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Get ready to rediscover the worlds that shaped your childhood—and the nightmares that still send chills down your spine. In this episode, we sit down with David Kirschner, the creative force behind An American Tail, Child’s Play, Hocus Pocus and so much more. Before he created pop‑culture icons, Kirschner designed album covers for Neil Diamond and worked with Jim Henson on Sesame Street and The Muppets . He later dreamed up the magical Rose‑Petal Place universe , and his success caught the eye of Steven Spielberg, leading to the Oscar‑nominated An American Tail .

From Fievel’s Hope to Chucky’s Horror

This conversation travels from the heartfelt story of Jewish‑Russian immigrants in An American Tail to the darkly comic terror of Child’s Play, where the freckled menace Chucky went on to headline seven films and a hit TV series . Kirschner explains how a fear of his sister’s dolls inspired the franchise and why the character still endures. We also dive into the unfinished fantasy epic The Pirates of Dark Water, the environmental parable of The Pagemaster, and the cult rise of Hocus Pocus. You’ll hear how the Sanderson Sisters went from box‑office curiosity to Halloween royalty and why a third film is now in development .

Why You Should Listen Now

If you ever sang “Somewhere Out There,” hid your toys after watching Chucky, or still quote “It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus,” this episode is for you. Kirschner shares behind‑the‑scenes secrets, creative strategies, and the personal experiences that fueled his characters. We’ll explore the common thread that ties together Fievel’s quest, Chucky’s mayhem, and the Sanderson Sisters’ mischief. Don’t miss this masterclass in storytelling—tune in, share with your tribe, and join us as we celebrate the visionary whose imagination continues to enchant and thrill audiences .

Theme music composed by

Ron Wasserman

Audio composed and edited by

Gabe Fletcher

Website:

https://gabefletcher.net/

Composer Ron Wasserman

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