EPISODE 97 - “BEHIND THE GLAMOUR: DRUG USE IN OLD HOLLYWOOD” - 7/21/25 As the Roaring 1920s kicked in, America’s backlash against prohibition brought forth a boozy, fun-loving era where alcohol and the use of recreational drugs like cocaine and opium became a fashionable part of the hedonistic lifestyle. This was never more true than behind the hallowed gates of old Hollywood’s studios. In fact, drugs became a common tool of the studio systems to keep exhausted actors working and impossible production schedules on track. After the deaths of prominent film stars WALLACE REID and ALMA RUBENS, Hollywood had a chance to change things, but they didn’t. This week, we explore the rampant drug use that permeated the film industry during Hollywood’s infancy. SHOW NOTES: Sources: Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood (2015) by William J. Mann; Wallace Reid: The Life and Death of a Hollywood Idol (2013), by E.J. Fleming; “The Most Tragic Details Of Old Hollywood Stars' Lives,” June 30, 2025, by Acacia Deadlock, TheList.com; “Hollywood’s Dark Secret: Drug Abuse in the Golden Age,” February 17, 2025, hollywoodlandnews.com; “Golden Age Hollywood Had a Dirty Little Secret: Drugs,” May 27, 2025, by Erin Blakemore, History.com; “The Buyers -- A Social History of America’s Most Popular Drugs,” PBS.org; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“LEGENDS IN CEMENT: THE STORY OF THE GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE” - 7/14/25 (096) There is no landmark in Hollywood that elicits such awe and wonder as the beautiful Chinese Theatre. The brainchild of impresario SID GRAUMAN, who made a name for himself creating opulent, grand movie palaces, the theatre became a symbol of movie magic. Join us this week as we discuss the rich and wonderful history of this great theatre and how it evolved and changed over the years. We’ll also discuss the iconic stars who came to place their hand and footprints in cement in the theater’s forecourt.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Dream Palaces of Hollywood’s Golden Age (2006), by David Wallace; Hollywood’s Master Showman: The Legendary Sid Grauman (1983), by Charles Beardsley; “All the Hollywood Secrets Hidden in the Handprints at the Chinese Theatre’s Forecourt of the Stars,” May 18, 2017, by Meredith Werner, Los Angeles Times; Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, academymuseum.org; “Dame Helen Makes Her (Stiletto) Mark on Hollywood as She Cements Superstar Status,” March 29, 2011, Hello! Magazine; tclchinesetheatres.com; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  The Big Parade (1925), starring John Gilbert & Renée Adorée; King of Kings (1927), starring H.B. Warner & Dorothy Cummings;  Hell’s Angels (1930), starring Ben Lyon, Jean Harlow, & James Hall; King Kong (1933), starring Fay Wray & Bruce Cabot; The Wizard of Oz (1939), starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, & Burt Lahr; Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953), starring Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe; The Egyptian (1954), starring Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Gene Tierney, & Edmond Purdom; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 95 -  “VIRGINIA GREY: Classic Cinema Star of the Month” - 7/07/25 If VIRGINIA GREY is remembered at all, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty is probably best remembered as the caustic perfume counter girl in The Women (1939), who sees right through the gold-digging ways of Crystal Allen, played by JOAN CRAWFORD. In these brief scenes, she is so charismatic and saucy, she really shows how to deliver a zinger of a line. She may also be remembered as the good luck charm of producer ROSS HUNTER, who put her in many of his popular movies of the mid-1950s and 1960s. But there was so much more to this talented actress. This week, we explore her life and career as we honor her as our Star of the Month.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: “Virginia Grey, a Veteran of 100 moves, dies at 87,” August 6, 2003, New York Times; Robert Taylor: The Man WIth the Perfect Profile (1973), by Jane Ellen Wayne; “The Girl Who Won Gable Back,” November 1951, by Linda Griffin, Modern Screen magazine; “An Interview With Virginia Grey,” by Mike Fitzgerald, www.westernclippings.com; “Virginia Grey,” briansdriveintheater.com; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  The Women (1939), starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, & Rosalind Russell; Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1927), starring James B. Lowe; Dames (1934), starring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell. & Joan Blondell; Secret Valley (1937); starring Richard Arlen & Virginia Grey; Test Pilot (1938), starring Clark Gable & Myrna Loy; Rich Man, Poor Girl (1938), starring Lana Turner; Dramatic School (1938) starring Luise Rainer & Paulette Goddard; The Hardy’s Ride High (1939), starring Mickey Rooney & Lewis Stone; Idiot’s Delight (1939), starring Clark Gable & Norma Shearer; Broadway Serenade (1939), with Jeanette MacDonald & Lew Ayres; Another Thin Man (1939), starring William Powell & Myrna Loy; Hullabaloo (1940), starring Frank Morgan; The Big Store (1941), starring the Marx Brothers; Blonde Inspiration (1941), starring John Shelton; Tarzan’s New York Adventure (1942), starring Johnny Weissmuller & Maureen O’Sullivan; Whistling in the Dark (1941), starring Red Skelton & Ann Rutherford; Bells of Capistrano (1942), starring Gene Autry & Virginia Grey; Sweet Rosie O’Grady (1943), with Betty Grable & Robert Young; Strangers in the Night (1944), starring William Terry & Virginia Grey; Blonde Ransom (1945), with Virginia Grey; House of Horrors (1946), with Robert Lowery & Virginia Grey; Unconquered (1947), starring Gary Cooper & Paulette Goddard; Leather Gloves (1948), with Cameron Mitchell; Mexican Hayride (1948), starring Abbott & Costello; Jungle Jim (1948), Starring Johnny Weissmuller & Virginia Grey; Highway 301 (1950), with Steve Cochran & Virginia Grey; Slaughter Trail (1951), starring Gig Young & Virginia Grey; Three Desperate Men (1951), with Preston Foster & Virginia Grey; Captain Scarface (1953), with Leif Erickson & Virginia Grey; The Forty-Niners (1955), with Wild Bill Elliott & Virginia Grey; All That Heaven Allows (1955), starring Jane Wyman & Rock Hudson; The Rose Tattoo (1955), starring Anna Magnani & Burt Lancaster; Jeanne Eagles (1957), starring Kim Novak; Portrait In Black (1960), starring Lana Turner; Back Street (1961), starring Susan Hayward; Flower Drum Song (1961), starring Nancy Kwan; The Naked Kiss (1964), starring Constance Tower; Love Has Many Faces (1965), starring Lana Turner, Cliff Robertson & Hugh O’Brien; Airport (1970), with Burt Lancaster & Dean Martin; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"SECOND ACT: REDISCOVERING OVERLOOKED MUSICALS" (094) - 6/30/25 In this episode of the podcast, Steve and Nan dive into some of their favorite classic Hollywood musicals that they feel do not get their due. They share fond memories and behind-the-scenes tidbits about timeless films like Summer Stock, State Fair, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. With infectious enthusiasm, they discuss the charm of Gene Kelly’s choreography, Judy Garland’s unforgettable voice, and the sweeping scores that still resonate decades later. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a newcomer to the genre, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the magic of classic movie musicals. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: 75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards (2004), by Robert Osborne; My Path and My Detours: An Autobiography (1985), by Jane Russell; The Hollywood Musical: Every Hollywood Musical from 1927 to the Present Day (1981), by Clive Hirschhorn; The Films of 20th Century Fox (1979), by Tony Thomas & Aubrey Solomon; “Judy Garland and Gene Kelly team up – off and on screen – for “Summer Stock,”  May 6, 2019, by Kay Reynolds, HighDefWatch.com; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com;  IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  The Gay Divorcee (1934), starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Alice Brady, Edward Everett  Horton & Betty Grable; State Fair (1945), starring Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haynes, Vivian Blaine, Fay Bainter, & Charles Winninger; The Singing Nun (1966), starring Debbie Reynolds, Greer Garson, Ricardo Montalban, Agnes Moorehead, & Juanita Moore; Gentlemen Prefer Bondes (1953), starring Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, & Norma Varden; Summer Stock (1950), starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers, Marjorie Main, Gloria De Haven, & Eddie Bracken; Orchestra Wives (1942), starring Ann Rutherford, George Montgomery, Cesar Romero, Glenn Miller & his Band, Lynn Bari, Carole Landis, Mary Beth Hughes, Virginia Gilmore & The Nicholas Brothers; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"EDITH HEAD: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S QUEEN OF FASHION" (093) EPISODE 93 -  6/23/25 With eight Academy Awards to her name — more than any other woman in history — EDITH HEAD wasn't just a costume designer; she was a storyteller in fabric, silhouette, and sparkle. From BETTE DAVIS to GRACE KELLY to AUDREY HEPBURN, she dressed the biggest stars of the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on both fashion and film. In this episode, we explore how a shy schoolteacher became the most powerful woman in Hollywood wardrobes, her collaborations with iconic directors like Alfred Hitchcock, and how her designs helped shape characters, define eras, and influence fashion far beyond the studio lot. So, slip into something fabulous, and let’s step behind the curtain into the life and legacy of the great Edith Head. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Dressing Up The Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head (12022), by Jeanne Walker Harvey;  Edith Head: The 50 Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer (2010), by Jay Jorgensen; Edith Head: The Life and Times of Hollywood’s Celebrated Costume Designer (2003), by David Chierichetti; Edith Head’s Hollywood (1983), by Edith Head; The Dress Doctor (1959), by Edith Head; “How To Dress For the Oscars,” February 11, 2015, ⁠www.oscars.com⁠; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Wings (1927); The Saturday Night Kid (1929); Love Me Tonight (1932); She Done Him Wrong (1933); Little Miss Marker (1934); Rhythm on the Range (1936); College Holiday (1936); The Jungle Princess (1936); Internes Can’t Take Money (1937); The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938); Thanks for the Memories (1938); Mad about Music (1938); Dangerous To Know (1938);  Beau Geste (1939); Remember the Night (1939); The Cat and the Canary (1939);  The Lady Eve (1941); Sullivan’s Travels (1941); The Glass Key (1942); I Married a Witch (1942); Star Spangled Rhythm (1942); Hold That Blonde (1945); The Blue Dahlia (1946); Holiday Inn (1942); The Uninvited (1944); Double Indemnity (1944); Incendiary Blonde (1945); To Each His Own (1946); The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946); A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949); The Great Gatsby (1949);  Notorious (1946); The Emperor’s Waltz (1948); The Heiress (1949); All About Eve (1950); Sunset Boulevard (1950); Samson & Delilah (1949); A Place in the Sun (1951); Roman Holiday (1953); Sabrina (1954);  Funny Face (1957); Rear Window (1954); To Catch a Thief (1955); The Trouble With Harry (1955); The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956); Vertigo (1958); Ace In the Hole (1951); The Greatest Show on Earth (1952); Shane (1953); White Christmas (1954);  The Rose Tattoo (1955); The Rainmaker (1956); The Ten Commandments (1957); Loving You (1958); The Pink Panther (1963); A Shot In the Dark (1964); The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1963); Love With the Proper Stranger (1963); Sex and the Single Girl (1964); Inside Daisy Clover (1965); The Great Race (1965);  Penelope (1966); This Property is Condemned (1966); G.I. Blues (1960);  Blue Hawaii (1961);  Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962);  Fun In Acapulco (1963);  Roustabout (1964); Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966); What a Way to Go! (1964); Sweet Charity (1969); Summer and Smoke (1961);  Hud (1963); The Birds (1963); Harlow (1965); Barefoot in the Park (1967); Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969); Topaz (1969); Airport (1970); Airport ‘75 (1974); Airport ‘77 (1977); Myra Breckenridge (1970); Lady Sings The Blues (1972); The Sting (1974); The Great Waldo Pepper (1975);,  The Man Who Would Be King (1976);  Family Plot (1976); Gable and Lombard (1976); W.C. Fields and Me (1976); Rooster Cogburn (1975); Sextette (1978); Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982); --------------------------------- ⁠http://www.airwavemedia.com⁠ Please contact ⁠sales@advertisecast.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 92 -  “BORN TO BE BAD - Old Hollywood's Favorite Brats" - 6/16/25 This week, we’re getting into the pint-sized punks, the tantrum-throwers, the eye-rollers, and the sharp-tongued little legends who strutted across the silver screen like they owned the studio. That’s right—we’re talking about our favorite bratty kids in classic movies. You know the type: too smart for their age, too bold for their britches, and way too good at stealing scenes from their adult co-stars. Whether they were lighting up the screen with sass or shutting it down with a glare, these kids were iconic—and let’s be honest, a little terrifying. So buckle up, because we’re about to revisit the child stars who threw shade before it was cool, and tantrums that deserved an Oscar. Let the chaos begin. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: “There’s Always Tomorrow,” August 13, 2021, by Richard Brody, The New Yorker;  “Jane Withers, Child Star Who Later Won Fame in Commercials, Does at 95,” August 8, 2021, The New York Times; “Denise Nickerson, Violet in ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Has Died,” July 11, 2019, Times Union; “Violence to Lord of Flies,” December 19, 2012, RogerEbert.com;  “A Long Way From Brooklyn,” April 23, 2010,  by Dave Kehr, New York Times; “Bonita Granville Wrather, 65, an Actress and Executive (Obit),” October 8, 1988, The New York Times; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBTHS #091 - "STARS BENEATH OUR FEET- THE HISTORY OF THE WALK OF FAME" 6/09/25 The Hollywood Walk of Fame holds a unique allure as both a glamorous symbol of celebrity and a living monument to the history of entertainment. Stretching along 10 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, its iconic pink terrazzo stars honor the achievements of thousands of actors, musicians, directors, and other entertainment pioneers. Since its creation in 1960, the Walk has served not only as a tribute to individual fame but also as a reflection of shifting cultural values and artistic milestones. It draws millions of visitors each year, eager to walk among the legends and connect with the rich legacy of Hollywood’s golden era and beyond. As both a tourist attraction and a cultural archive, the Walk of Fame remains a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of entertainment on global culture. Join us this week as we delve into the history and historical significance of this Hollywood landmark.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: “25 Fun Facts About the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” July 25, 2018, by Jennifer M Wood, Mental Floss; “Muhammad Ali dead: Why the iconic boxer's Hollywood star isn't on the Walk of Fame,” June 3, 2017, by May Bulman, Independent; “Secrets of the Chinese,” July 23, 2012, Variety; “Johnny Grant, 84, Who Spread Hoorays for Hollywood, Is Dead,” January 11, 2008, New York Times; "Hollywood, brought to you by …” July 22, 2008, by Alana Semuels, Los Angeles Times; walkoffame.com/history; hollywoodchamber.net; johnnygrant.com; projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/#creation-myth; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"MARK STEVENS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH" The name MARK STEVENS probably doesn’t ring a bell with moviegoers today. However, he’s one of those actors who once you see him on screen, you say, “Oh, yeah, THAT guy!” Still, at one time, he was a very in-demand leading man who was always compelling and had a tough-guy likability that brightened up many a hum-drum movie. He may not have reached the upper echelon of fame like contemporaries ALAN LADD or DANA ANDREWS, but he certainly left his mark — particularly in “The Dark Corner” with a pre-TV LUCILLE BALL. Like CHARLES LAUGHTON, DICK POWELL, and IDA LUPINO, he also became a pioneer of the actor-turned-director. Today, we take a look at his long and varied career and celebrate him as our Star of the Month. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: The Bad Boys of Film Noir (2008), by Karen Burroughs Hannsberry; “Today’s Underrated Actor Spotlight: Mark Stevens,” February 20, 2018, by Baynum, TheTinselTownTwins.com; “Mark Stevens: Patience is Poison!, (2012), Noir City Annual; “Mark Stevens: Man of Many Talents,” February 2003, Classic Images; “Romance of Actor With Hedy Ended,” September 24, 1947, Daily News; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Destination Tokyo (1943), starring Cary grant & John Garfield; The Doughgirls (1944), starring Ann Sheridan; Hollywood Canteen (1944), starring Bette Davis & John Garfield; God Is My Co-Pilot (1945), starring Dennis Morgan & Dane Clark; Rhapsody In Blue (1945), starring Robert ALda & Joan Leslie;  Within These Walls (1945), starring Thomas Mitchell & Mary Anderson; From This Day Forward (1946), starring Joan Fontaine & Mark Stevens; The Dark Corner (1946), starring Mark Stevens & Lucille Ball; I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (1947), starring June Haver & Mark Stevens; The Street With No Name (1948), starring Richard Widmark & mark Stevens; The Snake Pit (1948), starring Olivia de Havilland; Sand (1949), starring Mark Stevens, Coleen Gray, & Rory Calhoun; Oh, You Beautiful Doll (1949), starring June Haver & Mark Stevens; Dancing In the Dark (1949), staring Wiliam Powell; Please Believe Me (1950), starring Deborah Kerr, Mark Stevens, Robert Walker, & Peter Lawford; Before Midnight and Dawn (1950), starring Mark Stevens, Edmond O’Brien, & Gale Storm; Katie Did It (1950), starring Ann Blyth & Mark Stevens; Target Unknown (1951),staring Mark Stevens; In Little Egypt (1951), starring Mark Stevens & Rhonda Fleming; Reunion in Rio (1952), starring Gigi Perreau, Mark Stevens, & Frances Dee; Jack Slade (1953), starring Mark Stevens Cry Vengeance (1954), starring Mark Stevens & Martha Hyer; Time Table (1956), starring Mark Stevens & Felicia Farr; September Storm (1960), starring Mark Stevens & Joanne Dru Escape From Hell Island (1963), starring Mark Stevens; Fate is the Hunter (1964), starring Glenn Ford, Nancy Kwan, Rod Taylor, & Suzanne Pleshette; Frozen Alive (1964), starring Mark Stevens; Sunscorched (1965), starring Mark Stevens; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FBTHS #089 - "Steve & Nan Explore the Wild, Wild West of Old Hollywood" In this episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, hosts Steve and Nan saddle up for a lively conversation about their favorite Western films. From dusty saloons to sweeping desert vistas, they explore the iconic imagery, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes that make the Western genre a cornerstone of American cinema. Whether you're a fan of classic John Ford shootouts or revisionist tales that challenge the myth of the Old West, Steve and Nan share personal picks and behind-the-scenes stories that will have you reaching for your cowboy hat. SHOW NOTES:  AVA GARDNER MUSEUM: If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link: https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations Sources: “Ride the High Country: The seed from Which Peckinpah’s Revisionist Approach to the Western Genre Would Ultimately Grow,” by Koralkja Suton, www.cinephiliabeyond.org; “The Real-Life Feud That Gave Joan Crawford's Johnny Guitar A Vicious Edge,” September 4, 2022, by Lee Adams, www.SlashMagazine.com; "From Blood Brother to Broken Arrow,” September 18, 2017, by Doug Hocking, True West Magazine; “Winchester ’73,” May 2013, by Jonathan Dawson, www.senseofcinema.com; “Philip Yordan,” April 8, 2003, The Guardian; Naked Spur: Offbeat Film of Chase in Colorado, starring Stewart, Ryan, At Stake, March 26, 1953, New York Times; John Ford:  The Man Who Invests America (2019) Documentary directed by Jean-Christophe Klotz Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; The Criterion Collection; Movies Mentioned:  Ride the High Country (1962), starring Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott, Mariette Hartley, Ron Star, James Drury &  Warren Oates; Broken Arrow (1950), starring James Stewart, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget, & Jay Silverheels; Day of the Outlaw (1959), starring Robert Ryan, Burl Ives, Tina Louise, David Nelson, Alan Marshall, Venetia Stevenson, & Elisha Cook, Jr.; My Darling Clementine (1946), starring Henry Fonda, Linda Darnell, Victor Mature, Walter Brennan, Cathy Downs, Tim Holt, Ward Bond, Alan Mowbray, & John Ireland; The Naked Spur (1953), starring James Stewart, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Ralph Meeker, & Millard Mitchell; Johnny Guitar (1954), starring Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge, Sterling Hayden, Scott Brady, Tim Holt, Ernest Borgnine, & John Carradine; Winchester 73 (1950), starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Stephen McNally, Dan Duryea, Millard Mitchell, John McIntyre, Rock Hudson, & Tony Curtis; Ride Lonesome (1959), starring Randolph Scott, Karen Steele, James Coburn, Lee Van Cleef, & Pernell Roberts; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“OLD HOLLYWOOD’s TOXIC TRIANGLE” - 5/19/2025 (088) Hollywood in the mid-20th century was a world of glitz and glamour, a realm where dreams could be made or destroyed in an instant. It was an era when the silver screen crafted illusions of romance and perfection, yet behind the scenes, the personal lives of its stars often unraveled into chaos, scandal, and tragedy. Few stories exemplify this dark side of Hollywood better than the volatile love triangle involving actress BARBARA PAYTON and actors FRANCHOT TONE and TOM NEAL. What began as a passionate romance descended into obsession, violence, and ultimate ruin—forever marking the three as cautionary tales of unchecked desire and self-destruction. In this episode, we explore this explosive love triangle and its aftermath. SHOW NOTES:  AVA GARDNER MUSEUM: If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link: https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations Sources: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story (2012), by John O’Dowd; I Am Not Ashamed (1963), by Barbara Payton; “Tone, Payton, & Neal: Hollywood’s Most Toxic Triangle,” January 29, 2022, by Burt Kearns, legsville.com; “Blazing Blonde Bombshell: Barbara Payton’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” January 6, 2021, by Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair; “The Bottle and Barbara Payton,” November 16, 2018, Travelanche.com; “Notes From The Unashamed,” May 19, 2016, by Kim Morgan, sunsetgun.com; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Once More My Darling (1949), starring Robert Montgomery & Ann Blyth; Trapped (1949), starring Lloyd Bridges & Barbara Payton; Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950), starring James Cagney & Barbara Payton;  Dallas (1950), starring Gary Cooper, Ruth Roman, Steve Cochran, & Barbara Payton; Only The Valiant (1951), starring Gregory Peck & Barbara Payton; Dancing Lady (1933), starring Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, & Franchot Tone; Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), starring Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, & Franchot Tone; Detour (1945), starring Tom Neal & Ann Savage; Another Thin Man (1939), starring William Powell & Myrna Loy; Crime, Inc (1945), starring Tom Neal & Martha Tilton; Blonde Alibi (1946), starring Tom Neal & Martha O’Driscoll; I Shot Billy The Kid (1950), starring Don “Red” Barry, Robert Lowery, & Tom Neal; The Great Jesse James Raid (1953), starring Tom Neal & Barbara Payton; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 87 -  “2025 TCM FILM FESTIVAL WRAP UP” - 5/12/2025 For the second year in a row, Steve and Nan were honored to be invited to cover the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival as part of the press corp. After four glorious days of non-stop film action, this episode is dedicated to the Festival and the fantastic movies shown this year. Steve and Nan will be discussing their favorite films, as well as giving a behind-the-scenes look at the festival and all the movie lovers who come annually to bow at the altar of Eddie Muller, Ben Mankiewicz and the TCM gang.   SHOW NOTES:  AVA GARDNER MUSEUM: If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link: https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations Sources: Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Suddenly Last Summer (1959), starring Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift, Mercedes McCambridge, & Albert Dekker; The Divorcée (1930), starring Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Robert Montgomery, & Conrad Nagel; Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), starring Robert Mitchum & Deborah Kerr; The Enchanted Cottage (1945), starring Dorothy McGuire, Robert Young, Herbert Marshall, Mildred Natwick, Spring Byington, & Richard Gaines; Daisy Kenyon (1947), starring Joan Crawford, Dana Andrews, & Henry Fonda; Rhapsody in Blue (1945), starring Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Oscar Levant, Morris Carnovsky, Rosemary DeCamp & Charles Coburn; Gunman’s Walk (1958), starring Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, James Darren, Kathryn Grant, Burt Convy & Edward Platt; We’re No Angels (1955), starring Humphrey Bogart, Joan Bennett, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Ray, Leo G,. Carroll, Gloria Talbot, & Basil Rathbone; The Big Combo (1955), starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace, Richard Conti, Helen Walker, Brain Donlevy, Lee Van Cleef, Earl Holliman,  All This and Heaven Too (1940), starring Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O’Neil, Virginia Weidler, Jeffry Lynn, Harry Davenport, & June Lockhart; Diamond Jim (1935), starring Edward Arnold, Jean Arthur, Binnie Barnes, Ceasar Romero, William Demarest, and Eric Blore;  The Talk of the Town (1942), starring Jean Arthur, Cary Grant, Ronald Colman, Edgar Buchanan, Glenda Farrell, Emma Dunn, Rex Ingram, & Charles Dingle; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 86 -  “ANNA MAY WONG: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 5/5/2025 Anna May Wong was once the most famous Chinese woman in the world. The trailblazing actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon appeared in over 60 films and was a celebrated star, yet, at the time, she was not allowed to kiss a Caucasian man on screen, which limited the roles she could take, and she was not allowed to buy a house in Beverly Hills. A strange dichotomy, indeed. In recent years, she has enjoyed a much-deserved resurgence. Known as a Trailblazer and a cultural icon, she paved the way for generations of Asian and Asian American actors by proving that talent and perseverance could transcend racist casting conventions. Her life and career continue to influence conversations about diversity, representation, and the politics of race in Hollywood. This week, she is our Star of the Month. SHOW NOTES:  AVA GARDNER MUSEUM: If you would like to make a donation to help support the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Ava’a hometown!), please click on the following link: https://ava-gardner-museum.myshopify.com/products/donations Sources: Not Your China Doll (2924), by Katie Gee Salisbury; Anna May Wong: From Laundryman’s Daughter to Hollywood Legend (2012), by Graham Russell Gao Hodges; Anna May Wong: A Complete Guide to Her Film, Stage, Television, and Radio Work (2010), by Philip Leibfried and Chei Mi Lane; Perpetually Cool: The Many Lives of Anna May Wong (2003), by Anthony B. Chan; “Anna May Wong: 13 Facts About Her Trailblazing Hollywood Career,” April 30, 2024, By Minhae Shim Roth; “Anna May Wong’s Long Journey from Hollywood to the Smithsonian,” March 2024, by Ryan Lintelman, Natural Museum of American History; “Anna May Wong Will Be the First Asian American on US Currency,” October 18, 2022, by Soumya Karlamangla; “Anna May Wong is Dead At 54; Actress Won Movie Fans in ’24; Appeared with Fairbanks in ‘Thief of Bagdad,’ Made Several Films Abroad,” February 4, 1961, The New York Times; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Phantom Of The Opera (1943), starring Claude Rains, Eddy Nelson, & Suzanna Foster; The Spider Woman Strikes Back (1946), starring Gale Sondergaard & Brenda Joyce; White Savage (1943), starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall, and Sabu; Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944), starring Maria Montez & Jon Hall; It Grows On Trees (1952), Irene Dunne & Dean Jagger; Impact (1949), starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Helen Walker, & Anna May Wong; The Red Lantern (1919), starring Alla Nazimova; The Toll of the Sea (1922), staring Kenneth Harlan & Anna May Wong; The Thief of Baghdad (1924), starring Douglas Fairbanks & Anna May Wong; Picadilly (1929), starring Gilda Gray & Anna May Wong; Daughter of the Dragon (1931), starring Anna May Wong and Warner Orland; Shanghai Express (1932), starring Marlene Dietrich & Anna May Wong; The Hatchet Man (1932), starring Loretta Young; The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932), starring Myrna Loy; The Son-Daughter (1932), starring Helen Hayes; Tiger Bay (1934), starring Anna May Wong; Chu Chen Chow (1934), starring Anna May Wong; Java Head (1934), starring Anna May Wong; Limehouse Blues (1934), starring George Raft, Jean Parker, & Anna May Wong; The Good Earth (1937), starring Paul Muni & Luise Rainer; Daughter of Shanghai (1937), starring Anna May Wong & Philip Ahn; King of Chinatown (1939), starring Anna May Wong & Sidney Toler; Dangerous to Know (1938), starring Gail Patrick & Anna May Wong;  Island of Lost Men (1939), starring Anna May Wong & J. Carrol Naish; Bombs Over Burma (1942), starring Anna May Wong; Lady From Chungking (1942), starring Anna May Wong; Portrait in Black (1960), starring Lana Turner, Anthony Quinn, & Sandra Dee; Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 85 - “THE MAKING OF MAGIC: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE WIZARD OF OZ - PART 2” - 4/28/2025 There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home! As we continue our discussion of the making of “The Wizard of Oz,” this week we explore the score, the songs, the vocals, the transition to television, and some of the many urban legends that surround this classic film. (No, a Munchkin did not hang himself from one of the evil apple trees!) So follow that yellow brick road and check out the fun facts and behind the scene antics of one of America’s most favorite films.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Adapting The Wizard of Oz: Musical Versions From Baum to MGM and Beyond (2019), by Danielle Burkett & Dominic McHugh; The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All that’s Left to Know About Life According to Oz (2014), by David J. Hogan; Before The Rainbow (2000), by Mark Evan Schwartz; Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Harold Arlen (1999) Documentary, Dir. Don McGlynn; The Munchkins of Oz (1996), by Stephen Coz; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic (1990) Documentary, Dir. Jack Haley, Jr; The Making of The Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM -- and the Miracle of Production (1989), by Aljean Harmetz; “The Comedians of Oz,” Winter 1986-87, by Celia Catlett Anderson, Studies in American Humor; The Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale, Library of Congress Wizard Of Oz Scarecrow Dance (Deleted Scene), InternetArchive.org  Harold Arlen: Happy with the Blues (1961), by Edward Jablonski; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 84 - “THE MAKING OF MAGIC: BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE WIZARD OF OZ - PART 1” - 4/21/2025 Perhaps one of the most beloved movies of all time, the MGM classic The Wizard of Oz debuted in that magical year of 1939. Based on the popular children’s books by Frank L. Baum, it tells the story of a Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale, who, along with her devoted dog Toto, is transported to the magical land of Oz. This beloved classic has become such a touchstone in pop culture that phrases like “There’s no place like home,” “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore,” and “I’ll get you, my pretty” have entered our collective lexicon. This week, we offer the first of a two part episode that explores the making of this MGM classic film.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Adapting The Wizard of Oz: Musical Versions From Baum to MGM and Beyond (2019), by Danielle Burkett & Dominic McHugh; The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All that’s Left to Know About Life According to Oz (2014), by David J. Hogan; Before The Rainbow (2000), by Mark Evan Schwartz; Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Harold Arlen (1999) Documentary, Dir. Don McGlynn; The Munchkins of Oz (1996), by Stephen Coz; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic (1990) Documentary, Dir. Jack Haley, Jr; The Making of The Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM -- and the Miracle of Production (1989), by Aljean Harmetz; “The Comedians of Oz,” Winter 1986-87, by Celia Catlett Anderson, Studies in American Humor; The Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale, Library of Congress Wizard Of Oz Scarecrow Dance (Deleted Scene), InternetArchive.org  Harold Arlen: Happy with the Blues (1961), by Edward Jablonski; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 83 - “TCM FILM FESTIVAL 2025 PREVIEW” - 4/14/2025 It’s that time of year again. Time for the 2025 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, which takes place April 24-27 in Hollywood California. This year, the theme is “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.” This week, Steve and Nan offer a fun preview of the highlights of the upcoming festival and they discuss the films they are most excited to see, including great titles such as BEN HUR, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER, GUNFI*GHT AT THE OKAY CORRAL and A GUY NAMED JOE.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  The Empire Strikes Back (1980), starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, & Harrison Ford; The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989), starring Jeff Bridges, Michelle Pfeiffer, & Beau Brides; Cooley High (1975), starring Lawrence Hilton Jacobs & Glenn Turman; Car Wash (1976), starring Richard Pryor, Bill Duke, & George Carlin; Greased Lightning (1977), starring Richard Pryor, Pam Grier, & Beau Bridges; Which Way is Up (1977), starring Richard Pryor & Lonette McKee; Bustin’ Loose (1981), starring Richard Pryor & Cicely Tyson; Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), starring Peter Frampton & The Bee Gees; The Last Dragon (1985), starring Taimak & Vanity; Krush Groove (1985), starring Russell Simmons & LL Cool J; Beau Geste (1926), starring Ronald Colman; The Freshman (1925), starring Harold Lloyd; Misery (1990), starring Kathy Bates & James Caan; The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, & Barry Bostwick; Babe (1995), starring James Cromwell; The Enchanted Cottage (1945), starring Robert Young & Dorothy McGuire; Jaws (1975), starring Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, & Roy Scheider; Blue Velvet (1986),starring Kyle McLaughlin, Laura Dern, Dennis Hopper, & Isabella Rossellini; We’re No Angels (1955), starring Humphrey Bogart & Joan Bennett; Gunfight At The Okay Corral (1957), starring Burt Lancaster & Kirk Douglas; Cape Fear (1962), starring Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck and Polly Bergen; The Ritz (1976), starring Rita Moreno & Treat Williams; Gunman’s Walk (1958), starring Van Heflin, James Darren, & Tab Hunter; Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), starring Robert Mitchum & Deborah Kerr; The Divorcée (1930), starring Norma Shearer & Robert Montgomery; Talk of The Town (1942), starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, & Ronald Colman; Moonlight & Pretzels (1933), starring Leo Carrillo & Mary Brian; A Guy Named Joe (1943) starring Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, & Van Johnson; Ben Hur (1959), starring Charlton Heston & Stephen Boyd; Suddenly Last Summer (1959), starring Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, & Montgomery Cliff; Brigadoon (1954), starring Gene Kelly & Syd Charisse; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The Tragic Life of Classic Cinema Star Gail Russell” (082) - 4/07/2025 Hollywood legend has it that ethereal beauty GAIL RUSSELL was discovered after a Paramount Studios talent manager picked up two hitchhiking Santa Monica high school boys who told him all about the "Hedy Lamarr of Santa Monica High School." Allegedly, he then tracked down Russell at school and arranged for a screen test. The rest, as they say, is Hollywood history. If only it had been that easy. Russell, who was painfully shy and had no interest in a career as an actress was pushed in front of the camera by her ambitious mother and the executives at Paramount who saw dollar signs in her startling blue eyes. This week, we explore the life and career of one of Hollywood’s most tragic beauties, GAIL RUSSELL.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Fallen Star: A Biography of Gail Russell (2016), by Steven Glenn Ochoa; John Wayne: The Life and Legend (2015), by Scott Erman; It’s the Pictures That Got Smaller: Charles Brackett on Billy Wilder (2104), edited by Anthony Slide; “Paramount Official Biography of Gail Russell,” March 1940, Paramount Pictures; “Gail Russell,” May 1971, by Jim Meyer, Film Fan Monthly; “Stars Attend Funeral of Gail Russell,” August 30, 1961, Los Angeles Times; “Private Rites Scheduled Today for Gail Russell,” August 29, 1961, Los Angeles Times; “Gail Russell Found Dead At Home,” May 28, 1961, Los Angeles Times; “Gail Russell Threatens to Sue on Wayne Case Charge,” October 21, 1953, The Los Angeles Evening Herald & Express; “Gail Russell Held On Drunk Driving Charges,” November 25, 1953, Los Angeles Times; “Film Star Gail Russell Jailed As Drunk Driver,” November 25, 1953, LA Daily News; “Gail Russell Fights Drunk Driving Charge; Trial Set,” November 27, 1953, The Los Angeles Evening Herald & Express; “Gail Russell Charges $150 Drunk Charge,” January 18, 1954, The Los Angeles Evening Herald & Express; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour (1943), starring James Lydon & Diana Lynn; Lady In The Dark (1944), starring Ginger Rogers & Ray Milland; The Uninvited (1944), starring Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, & Gail Russell; Our Hearts Were Young And Gay (1944), starring Gail Russell & Diana Lynn; Salty O'Rourke (1945), starring Alan Ladd & Gail Russell; The Unseen (1945), starring Joel McCrea & Gail Russell; Our Hearts Were Growing Up (1946), starring Gail Russell & Diana Lynn; Calcutta (1947), starring Alan Ladd & Gail Russell; Angel And The Badman (1947), starring John Wayne & Gail Russell; Night Has A Thousand Eyes (1948), starring Edward G. Robinson, Gail Russell, & JohnLund; Moonrise (1948), starring Dane Clark & Gail Russell; Wake of the Red Witch (1948), starring John Wayne & Gail Russell; Song of India (1949), starring Turban Bey & Gail Russell; El Paso (1949), starring John Wayne, Sterling Hayden, & Gail Russell; The Great Dan Patch (1949), starring Dennis O’Keefe; Captain China (1950), starring John Payne & Gail Russell; 7 Men From Now (1956), starring Randolph Scott & Gail Russell; The Tattered Dress (1957), starring Jeff Chandler & Jeanne Crain; The Silent Call (1961), starring Gail Russell & Roger Mobley --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“RICHARD CARLSON: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” (081) - 3/31/2025 Tall, dark-haired, and handsome, RICHARD CARLSON was always a welcomed addition to any cast. From the beginning, when he was playing preppy college students opposite LANA TURNER, to his reign in the 1950s as the King of Sci-Fi thrillers, Carlson brought believability and authority to each role but also a sense of introspective thoughtfulness. You looked into his deep blue eyes and chiseled face and believed him. Whatever he was selling, we were buying. And while he never became an A-list leading man, he enjoyed a long and steady career and enhanced many a mediocre film with his special appeal. This week, we celebrate RICHARD CARLSON as our Star of the Month.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Monsters in the Machine (2016), by Steffen Hantke; Keep Watching the Skies (2009), by Bill Warren; “Richard Carlson: Albert Lea’s Other Film & Television Star,” December 24, 2016, by Ed Shannon; “Today’s Underrated Actor Spotlight: Richard Carlson,” June 24, 2105, by Bynum, www.thetinseltoentwins.com; “A Tribute To Richard Carlson,’ January 9, 2014, www.scififilmfiesta.com; “Richard Carlson, Actor, Dies at 65,” November 27, 1977, New York Times; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Desert Death (1935), starring Raymond Hatton; The Young in Heart (1938), starring Janet Gaynor, Roland Young, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr & Paulette Goddard; The Duke of West Point (1938), starring Louis Hayward & Joan Fontaine; Winter Carnival (1939), starring Ann Sheridan, Richard Carlson, & Robert Mitchum; These Glamour Girls (1939), starring Lana Turner & Lew Ayres; Dancing Co-Ed (1939), starring Lana Turner & Richard Carlson; Beyond Tomorrow (1940), starring Haley Carey & Charles Winning; No, No, Nanette (1940), starring Anna Neagle; The Howards of Virginia (1940), starring Cary Grant & Martha Scott; Back Street (1941), starring Margaret Sullavan & Charles Boyer; The Little Foxes (1941Ol staring Bette Davis & Teresa Wright; The Affairs of Martha (1942), starring Marsha Hunt & Richard Carlson; My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1942), starring Richard Carlson & Martha O’Driscoll; Fly By Night (1942) starring Richard Carlson & Nancy Kelly; Hold That Ghost (1941), starring Bud Abbot & Lou Costello; White Cargo (1942), staring Hedy Lamarr& Walter Pidgeon; Presenting Lily Mars (1943), starring Judy Garland & Van Heflin; The Man From Down Under (1943), starring Charles Laughton & Donna Reed; So Well Remembered (1947), starring John Mills & Martha Scott; Behind Locked Doors (1948), starring Richard Carlson & Lucille Bremer; The Amazing Mr. X (1948), starring Turban Bey, Lynn Bari, & Cathy O’Donnell; King Solomon’s Mines (1950), starring Stewart Granger & Deborah Kerr; The Sound of Fury (1950), starring Frank Lovejoy; The Blue Veil (1951), starring Jane Wyman, Charles Laughton, & Joan Blondell; The Magnetic Monster (1953), starring Richard Carlson; It Came from Outer Space (1954), starring Richard Carlson & Barbara Rush; The Maze (1953), starring Richard Carlson & Hillary Brooke; The Creature from The Black Lagoon (1954), starring Richard Carlson & Julie Adams; All I Desire (1953), starring Barbara Stanwyck & Richard Carlson; Riders To the Stars (1954), starring William Lundigan; Appointment with a Shadow (1957), starring George Nadar; The Saga of Hemp Brown (1957), starring Rory Calhoun; Johnny Rocco (1958), starring Richard Evers & Coleen Gray; Tormented (1960), starring Richard Carlson; Kid Rodelo (1966), starring Broderick Crawford & Janet Leigh; Change of Habit (1969), starring Elvis Pressly, Mary Tyler moore, & Richard Carlson; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"IT'S FATAL: WHAT IS FILM NOIR?" (PART III) (080) 3/24/2025 Welcome to the third and final installment of our series on Film Noir. As we have previously discussed the technical elements of noir and met the typical character’s of noir, we will now take a look at the creative aspects of the genre that help create that special brand of dark, sexy, deadly movies. We’ll discuss dialogue, and clever devices like voice overs, flashbacks, and dream sequences that enhance these dark, moody films. We’ll also look at the fatalistic themes that reigned supreme throughout the genre.  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Film Noir (2017), by Alian Silver & James Ursini; Into the Darkness: The Hidden World of Film Noir 1941-1959 (2016), by Mark A. Viera; More than Night: film Noir in Its Contexts (2008), by James Naremore; Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (1998), by Eddie Muller; Voices in the Dark: The Narrative Patterns of Film Noir (1989), by J.P. Telotte; Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the American Style (1979), edited by Alain Silver & Elizabeth Ward; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Impact (1949), starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn, Helen Walker, & Anna May Wong; Gilda (1946), starring Rita Hayworth & Glenn Ford; Gun Crazy (1950), starring John Dall & Peggy Cummins; The Brother's Rico (1957), starring Richard Conte, Diane Foster, & James Darren; D.O.A. (1950), starring Edmond O’Brien; Cape Fear (1962), starring Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck, and Polly Bergen; Double Indemnity (1944), starring Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, & Edward G. Robinson; Clash By Night (1952), starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, & Paul Douglas; The Man I Love (1947), starring Ida Lupino & Robert Alda; The Maltese Falcon (1941), starring Humphrey Bogart & Mary Astor; Dead Reckoning (1947), starring Humphrey Bogart & Lizabeth Scott; Detour (1945), starring Tom Neal & Ann Savage; Laura (1944), starring Gene Tierney & Dana Andrews; City That Never Sleeps (1953), starring Gig Young & Mala Powers; Sunset Boulevard (1950), starring Gloria Swanson & William Holden; The Killers (1946), starring Burt Lancaster & Ava Gardner; The Great Flamarion (1945), starring Erich von Stroheim & Mary Beth Hughes; The Locket (1946), starring Laraine Day, Robert Mitchum, & Brian Aherne; The Invisible Wall (1946), starring Don Castle & Virginia Christine; The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), starring Barbara Stanwyck, Van Heflin, Lizabeth Scott & Kirk Douglas; The Dark Past (1948), starring William Holden, Nina Foch, & Lee J. Cobb; Murder My Sweet (1945), starring Dick Powell & Claire Trevor; The Woman On The Beach (1947), starring Robert Ryan & Joan Bennett; Spellbound (1945), starring Ingrid Bergman & Gregory Peck; Manhandled (1949), starring Dorothy Lamour, Sterling Hayden, & Dan Duryea; Scarlet Street (1945), starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, & Dan Duryea; Moonrise (1948), starring Dane Clark & Gail Russell; Out of the Past (1947), starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, & Kirk Douglas; In a Lonely Place (1950), starring Humphrey Bogart & Gloria Grahame; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Episode Website Link: https://frombeneaththehollywoodsign.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"STRANGE CHARACTERS: WHAT IS FILM NOIR? (PART II)" (079) Welcome to the second episode of our special 3-part series on Film Noir. In this episode, we’ll explore the iconic character types that define the genre—characters who live in the grey areas of morality, driven by desire, deceit, and danger. From the hard-boiled detective to the femme fatale, we’ll unpack the timeless archetypes that give film noir its signature edge. So, grab your trench coat, dim the lights, and join us as we explore the complex, shadowy figures who walk the fine line between good and evil in the world of noir cinema. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Film Noir (2017), by Alian Silver & James Ursini; Into the Darkness: The Hidden World of Film Noir 1941-1959 (2016), by Mark A. Viera; More than Night: film Noir in Its Contexts (2008), by James Naremore; Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (1998), by Eddie Muller; Voices in the Dark: The Narrative Patterns of Film Noir (1989), by J.P. Telotte; Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the American Style (1979), edited by Alain Silver & Elizabeth Ward; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Born To Kill (1947), starring Lawrence Tierney & Claire Trevor; Murder My Sweet (1944), starring Dick Powell & Claire Trevor; They Drive By Night (1940), starring George Raft & Ann Sheridan; Thieves Highway (1949), starring Richard Conte & Valentina Cortese; Body and Soul (1947), starring John Garfield & Lilli Palmer; The Killers (1946), starring Burt Lancaster & Ava Gardner; The Set-Up (1949), starring Robert Ryan & Audrey Totter;  Act of Violence (1948), starring Van Heflin, Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh & Mary Astor; In a Lonely Place (1950), starring Humphrey Bogart & Gloria Grahame; Nightmare Alley (1947(, starring Tyrone Power & Coleen Gray; Leave Her To Heaven (1944), starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde & Jeanne Crain; The Lady From Shanghai (1947), starring Orson Welles & Rita Hayworth; Out of the Past (1947), starring Robert Mitchum & Jane Greer; Scarlet Street (1947), starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett & Dan Duryea; Detour (1945), starring Tom Neal & Ann Savage;  Dead Reckoning (1947), starring Humphrey Bogart & Lizabeth Scott; Criss Cross (1949), starring Burt Lancaster & Yvonne DeCarlo; Gun Crazy (1950), starring John Dall & Peggy Cummins; The Killing (1956), starring Sterling Hayden & Coleen Gray; Impact (1949), starring Brian Donlevy & Ella Raines; Kiss of Death (1947), starring Victor Mature, Richard Widmark & Coleen Gray; Kansas City Confidential (1952), starring John Payne & Coleen Gray; Raw Deal (1948), starring Dennis O’Keefe, Claire Trevor & Marsha Hunt; Phantom Lady (1944), starring Ella Raines & Alan Curtis; They Live By Night (1948), starring Farley Granger & Cathy O’Donnell; Fallen Angel (1945), starring Dana Andrews, Alice Faye & Linda Darnell; White Heat (1949), starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo & Margaret Wycherly; Night In The City (1950), starring Richard Widmark & Gene Tierney; The Big Combo (1955), starring Cornell Wilde, Jean Wallace, Richard Conte & Helen Walker; Pick Up On South Street (1953), starring Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, & Thelma Ritter; Too Late For Tears (1949), starring Lizabeth Scott & Dan Duryea: The Woman In The Window (1944), starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, & Dan Duryea; Manhandled (1949), starring Sterling Hayden, Dorothy Lamour & Dan Duryea; Desert Fury (1947), starring Burt Lancaster & Lizabeth Scott; The Letter (1940), starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, & Gale Sondergaard; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 78 - “FILM NOIR - Part 1 - WHAT IS NOIR?” - 3/10/2025 Have you ever wondered what exactly is film noir? TCM’s EDDIE MULLER describes it this way: “Film Noir is all about treachery, deceit, and paranoia. You’re never quite sure what is going on, who you can trust, or what dreadful pitfall waits around the corner.” This dark and twisted film genre popped up after WWII as a quiet cynicism began to creep into the national consciousness. In film noir, there is always an underbelly of darkness that comes out to play. And within the darkness, the shadows, and the neon lights, lie many stories of crime, dishonesty, adultery, murder, and mayhem. This week, we present the first in a special three-part series that delves into the darkest of genres where crooked cops, gangsters, torch singers, barflies, and other seedy character’s live, love, and kill. Join us as we discuss Film Noir!  SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Film Noir (2017), by Alian Silver & James Ursini; Into the Darkness: The Hidden World of Film Noir 1941-1959 (2016), by Mark A. Viera; More than Night: film Noir in Its Contexts (2008), by James Naremore; Dark City: The Lost World of Film Noir (1998), by Eddie Muller; Voices in the Dark: The Narrative Patterns of Film Noir (1989), by J.P. Telotte; Film Noir: An Encyclopedia Reference to the American Style (1979), edited by Alain Silver & Elizabeth Ward; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned:  Leave Her To Heaven (1945), starring Gene Tierney, Cornell Wilde, & Jeanne Crain; Desert Fury (1947), starring Burt Lancaster & Lizabeth Scott; Niagara (1953), starring Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, & Marilyn Monroe; Mildred Pierce (1945), starring Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth, & Zachary Scott; Johnny O'Clock (1947), starring Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes, & Ellen Drew; Double Indemnity (1944), starring Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, & Edward G. Robinson; Strangers On A Train (1951), starring Farley Granger, Robert Walker, & Ruth Roman; The Big Heat (1953), starring Glenn Ford & Gloria Grahame; I Wake Up Screaming (1941), starring Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Carole Landis, & Laird Cregar; Out of the Past (1947), starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, & Kirk Douglas; Phantom Lady (1944), starring Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, & Franchot Tone; The Killers (1946), starring Burt Lancaster & Ava Gardner; The Spiral Staircase (1946), starring Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, & Ethel Barrymore; Suspicion (1941), starring Cary Grant & Joan Fontaine; The Amazing Mr. X (1948), starring Turban Bay, Lynn Bari, Cathy O’Donnell, & Richard Carlson; Two O'Clock Courage (1945), starring Tom Conway & Ann Rutherford; The Letter (1940), starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, & Gale Sondergaard; The Third Man (1949), starring Joseph Cotten, Orson Welles, & Alida Valle; Kiss Me Deadly (1955), starring Ralph Meeker & Cloris Leachman; The Narrow Margin (1952), starring Charles McGraw, Marie Windsor, & Jacqueline White; The Dark Mirror (1946), starring Olivia de Havilland & Lew Ayres; The Woman In The Window (1944), starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, & Dan Duryea; The Lady In The Lake (1947), starring Robert Montgomery & Audrey Totter; The Lady From Shanghai (1947), starring Rita Hayworth & Orson Welles; Night of The Hunter (1955), starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, & Lillian Gish; The Naked City (1948), starring Howard Duff & Barry Fitzgerald; Pick Up On South Street (1953), starring Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, & Thelma Ritter; He Walked By Night (1948), starring Richard Basehart, Scott Brady & Jack Webb; Impact (1949), starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn, Helen Walker, & Anna May Wong; The Asphalt Jungle (1950), starring Sterling Hayden & Jean Hagen; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices