Summer + PB&J: The Best Sandwiches in Movies & TV
+ an unhinged PB&J parody poem
Gone Chewin’
This week, I am on vacation. Through the magic of modern technology, I’ve written and scheduled this post ahead of time. By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be immersed in nature: Swimming, hiking, trying and failing to skip rocks on a lake in my home state of New Hampshire while my husband reminds me I’m bad at skipping rocks.
My entire childhood took place against a very rural backdrop, and my entire adulthood has taken place against quite an urban one. When the weather gets warm and us city folk flee — to the beach, to the lake, to the woods — we relish in being closer to nature. Luckily for me, being close to nature means being close to my childhood, and therefore my childlike sense of wonder.
Now, though I am rather enlightened-presenting, it may surprise Film Flavor readers to hear that I can rarely tap into my childlike sense of wonder willy-nilly, as I please.
No, no, for me, not only do I need to be immersed in nature, but I also need the correct fuel. Indeed, my childlike awe is fueled almost entirely by PB&Js.
Cinema’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches have been a staple in my diet since I could chew. As I’ve grown older, I’ve thrown in variations: Jams, marmalades, preserves; Almond butter, Sunflower Seed Butter; Cinnamon, Banana, Marshmallow Fluff (a spin on the long-revered Fluffernutter, a New England specialty), Strawberries. Cold, toasted, grilled, frozen and thawed. Crust-less and crust-full, cut in triangles and squares and into the shape of stars. I’ve tried it all. After three decades of this consumption, I’d fancy I’m something of a PB&J connoisseur.
One unfortunate fact about the humble PB&J sandwich is that, for all its ubiquity in the American diet, its representation in the cinematic arts is few and far between. When the unassuming fare does grace the silver or small screen, it does so with little fanfare. Cinematographers love pastries and pasta, but the second a simple sandwich slips in front of the camera, they, quite frankly, seem like they couldn’t care less.
Let’s take a look at every Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich I could think of that appears in a movie or television show (or at least, the ones I was able to reasonably obtain stills of.)
Outlander (2014): Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches being made and subsequently eaten with a knife and… is that a fork?
Left: What If (2013): A “Fools Gold Loaf” — a peanut butter, jelly, and bacon sandwich, in the movie What If starring Danielle Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan
Center: Avengers: Endgame (2019): Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow makes herself a PB&J sandwich, (which she calls a “peanut butter sandwich” in the dialogue, but some Marvel fans on the internet call a PB&J).
Right: International Velvet (1978): Christopher Plummer’s character makes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (Found this one thanks to Silver Screen Suppers!)
Little Giants (1994): A child who, after a football tackle, looks to be bleeding from the head actually just had a PB&J sandwich tucked into his helmet
Breaking Bad (2008): Bryan Cranston’s Walter White cutting of the crusts of his white bread peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cutting off crusts like the lovable maniac he is.
Wolf (1994): A bizarre scene in which Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer stare at each other and eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for minutes on end.
Sesame Street: On a 1975 Episode of Sesame Street in a bread-focused segment of “This Is Your Life”, special guests included Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Muppets named Betty and Melissa.
War of the Worlds (2005): Tom Cruise makes his kids a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, only to discover his daughter (Dakota Fanning) is allergic to peanuts and throw the bread against the window out of distant-dad frustration.
As you can see, while certainly entertaining, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is often presented nary a flourish or much ado.
One might say this is a call to arms:
HEAR ME, O esteemed filmmakers of this great land. My devotion to the peanut butter and jelly sandwich knows little bounds, and my love is ardent.
Please consider my plea for more PB&J representation in film as I recite to you my own spin on Lewis Carroll’s “The Walrus and the Carpenter”, my favorite childhood poem:
I eagerly await a film industry filled with childlike wonder and on-screen PB&Js.
Until such a time comes to pass, I am happy to report there are plenty of amazing carbohydrate-filled dishes that fill Hollywood’s frames. Naturally, pastries are a top contender in the beautiful film food tournaments. I’ll be posting a few more round-ups of this sort over the next few fortnights, so remember to tune back in this time next week!
What’s Next?
I may be on vacation for the next week, but you can expect a deep dive on pastries, PB&Js, and other gratifyingly-sweet snacks over on the Film Flavor Instagram.
In fact, I’ve been pretty active on Instagram lately. I find it’s a great way to post bite-sized thoughts and have more of a two-way conversations with you all! Feel free to join the party, here:
Peanut or Tree Nut Allergic? Stay Tuned
And for the Peanut or tree nut allergic among us? For the first time in my life, I can honestly say I’ve got your back.
Behind-the-scenes at Film Flavor, we’ve been patiently cooking up a master list and analysis of major movie theater and cinema chain popcorn dietary and allergen information, which I hope to publish soon (once a few more PR reps get back to me!) When I tell you I CANNOT wait for this resource to be revealed, I am saying it with my full chest.
Further PB&J-Adjacent Reading:
Film Flavor’s BOMBSHELL Investigation re: Some Like It Hot (aka the post in which I expose Some Like It Hot for trying to pass a 1950s Skippy peanut butter jar off as a 1920s cheese spread jar)
In Case You Missed It…
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Leave a Comment and let me know: Are there any Movie PB&J Sandwiches I missed?
With gratitude,
—
THE FILMMAKER AND THE PB&J (The Walrus and the Carpenter Parody)
by Via Marsh for Film Flavor
“The time has come,” I do declare
“To talk of many things:
Of food — and films — and sandwich stacks —
Of mise-en-scène — and heartstrings —
And why films have so much food,
And budgets of shoestrings.”
“But wait a bit,” the filmmakers cried,
“Before we have our chat
For some of us are sensitive souls,
And all of us are fat!”
“No hurry!” I say, “Let’s feast a tad”
As I prepare a snack.
“A loaf of bread,” I list-ed,
Is what we chiefly need:
“Peanut Butter and Jelly insides
Are very good indeed —
Now if you're ready, Hollywood dear,
We can begin to feed.”
“It seems a shame,” I then proclaim,
“To not record or film this schtick,
After we've made PB&Js an everyday fare,
And whip them up so quick!”
Should we not, for nostalgia’s sake,
Spread some nut butter on thick?”
“I weep for you, dear film auteurs,
I deeply sympathize.
For those of you who do not appreciate
A humble sandwich of such size,
May never have experienced joy
Through a child’s eyes.”
“O Dear Filmmakers,” I say,
“You've got some work to do
Shall ye, please, feature PB&Js
In your next film or two?
Dare I say, you might find
That you’ll enjoy the view.”
I take a couple of Uncrustables with me to work every day.
Not one single regret.
Ok this is an amazing Substack. Just found it by way of @james lees (Balls on Film) and must subscribe