EPISODE # 52: When it was released in 1946, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES became the most successful film since GONE WITH THE WIND. The movie connected deeply with a country that was recovering from World War II as it told the story …
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
EPISODE # 51: THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, one of Hollywood’s CLASS-iest films, not only marked a triumphant return to the screen for Katharine Hepburn but was also the movie that solidified Jimmy Stewart’s star status before he went off to World War II. But wait—why …
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
EPISODE # 50: What did the film CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAY have to do with the making of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET? Did Santa actually play himself? And why was Maureen O’Hara so mad when she got the call to head to New York to …
Dinner at Eight (1933)
EPISODE # 49: James and Lara recorded this episode (there is an audio and a video version) at the historic King Vidor/John Barrymore/Tony Scott estate in Beverly Hills. John was actually living there while he made DINNER AT EIGHT (1933), which was filmed …
Laura (1944)
Episode # 48: “I shall never forget the weekend Laura died.” Clifton Webb’s infamous dialogue opens LAURA (1944) with the revelation that the main character is dead, and it is the perfect beginning to a perfect film noir. James and Lara dive into director …
The Cheat (1915)
EPISODE # 47: Our podcast about THE CHEAT (1915) is actually a welcome excuse to talk about the art of silent film. Find out why film historian and motion picture preservationist Randy Haberkamp’s choice of THE CHEAT turned out to be a perfect springboard …
The Heiress (1949)
EPISODE # 46: THE HEIRESS (1949) brought Olivia de Havilland her second Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Catherine Sloper, a single, dowdy young woman who just happens to be loaded. In this episode, James and Lara are joined by vintage fashion expert …
The Apartment (1960)
EPISODE # 45: The great Billy Wilder wrote and directed THE APARTMENT (1960), gifting the world an instant classic. Film fanatic (and longtime Hollywood agent) Bob Bookman is our guest for this episode. Join us as we hear about his personal encounter with Wilder, …
Funny Girl (1968)
EPISODE # 44: Say “Hello, gorgeous!” to Barbra Streisand in FUNNY GIRL. This podcast episode was recorded at the famed Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Theater historian Margot Gerber joins us to talk about how the theatre not only hosted the FUNNY GIRL premiere, but …
His Girl Friday (1940)
Episode # 43: In this episode, James and Lara discuss the famous, rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue in HIS GIRL FRIDAY, which was clocked at 240 words per MINUTE! We also get into how director Howard Hawks allowed the actors to ad-lib, the fact that Rosalind …