Explore every episode of the podcast Watching Classic Movies

I love talking to classic Hollywood novelist Martin Turnbull, because to research his books, he unearths the most fascinating informationabout Hollywood, the studio age, and the movies. In our third conversation we discussed Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood in 1939, and the fascinating world of producer David O. Selznick.

 

Martin’s Official Website:

https://martinturnbull.com/

 

Martin on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/martinturnbullauthor/

 

Martin’s Linktree

https://linktr.ee/martinturnbull

 

Follow Watching Classic Movies on BlueSky:@classicmovies.bsky.social

I had a wide-ranging talk with Kim of Piercing Pop Culture about the unique appeal of 50s horror and its icons, which yes, somehowincluded a conversation about Jack Lemmon in the China Syndrome. We covered a lot, to say the least, and had a great time doing it.

 

Follow Kim:

 

Piercing Pop Culture Substack

https://www.piercingpopculture.substack.com/

 

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/kpierce624/

 

Tiktok

https://www.tiktok.com/@piercingpopculture

 

Piercing Pop Culture

https://piercingcinema.com/

Follow Watching Classic Movies on BlueSky: @classicmovies.bsky.social

Films like Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and The Substance have brought an interesting, more three-dimensional twist to the subgenre of Hagsploitation. I spoke with the brilliant and glamorous Harlow of the fantastic Harlow Harlow Instagram/Tiktok vintage film account about these newer films, the many classics that came before them, and how much we love all of the actresses who starred in them.

 

Follow Harlow:

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@them_fatale93

 

https://www.instagram.com/them_fatale/?hl=en

 

https://letterboxd.com/them_fatale93/

 

https://linktr.ee/harlowharlow

 

The Tiktok that inspired this episode:

https://www.tiktok.com/@them_fatale93/video/7672101410950974750?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7504442914158380590

 

See the visualizer version of this episode on WatchingClassic Movies YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@watchingclassicmovies

 

Follow Watching Classic Movies on BlueSky:

@classicmovies.bsky.social

There is no period in film history quite like theso-called pre-Code era, where the new production code put in place to keep thefilm industry in line didn’t quite do what it was intended to do for a few years. Kim Luperi of I See a Dark Theater and the Pre-Code Instagram account and Danny Reid of Pre-Code.com have studied and written about this cinematicperiod for several years. We talked about their new book from TCM, Pre-Code Essentials: Must-See Cinema from Hollywood's Untamed Era, 1930-1934, unpacked some of the most intriguing films from their selections, and mulled over why Pre-Codes are endlessly fascinating and popular with classic film fans

 

Buy a signed book from Larry Edmunds:

https://www.larryedmunds.com/product-page/pre-code-essentials-must-see-cinemafrom-hollywood-s-untamed-era-1930-1934

 

Book event information:

https://linktr.ee/precodehollywood

 

Keep up with Kim:

https://www.iseeadarktheater.com/

https://www.instagram.com/precodedotcom/

 

Keep up with Danny:

https://pre-code.com/

My guest is Esther Bley, creator of the beautifully-curated Queer Animation database and writer for Cartoon Research. We talked about queer images in animation from the pre-Code era to the present day, how cartoon representation differs from live action, and the animation they find most interesting from each era.

 

Queer Animation

https://queeranimation.omeka.net/

 

Esther’s Work at Cartoon Research

https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/category/the-cartoon-closet/

 

More links for Esther:

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/queeranimation

 

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/queeranimation/

 

Tiktok

https://www.tiktok.com/@queeranimation

 

Tumblr

https://queeranimations.tumblr.com/

Queer Animation Playlist

(includes titles discussed in this episode)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUZBEz-FrZM&list=PLj3-hIKmvt6Xnqq3XbNA7HOtmvKJZlyan

The six films that Humphrey Bogart and director John Huston made together are some of the best of Hollywood’s golden age. These men are also complex and endlessly fascinating. I spoke with author Nat Segaloffabout their shared legacy and his new book, Bogart and Huston: Their Lives,Their Adventures, and the Classic Movies They Made Together.

 

Check out Nat Segaloff’s many books, and see a cute pic of his Italian Greyhound Louie at his official site:

http://www.natsegaloff.com/

 

 

Lately I’ve been fascinated by the roles Hayley Mills played in her early adult years. The parts she picked in an effort to shake off the Disney child-star image are a mixed bag, but through it all Mills was always mesmerizing. I could think of no one better to discuss this with thanKate Gabrielle, artist and author of the Scathingly Brilliant blog.

 

Kate’s official site:

https://kategabrielle.com/

 

Kate’s Hayley Mills pin sets for sale:

https://kategabrielle.com/search?type=product&q=hayley+mills

 

Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/kategabrielle

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kategabrielle

 

Linktree

https://linktr.ee/kategabrielle

From the first rebellious strains of the title tune by the Red Crayola, I knew Born In Flames (1983) was going to be a special movie. It was anhonor to talk about this timeless film with Director Lizzie Borden. She was deeply involved with the production of a new Blu-ray release of the film from Criterion Collection and we had a great talk about how Born in Flames was made,its evolving influence over the years, and how it felt to look back on it all in the production of this remarkable release.

 

Born in Flames Soundtrack Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj3-hIKmvt6VrjorUn01M3ub4_W6C7J94&si=BYys5Gqfy3765vlD

 

The Official Born in Flames Website

https://www.borninflamesmovie.com/

 

Kathleen Hanna discusses Born in Flames

https://thedissolve.com/features/mad-love/298-kathleen-hanna-on-the-film-thats-inspired-her-for-/

 

Criterion Collection Release of Born in Flames

https://www.criterion.com/films/30707-born-in-flames

My guest is Kristina Dijan, writer of the longtime blog Speakeasy and a senior writer at the Dark Pages film noir newsletter. Kristina and I met at the TCM Classic Film Festival over a decade ago, where we quickly discovered a shared lovefor cult and genre films. In the years since we have shared hundreds of film suggestions with each other. This episode we decided to put down our phones and discuss our favorite underseen Giallos face-to-face.

 

We had so many ideas for follow-up episodes, that Kristina suggested we start our own podcast, where we could share ourconversation with fans of cult and genre films. Get ready for Psychotronic Sisters coming soon wherever you subscribe to podcasts. Stay tuned at the end of the show to learn more!

 

More about Kristina:

https://hqofk.wordpress.com/

https://www.allthatnoir.com/newsletter/

  

Films Discussed:

Short Night of Glass Dolls (1971)

Possessed (1965)

The Strangler (1970)

In The Eye of the Hurricane/Fox with a Velvet Tail (1971)

Queens of Evil (1970)

Blazing Magnum/Shadows in an Empty Room (1976)

The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972)

 

My guest is Caroline Young, author of Single & Psycho: How Pop Culture Created the Unstable Single Woman. We talked about the many ways unmarried women are represented in movies and television and how they are often vilified. From Fatal Attraction and its fascinating inspiration Diversion to Gone Girl and the singletons of Bridget Jones and Sex and the City, we covered a lot of ground.

 

More about Caroline:

 

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/carolinejillyoung/

 

Official Site

www.carolinejyoung.com

 

Titles discussed:

Diversion (1979)

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Thelma and Louise (1991)

Basic Instinct (1992)

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

Sex and the City (TV, 1998)

Obsession (2023)

Fatal Attraction (TV, 2023)

The Girl on the Train (2016)

Gone Girl (2014)

Promising Young Woman (2020)

The Boy Next Door (2015)

The Real Fatal Attraction (2025)

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Though he has appeared in over two hundred films and television shows for generations of fans, Cesar Romero will always be theJoker. While his series of guest appearances in the 1960s Batman show is undeniably memorable, there’s a lot more to both Romero the man and the actor. My guest is SamuelGarza Bernstein, author of Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild. We discussed themost fascinating performances of this elegant, underrated talent who always maintainedthe heights of his stardom and lived life to the fullest with remarkable kindness and positivity.

 

More about Samuel:

https://samuelgarzabernstein.com/SAM-Work.html

https://www.instagram.com/starringsamuelgarzabernstein/

 

Samuel’s Recommendations:

Deep Waters (1948)

Oceans Eleven (1966)

The Little Princess (1939)

Wee Willie Winkie (1937)

 

Other Films Discussed:

The Devil is a Woman (1935)

Two on a Guillotine (1965)

Batman (1966)

The Haunted Mouth (1977)

Latitude Zero (1969)

The Timber Tramps (1973)

Simple Justice (1989)

Midas Run (1969)

One of the best decisions I ever made was to attend the TCM Classic Film Festival and I’ve done that for several years. There are thousandsof movie fans who feel the same way. This one-of-a-kind event is as much about the community it draws as it is its films, panels, guests, and welcoming TCM hosts. I have spent many hours at the festival with my guests Aurora Bugallo,who writes the Once Upon A Screen blog  and who is active on social media as CitizenScreen and Karen Burroughs Hannsberry who writes the Shadows and Satin blog, iseditor of the bi-monthly film noir publication the Dark Pages Newsletter and is author of Femme Noir: Bad Girls of Film and Bad Boys: The Actors of Film Noir.

We had a lot of laughs and even got a bit emotional reminiscing about the manyways our days together in Hollywood were memorable, heartwarming, and even lifechanging.

More about Aurora:

https://citizenscreen.tumblr.com/

https://www.instagram.com/citizenscreen

https://aurorasginjoint.com/(Once Upon a Screen)

 

 More about Karen:

https://shadowsandsatin.wordpress.com/

https://www.allthatnoir.com/

 

 

Maureen O’Hara at TCMFF 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b30uO1dHjo&list=PLA2C9D52AB7280FC5&index=15

 

My guest is Christopher S. Connelly, author of Helen Morgan: The Original Torch Singer and Ziegfeld’s Last Star. Morgan was a hugely popular singer and actress who set the template for musical theater performance style. We talked about Morgan’s big heart, her deeply emotional connection with audiences, and how her approach to life was more Auntie Mame than as the downtrodden songstress she has been typically rumored to be.

 

Learn more about the book and where to buy it here:

https://www.kentuckypress.com/9781985900592/helen-morgan/

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support

 

You can also support my work on ko-fi:

https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

Robert Bellissimo has had me as his guest on his excellent Robert Bellissimo at the Movies video podcast two times: once to discuss the sci-fi/film noir Repeat Performance (1947) and recently to talk about Joan Crawford in Autumn Leaves (1956). In this episode we discuss Sudden Fear (1952) which has the noir and theater world characteristics of that first film and the star of the second. We talked in detail about the look, sound, plotting, and stars of this fascinating independent production that served as a perfectly noirish backdrop for one of Crawford’s best performances.

 

Robert Bellissimo at the Movies YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies

 

Follow Robert--

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/robertbellissimoatthemovies/

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RobertBellissimoAtTheMovies/

 

Our conversation about the film noir Repeat Performance (1947):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emz7yABM4kU

 

Our conversation about another Joan Crawford film, Autumn Leaves (1956):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq9jzs2dqOU

 

Robert interviews Joan Crawford: Ferocious Ambition author Robert Dance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd00zZdaUIA

 

Kendahl interviews Joan Crawford: Ferocious Ambition author Robert Dance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE3iiOsCwM8

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support  

You can also support my work on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

It is rare to find a new film book that is destined to be a classic, but Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema is just that. Co-written by Willow Catelyn Maclay and Caden Mark Gardner this well-curated mix of films, criticism, and history covers the highs and lows of trans representation both in front of and behind the camera and celebrates the wealth of trans talent now making films. I spoke with Willow about some of the stand-out films from the book, what it was like to write and research such a complex project, and what trans filmmakers need to thrive as they expand their presence in the movies.

 

Buy Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema--

https://bookshop.org/p/books/corpses-fools-and-monsters-an-examination-of-trans-film-images-in-cinema-willow-maclay/

                                                                            

Follow Willow Catelyn Maclay:

https://www.instagram.com/willowcatelyn/

https://www.patreon.com/willowcatelynmaclay

 

Follow Caden Mark Gardner:

https://www.instagram.com/corpsesfoolsandmonsters

 

Follow a trans film maker. Buy a DVD/Bluray/VHS/streaming access! Buy some merch!

Louise Weard:

https://louiseweard.bigcartel.com/

https://linktr.ee/LCWJ

 

Vera Drew:

https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-peoples-joker/umc.cmc.7h7jov9x5534llwd5a3bu5kf9

https://diabolikdvd.com/product/le-slipcover-peoples-joker-altered-innocence-blu-ray-all-region-preorder/

https://diabolikdvd.com/product/vhs-peoples-joker-altered-innocence-ntsc-vhs-preorder

https://www.patreon.com/veradrew22

 

Jane Schoenbrun

https://www.janeschoenbrun.com/

https://www.instagram.com/janedoesnotknow

 

Alice Maio Mackay

https://www.instagram.com/alice_maiomackay/

 

Isabel Sandoval

https://www.instagram.com/isabelvsandoval/?hl=en

https://www.criterion.com/current/top-10-lists/377-isabel-sandoval-s-top-10

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support  

You can also support my work on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

With a collection of nearly 150,000 titles, Scarecrow Video in Seattle, Washington is one of the largest, if not the largest publicly available archives of film in the world. US customers can rent in the store or by mail and anyone can purchase all sorts of amazing items from its official website. Open since 1988, and a not-for-profit run by its employees since 2014, it had never been easy to keep the store going, but this collective has set a goal to raise 1.8 million dollars in order to keep its doors open and to build a sustainable structure so that its employees can focus on what they do best: sharing the amazing world of movies with its loyal customers.

 

I spoke with Scarecrow Social Media Manager and Development Assistant Malakie Peters about the progress the not-for-profit has made in its fundraising efforts, how anyone can benefit from and support Scarecrow, and what her current favorite flicks are in a collection so massive that even as an employee she finds new treasures all the time.

 

Direct donation link:

https://scarecrow.app.neoncrm.com/forms/sos

 

Scarecrow Video Official Site:

https://scarecrowvideo.org/

 

The Scarecrow Video Shop:

https://sv-archive.square.site/

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support  

You can also support my work on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

My guest is John DiLeo, author of eight film books, including his latest, Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances. We talked about the common characteristics of great performances that nevertheless get overlooked for awards attention, some of our favorite deserving performances, and the way perception makes a movie a unique experience for each viewer.

 

Learn more about John DiLeo’s many film books, including Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances here:

https://www.johndileo.com/works.htm

 

Follow John on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/john.dileo.12/

 

Listen to our previous chat about his book There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less:

http://www.watchingclassicmovies.com/2022/07/watching-classic-movies-podcast-john.html

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support

 

You can also support my work on ko-fi:

https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

 

My guest is Nat Segaloff, author of The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear. Nat is uniquely qualified to write about this controversial classic. As a publicist working for the film, he was standing guard outside the auditorium doors for the first press screening . He knew director William Friedkin, and wrote his authorized biography and spent time with Exorcist novelist/screenwriter William Peter Blatty. We talked about the many versions and sequels of the Exorcist, the women who were integral to the creation and execution of the story, and how while nothing can match the original film, the movies it inspired have a lot to offer.

 

More about the books we discussed:

 

The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806541945/the-exorcist-legacy/

 

Breaking the Code: Otto Preminger vs. Hollywood’s Censors

https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Code-Preminger-Hollywoods-Censors/dp/1493074881

 

The Naughty Bits: What The Censors Wouldn't Let You See in Hollywood's Most Famous Movies

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-naughty-bits-nat-segaloff/1145630555

 

A previous episode where we discuss Nat’s book about Scarface:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nat-segaloff-author-of-say-hello-to-my-little-friend/id1595631474?i=1000644783035

 

More about Nat Segaloff:

http://www.natsegaloff.com/

 

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

 

Like the podcast? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support

 

You can also support my work on ko-fi:

https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

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

The two cinematic versions of Scarface were influential films which reflected their times, the thirties and eighties respectively. The prolific Nat Segaloff explores their legacy in Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface, a fascinating book that draws on Nat’s industry experience and considerable research skills. We talked about the effect these movies had, the people who made them remarkable, and what it was like to meet Scarface director Brian De Palma. Learn more about Nat’s many film books at his website http://www.natsegaloff.com/ You can purchase Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface here https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806542966/say-hello-to-my-little-friend/ 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: https://anchor.fm/k-cruver You can also support my work on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies

Film critic Odie Henderson has applied his vast film knowledge and solid storytelling skills to the writing of an excellent new book

Buy Odie's Book

Check out Odie's Blaxploitation Playlist

Keep up with Odie on BlueSky

Odie's film reviews:

Boston Globe

Roger Ebert

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

Eleanor Powell was Hollywood’s best female tapper, but she isn’t nearly as well known as screen hoofers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. With their book Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance my guests Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère are working to fix that cultural oversight. Having been dancers themselves, they offer a fascinating perspective on this one-of-a-kind star’s style. We talked about the uniquely skilled Powell, who was as engaging as a person as she was a performer, and Paula and Lisa’s own relationship with her in her later years. 

Connect with Paula and Lisa:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanorpowell.bio Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eleanorpowell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleanorpowellborntodance/ Paula’s Twitter/X: @PMBroussard Lisa’s Twitter/X: @pamelisa Website: www.eleanorpowell.dance Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://anchor.fm/k-cruver

You can also support my work on ko-fi

While the actress Veronica Lake dealt with her share of trauma, her life was not quite the tragedy that it has long been rumored to be. Before she hit her mid-twenties she had appeared in six bonafide classic films, including Sullivan’s Travels, a series of noirs with Alan Ladd starting with This Gun for Hire, I Married a Witch and So Proudly We Hail. She left Hollywood behind, but never stopped working on the stage and in television, while pursuing the life she was unable to have as a young star. I spoke with UCLA Cinema and Media Studies Program Manager and Lake enthusiast and researcher Brian Brown about the highs and lows of this remarkable actress.

For more great Veronica Lake content, follow Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeekabooBrian

 

Titles discussed:

 

Sullivan’s Travels (1941)

This Gun for Hire (1942)

The Glass Key (1942)

I Married a Witch (1942)

So Proudly We Hail (1943)

The Blue Dahlia (1946)

Ramrod (1947)

Slattery’s Hurricane (1949)

The Sainted Sisters (1948)

 

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

Toshiro Mifune was one of the first classic film stars I loved and yet I didn’t know much about him personally. I decided to remedy that by talking to writer and CineJourneys co-founder Jill Blake. Jill has researched and written about Mifune and had a lot to share about his life, career, and remarkable partnership with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.

Check out Jill's work

CineJourneys Substack: https://cinejourneys346.substack.com

CineJourneys website: www.cinejourneys.com

Read Jill’s piece on Mifune: https://ajillblake.substack.com/p/toshiro-mifune-no-april-fool

 

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: https://anchor.fm/k-cruver

Biographer Eve Golden returns to the show to discuss her latest

. This vivacious star deserves a reputation overall. Lies, rumors, and misperceptions have clouded Velez’ legacy. While she didn’t have the opportunities and regard that her talent and starpower should have brought her, she had a remarkable, decades-long career and was a beloved, fascinating woman. 

Content warning: we discuss Lupe’s suicide from 21:04 to 24:58 if you would prefer to skip that part of the conversation.

Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Vélez is a publication of University Press of Kentucky and is available wherever you buy books!

The show is available on—

Apple

Spotify

Amazon Music

PocketCasts

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 love the movie suggestions Brian Sauer shares as co-host of the Pure Cinema Podcast and as host of Just the Discs podcast and YouTube show. He always comes up with intriguing films I haven’t seen for my ever expanding to-watch list. In this episode, Brian shares five classic film picks and two spares, that would be his selections if he were scheduling the TCM Classic Film Festival. I loved the element of surprise in our conversation, especially because some of his picks sounded great and I can't wait to watch them. 

Follow Brian and get more great recommendations:

Instagram

Brian on Letterboxd

Pure Cinema Podcast

Just the Discs Podcast

Just the Discs on YouTube

Films discussed in this episode:

Christmas in July (1940) 

The Enemy Below (1957) 

Ride Clear of Diablo (1954) 

Pushover (1954) 

Two on a Guillotine (1965) 

Shakedown (1950) 

The Devil Doll (1936) 

I highly recommend following Brian on social media and getting more film recommendation from his shows: 

The show is available on— Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and RadioPublic

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

Fashion Instagrammer and actress Rachel Boyce lives her love of 60s and 1700s fashion. While we tend to refer to previous decades when talking about fashion trends, Rachel looks back centuries when sharing her extensive knowledge about how past looks influence the present. We talked about how many years of different styles found their way into the cultural explosion of the sixties, including the wide variety of films made in that decade. 

Follow Rachel Boyce on Instagram

Listen to our previous episode about Sharon Tate and owning vintage fashion.

The show is available on— Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Breaker, Google

RePod, PocketCasts, Radio Public

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

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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

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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.

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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—

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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—

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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

 

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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

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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

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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.

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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. 

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Watching Classic Movies podcast returns on April 12 and this one’s going to be special.

 

I wrote a travel guide for classic movie fans, full of destinations sure to delight lovers of vintage Hollywood.

 

At the heart of The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration are good people running fascinating places that bring the movies to life.

 

This season I’m going to talk to several of them and shine a light on some of the most fascinating destinations for classic film fans.

 

Can’t wait for you to hear it!

You can buy The Classic Film Fan USA Travel Guide: Over 500 Attractions for Road Trips and Online Exploration here:

https://linktr.ee/classicfilmfanusatravelguide

When I saw that a social media filter featuring the dancing ghost of Koko the Clown had gone viral, I had to know the story behind it. What I found was a great team that is working to preserve the timeless ‘toons of Max Fleischer, which featured Betty Boop, Popeye, Koko the Clown, and consisted of hundreds of fascinating animated shorts. This is my first dual interview on the show. Ray Pointer has been a Fleischer scholar for decades. He is the author of the essential Fleischer Studios tome The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer. Mauricio Alvarado is the owner of Rockin’ Pins, a merchandising company with licenses for several entertainment properties, including many Fleischer ‘toons characters, including Koko the Clown Ghost. The pair have worked in partnership with Jane Fleischer Reid, granddaughter of Max, to bring new attention these timeless ‘toons by funding restorations, hosting screenings, and spreading the word at conventions and other special events. I was deeply impressed with the knowledge and passion these two shared in our conversation. 

To support the Fleischer Cartoon Restoration Project, you can become a patron at Patreon 

Find all of the Fleischer 'Toons social media accounts at their LinkTree 

You can buy official Fleischer Studios merchandise (which helps support the restoration) and Ray Pointer's book at Rockin' Pins. 

This is a great interview with Ray Pointer, conducted by Jane Fleischer Reid, which goes into more detail about his book and Fleischer research.  

Official Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored! YouTube Channel 

Ray Pointer's YouTube Channel 

You can purchase Ray Pointer's DVD releases of Fleischer 'toons on his website.

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My guest, Lara Gabrielle is the author of Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies. We talked about Davies career, which was more successful than rumor would have it, her unique and mysterious long-term relationship with William Randolph Hearst, the enormous good she did for friends, family, and the community, and how unraveling the myths about her is a crucial part of telling her story. 

You can learn more about Lara’s book and how to buy it at University of California Press. 

Films discussed: 

Show People (1928) 

The Patsy (1928) 

The Cardboard Lover (1928) 

Five and Ten (1931) 

Blondie of the Follies (1932) 

The Bachelor Father (1931)

 Little Old New York (1923) 

When Knighthood Was in Flower (1922)

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My guest, Paula Yoo is a screenwriter, producer, violinist and author of several books for young readers including the gorgeous picture book Shining Star: The Anna May Wong Story, with illustrations by Lin Wang. We talked about the significance of the new quarter featuring Wong, the first Asian American to be on US currency, her difficult, but fruitful career as a movie actress and how her story relates to the challenges we face as a society today. 

Learn more about Paula Yoo’s books on her official site 

The official US Mint page for the Anna May Wong Quarter 

Films discussed: 

Picadilly (1929) 

The Toll of the Sea (1922) 

Other recommended films featuring Anna May Wong: 

Drifting (1923) 

The Thief of Bagdad (1924) 

Shanghai Express (1932) 

A Study in Scarlet (1933) 

Dangerous to Know (1938) 

Lady from Chungking (1942) 

Watching Classic Movies Reels featuring Asian American stars from Classic Hollywood: 

Nancy Kwan in The Wrecking Crew (1968) 

Nancy Kwan in The Wild Affair (1965) 

Anna May Wong in Shanghai Express (1932) 

Toshia Mori in Blondie Johnson (1933) 

Reiko Sato and James Shigeta in Flower Drum Song (1961)

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My guest, Tom Zimmerman is the author of The Queen of Technicolor: Maria Montez in Hollywood. 

Montez was a unique star, imperious, but warm, not known for her acting ability, but skilled in committing completely to a role, whether in a skimpy costume for the six legendary Neverland films she made for Universal, or in a grittier setting, such as for her more noirish European roles. 

We talked about the magnetism, determination, and integrity of this remarkable woman. 

The Queen of Technicolor: Maria Montez in Hollywood by Tom Zimmerman, is a publication of University Press of Kentucky. There are links to several places where you can purchase the book on their website.

Films discussed: 

Boss of Bullion City (1940) (Maria’s first role) South of Tahiti (1941) (Maria’s breakout sarong role) 

The Universal Studios Neverland Films (not discussed individually): 

Arabian Nights (1942) 

White Savage (1943) 

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) 

Cobra Woman (1944) 

G*psy Wildcat (1944) 

Sudan (1945) 

Tangier (1946) 

Pirates of Monterey (1947) 

Wicked City (1949) 

Portrait of a Killer (1949)

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My guest, Luis Reyes, is the author of Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film. We talked about the changing representation of this varied and vibrant group in Hollywood, and artists from the popular to the underseen, while celebrating the fact that Latin and Hispanic people in film have long been an integral part of the industry with many towering accomplishments and innovations to offer. 

Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film is available from Running Press. 

It's out of print, but I also highly recommend Hispanics in Hollywood: A Celebration of 100 Years in Film which Reyes co-wrote with Peter Rubie. It can be hard to find, I had to borrow it from the library, but it is an impressive, extensive reference book and well worth tracking down. 

More books by Luis Reyes: 

Hawaii Movie and Television Book: Celebrating 100 Years of Film Production Throughout the Hawaiian (with Ed Rampell) 

Made in Mexico: Hollywood South of the Border 

Pearl Harbor in the Movies (with Ed Rampell)

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I was honored to spend time with my guest, director, writer, producer, and playwright George Stevens Jr., founder of the American Film Institute, creator of the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors, and winner of honors including the Emmy, Oscar, Peabody Award, and Writers Guild Award. 

He began his career helping his father, Hollywood director George Stevens make films and later moved to Washington D.C. to make films for Edward R. Murrow, where in addition to his eventual work with AFI, he worked with nearly every president from Kennedy to the present day and knew some of the most celebrated artistic talents and political minds of his times. 

Mr. Stevens’ new memoir, My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington is a fascinating document of the different worlds, societal shifts, and amazing people he experienced. I found myself tearing up multiple times reading this moving tale of triumph and loss which celebrates a remarkably rich life. It’s awesome story shared by a kind and humble man. We had a great talk about some of his key moments. 

My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington is a publication of University Press of Kentucky.

George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey, directed by George Stevens Jr. is currently available on HBOMax.

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My guest, Lora Stocker is a graphic designer, artist , and illustrator who has worked with Turner Classic Movies social media. She’s also a board member of and social media strategist for the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, North Carolina. We talked about the different phases of Gardner’s five decade career, how she went from an untrained discovery to an accomplished actress, and both her popular films and some lesser known suggested picks. 

Films featured in this episode: 

Ghosts on the Loose (1943) 

Whistle Stop (1946) 

The Killers (1946) 

The Bribe (1949) 

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) 

City on Fire (1979) 

Earthquake (1974) 

Night of the Iguana (1964) 

Tam Lin (1970)

Lora Stocker on Twitter and Instagram 

The Ava Gardner Museum website

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My guest is Millie De Chirico, programmer for Turner Classic Movies, including TCM Underground, and co-host of the essential movie podcast I Saw What You Did. 

While it is a period in her career that many find lacking, Millie and I are big fans of the movies Elizabeth Taylor made from the mid-sixties through the seventies. We had a talk about the unique magic of Taylor in middle-age, still beautiful and outrageously famous, but making bolder choices in her performances and choice of roles. 

Films Featured on This Episode: 

Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967) 

Boom (1968) 

Secret Ceremony (1968) 

The Only Game in Town (1970) 

X, Y, and Zee (1972) 

Hammersmith is Out (1972) 

Ash Wednesday (1973) 

Night Watch (1973) 

The Driver's Seat/ Identikit (1974) 

Follow Millie on Instagram and Twitter 

Listen to Millie’s podcast I Saw What You Did

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My guest, Rachel Boyce is an expert on 1960s and 18th Century fashion and the films that feature these styles. She shares that knowledge on her fascinating Instagram account, where I learn new things all the time. 

Rachel also collects vintage fashion. We talked about her most treasured acquisition: a dress owned by Sharon Tate, in addition the care of and ethics around vintage fashion, finding your true self through personal style, and how the 60s and 18th century are more closely linked in fashion and politics than you might think.

You can follow Rachel on her Instagram account.

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My guest, John DiLeo, has written seven books about film. His latest is There are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less. We talked about the special characteristics of a brief, but potent screen performances and the many stars who made a lasting impression in a short appearance. 

To learn more about John DiLeo and his books, go to his official website.

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

YouTube channel. Transcript: I attended the TCM Classic Film Festival for the first time in 2014 and almost immediately I knew I would return. And I have for every festival since. My first year had some bumps. It took a bit of time and a lot of trial and error to learn how to enjoy this event to the fullest. With so many options, I found it was easy to burn out. But I did learn. This is how I navigate the TCM Classic Film Festival. Since it’s a festival made specifically for classic film fans, there’s always going to be a lot you want to see. The first time you look at the schedule can be overwhelming. So many options! Some people will watch a movie in every time block. I quickly learned that was too much for me. Sometimes you also don’t have a choice about seeing a film. It hasn’t happened to me much, but a theater can fill up before you get in. Be prepared to adjust. My best strategy has been to pick my must-see films and guests and make sure I line up an hour ahead of time for them. Generally, that is enough time. Once I have made my choices, I try to keep it easy with the rest of the schedule. Having a sense of spontaneity at this festival can lead to wonderful surprises. Anyone in this fandom knows how bittersweet it can be when it comes to the performers we love. So many of the guests I saw in my early years at the festival have now left us. Taking the time to queue up for them has always been worth it. In fact, one of the best aspects of the festival is meeting fellow film fanatics in line. As introverted as I am, I’ve had some amazing conversations over the years. This isn’t the grocery store, these are your people, and they all want to talk movies. My priorities: must-see guests, seeing at least one film in the magnificent Chinese Theater, and catching the wild party that is the Midnight screenings. This framework ensures I get what I want most out of my festival experience. I’ve always had a lot of snacks with me at the festival, and that’s kept my energy up and my stomach from grumbling in packed screenings, but I’ve learned I need to take time for at least one meal away from the theater each day, both for a break and to have something more substantial than protein bars. The Hollywood and Highland mall has many quick and delicious options. I’m obsessed with the rice bowls at Jinya Ramen Express. There are a lot of other ways to take a break from screens during the festival too. You can queue up to get a view of the stars from the stands on the red carpet opening night, or line up to watch the honoree of the year put their hand and footprints in cement for the forecourt of the Chinese Theater. I’ve had incredible moments at both events. I love to spend time at Club TCM in the Roosevelt Hotel because it’s such a calm environment compared to the chaos of Hollywood Boulevard and the multiplex. If only there were a club like this I could go to year round! In addition to the great programming, there’s always lots of art, costumes and film artifacts to admire. On the other hand, it pays to branch out into the neighborhood. Look for your favorites on the walk of fame, buy way too many books and stills at Larry Edmunds Bookshop, check out the bizarre contraptions and beautiful costumes at the Hollywood Museum. I like to give my schedule some breathing room so I can wander. One year I decided to get a flattened penny from every machine on Hollywood Boulevard, there were a lot. At the end of my journey, I even taught a trio of Japanese tourists how to use one of the machines. Be flexible, because that’s where the fun begins. One of the things that fascinates me about this festival is that there are so many ways to approach it. When my friends and I compare schedules it always blows my mind how different our

In 1973, filmmaker Bill Gunn’s vampire/addiction movie Ganja & Hess was a sensation at the Cannes Film Festival. Starring Duane Jones, Marlene Clark, musician Sam Waymon, and Gunn himself, this mysterious, fascinating film should have been an arthouse sensation in the States. Instead it played a single New York theater for two weeks, before it was pulled and eventually re-edited in a more conventional manner for the exploitation market. I talked with Christopher Sieving, author of Pleading the Blood: Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess, about the film, Gunn’s greatest works, and the career that this remarkable director, writer, and actor should have had. 

More information about Pleading the Blood: Bill Gunn’s Ganja & Hess. 

The soundtrack for Ganja & Hess has been released by Howling Wolf Records.

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My guest, Alicia Malone is a TCM host and the author of Backwards in Heels: The Past, Present, and Future of Women Working in Film, The Female Gaze: Essential Movies Made by Women and her latest Girls on Film: Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies. We talked about her journey to embrace her authentic self, what she’s focusing on next in her remarkable career, and how her perspective on film has grown and changed over years of movie fandom. 

To learn more about Alicia's latest book go to Mango Publishing.

***

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