The Substance24 Sep 2025

186: Substantive Cinema | New York, New York feat. Jim Hemphill

Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver & Raging Bull are widely considered two of the best films of their era that were made in America. He and Robert DeNiro were a powerhouse creative team and they're still considered one of the all-time great collaborations in the history of the medium. This makes it curious that the film that they made together in between these monumental classics, 1977's New York, New York, has been largely forgotten and left out of the conversation.

We're seeking to remedy that with our episode this week and we are happy to be joined by film enthusiast and historian Jim Hemphill. Jim has loved the film since he saw as a young film student and he brings some wonderful and personal insights to the discussion.

In the episode we cover:

Why directors and actors are often poor judges of their own work
Jim's early days in LA and getting to meet folks like Samuel Fuller, Billy Wilder, Budd Boetticher, and Blake Edwards
The power of laserdiscs (and physical media in general) to develop and nurture generations of movie lovers
Marty's balance of strengths in having the talents of a classical studio director alongside the passions of an independent auteur
The fact that NYNY may be Scorsese's only film (beyond his "faith trilogy") where the protagonist experiences genuine growth
And more!

Buy New York, New York Limited Edition Blu-Ray

Substantive Cinema Episode List

Jim's IndieWire article on NYNY

Blu-ray Commentaries with Jim and his wife: The Golden Child and Navy Seals

Shoutouts:

The Smashing Machine

One Battle After Another

Dexter: Resurrection

Follow Jim:

Instagram

IndieWire

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