Julian Schlossberg's Movie Talk

143 Episodes

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Kim Novak: On Leaving Hollywood at the Height of Her Fame

2026-11-0440:10

In this conversation with Julian Schlossberg, she recalls resisting studio boss Harry Cohn’s attempt to change her name, finding her way into roles by drawing the characters, and the charged Picnic dance with William Holden—shot as a tornado bore down on a nearby town. Kim Novak’s first film screen test began a Hollywood career she would later leave at its height to return to painting and a quieter life among animals. Novak also reflects on Frank Sinatra, the directors who valued her quiet, instinctive approach, and why she often felt she was living two lives: one as a star, the other as herself.

Cynthia Nixon: From Sex in the City to Emily Dickinson

2026-10-2801:02:38

On Movie Talk, she tells Julian Schlossberg how she learned to stand up for herself, from that deal to proposing she play two Broadway roles at once for Mike Nichols. At 16, Cynthia Nixon was cast in Milos Forman’s Amadeus—but she negotiated a way to keep attending high school, flying home whenever filming ran more than two days in a row.She also recalls watching Little Darlings rushes with the cast each night, the chaotic shoot of The Murder of Mary Phagan, and why she loves directors who give precise, hands-on direction. A candid conversation about the surprising turns behind a career spanning Broadway, film, and television.

Judd Hirsch: The Art of Becoming Someone Else

2026-10-2101:09:39

Julian Schlossberg interviews Judd Hirsch about his iconic career. Before Taxi, Judd Hirsch nearly turned down the series—then found his character’s name was “Taylor” and insisted on changing it to Alex Rieger. Hirsch recalls the people-watching and comic improvisations that first drew him to acting, the nerve-racking moment he forgot a line onstage in Harvey, and how a small role in The Fabelmans brought him an Oscar nomination. He also shares stories about Andy Kaufman, Herb Gardner, and Robert Redford—and explains why he sometimes had to speak up when a role didn’t feel true.

Marilyn Maye: Dreams, Work, and Giving It All You’ve Got

2026-10-1440:34

In this lively conversation with Julian Schlossberg, Maye recalls her piano-playing mother, her friendship with Ella Fitzgerald, and the chance encounters with Steve Allen and Ed McMahon that helped change her career. At seven, Marilyn Maye won a radio contest and got her own show—a remarkably early start to a career that would include 76 appearances on Johnny Carson’s show and a Carnegie Hall concert with an 83-piece orchestra. She also shares her approach to performing: make every lyric a story, and remember that “the audience is the star.” Along the way, she reflects on Broadway roles, teaching young singers, and the people and songs she still holds close.

Melissa Manchester: Curiosity is the Superpower

2026-10-0744:30

Stevie Wonder once ran at full speed through a college studio to join a student band rehearsing “Superstition”—one of the unforgettable stories Melissa Manchester shares with Julian Schlossberg. In part two of their conversation, Manchester recalls learning Ella Fitzgerald’s scat parts phonetically, Dolly Parton’s moving contribution to a reimagined “Midnight Blue,” and Bob Dylan’s offer to bring her a toothbrush if she went to jail over a record-company dispute. She also reflects on her years on Blossom, writing for Disney animation, and the diary she’s kept since age 14. A warm, revealing conversation full of music, star encounters, and vivid memories.

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