Lions, Towers & Shields

ere is one of the greatest ensembles of the classic era - or any era, for that matter. Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucile Ball, Ann Miller, Eve Arden (and cat), Gail Patrick, Andrea Leads. Constance Collier, all sharing a theatrical boarding house in New York, and struggling to become big stars. Kate says something about calla lilies, and also snipes with Ginger. It’s so much fun!, Stage Door Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works Stage Door Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Stage Door trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: DVD The Self-Referential LTS 119 I’m Still Watching… 5 I Love Dead Lucy 8 Cornelia Is Trash. Or She’s Not! 50 What Is She Talking About? Stop That! 114 There’s Lots Of Nice Coats… 2 Ride Her Down Like A Rabbit 3 More Permy Over Time 96 I Think He Might Be A Sociopath 9 A Numerical Scale Of Trash Men 107 Gayer Than The Cast Of Bewitched 121 Chekhov’s Unbroken Hand 14 No One Told Me It’s Three Hours Long Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

If you can quote from “Casablanca” or “Gone with the Wind,” you can probably quote from “Now Voyager.” Or you could, with a little reminder. “Don’t let’s ask for the moon, when we have the stars.” And the Paul Henreid/Bette Davis cigarette-lighting move is here, too. Tis a stone cold classic of the romantic, weepy canon. Now, Voyager Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman Referenced Works Now, Voyager Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Now, Voyager trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 120 Stella Dallas Versus Veda Pierce 118 Planting Bulbs In The Spring 32 Filmed On Satin 123 Sorry, Long Movie 41 The Barbara O’neil Memorial Highway 122 The Only Way To Win Is Not To Play Next time, we’ll watch Stage Door trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We bring Stanwyck Summer (but not the LTS season) to a close with a draft-ish episode. Each panelist has brought us a Barbara Stanwyck film - one we haven’t talked about before on the show. Somehow, there are a number of cats. Stanwyck Summer Draft Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga Show Notes & Links The Stanwyck Draft The First Feline Reference We bring the Summer of Stanwyck (but not the LTS season) to a close with a draft-ish episode. Each panelist has btought us a Barbara Stanwyck film - one we haven’t talked about before on the show. Somehow, were are a number of cats. Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. Our Picks Randy Walk on the Wild Side Micki Titanic 1953 Nathan The File on Thelma Jordon Shelly The Miracle Woman Next time, we’ll watch Now, Voyager trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should her husband (Burt Lancaster) be plotting her death? Sorry, Wrong Number Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works Sorry, Wrong Number Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Sorry, Wrong Number trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 119 I’m Still Watching… 100 The Smell Of Murder 76 A Trunk Full Of Dinner Jackets 107 Gayer Than The Cast Of Bewitched 46 A Rough 35 Next time, we’ll watch The Stanwyck Draft Suspense: Sorry, Wrong Number Russer Jewelry Canon TV series opening Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Stanwyck Summer continues with a “noir tragedy.” She finds herself involved with Kirk Douglas (his film debut), Van Heflin and Lizbeth Scott. Did Missy kill her very mean aunt, many years ago? Let’s find out, shall we? The Strange Love of Martha Ivers Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works The Strange Love of Martha Ivers Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 111 Go Out In Flames And Drama 52 If Douglas Sirk Made Friday The 13th 63 It’s All About The Last 12 Minutes 15 I Know You’re A Sexist Creep, But Run! 98 Toshirô Mifune Can Get It! 23 A Perfect Spherical Cow 100 The Smell Of Murder Next time, we’ll watch Sorry, Wrong Number trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Barbara Stanwyck (Lorna) in a boxing movie? OK, sure. But you’ll also see the film that began her lifelong friendship with William Holden. Bill (Joe) is a violinist who wants to try his hand at boxing. Because there’s money in that. Stanwyck’s Lorna is the girl who loves him. What price must Joe pay to become a success? Golden Boy Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works Golden Boy Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Golden Boy trailer Available to Free to stream On disc: DVD The Self-Referential LTS 51 The Ninotchka Cinematic Universe 53 The Ambiguously Gay Duo 117 Alligator Pears 1 Paradise City Next time, we’ll watch The Strange Love of Martha Ivers trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We begin Stanwyck Summer with one of her most iconic films, and greatest performances. Stella Dallas is pure melodrama, so sudsy that the name was taken by a radio soap opera. Stella is a working-class woman with a daughter she wants to give all the things she never had. Will she succeed? Will her daughter be grateful? Tune in tomorrow! Stella Dallas Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard Referenced Works Stella Dallas Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com, Mastodon or Bluesky. Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Stella Dallas trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: DVD The Self-Referential LTS 2 RIde Her Down Like A Rabbit 32 FIlmed On Satin 50 What Is She Talking About? Stop That! 102 Am I A Bad Cinephile? 70 Things Just Keep Happening And Nothing Makes Sense 95 My Film Erogenous Zones 3 More Permy Over Time 9 A Numerical Scale Of Trash Men 41 The Barbara O’Neil Memorial Highway 118 Planting Bulbs In The Spring 23 A Perfect Spherical Cow Next time, we’ll watch Golden Boy trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

This George Stevens (best director Oscar) epic looms large. It’s a classic “roadshow” film of the 1950s, complete with West Texas vistas, Technicolor, big stars like Rock (Hudson), Liz (Taylor) and Jimmy (Dean), but no intermission, even though it’s three hours long! It also looms large in the history of the Texas towns (Marfa and Valentine) where it was filmed. I’ve grown up with stories of people tangentially touched by the production, and there are songs that celebrate, or sometimes give the side eye to, the whole thing. Giant Shelly Brisbin with Laura Rice, Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works Giant Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. Hey hey, we are on Bluesky, @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Giant trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 108 Let Me Tell You A Story About Heroin 111 Go Out In Flames And Drama 94 Mourning Culottes 118 Planting Bulbs In The Spring 95 My Film Erogenous Zones 72 He’s Got Acreage Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Bette Davis brings the melodrama, right here in the imperial phase of her Warner Brothers career. She’s rich, she’s spoiled. Oopsie. She has a health crisis! Will she become a better person? Will she find love? Will she out-act Humphrey Bogart, George Brent (yeah she will) and Geraldine Fitzgerald? Will your host have a take almost none of the reviews she’s read have? Let’s find out together. Dark Victory Shelly Brisbin with Annette Wierstra, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard Referenced Works Dark Victory Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. Hey hey, we are on Bluesky, @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Dark Victory trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 90 Ruth Chatterton Is Jacked 36 Frauds And Geeks 108 Let Me Tell You A Story About Heroin 46 A Rough 35 Next time, we’ll watch Giant trailer Dark Victory (1976) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The first film Fritz Lang made in the US after he fled the Nazis, Fury is the story of a man who is lynched by the residents of a small town. The film is not a groundbreaking 1950s independent production, but an MGM star vehicle from 1936, featuring one of the studio’s then newest stars, Spencer Tracy. It’s not even Fritz Lang’s best film, but you’ll see some groundbreaking technique here. Fury Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. On Bluesky, the current favorite, @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Fury trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 84 The Healthy Habits Of Hat Check Girls Next time, we’ll watch Dark Victory trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

If you meet up with Lawrence Tierney in a dark alley - or in a kitchen, for that matter - chances are the encounter won’t end well. Tierney is truly the bad boy of film noir, and no film shows it better than “Born to Kill.” Claire Trevor is great, as always, but I do question her taste in men. I imagine a few eyebrows raising at what the filmmaker gets away with here, including the brazen attitude of our leading man. And oh hey, Elisha Cook Jr. Is here, too, bringing all the gay subtext. Born to Kill Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard Sponsors Incomparable Memberships!: Sign up, support our show, and get access to exclusive podcasts! Referenced Works Born to Kill Show Notes & Links The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Born to Kill trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: DVD The Self-Referential LTS 84 The Healthy Habits Of Hat Check Girls 31 The Healthy Habits Of Hat Check Girls 32 Filmed On Satin 60 Celebrate The Teresa Wright-Aissance 95 My Film Erogenous Zones 66 I’m Not Just Your Preston Sturges, I’m Your Indiana 73 Manly Seamanship 39 Hitchcock’s Two-Hour Tour Next time, we’ll watch Fury trailer The Six Week Cure Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Greatest musical of all time, you say? Plenty of people would agree. Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly co-direct Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds through a delightful Comden and Gteen score, not to mention dance numbers that have achieved legendary status. For anyone who admires clever, energetic film choreography, it’s a joy to watch. For a fan of classic film, there’s an homage to the transition between silent and talking movie. That happened barely 20 years before this film was made, which is kind of bonkers to think about. The episode title is a callback. It’s what we do! Singin' in the Rain Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, David Almeida, David J. Loehr and Micheline Maynard Referenced Works Singin' in the Rain [Amazon] Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. Hey hey, we are on Bluesky, @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Singin’ in the Rain trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 92 We’ve Got All The French You Need 82 Diva With A Monkey 69 The Billionaire’s Vaudeville 100 The Smell Of Murder 109 More Beer! 23 A Perfect Spherical Cow 9 A Numerical Scale Of Trash Men 67 Gene Kelly’s Butt 31 The Patriarchy: You’re Swimming In It Next time, we’ll watch Born to Kill trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

This film was a passion project for George Cukor and Katharine Hepburn. RKO let them do it, but the studio was sorry, when the movie confused audiences in 1935, and made no money. It has attained a bit of a cult following since. Hepburn and her father, Miracle on 34th Street’s Edmund Gwynn are fleeing trouble, and Sylvia dons a male disguise to help her dad. They meet con man Cary Grant, and hilarity and awkward moments of gender identity ensue. Sylvia Scarlett Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard Referenced Works Sylvia Scarlett Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. Hey hey, we are on Bluesky, @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Sylvia Scarlett trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: DVD The Self-Referential LTS 80 Weapons-Grade Winsome 32 Filmed On Satin 111 Go Out In Flames And Drama 50 What Is She Talking About? Stop That!! 23 A Perfect Spherical Cow 102 Am I A Bad Cinephile? Next time, we’ll watch Singin’ in the Rain trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Let the show’s 5th year begin! LTS regular Micki Maynard turned me onto this one. Paul Newman and Sidney Pottier star as jazz musicians in Paris. Their love interests are Joanne Woodward and Dihann Caroll, repectively. Louis Armstrong plays a character called Wild Man Moore. If my synopsis seems superficial, that’s because I haven’t actually seen this one. But I love the cast, and I love the idea that Sidney and Diahann are doing something more interesting than playing that one Black person in the movie. So come discover this one along with me. Paris Blues Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard and Nathan Alderman Referenced Works Paris Blues Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials at liontowershield. Hey hey, we are on Bluesky @liontowershield.theincomparable.com. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Paris Blues trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray Next time, we’ll watch Sylvia Scarlett trailer James Baldwin/Dick Cavett interview Benjamin Walker's Theory of Everything: Not All Propaganda is Art 4 Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Holiday Show Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr and Nathan Alderman Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We return surprisingly often to the Hitchcock well, but his 1940s films are so interesting. Here is a gothic romantic mystery, with poor Joan Fontaine just trying to get her bearings in an old, dark house. Why are her new husband, Laurence Olivier, and his housekeeper, Judith Anderson, so mean to Joan, and what’s become of the cupid in the morning room? Join us and find out. Rebecca Shelly Brisbin with Annette Wierstra, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works Rebecca Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Rebecca trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Criterion Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 31 The Patriarchy: You’re Swimming In It 107 Gayer Than The Cast Of Bewitched 104 Also, Don’t Go Through That Gate Next time, we present The LTS Holiday Show, our season finale Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

A new film tells the story of Humphrey Bogart through the lens of the women who were most important in his life - his mother and his four wives. Shelly talks with Bogey’s son, Stephen Humphrey Bogart, about the new film. Shelly Brisbin Referenced Works Bogart: Life Comes In Flashes Show Notes & Links Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes Trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

AUDIO FIXED: Join us for peak 1950s MGM musical. If that doesn’t interest you, I can’t help. Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse dance their hearts out, Oscar Levant levants, and Vincente Minnelli does his usual excellent job as director. We take issue with the plot and at least one of the main characters, but it’s entertaining. And I like the triplets number. The Band Wagon Shelly Brisbin with David Almeida, Micheline Maynard, Randy Dotinga and David J. Loehr Referenced Works The Band Wagon Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials, @liontowershield. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film The Band Wagon trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 102 Am I A Bad Cinephile? 92 We’ve Got All The French You Need 67 Gene Kelly’s Butt 14 No One Told Me It’s Three Hours Long Next time, we’ll watch Rebecca trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Susan Hayward won an Oscar. Susan Hayward was a protégé and fan of Barbara Stanwyck. Susan Hayward would like NOT to be put to death for her part in murder, please. Robert Wise (Star Trek: The Motion Picture AND The Sound of Music) directs. And this film showcases not only Miss Hayward, but a crazy intense jazz score. Unlike the usual “women in prison” pictures, this one features a protagonist who is not misunderstood, or innocent of all charges. She’s a hooker, and a lifelong criminal. But does she deserve the death penalty? Based, as they say, on a true story. I Want To Live Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard Referenced Works I Want To Live Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film I Want to Live trailer Available to stream, rent or buy digitally On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 70 Things Just Keep Happening And Nothing Makes Sense 22 Come For The Aubrey Plaza Energy, Stay For The Tom Neal Back Story 57 Cookie Full Of Arsenic 95 My Film Erogenous Zones 97 Come On, Someone Shoot Him! 1 Paradise City 105 We’re Gonna Digress * Next time, we’ll watch The Band Wagon Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Previously, on Lions, Towers & Shields, we’ve talked about one western. It was an unusual one, and included themes a modern audience tends to read as gay. Well guess what? We’re doing it again. Desert Fury puts Lizbeth Scott, Bert Lancaster and John Hodiak into a love triangle. Film noir expert Eddie Muller says this is the gayest movie ever produced in classic Hollywood. But is it? Please enjoy the lush color, and the Miklos Rosza score. And look, there’s Mary Astor and Kristine Miller, too. So we have a very noir cast getting together to ride a present-day version of the range. Desert Fury Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard Referenced Works Desert Fury Show Notes & Links Get in touch with the show at lts@theincomparable.com or on the socials. The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film Desert Fury trailer Internet Archiver version currently unavailable On disc: Blu-ray The Self-Referential LTS 60 Celebrate The Teresa Wright-Aissance 53 The Ambiguously Gay Duo 9 A Numerical Scale Of Trash Men 94 Mourning Culottes 100 The Smell Of Murder 39 Hitchcock’s Two-Hour Tour 15 I Know You’re A Sexist Creep, But Run! 52 If Douglas Sirk Made Friday The 13Th Next time, we’ll watch I Want To Live trailer Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.