#92 The General and Modern Times 100th & 90th anniversaries with Thomas Doherty and Jeffrey Vance

In Cineversary podcast episode #92, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ puts candles on two cakes: one for Buster Keaton’s The General, celebrating a 100th birthday, for which he is joined by Thomas Doherty, a professor of American Studies at Brandeis University; and Charles Chaplin’s Modern Times, marking a 90th birthday, for which Erik is accompanied by film historian Jeffrey Vance, author of the book Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema. Erik and his guests explore how these masterworks by the two greatest silent film comedians have aged so gracefully, their impact on cinema, key thematic takeaways, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #91, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ sends 50th birthday wishes to Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese. Accompanying him on this anniversary cab ride is TCM host and Film Noir Foundation president Eddie Muller. Erik and Eddie examine how Taxi Driver has stood the test of time, why it’s worthy of celebration five decades later, its impact on cinema, key thematic takeaways, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #90, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 80th anniversary Notorious, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Joining him in this installment is Kim Newman, the renowned UK critic and film scholar, esteemed journalist, and award-winning author of The Definitive Guide to Horror Movies. Erik and Kim head down to the wine cellar to uncork exactly what makes Notorious great, why this movie deserves kudos 80 years later, what makes this film different from other Hitchcock works, salient themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #89, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ celebrates the 80th birthday of Brief Encounter, directed by David Lean. He and his guest David Thomson – the distinguished film critic, historian, and author of Sleeping with Strangers: How the Movies Shaped Desire – climb aboard the romance express and discuss why this film still matters, its impact on cinema, relevant themes, and more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #88, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honors the 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, directed by Milos Forman. He and his guest Patrick McGilligan – a film historian and author of Jack’s Life: A Biography of Jack Nicholson –  check themselves in for a voluntary visit to Nurse Ratched's ward as they profess how crazy they are for this movie and discuss what makes it great, its influence on cinema, pivotal themes, and more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode # 87, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ reanimates James Whale’s Bride of Frankenstein for its 90th anniversary. Joining him for this high-voltage episode is vintage horror historian Gregory Mank, author It'sAlive! The Classic Cinema Saga of Frankenstein. Together, they dissect the secrets behind Bride of Frankenstein: why the film remains so highly regarded, thematic takeaways that resonate in the 21st century, the extent to which it innovated horror cinema, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #86, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ takes it to the bank as he commemorates the 50th anniversary of Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon. Joining him for this golden celebration is Maura Spiegel, a film studies professor at Columbia University and author of the book Sidney Lumet: A Life. Together, they examine how this film remains resonant and relevant, the impression it made another filmmakers, major themes, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #85, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ is ready for his close up as he celebrates the 75th anniversary of Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. Accompanying him on this diamond jubilee is Eddie Muller, host of TCM’s Noir Alley and founder/president of the Film Noir Foundation. Together, they explore what makes this movie timeless and relevant, its influence on other filmmakers, prominent themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #84, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ powers up the old DeLorean and takes a scenic drive around Hill Valley to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. Joining him for the ride is the film’s co-screenwriter Bob Gale; and Michael Klastorin, author of Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History. Together, they examine the movie’s lasting impact on pop culture, the clockwork precision of its script, key themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #83, host ⁠ErikMartin⁠ takes a deep dive to search for the perfect summertime thriller and finds it in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, which celebrates a 50th anniversary this month. Accompanying him on this voyage is TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, and Baylor University film professor James Kendrick, author of Darkness in the Bliss-Out: A Reconsideration of the Films of Steven Spielberg. Together, they explore how Jaws marked a sea change in cinema, dissect the elements that make it a masterwork, hunt for key themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected]