Watching Classic Movies – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Melodrama, it’s much more than Douglas Sirk-directed mid-century dramas, I had a great talk with writer, film programmer, podcaster, and teacher Millie De Chirico about what melodrama really means, what we love about it, and the surprising places you can find melodrama, from horror to action flicks. Subscribe to Millie’s Substack, Professional Sweetheart Check out the fantastic book Millie wrote with Quatoyiah Murry TCM Underground: 50 Must-See Films from the World of Classic Cult and Late-Night Cinema My video review of the book Millie’s official website Millie co-hosts the fabulous I Saw What You Did podcast with Danielle Henderson Follow Millie-- Twitter: @milliedechirico Instagram: @debbie_country BlueSky: @milliedechirico.bsky.social The show is available on— Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and Radio Public Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: You can also support my work on ko-fi

There are few stars who have reached the heights that Joan Crawford did. In his book Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom my guest Robert Dance explores how she rose from childhood poverty to the top of her industry where she maintained a successful career for over four decades. We talked about her drive and talent for business and how she was a surprising feminist presence in mid-century cinema.

You can purchase Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom here

Check out the gorgeous photos on the official Ferocious Ambition Instagram account

 The show is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent

episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

Millie de Chirico has long been a knowledgeable and accessible champion for classic film in her work programming for TCM and the TCM Classic Film Festival, as co-host of the essential I Saw What You Did podcast, and now as co-author with Quatoyiah Murry of the amazing book TCM Underground: 50 Must-See Films from the World of Classic Cult and Late-Night Cinema. I loved having her back on the show to talk about how changing access to films has widened the landscape for cult flicks and dig into some of the fascinating movies Millie wrote about in the book. Learn more about Millie and Quatoyiah’s book TCM Underground: 50 Must-See Films from the World of Classic Cult and Late-Night Cinema here  Take a listen to my previous conversation with Millie about late career Elizabeth Taylor. It’s one of my favorite episodes I also did a video review of the book when it first came out

The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

Breaker

Google

Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

The 1989 film Chameleon Street, written, directed by, and starring Wendell B. Harris Jr. won the grand jury prize for a dramatic film at Sundance Film Festival in 1990. But that honor didn’t lead to the accolades and long directing career that it should have. This quirky masterwork tells the true crime story of William Douglas Street, Jr., a con artist from Detroit who has successfully impersonated athletes, lawyers, reporters, and doctors over a long career of scamming. He is currently in prison for identity theft. I spoke with Cinema Detroit co-founder Paula Guthat about this fascinating film, the wild story behind it, and how Harris molded this tale of the con into a reflection of life, society, and the performance of being human. 

You can learn where to stream Chameleon Street (1989) here.

Learn more about Chameleon Street here. Learn more about Cinema Detroit screenings here.

The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

Breaker

Sticher

Google

Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

I was happy to welcome back novelist Martin Turnbull, my most popular guest on the podcast to date. We talked about Bogart, Bacall, Hollywood and Warner Brothers Studios during World War II and how they are featured in his Hollywood Homefront Trilogy including the recently released finale to this fascinating blend of fact and fiction You Must Remember This. You can learn more about Martin Turnbull’s many books, including his Hollywood Home Front Trilogy, at his official website. I also highly recommend following his fascinating Twitter account where he shares lots of photos and information about vintage LA & Hollywood. The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

Breaker

Sticher

Google

Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

My guest is Michelle Squiccimara, registrar and outreach coordinator of The Stoogeum in Ambler, Pennsylvania. This three-story museum dedicated to the 3 Stooges contains thousands of artifacts and works of art. It’s also the home of the 3 Stooges fan club, one of the largest and most enduring in the nation. We talked about the many surprises the Stoogeum holds, the supportive fan community that has helped it to thrive, and a new book that reveals the underseen history of the Stooges extensive career on the road. The Official Stoogeum Website Purchase A Tour De Farce: The Complete History of the Three Stooges on the Road, by Stoogeum founder Gary Lassin The Stoogeum is included in my book, The ClassicFilm Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration Thank you to everyone who has purchased the book so far! I'm thrilled by the response. If you are enjoying the guide, I'd love it if you'd post a review wherever you bought it. It really helps! The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

Breaker

Sticher

Google

Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

My guest is Janie McKirgan, Executive Director of the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania

We talked about the long history of this museum that seems humble from the outside, but has an extensive collection within and a movie theater that shows Stewart films every day. It’s a beloved institution in a town that still shows a lot of love for its most famous native.

You can learn more about the Jimmy Stewart Museum at their official website.

Check out their Jimmy Stewart podcast. There are some amazing interviews, including one with Kim Novak! And some interesting clips featuring Stewart. 

The Jimmy Stewart Museum is included in my book, The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration

The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

Breaker

Sticher

 Google

Radio Public

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month

You can also support my work on ko-fi

My guest is Nelson Page, Executive Director of the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, New Jersey, the birthplace of the United States film industry. The center is an evolving cultural institution, featuring a reparatory movie theater that brings back the comforts and style of classic cinema and a museum that is free to the public and has already been a source of great fascination to its visitors in the five months it has been open. We talked about what the center has to offer, the history of film in Fort Lee, and how the future of cinema is just as exciting as the past. Official Barrymore Film Center Website Barrymore Film Center Instagram The Barrymore Film Center is included in my book, The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration

The show is available on Spotify, PocketCasts, Breaker, Stitcher, Anchor, Google, Radio Public, and YouTube.

Watching Classic Movies podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts! If you are enjoying the show, please give it a 5-star review and share it with your friends.

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month, click on the Support button here.

You can also support my work on ko-fi.

My guests are Lynell Seabold, Executive Director of the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, North Carolina and Lora Stocker a longtime volunteer for the museum who has served as a social media consultant and board member. 

We talked about what the museum has to offer both as a physical and virtual experience, including the many ways the museum celebrates Ava Gardner and unites fans and collectors from around the world. 

Explore the Museum's virtual offerings at the Official Ava Gardner Museum site 

They also have a fantastic gift shop Lot of good stuff on the Ava Gardner Instagram account  The Ava Gardner Museum is included in my book, The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration

The show is available on Spotify, PocketCasts, Breaker, Stitcher, Anchor, Google, Radio Public, and YouTube.

Watching Classic Movies podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts! If you are enjoying the show, please give it a 5-star review and share it with your friends.

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month, click on the Support button here.

You can also support my work on ko-fi.

My guest is Dorothy Schultz, curator of the James Dean Museum

We had a great talk about this thriving tribute to an actor who burned bright in his short life and left an enduring legacy. The museum is home to the largest collection of Dean artifacts and attracts visitors from around the world. It is also deeply loved and supported by the surrounding community, which includes Dean’s family. Dorothy shared stories about the museum and the annual festival it hosts, tips about how to make the most of a visit, and what Dean means to her as an artist and influential figure.

You can learn more about The James Dean Museum and check out their gift shop here

James Dean Museum on Instagram

We talked a lot about the famous photos Dennis Stock took of James Dean. There's a great gallery of them here.

The James Dean Museum is included in my book, The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration

 The show is available on Spotify, PocketCasts, Breaker, Stitcher, Anchor, Google, Radio Public, and YouTube.

Watching Classic Movies podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts! If you are enjoying the show, please give it a 5-star review and share it with your friends.

Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month, click on the Support button here. 

You can also support my work on ko-fi.