although it had some stiff competition from movies like Chinatown and Coppola's own The Conversation, you won't hear too many complaints from us.

    1973: The Sting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021


    Sandwiched between the two Godfather movies we have one of the most entertaining pictures of all time win the top award: The Sting. It's another great collaboration between Redford, Newman and director George Roy Hill. However, both Rance and I agree that a different movie should have worn the crown. Tune in to find out!

    1973: The Sting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 59:34


    Sandwiched between the two Godfather movies we have one of the most entertaining pictures of all time win the top award: The Sting. It's another great collaboration between Redford, Newman and director George Roy Hill. However, both Rance and I agree that a different movie should have worn the crown. Tune in to find out!

    1973: The Sting

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 59:33


    Sandwiched between the two Godfather movies we have one of the most entertaining pictures of all time win the top award: The Sting. It's another great collaboration between Redford, Newman and director George Roy Hill. However, both Rance and I agree that a different movie should have worn the crown. Tune in to find out!

    1972: The Godfather

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 54:36


    We have come to one of the biggest winners of all time, 1972's The Godfather. This movie is consistently listed as one of the greatest of all time.. and we couldn't agree more. The only problem is that there were two major films vying for the top spot, the second one being Cabaret. Listen as we break down both of these classics and more!

    1971: The French Connection

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 50:37


    This week we're thrown into the streets of New York City by the corrupt cop Popeye Doyle in William Friedkin's Best Picture winning film The French Connection. However, after highlighting a couple other movies from this year we realized that it's not our choice for the top award. Listen in to find out what is!

    1970: Patton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 54:51


    A new decade is finally upon us! Join us as we break into the 1970s with the first Best Picture winner: Patton. How does this movie size up with past World War II winners? Tune in and find out!

    Rankings: 1960-1969

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 21:09


    In this special episode we take a look back on the ten films that won Best Picture in the 1960s and rank them in order of our own personal preferences.

    1969: Midnight Cowboy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 54:22


    And now for the first and only "X" rated movie to win Best Picture.. Midnight Cowboy! Often remembered for its famously improvised line "I"m walkin here," this movie set a new tone and standard for what could be considered Oscar content. Tune in to find out which other movies we spotlight!

    1968: Oliver!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 54:18


    The final movie musical to take home the Best Picture Oscar in the 1960s was Oliver! Although it's a fine enough musical, it is not the movie that we think deserved the top honor. Listen in to find out!

    1967: In The Heat of the Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 50:23


    In Part 2 of our 1967 special we discuss the Best Picture winner In The Heat of the Night and what significant factors contributed to its triumph. We also spotlight some other great movies of the year like Wait Until Dark!

    1967: Best Picture Nominees

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 56:06


    1967 is such an important year for the Academy Awards that we had to split it into two parts. In Part 1, we break down the four nominees for Best Picture. Three of them could have token home the top honor in any other year.. and the fourth one is called Doctor Dolittle.

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