I agree that some remarks in this discussion have focused too narrowly on
"insider" knowledge and not on constantly shifting culture that watches/is
reflected by a film. To continue with Woody Allen as an example, an
understanding of Howard Cosell, the traditional U.S. image of Latin American
"banana republics" and the Chicago 7 trial (to name a few things) are
important factors in understanding "Bananas", not just inside jokes aimed at
a sophisticated viewer. The references to "Bananas" in "Sleeper" are
definitely an inside joke, while the joke about Albert Shenker in the same
film is probably an example of an inside joke taken to an almost illogically
miniscule dimension...
Robert Hunt
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