"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." So were the alleged dying words of great English actor Edmund Kean in 1833. He couldn't have known that he was giving a perfect review of our film for today, Stanley Kramer's legendary comedic epic of money-grubbing greed, "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" (1963). A dying criminal's roadside confession about "$350Gs" buried under a "Big W" transforms a group of ordinary motorists into a crazed mob racing across Southern California in an epic tr...

We’re having a heat wave this week on "Going Hollywood" as we tackle one of the most iconic--and controversial--films in Hollywood history, starring one of it's greatest stars. Marilyn Monroe in Billy Wilder’s “The Seven Year Itch" (1955) The film represents a pivotal moment in Hollywood history – a technicolor confection where Marilyn's screen persona fully crystallized into the irresistible combination of sexuality and childlike innocence that captivated the world. We dive deep into what m...

Boy, do we have some ‘splainin to do! In this very special episode we dive into the revolutionary legacy of a television pioneer whose contributions have been overshadowed for decades- Desi Arnaz. While Lucille Ball rightfully earned her place in entertainment history, her husband and business partner fundamentally transformed how television works—from filming techniques to syndication models that still influence the industry today. We begin by exploring the “I Love Lucy” episode, "Ric...

Macguffins, albinos and dwarves, oh my! There is that and so much more in our film for today, 1978's "Foul Play". This perfect summer escape film stars Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase and a whole slew of wonderful and eccentric characters (including a pre-"Arthur" Dudley Moore) all under the guidance of filmmaker extraordinaire, Colin Higgins. Higgins, the creative genius behind "9 to 5," "Harold and Maude," and "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" is sadly little known today, but we in...

Why return to Minneapolis in the summertime? Because some television landmarks deserve multiple visits. After our first "Mary Tyler Moore" episode last season became one of our most popular, we knew we had to revisit the WJM newsroom and dive deeper into what makes this revolutionary sitcom the gold standard against which all others are measured. The magic of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" lies in its perfect balance of humor and authenticity. In this episode we discuss 4 MOORE landmark episode...

Movie Stars, ahoy! And “The Love Boat” it ain’t— it’s the granddaddy of all disaster films: Irwin Allen’s 1972 classic, “The Poseidon Adventure”. A wave crashes, a ship flips, and suddenly a boat-load of Oscar-winners find themselves in a fight to survive when the world turns upside down. This groundbreaking 1972 disaster film didn't just entertain audiences—it created the template that would define an entire genre for decades to come. There’s got to be a morning after when ...

Now boarding TGA Flight #2 non-stop to Rome! We've got elderly stow-aways (and Oscar-winners), surly mechanics, a French New-wave muse, and oh yes, a former movie star with a briefcase full of dynamite. Would you like an aisle or a window seat? Please fasten your seat belts as we take flight on "Airport" (Universal, 1970), the iconic film that launched the disaster film genre dominating 1970s cinema, surprising critics by becoming Universal Pictures' biggest hit ...

In "Midnight Express" (Columbia, 1978) Brad Davis delivers a gut-wrenching performance as a young man whose brief moment of stupidity in a foreign country derails his entire life and inexorably alters his future. Based on the true story of American tourist Billy Hayes’ harrowing fight to survive and escape from a Turkish prison in the 1970s, the film garnered 6 Oscar nominations and two wins (including one for first-time screenwriter Oliver Stone) and altered US-Turkish relations for years to...

Three producers. Four formats. One television season. “The Judy Garland Show” stands as a fascinating television tragedy that should have been a triumph. In the second part of our special tribute to Judy Garland, we discuss the sad but inevitable decline of what was to be the climax of the legendary singer’s career. Network executives shuffled through producers, writers, and formats with bewildering frequency while Judy struggled to maintain her artistic integrity. Today, "The Judy Gar...

In the fall of 1963, television audiences witnessed something extraordinary – the legendary Judy Garland starring in her very own weekly variety show on CBS. What should have been a triumphant venture and crowning achievement to an already legendary career became instead one of entertainment's most fascinating tragedies... and it was all captured forever on videotape. With a roster of guest stars ranging from old pals Mickey Rooney and Martha Raye, to the powerhouse Ethel Merman, to a ...

Listen, mister man! We don’t want to get all “oogly” about it, but Kathy Bates went from a relatively unknown, but respected, stage actress to an Academy Award winner when she portrayed one of cinema's most unforgettable villains in 1990's "Misery." Meanwhile, James Caan, who had disappeared from Hollywood's A-list during the 1980s, found himself back in the spotlight playing the bedridden writer forced to resurrect his killed-off character. Join us as we explore the film that remains Stephe...

In our final “Mother's May” episode, we explore what may be the most psychologically disturbing maternal figure in film history - Angela Lansbury as Eleanor Shaw Iselin in “The Manchurian Candidate”, a brilliantly prescient political thriller that resonates as strongly today as it did in 1962 release. The Manchurian Candidate (UA, 1962) Starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury. Screenplay by George Axelrod based on the book by Richard Condon Directed by J...

Well, kiss our grits! Our "Mother's May" celebration continues with a TV Mom-- a widow with a young son who became one of television's most beloved mother figures, Alice Hyatt. "Alice" wasn't just another sitcom—it was a cultural touchstone that made Linda Lavin a household name and introduced us to unforgettable characters who felt like family. Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagr...

It’s an interesting Mother’s Day celebration today, as we discuss our two very different experiences with George Steven’s 1948 masterpiece, “I Remember Mama”, the story of the everyday struggles and triumphs of a Norwegian immigrant family in 1910 San Francisco. At the heart of this story stands Mama, portrayed by the extraordinary Irene Dunne in what would be her fifth and final Oscar nominated performance. Dunne brings remarkable authenticity to this character—a woman who...

S2 E41 Happy Mother's May everyone! In our first episode for our special "Mother's May" celebration, we discuss one of the seminal dramas of the 1980s- Robert Redford's Oscar-winning film, "Ordinary People" (1980). "Ordinary People" might be the most misleading film title ever. The Jarrett family—living in their pristine Lake Forest mansion with country club memberships and designer clothes—appears perfect from the outside. But beneath that polished veneer lies a family shattered by tragedy, ...

It's Tony's birthday and we commemorate the event by celebrating one of the greatest romantic comedies of the silent film era, Mary Pickford's final silent masterpiece…from 1927, “My Best Girl". Far more than just another romantic comedy, this jewel captures a pivotal moment in Hollywood history—the absolute peak of silent filmmaking just before sound would forever change the medium. What makes this nearly century-old film remarkably special is watching real romance bloom on screen. As Pickf...

S2 E39 The butler didn't do it! Then again, Dame Agatha Christie never wrote that tired cliche. Join us as we embark on a glamorous, deadly journey down the Nile as we dissect the 1978 adaptation of Dame Agatha Christie's masterpiece, "Death on the Nile", a film that perfectly balances humor, intrigue, and shocking violence against the breathtaking backdrop of Egypt. Join us and a literal "boatload of Dames" as we discuss this film which represents the golden standard of ensemble mystery fi...

S2 E38 "Nobody's as good as Bette when she's bad!" So heralded a famous movie tagline from the 1940s, and nothing could be more appropriate for today’s film, Lillian Helman's tale of mendacity in the moonlight, 1941's “The Little Foxes”. In this classic film, the one and only Bette Davis plays Regina Giddens, a woman whose ambition knows no boundaries, and whose determination knows no limit. Many film scholars herald Davis’s performance as the greatest of her career…. and we agree...

S2 E37 As we launch into our second season, we couldn't think of a better filmmaker to celebrate than the masterful comedic genius of Mel Brooks. We give our take on two iconic films that showcase different facets of his boundary-pushing humor: "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety. A Mel Brooks, whose commitment to pushing comedy to its limits while maintaining heart and intelligence continues to inspire. What's your favorite Mel Brooks film? Let us know as we dive into a season filled with ex...

S1 E36 It’s our Christmas episode! And what could be more appropriate than celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with one of the most joyous films ever made? From 1958, it’s “Auntie Mame.” This classic film starring the magnificent Rosalind Russell in her most iconic role has become a holiday staple for many movie fans, and captures the essence of living life to the fullest in this holiday season. “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” is Aunt...