The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion is the 31st film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 2001.
Woody Allen stars as CW Briggs. An insurance investigator whose workplace rival is Betty Anne Fitzgerald played by Helen Hunt. Both come under the spell of a hypnotist named Voltan, and find they themselves chasing after criminals that are closer to home than they think.
The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion is a throwback to another era. It harkens back to the sparky, dialogue driven comedies of the 40s, and there’s plenty of fun. But the fun is cartoonish and sometimes it is so lightweight that it almost blows away.
Welcome to the Woody Allen Pages Podcast. This week, episode 18, we talk about 2001’s The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion. How it was conceived, how it was made and how it was a bit of a failure. Spoilers are everywhere so please watch the film and come back.
So much more at our website – Woody Allen Pages.
Find us at:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Reddit
Support us
Patreon
Buy a poster or t-shirt at Redbubble
Buy out books – The Woody Allen Film Guides
Buy Me A Coffee
You can write to us at woodyallenpages [at] gmail [dot] com
2 Comments
I’ve always enjoyed Jade Scorpion. My only issue with the picture is that the sets seem kind of dark and confined, almost claustrophobic, but of course being a period piece this might’ve been done for budget reasons. Opening up the picture with more daytime scenes might’ve given the film a more lighthearted feel. But Woody and the whole team did a great job on the film. I like the character Charlie. He was CW’s connection on the street. Every gutsy street smart investigator has that go-to guy who will give him the real inside skinny regarding what’s shakin’ on the street!!! I believe Jack Warden played a similar character in Mighty Aphrodite!!! In a peculiar yet wonderful way, those characters always seem to give the protagonist a little pearl of wisdom to help them on their way!!!
GO WOODY!!!
Professor Irwin Corey (Charlie) was a legendary comic whose career started back in the 1930s & lived to be 102. I’m sure it was a thrill for Woody to give him this small part in the film. I highly recommend the documentary “Irwin & Fran” which covers Corey’s 70 year marriage.