Shampoo (1975) ft. Sara Shea
Dana and Tom welcome back guest, Sara Shea (Host and Creator of Shea Cinema; @sheacinema on X, IG) to discuss Shampoo (1975) for its 50th Anniversary: directed by Hal Ashby, written by Warren Beatty and Robert Towne, music by Paul Simon, starring Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, Julie Christine, Lee Grant, Carrie Fischer, and Jack Warden.
Plot Summary: Shampoo is a sharp, bittersweet satire wrapped in the glitzy excess of late-'60s Beverly Hills. The film follows George Roundy (Beatty), a womanizing hairdresser whose ambition is undercut by his inability to resist the charms of his wealthy clientele. On the eve of the 1968 presidential election, George juggles a tangled web of lovers—including his current girlfriend (Goldie Hawn), his wealthy benefactor’s wife (Lee Grant), and his ex (Julie Christie)—all while trying to secure financial backing for his own salon.
Shampoo disguises its sharp political and social critique beneath a surface of sexual farce, letting the characters’ selfishness mirror the broader moral drift of the era. The film’s humor is sly but never mean-spirited, and its direction, full of casual elegance, ensures that even the most ridiculous moments feel authentic. By the film’s melancholic finale, Shampoo has revealed itself as more than just a sex comedy—it’s a lament for lost opportunities, both personal and political.
Guest:
Sara Shea
- Host and Creator of Shea Cinema; @sheacinema on X, IG
- Previously on 12 Angry Men (1957) Revisit, Barry Lyndon (1975)
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Our Guest
02:04 Cast and Background for Shampoo
03:32 Relationship(s) with Shampoo
06:22 What is Shampoo About?
16:15 Warren Beatty's Eclectic Film Choices
22:05 Plot Summary for Shampoo
23:32 Did You Know?
24:44 First Break
26:54 What's Happening with Sara
29:05 A Listener Question
30:42 Best Performance(s)
39:01 Best/Favorite/Indelible Scene(s)
44:09 Second Break
45:12 In Memoriam
46:28 Best/Funniest Lines
49:36 The Stanley Rubric - Legacy
52:46 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance
56:36 The Stanley Rubric - Impact/Significance
01:02:28 The Stanley Rubric - Classicness
01:07:21 The Stanley Rubric - Rewatchability
01:14:03 The Stanley Rubric - Audience Score and Final Total
01:16:06 Remaining Questions for Shampoo
01:22:53 Thank You to Our Guest
01:24:30 Final Thoughts for the Week
01:28:00 Credits
You can also find this episode in full video on YouTube.
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Keywords:
Shampoo, Warren Beatty, 1975 film, movie analysis, character development, film performances, comedy, satire, Hollywood, 70s cinema, film analysis, humor, legacy, originality, cultural critique, rewatchability, cinema, movie review, audience reception, storytelling, Hal Ashby, Julie Christie, Robert Towne, Goldie Hawn, Lee Grant, Jack Warden, Paul Simon.
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