Question 1

Which 'Far Side' cartoon creator apologized for mocking 'Ishtar' without having seen it?

Accepted Answer

Gary Larson apologized for his 'Hell's Video Store' cartoon that mocked 'Ishtar', admitting he hadn't seen it when he drew it and later found it entertaining.

Question 2

Why did Warren Beatty want to make 'Ishtar' with Elaine May?

Accepted Answer

Beatty felt indebted to May for her work on 'Heaven Can Wait' and 'Reds', and wanted to give her a chance to make a film she was artistically and commercially capable of making.

Question 3

What was the behind-the-scenes conflict between Warren Beatty and Elaine May during production?

Accepted Answer

Beatty and May quarreled frequently, with Dustin Hoffman mediating. At one point, May told Beatty 'You shoot it!' and abandoned the set, leading Beatty to report her to Columbia Pictures.

Question 4

How did 'Ishtar' perform at the box office in its first week despite its reputation?

Accepted Answer

Despite being considered a major box-office failure, 'Ishtar' was number one at the box office in its first week of release before dropping to fourth place the following week.

Question 5

What international conflict do two lounge singers become entangled in while performing in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Two terrible lounge singers booked for a Moroccan hotel gig become pawns in a power play between the CIA, the Emir of Ishtar, and rebels trying to overthrow his regime.

Question 6

Which 'Far Side' cartoon creator apologized for mocking this film without having seen it?

Accepted Answer

Gary Larson apologized for his 'Hell's Video Store' cartoon that mocked 'Ishtar', admitting he hadn't seen it when he drew it and later found it entertaining on a plane.

Question 7

Why did Warren Beatty originally want to make this film with Elaine May?

Accepted Answer

Beatty felt indebted to May for her work on 'Heaven Can Wait' and 'Reds', and wanted to give her a chance to make a film she was artistically and commercially capable of making.

Question 8

What surprising box office achievement did this notorious flop have in its first week?

Accepted Answer

Despite its reputation as a major box-office failure, 'Ishtar' was number one at the box office in its first week of release.

Question 9

What was the nature of the off-camera conflicts between Warren Beatty and Elaine May during production?

Accepted Answer

Beatty and May quarreled frequently off camera and in editing, with Dustin Hoffman mediating. At one point, May told Beatty 'You shoot it!' and abandoned the set for long periods.

Question 10

What international conflict do two lounge singers become entangled in during their Moroccan gig?

Accepted Answer

The singers become pawns in an international power play between the CIA, the Emir of Ishtar, and rebels trying to overthrow his regime.

Ishtar

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