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Melissa Kaercher
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Jul 18
Episode 28: The Naked Kiss
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In this week’s episode, we revisit Samuel Fuller’s filmography with a viewing of The Naked Kiss!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because we dive straight into discussion. This film is available on Hulu Plus, Amazon, and iTunes.
We apologize for the late delivery of this episode. Scheduling issues and a computer changeover are to blame. But fear not! The next episode will arrive on July 21st, just a few days from now. Please join us then for the only film directed by acting legend Charles Laughton: Night of the Hunter!
| The Naked Kiss (1964) | |
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Rating: 7.2/10 (8,631 votes) Director: Samuel Fuller Writer: Samuel Fuller Stars: Constance Towers, Anthony Eisley, Michael Dante Runtime: 90 min Rated: Approved Genre: Crime, Drama Released: 29 Jul 1964 |
| Plot: A former prostitute relocates to a buttoned-down suburb, determined to fit in with mainstream society. But perverse secrets simmer beneath the wholesome surface. | |
Jun 21
Episode 27: Pickup on South Street
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In this week’s episode, we go through the pros and cons (heh) of Samuel Fuller’s Pickup on South Street!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because we go straight into spoiler territory. This film is sadly not available on any “official” streaming channels at this time, but Dailymotion usually has a copy floating around. If you would like to see a version that is less grey-market, the film is easily available on DVD.
Join us on July 7th for second Samuel Fuller film in a row: The Naked Kiss!
| Pickup on South Street (1953) | |
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Rating: 7.6/10 (16,050 votes) Director: Samuel Fuller Writer: Samuel Fuller, Dwight Taylor Stars: Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, Thelma Ritter Runtime: 80 min Rated: Passed Genre: Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery Released: 03 Jul 1953 |
| Plot: A pickpocket unwittingly lifts a message destined for enemy agents and becomes a target for a Communist spy ring. | |
Jun 07
Episode 26: Rififi
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In this week’s episode, we thoroughly enjoy Jules Dassin’s heist masterpiece, Rififi!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because spoilers abound! This film comes and goes on Hulu Plus, but it is part of the Criterion Collection, so it is easily available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Join us on June 21st for our episode about Samuel Fuller’s great little crime drama named Pickup on South Street!
| Rififi (1955) | |
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Rating: 8.1/10 (36,831 votes) Director: Jules Dassin Writer: Auguste Le Breton, Jules Dassin, René Wheeler Stars: Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel Runtime: 118 min Rated: Not Rated Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Released: 05 Jun 1956 |
| Plot: Four men plan a technically perfect crime, but the human element intervenes... | |
May 21
Episode 25: Kiss Me Deadly
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On this giddy episode, we visit Robert Aldrich’s groundbreaking Mickey Spillane adaptation, Kiss Me Deadly!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because we head straight for the spoiler room. This film is a little hard to find on the official streaming channels right now, but Criterion has it on a very nice DVD release, and there is usually an illicit copy available for free on YouTube.
During the episode, Melissa mentions that Xanadu Cinema Pleasure Dome recently did two whole episodes encompassing the entire filmography of Robert Aldrich. So, if you want to learn more about Aldrich, here’s Part 1 and Part 2.
Join us on June 7th for our episode on the tremendous French heist film, Rififi!
| Kiss Me Deadly (1955) | |
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Rating: 7.5/10 (21,885 votes) Director: Robert Aldrich Writer: Mickey Spillane, A.I. Bezzerides Stars: Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart Runtime: 106 min Rated: Not Rated Genre: Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery Released: 28 Apr 1955 |
| Plot: A doomed female hitchhiker pulls Mike Hammer into a deadly whirlpool of intrigue, revolving around a mysterious "great whatsit". | |
May 07
Episode 24: Red Rock West
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This week, we head into Nicolas Cage territory with Red Rock West, a mid-1990s noir/western from the folks who later brought us Joy Ride.
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because we plunge quickly into the spoiler pool. This film is currently available for streaming rental on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Prime, and Google Play.
Join us on May 21st for our episode on Robert Aldrich’s atomic-age noir, Kiss Me Deadly!
| Red Rock West (1993) | |
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Rating: 7.0/10 (24,781 votes) Director: John Dahl Writer: John Dahl, Rick Dahl Stars: Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper, Lara Flynn Boyle Runtime: 98 min Rated: R Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Released: 14 May 1993 |
| Plot: Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter is mistaken for a hitman, but when the real hitman arrives, complications ensue. | |
Apr 21
Episode 23: Caged
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This week, we watch the hard-hitting prototype for every women-in-prison film, Caged.
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it’s a great film. This film is currently available for streaming rental on iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play.
Join us on May 7th for our episode on Red Rock West!
| Caged (1950) | |
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Rating: 7.6/10 (4,615 votes) Director: John Cromwell Writer: Virginia Kellogg, Bernard C. Schoenfeld Stars: Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Ellen Corby Runtime: 97 min Rated: Not Rated Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir Released: 10 Jun 1950 |
| Plot: A gentle, naive, pregnant 19-year-old widow is slowly, inexorably ground down by the hardened criminals, sadistic guards, and matron at a woman's prison. Will she be the same person when her sentence is up? | |
Apr 07
Episode 22: Sunset Boulevard
, with special guest: Stephanie Zuercher
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This week, we finally watch one of the greatest films noir that ever noired: Sunset Boulevard.
(Yes, dear listeners, we also did a full episode on Sunset Boulevard over on the parent podcast Reel Education back in 2014. The two shows are different. The first one features Melissa’s full barrage of trivia; this one is more dedicated to our raw reactions after seeing the film in a packed theater.)
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because wow, it’s a great movie. This film is currently available pretty much everywhere: Netflix Streaming, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.
Join us on April 21st for our episode on Caged!
| Sunset Blvd. (1950) | |
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Rating: 8.4/10 (235,907 votes) Director: Billy Wilder Writer: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, D.M. Marshman Jr. Stars: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim Runtime: 110 min Rated: Passed Genre: Drama, Film-Noir Released: 04 Aug 1950 |
| Plot: A screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return. | |
Mar 21
Episode 21: Where the Sidewalk Ends
, with special guest: Fes Works
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This week, we watch Where the Sidewalk Ends, Otto Preminger’s steely cop drama.
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it’s a great film, and we spoil the ending. This film is currently available on DirecTV and on DVD. There are also stray free copies of the film on YouTube and on Archive.org, but we’re never sure how long those will hang around.
Join us on April 7th for our episode on Sunset Blvd!
| Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950) | |
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Rating: 7.6/10 (9,895 votes) Director: Otto Preminger Writer: Ben Hecht, Victor Trivas, Frank P. Rosenberg Stars: Dana Andrews, Gene Tierney, Gary Merrill Runtime: 95 min Rated: Not Rated Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir Released: 01 Aug 1950 |
| Plot: Det. Sgt. Mark Dixon wants to be something his old man wasn't: a guy on the right side of the law. Will Dixon's vicious nature get the better of him? | |
Mar 07
Episode 20: Gun Crazy
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This week, we watch the 1950 bank-robbing love story, Gun Crazy, aka Deadly Is the Female!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it’s great, and we discuss it at length. This film is currently available on iTunes and on DVD. (There are also a few stray copies streaming online dubbed into various languages, but you’re probably just better off paying three bucks to Apple.)
Join us on March 21st for our episode on Where the Sidewalk Ends!
| Gun Crazy (1950) | |
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Rating: 7.6/10 (14,720 votes) Director: Joseph H. Lewis Writer: MacKinlay Kantor, Millard Kaufman, Dalton Trumbo Stars: John Dall, Peggy Cummins, Berry Kroeger Runtime: 87 min Rated: Passed Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir Released: 20 Jan 1950 |
| Plot: Two disturbed young people release their fascination with guns through a crime spree. | |
Feb 21
Episode 19: Night and the City
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This week, we watch Jules Dassin’s London-based masterpiece, Night and the City!
We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it’s excellent, and we spoil the ending. This film is currently available on DVD, and there is also currently a copy on YouTube with Greek subtitles.
Join us on March 7th for our episode on Gun Crazy!
| Night and the City (1950) | |
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Rating: 7.9/10 (15,193 votes) Director: Jules Dassin Writer: Jo Eisinger, Gerald Kersh, Austin Dempster Stars: Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Googie Withers Runtime: 96 min Rated: Not Rated Genre: Crime, Film-Noir, Mystery Released: 28 Jun 1950 |
| Plot: A small-time grifter and nightclub tout takes advantage of some fortuitous circumstances and tries to become a big-time player as a wrestling promoter. | |
