Episodes
-
Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of greatest Hollywood films about Hollywood ever made. Brandon welcomes back April Clemmer to discuss 1952's The Bad and the Beautiful. Vincente Minnelli's glamourous and cynical take on the movie business still packs a punch today. Brandon and April consider the performances of Lana Turner and Kirk Douglas as two of the best performances in their careers. They also discuss the amazing supporting cast including Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Gilbert Roland and Gloria Grahame (in one of the shortest Oscar winning performances on record).
-
Front Row Classics is happy welcome Oscar-nominated actress, Cathy Moriarty. Cathy is currently appearing in "I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers" at THE BENT in Palm Springs, CA from December 6th-27th. Cathy is portraying, legendary Hollywood talent agent, Sue Mengers in this 90-minute one-woman play. Brandon and Cathy discuss Cathy's real-life relationship with Mengers as well as her preparation for the role. The conversation then turns to Cathy's career in such films as Raging Bull, Soapdish & Casper. Brandon and Cathy also discuss their shared love of classic film.
For more information or tickets for "I'll Eat You Last" you can go to www.thebent.org.
-
Missing episodes?
-
Front Row Classics is proud to welcome Joanna Poitier to the podcast. Joanna is the widow of Sidney Poitier and recently compiled a book of her husband's greatest speeches. The speeches are originate from occasions ranging from awards shows, memorials, commencement ceremonies etc. Brandon and Joanna discuss the genesis of the book and how she decided which speeches to include.
"Sidney Poitier: The Great Speeches of an Icon Who Moved Us Forward" is available from Running Press wherever books are sold.
-
Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson. Kathryn's new documentary, "Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes" showcases the film icon in an illuminating fashion. The feature-length documentary shows Bogart through the lens of the women in his life: his mother and the four women he married. Brandon and Kathryn discuss several of the revelations found in the documentary as well as the cooperation she found from the Humphrey Bogart estate.
"Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes" can be currently seen in select theaters and will be available streaming on-demand on December 9th.
-
Front Row Classics is happy to welcome back ,TCM host, Dave Karger. Dave will be sitting down with the legendary Carol Burnett every Sunday in December for "Sundays with Carol Burnett". Dave and Carol will present a series of classic films immediately followed by the hilarious spoof from "The Carol Burnett Show". Brandon and Dave preview the films being shown as well as some of Carol's insights into the legendary movie take-offs. You'll also hear Dave discuss the recent TCM Classic Cruise and some of his favorite holiday movie picks.
"Sundays with Carol Burnett" premieres tonight with Gone with the Wind at 8pm est/ 7pm central. It will be immediately followed by Carol's iconic "Went with the Wind" sketch.
-
Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back Warner Bros. Discovery Library Historian, George Feltenstein. We're celebrating the 30th Anniversary of That's Entertainment Part 3. George was co-executive producer on the film and provides valuable memories of his time creating this labor of love. Brandon and George discuss his memories of attempting to get the film greenlit, assembling the footage and working with the legendary hosts. We discuss Gene Kelly's last moments before a movie camera, Lena Horne's emotional return to the MGM lot and Mickey Rooney's touching tribute to Judy Garland among others. We also preview the Warner Archive's recent blu-ray release of the 50th anniversary restoration of the first That's Entertainment film.
-
We're concluding our Noirvember celebration with a quintessential example of the genre. Brandon is joined by, friend of the podcast, Emmett Stanton to break down 1947's Out of the Past. The movie is still as fresh and stylish as it was nearly when it was released. Brandon and Emmett pay tribute to the taut direction by Jacques Tourneur whose use of light and shadow exemplify what noir is all about. The hosts also highlight the performance of the incomparable Robert Mitchum in a career-defining role. Both Brandon and Emmett agree that its Jane Greer who walks away with the film, however, as the ultimate femme fatale.
-
Front Row Classics continue Noirvember with a rare Technicolor film noir. We're taking a look at 1953's Niagara. Brandon welcomes Peter Martin for the first time to Front Row Classics. Peter teaches Cinema Studies and bring great perspective to this Marilyn Monroe led potboiler. Brandon and Peter discuss the exceptional performance of Monroe in one of her rare antagonistic turns on film. They also praise the performances of Joseph Cotten and Jean Peters. Discussion also includes the gorgeous location shooting, pristine technicolor and nimble direction by Henry Hathaway.
-
Front Row Classics ushers in Noirvember with Joan Crawford at Warner Brothers. We're taking a look at 1949's Flamingo Road. Brandon welcomes Nikki and Salina from the podcast, Sweet Tea and TV. The podcast focuses on how the South is portrayed in TV and film. The hosts take a look at the soapy, southern tone of the film along with the colorful cast of characters. We praise the towering presence of Crawford who carries an (at times) silly script in her own original way. Much of the conversation is dedicated to the highlight of the film being the amazing toxic chemistry of Joan Crawford and Sydney Greenstreet in one of cinema's most unlikely rivalries.
-
Front Row Classics welcomes back our friend Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford from Beyond the Mouse. The two hosts and Brandon are celebrating the 100th anniversary of MGM by taking a look at one of the greatest examples of the studio's unparalleled glamour. 1941's Ziegfeld Girl is a mammoth production illustrating what life was like for performers in the Ziegfeld Follies. The film features a star-studded cast with three great MGM stars at the center: Judy Garland, Lana Turner and Hedy Lamarr. The hosts discuss their various storylines along with the performances by Jimmy Stewart, Jackie Cooper, Tony Martin, Eve Arden and Edward Everett Horton
-
Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most beloved comedy classics from the 1940s. We're celebrating Preston Sturges' masterpiece, Sullivan's Travels. Brandon is joined by New York Times bestselling author, Morgan Matson, to break down this hilarious and heartwarming tribute to the art of comedy. Brandon and Morgan discuss the performances of Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake along with the regular Sturges stock company of character actors. They also mention why this film is one of the most important movie about the movies ever made.
-
Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most beloved comedies in film history. Brandon is joined by Christian Keys to celebrate 1982's Tootsie. Christian is Associate Producer for One Day to Love, a podcast hosted by actress Tonja Walker. He also happens to be a classic film aficionado. Brandon and Christian discuss how the film remains both fresh & funny as well as a time capsule of the early 80s. They praise the direction of Sydney Pollack and performances by the great ensemble cast including Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman and Charles Durning. We take the time to also pay tribute to the late Teri Garr.
-
Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome film historian/preservationist Alan K. Rode to the podcast. Alan has been at the forefront of classic film community for many years. He has produced and hosted annual film festivals, produced documentaries & audio commentaries and authored two notable cinema biographies. Brandon and Alan discuss one of those titles at length; "Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film". Brandon and Alan discuss Curtiz's directing style, personality and the many beloved films he brought to the screen. The two also spend time discussing the evergreen appeal of film noir for classic film fans.
-
Front Row Classics welcomes back author, John DiLeo, to discuss his latest book : "Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances". The book takes a look at forty overlooked performances by actors whose co-stars took home the gold on Oscar night. The book celebrates performances ranging from the silent era through modern day. Brandon and John discuss several of the performances highlighted from films such as Captains Courageous, Paper Moon, Mary Poppins, Key Largo and Ordinary People.
John DiLeo is the author of seven other books about classic movies: And You Thought You Knew Classic Movies, 100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember—But Probably Don't, Screen Savers: 40 Remarkable Movies Awaiting Rediscovery, Tennessee Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors, Screen Savers II: My Grab Bag of Classic Movies, Ten Movies at a Time: A 350-Film Journey Through Hollywood and America 1930-1970, and There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less.
He has been an annual participant in the Black Bear Film Festival (Milford, PA), conducting onstage interviews with such notables as Farley Granger, Arlene Dahl, Marge Champion, Keir Dullea, Jane Powell, Rex Reed, Tab Hunter, Lorna Luft, and Jane Alexander. Born in Brooklyn, he currently resides in Milford, PA, where he can be found most Sunday afternoons introducing classic movies on the big screen at the historic Milford Theater. DiLeo is present on social media in the usual places, including Facebook and Instagram.
-
Front Row Classics is once again celebrating MGM's 100th anniversary with a look at a timeless family classics. Brandon welcome back friend of the podcast, Matt Duffy, to talk about 1944's National Velvet. Brandon and Matt celebrate the remarkable performances of Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney at the height of their adolescent stardom. The hosts also explore World War II's impact on the film as well as the talents of director Clarence Brown.
-
Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most daring, satirical films to ever come out of Hollywood. Brandon is joined, once again, by author & film historian Chris Yogerst. Chris recently penned "The Warner Brothers" for the University Press of Kentucky. A Face in the Crowd is a signature Warner film directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. The movie features topics relating to politics & media that are still scarily relevant today. Brandon and Chris discuss those topics as well as the powerhouse performance of Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes. The hosts also praise the performances of Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, Anthony Franciosa and Lee Remick.
-
Happy Halloween from Front Row Classics. Brandon welcomes back Emmett Stanton to take a look at Brian DePalma's Carrie. Based on Stephen King's novel, Carrie remains as effective as it was in 1976. It not only remains a horror classic but also an indictment of bullying. Brandon and Emmett praise the Oscar nominated performances of Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. We also highlight the performances of Betty Buckley, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving and John Travolta.
-
#MonsterCast concludes with our 3rd and final spotlight for 2024: 2004's horror-comedy masterpiece Shaun of the Dead.
Shaun is a 30-something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he's not working at the electronics store, he lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed, in a small flat on the outskirts of London. The only unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz, who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow up and be a man. When the town is inexplicably overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the occasion and protect both Liz and his mother.
Jeremy and Sara talk about the dual nature of how well this film parodies and shows love for the zombie genre and just what makes Edgar Wright such a special director.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD is available NOW on Peacock.
DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW/REACH US AT:
Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network
Twitter: @frontrowreviewz
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrown...
Instagram: frontrownetwork
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0 -
Front Row Classics is celebrating the late Roger Corman with a double dose of films from his lauded Poe Cycle in the 1960s. Brandon is joined by Jackson Cooper, Executive Director of the American Genre Film Archive, to break down House of Usher (1960) and Tomb of Ligeia (1964). Brandon and Jackson celebrate the gothic and macabre tone in which Corman approached these films. We also pay tribute the star of both films, the one and only Vincent Price.
-
#MonsterCast brings us so many awesome things at the Network but this one is high up on the list as we welcome back the crew of #Flashback to the fold! Man did we miss you guys! Ryan, Jay and Erin are back to break down the 40th Anniversary of Wes Craven's beyond iconic monster thriller A Nightmare On Elm Street.
In this classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger, a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams -- which, in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomenon, Nancy begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends' parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery, but can Nancy and her boyfriend Glen solve the puzzle before it's too late?
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET is available NOW on Max.
DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW/REACH US AT:
Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network
Twitter: @frontrowreviewz
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrown...
Instagram: frontrownetwork
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0 - Show more
