Watching Classic Movies

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 Animationhttps://queeranimation.omeka.net/ Esther’s Work at Cartoon Researchhttps://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/category/the-cartoon-closet/ More links for Esther:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/queeranimation Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/queeranimation/ Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@queeranimation Tumblrhttps://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 Linktreehttps://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 Playlisthttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj3-hIKmvt6VrjorUn01M3ub4_W6C7J94&si=BYys5Gqfy3765vlD The Official Born in Flames Websitehttps://www.borninflamesmovie.com/ Kathleen Hanna discusses Born in Flameshttps://thedissolve.com/features/mad-love/298-kathleen-hanna-on-the-film-thats-inspired-her-for-/ Criterion Collection Release of Born in Flameshttps://www.criterion.com/films/30707-born-in-flames

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: Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/carolinejillyoung/ Official Sitewww.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.htmlhttps://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/citizenscreenhttps://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

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