Category: Podcast

Apr 24

Episode 47: Vertigo

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VertigoThis week, we go see Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo in 70mm, and then we have a whole lot to say about it!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because oh boy do we spoil all the details. The film is readily available for rental on streaming services such as Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.

Note: Melissa only introduces Alee during the first segment, because they weren’t sure Tonya wasn’t at the theater yet, and she wasn’t sure she was going to make it in time for the start. She did get to the theater, though, so she hopped in for the after-film discussion… but Melissa totally forgot to introduce her after the music break. Sorry for any confusion!

Please join us again on May 7th, when we watch Rita Hayworth play Gilda!

Vertigo (1958)
Vertigo poster Rating: 8.2/10 (448,438 votes)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writer: Alec Coppel, Samuel A. Taylor, Pierre Boileau
Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
Runtime: 128 min
Rated: PG
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Released: 28 May 1958
Plot: A former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.

Apr 07

Episode 46: Chinatown

, with special guest:

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ChinatownThis week, we are joined by geography professor David Tyler McKay for a discussion about Chinatown!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because we spoil the hell out of it. The film is readily available on streaming services such as Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.

Please join us again on April 21st, when we launch back into the world of Hitchcock with Vertigo!

Chinatown (1974)
Chinatown poster Rating: 8.1/10 (368,033 votes)
Director: Roman Polanski
Writer: Robert Towne, Roman Polanski
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
Runtime: 130 min
Rated: R
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: 20 Jun 1974
Plot: A private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.

Mar 22

Episode 45: Desert Fury

, with special guest:

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Desert FuryThis week, we are joined by Matthew Kessen for a very rare screening of Desert Fury!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode… if you can. This is sadly a very difficult movie to track down right now. We were lucky enough to see an actual film print at The Heights Theater. If you are truly determined, the movie has been released on DVD overseas and copies can often be found on Amazon. You can also probably find downloadable copies online, if you know where to look.

Please join us again on April 7th, when we continue with another color noir with Chinatown!

Desert Fury (1947)
Desert Fury poster Rating: 6.5/10 (2,289 votes)
Director: Lewis Allen
Writer: Robert Rossen, Ramona Stewart, A.I. Bezzerides
Stars: John Hodiak, Lizabeth Scott, Burt Lancaster
Runtime: 96 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir
Released: 15 Aug 1947
Plot: The daughter of a Nevada casino owner gets involved with a racketeer, despite everyone's efforts to separate them.

Mar 07

Episode 44: The Long Goodbye

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The Long GoodbyeThis week, we close our Marlowe trilogy with Robert Altman’s The Long Goodbye!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it’s fascinating. This film can be found for streaming rental from Amazon and Vudu.

Please join us again on March 21st, when we continue with another color noir with Desert Fury!

The Long Goodbye (1973)
The Long Goodbye poster Rating: 7.5/10 (42,174 votes)
Director: Robert Altman
Writer: Leigh Brackett, Raymond Chandler
Stars: Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden
Runtime: 112 min
Rated: R
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Released: 08 Mar 1973
Plot: Private eye Philip Marlowe helps friend Terry Lennox out of a jam and is implicated in his wife Sylvia's murder. He also is hired by Eileen Wade to locate her dipsomaniac husband Roger, who frequently disappears when he wants to d...

Feb 21

Episode 43: The Big Sleep

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This week, we watch Bogey and Bacall in The Big Sleep!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it should truly be experienced. This film can be found for streaming rental from iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, and several other services.

Please join us again on March 3rd, when we finish our Marlowe Marathon with The Long Goodbye!

The Big Sleep (1946)
The Big Sleep poster Rating: 7.9/10 (94,158 votes)
Director: Howard Hawks
Writer: William Faulkner, Leigh Brackett, Jules Furthman
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely
Runtime: 114 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir
Released: 31 Aug 1946
Plot: Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail--and what might be love.

Feb 07

Episode 42: Murder, My Sweet

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Murder My SweetThis week, we watch Dick Powell (!) play Philip Marlowe (!!!) in Murder, My Sweet!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because Dick Powell is a delight to behold. This film can be found for streaming rental from iTunes, Amazon, Vudu, and several other services.

Please join us again on February 21st, when we continue our Marlowe Marathon with The Big Sleep!

Murder, My Sweet (1944)
Murder, My Sweet poster Rating: 7.5/10 (15,740 votes)
Director: Edward Dmytryk
Writer: John Paxton, Raymond Chandler
Stars: Dick Powell, Claire Trevor, Anne Shirley
Runtime: 95 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir
Released: 22 Feb 1945
Plot: After being hired to find an ex-con's former girlfriend, Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery and deceit.

Jan 20

Episode 41: The Manchurian Candidate

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The Manchurian CandidateIn this week’s episode, we felt like talking about politics for some reason, so we watched The Manchurian Candidate!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because if you haven’t seen the movie by now, you owe yourself a treat. This film can is a little hard to find on streaming right now, but it is available on Amazon Streaming if you have a Starz account (…or if you sign up for their 7-day free trial, hint hint).

Please join us again on February 7th, when we launch into the world of Philip Marlowe with Murder, My Sweet!

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
The Manchurian Candidate poster Rating: 7.9/10 (83,273 votes)
Director: John Frankenheimer
Writer: Richard Condon, George Axelrod, John Frankenheimer
Stars: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh
Runtime: 126 min
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: 24 Oct 1962
Plot: An American POW in the Korean War is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy.

Jan 07

Episode 40: Sweet Smell of Success

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Sweet Smell of SuccessIn this week’s episode, we have MANY THINGS TO SAY about Sweet Smell of Success!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it has one of the sharpest, most cynical scripts in all cinema history. This film can currently be seen streaming on FilmStruck, iTunes, and DirecTV.

Please join us again on January 21st, when we take on The Manchurian Candidate!

Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
Sweet Smell of Success poster Rating: 8.0/10 (38,226 votes)
Director: Alexander Mackendrick
Writer: Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman, Alexander Mackendrick
Stars: Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Susan Harrison
Runtime: 96 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Drama, Film-Noir
Released: 04 Jul 1957
Plot: A powerful Broadway columnist coerces an unscrupulous press agent into breaking up his sister's romance with a jazz musician.

Dec 21

Episode 39: The Thin Man

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The Thin ManIn this week’s episode, we lighten up a bit (and drunken up a bit) for the holidays, with The Thin Man!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because it is oh so delightful. This film can currently be seen streaming on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, YouTube, and Google Play.

Please join us again on January 7th, when we dive back into the darkness with Sweet Smell of Success!

The Thin Man (1934)
The Thin Man poster Rating: 7.9/10 (34,049 votes)
Director: W.S. Van Dyke
Writer: Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, Dashiell Hammett
Stars: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan
Runtime: 91 min
Rated: TV-PG
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Released: 25 May 1934
Plot: Former detective Nick Charles and his wealthy wife Nora investigate a murder case, mostly for the fun of it.

Dec 19

Episode 38: Cape Fear (1991)

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Cape FearIn this week’s episode, we follow up our screening of the original Cape Fear with Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake!

We highly recommend you watch the film before listening to the episode, because DeNiro’s appetite for scenery chewing must be witnessed. This film can currently be seen streaming on Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play… just about anywhere.

Please join us again on December 21st for a far more cheerful film, the ever-delightful Thin Man!

Cape Fear (1991)
Cape Fear poster Rating: 7.3/10 (226,871 votes)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: John D. MacDonald, James R. Webb, Wesley Strick
Stars: Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange
Runtime: 128 min
Rated: R
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Released: 15 Nov 1991
Plot: A convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.