#198: The Wizard of Oz (1939, with Front Row Classics)

Kristen and Emily return with Front Row Classics podcast host Brandon Davis to celebrate the release of Wicked by looking at the film that started it all: 1939's The Wizard of Oz. The trio discuss Judy Garland's casting, the economics of Oz, and various rumors. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's All Hallows Eve and we're closing out spooky season with a legendary Halloween treat. Director and Shining historian Lee Unkrich joins Kristen to discuss Stanley Kubrick's 1980 adaptation of The Shining. The pair discuss the nature of adaptation, Shelley Duvall's performance (RIP), and why it still holds up today. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Halloween inches ever closer much like the centipede? earwig? that dominates William Castle's 1959 horror film The Tingler. Emily and Kristen discuss Bill Castle and his gimmicks, Vincent Price, and why Warren Chapin might be the worst doctor character ever. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Emily and Kristen may be a week later than usual but spooky season kicks off with a bang as the duo talk George Romero's 1968 feature Night of the Living Dead! And along for the ride is acclaimed cinematographer Levie Isaaks. Levie, watching this for the first time (!), discusses the film's impact, what Tobe Hooper took for Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a new episode! Kristen and Emily are back celebrating the release of the Christopher Reeve doc Super/Man with a discussion of the 1978 film that made Reeve a star. And joining us is legendary comic artist Jon Bogdanove. We talk about why this superhero movie is different than others, Valerie Perrine stealing the show, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's Kristen's birthday which means she's picking the movie! Things take a turn for the historical with special guest Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast to discuss 1969's Anne of the Thousand Days. We discuss Hollywood's love of historical episodes in the late-1960s, Richard Burton bringing the cringe, and why Anne Boleyn is still a woman we love no matter how many Tudor adaptations there are. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Director Laurent Bouzereau accepted the challenge telling Faye Dunaway's story to the world. Faye is the result and it is such an insightful exploration into an actress who remains misunderstood (and iconic) to this day! Ticklish Business was fortunate to interview Bouzereau and discuss working with Dunaway, comparisons between this doc and Bouzereau's one on Natalie Wood, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

This was initially intended to be a bonus episode but with Emily and I navigating various personal things we've decided to make this an official episode and it's a good one! Director Nanette Burstein joins us to discuss her new feature, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes. We discuss Elizabeth Taylor's fame, the rumors that continue to swirl about her, and what she might hold in common with Robert Evans! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

Our vacation around the world of classic film comes to a close, but what an episode to celebrate with. Kristen is out this week but Emily and Samantha are back in the saddle to talk about Jacques Demy's fabulous French musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The pair discuss Catherine Deneuve, French fashion and that bittersweet ending. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne J Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

It's not every day you talk to Martin Scorsese's editor AND the wife of Michael Powell, Thelma Schoonmaker. But Emily and I did as part of the release of the new documentary Made in England: The Movies of Powell and Pressburger. Schoonmaker and director David Hinton sat down with us to discuss what makes Powell and Pressburger iconic directors, Thelma's work with Scorsese, and more! (This might be the highlight of our year.) Made in England is in theaters now! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne J Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger