A Streetcar Named Marge
"A Streetcar Named Marge"
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Episode Information
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"A Streetcar Named Marge" is the second episode of The Simpsons' fourth season. The episode faced controversy from New Orleans, Louisiana due to a song in which it describes the city negatively (lyrics seen below). The writers apologized for this in the next episode, in which in the opening Bart repeatedly writes "I will not defame New Orleans" on the blackboard. This is the Last Episode to be Animated by Klasky-Csupo, Inc.
Synopsis
Marge is cast in the role of Blanche DuBois in Oh! Streetcar, the musical version of A Streetcar Named Desire directed by the flamboyant Llewellyn Sinclair at the Springfield Community Center. Homer isn't very supportive of Marge's interest in acting, so she uses her anger towards him for inspiration in some of the play's more emotional moments. Acting opposite Ned Flanders as Stanley Kowalski, Marge gets so absorbed in her role that at one point she attacks Ned with a broken bottle while practicing. Meanwhile, Maggie has been placed in day care at the Ayn Rand School for Tots and leads a rebellion against the strict caretaker, who confiscates all of the babies' pacifiers. Marge puts on a great performance and everyone applauds, except Homer, who is staring at the floor. After the play, Marge berates Homer for being bored, until he recites some aspects, showing he was saddened by the play's plot. Seeing that Homer was indeed moved by the play, Marge reconciles with Homer.
References
- The plot references the film A Streetcar Named Desire, especially when Homer stands outside and yells: "Hey Mààààààààààrge!" to Marge whom he can see thru the window of Flanders' house. This is a reference to the scene where Marlon Brando's character Stanley Kowalski yells: "Hey Stééééééééééélla!" to Stella.
- The scenes with Maggie trying to escape from the daycare centre reference the film The Great Escape, especially the music and the scene where Maggie plays with a ball in her "cell" to kill time.
- When Homer, Lisa and Bart go to pick up Maggie from the daycare center they see hundreds of babies sitting everywhere and sucking their pacifiers. Afraid but confident Homer picks her up and leaves without saying a word. This is a reference to the film The Birds where the protagonists are confronted with hundreds of birds sitting on perches. When Homer, Lisa, Bart and Maggie are outside Alfred Hitchcock passes by with two dogs, in reference to a similar cameo the director made in the film The Birds
* Author and philosopher Ayn Rand is mocked throughout the entire episode.
Quotes
Auditions
- Llewellyn Sinclair: "All right. All men who auditioned for the role of Stanley, take off your shirts."
All men remove their shirts. Llewellyn inspects the candidates
- Llewellyn Sinclair: "No. Forget it. Try joining a gym. ACK! What is that?"
Llewellyn sees a ghastly tattoo on Otto's chest
- Otto: "Yeah, man. Pretty gnarly, huh?"
Llewellyn sees Ned's excellent physique
- Llewellyn Sinclair: "That is it, you are my Stanley."
Marge and Ned are practicing for the play. Remembering Homer's uncaring attitude, Marge suddenly pictures Ned transforming into Homer, giving her the neccesary anger to play Blanche DuBois
- Marge: "I'll smash this bottle on your head!"
Marge tackles Ned
- Llewellyn Sinclair: "Good, Marge! Ned, you are meant to overpower her!"
- Ned: "I'm trying, I'm trying!"
Appearances
Characters
- Homer Simpson
- Bart Simpson
- Lisa Simpson
- Troy McClure
- Marge Simpson
- Drederick Tatum
- Chief Clancy Wiggum
- Ned Flanders
- Llewellyn Sinclair
- Herman
- Ms. Albright
- Ms. Mellon
- Apu
- Otto Mann
- Helen Loveojoy
- Lionle Hutz
- Maggie Simpson
- Ms. Sinclair
- Abe Simpson
- Patty and Selma Bouvier
- Snjay Nahasapeemapetilon
- Moe Szyslak
- Barney Gumble
- Eddie and Lou
Locations
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