Reflections “On Golden Pond” (1981)

A lake house, a birthday that feels like a deadline, and one of the most honest portraits of family tension Hollywood ever put on screen. We’re talking about “On Golden Pond” (1981), the beloved classic that somehow became a massive hit and then slipped out of everyday movie conversation, and we’re coming back to it with fresh eyes and a very personal reason for doing so.We dig into Henry Fonda’s final great role in our Swan Song series and why his Norman Thayer is more than a cranky old man. We also celebrate Katharine Hepburn’s Ethel, the spark that keeps the marriage alive, and the performance that makes the film feel warm instead of sentimental. Along the way, we unpack the Jane Fonda layer: Chelsea’s need for approval, the barbed humor, and how the movie becomes a kind of on-screen attempt at real reconciliation.You’ll hear behind-the-scenes context on Ernest Thompson’s play, the fight to finance a quiet character drama led by older stars, and why director Mark Rydell’s patient pacing feels almost radical today. We also spotlight the scenes that define the film: Norman getting lost, the Parcheesi blowup, the boat accident, and the “perfectly imperfect” father-daughter conversation that doesn’t solve everything but changes what’s possible.If you love classic movies, Golden Age Hollywood history, and thoughtful film analysis about aging, mortality, and family relationships, hit play. Subscribe, share with a friend who thinks it’s “too sad,” and leave us a review so more listeners can find the show.Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

“I sing for myself. I sing when I want to whenever I want to.  Just for me. I sing for my own pleasure.”Was Judy Garland playing a character—or revealing herself?In her final completed feature film, “I Could Go On Singing “ (1963), Garland plays Jenny Bowman, an international singing sensation adored by millions but desperately lonely when the curtain falls. It's a haunting swan song in which the line between performance and reality becomes almost impossible to distinguish.This week, we explore the film’s troubled production, Garland’s compelling chemistry with co-star Dirk Bogarde, and the emotional tug-of-war between a mother, her former lover, and the son she longs to know.Part backstage melodrama, part intimate portrait of a legendary performer, “I Could Go On Singing” offers a haunting glimpse of the loneliness behind the applause.Join us as we revisit Judy Garland’s poignant cinematic farewell—and discover why this often-overlooked film deserves anotherText us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

Remember “The Swan,“ “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Makeover”? Reality TV promised us that with a little help, anyone could become a whole new person. But what if the ultimate makeover cost you your soul and ultimately your life? Think “Extreme Makeover: Nightmare Edition.”This week, for our Halloween celebration, we dive into just that proposition as we discuss John Frankenheimer’s “Seconds” (1966), a chilling psychological thriller starring Rock Hudson as a man desperate to escape his seemingly perfect life. When a mysterious organization offers him a new face, new identity, and a second chance, the American Dream becomes a nightmare.We explore Hudson’s inspired casting, the film’s nightmarish visuals, its haunting themes of identity and alienation, and its eerie relevance in our image-obsessed world.Booed at Cannes and rejected by audiences, Seconds has since become a cult classic. Join us as we peel back the layers of one of Hollywood’s most disturbing films—and discover why its warning about reinventing ourselves is more relevant than ever.After all, be careful what you wish for. You might just get it! Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

What happens when a man turns his back on everything society tells him he should want?In the aftermath of World War I, one man’s search for spiritual enlightenment takes him from the glittering drawing rooms of high society to the mountains of India. But the pursuit of inner peace comes at a price—and not everyone is willing to pay it.Based on W. Somerset Maugham’s celebrated novel, The Razor’s Edge (1946) stars Tyrone Power in one of his most unconventional roles, alongside Gene Tierney, Anne Baxter, and Clifton Webb. Behind the film’s glamorous surface lies a provocative exploration of love, ambition, obsession, and the elusive meaning of happiness.Join us as we explore the fascinating story behind this Darryl F. Zanuck production, its extraordinary cast, and the timeless questions that make The Razor’s Edge as compelling today as it was eighty years ago.Sometimes the hardest journey is the one that leads to yourself.Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

Mel Brooks famously said that the only way to get even with Hitler is to make fun of him. Although Mel said it, he wasn’t the first to do it. That honor goes to Charles Chaplin (The Great Dictator”, 1940) and to the director of our film for today, the legendary Ernst Lubitsch and his brilliant political satire from 1942, “To Be or Not To Be.”To be or not to be, that is the question of this movie. A troupe of second rate actors are the last line of defense against the onslaught of fascism and somehow it’s hilarious and terrifying at the same time. We walk through why this wartime dark comedy still feels so modern today,  from the brilliantly incisive dialogue, to the sleight of hand structure, to the hysterical and meta performances of its stars: the incomparable Jack Benny and the luminous Carole Lombard, in her final screen performance. The story keeps asking “what’s real and what’s staged?” as characters impersonate other characters, romances collide with resistance work, and jokes snap into suspense without warning. Along the way, we dig into what people mean by “the Lubitsch touch” and why the film’s sharp dialogue and careful misdirection reward repeat viewings. This film also kicks off our listener requested “Swan Songs” series, as it’s impossible to separate the movie from the legacy of the great Carole Lombard. We talk about her brilliance on screen, her war bond tour, and the tragic circumstances that made this her final film, adding a haunting layer to an already daring piece of political comedy.If you enjoy deep dives into Hollywood’s golden age, subscribe to Going Hollywood, share this episode with a film lover, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. What’s the boldest comedy you’ve ever seen take on real world horror?Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

A great sitcom can survive a lot, but it can’t survive forgetting who it is. We’re back for Part Two of our “Laverne & Shirley” 50th anniversary celebration, and we dig into why that basement apartment window, the working-class charm, and “Making Our Dreams Come True” still feel so alive 50 years later. The early seasons don’t just deliver laughs, they build a world where being the underdog is the whole point.So, we give one last hurrah to the Milwaukee era, remembering a few more of our favorite (and one of the most famous) episodes, and then we get honest about the big shift that changes everything: the move to California. We talk TV network decisions, time slot damage, new characters that don’t click, and how the show loses its original magic even when there are still a few fun late-season nuggets, including an appearance by “goddess-of-the-pod” herself, Carrie Fisher. We also unpack the behind-the-scenes reality of Cindy Williams’ exit and why it still stings for fans.Subscribe, share the show with a fellow classic TV lover, and leave a rating and review. What’s your all-time favorite “Laverne & Shirley” moment, and when do you think the series should’ve ended?Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

We're making our dreams come true today, as we dive into the wonderfully wacky world of our two favorite Milwaukee bottle-cappers while they transverse life, love, and a little vo-de-oh-doh-doh. Yes, we’re talking about Ms. DeFazio and Ms. Feeney today, in the first of our two part celebration of the 50th anniversary of "Laverne & Shirley"! This situation comedy, which aired on ABC from 1976 until 1983, defines the term “classic television”.  We’re commemorating the show’s 50th by going back to the Milwaukee years, when two blue-collar  turn bad luck into a weekly art form. And yes, we start where the show lives best: big character choices, physical comedy that commits all the way, and jokes that still land because the emotions are real.In Part One, we talk about how the series spins out of “Happy Days”, why Gary Marshall had to “rebuild” the characters for the family hour, and how Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams create a partnership that feels equal in a way TV rarely gets right. Along the way, we dig into the “Lucy” influence, the chemistry that makes absurd situations believable, and the secret sauce of supporting players like Lenny and Squiggy when they stay as just that: support. We also set the table for Part Two, where a terrible plot turn and growing backstage dramas change everything about the show we love so much. But that’s for later; today grab a Scooter-pie and a milk and Pepsi a join us in the festivities as we pay tribute to a TV classic. If you enjoy the show, subscribe so you don’t miss the next chapter, and please leave a rating or review so more classic TV fans can find us.Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

It's our 100th episode!! And we have something extra special in mind to commemorate the occasion.  We looked back 100 years to find a film that is widely considered one of the greatest silent films of all time - from 1926, it's Buster Keaton's masterpiece "The General".  A silent film where the biggest romantic rival is a locomotive sounds like a joke until Buster Keaton turns it into one of the most ambitious action comedies ever put on screen. It's a Civil War era train-chase epic that mixes breathtaking stunt work, meticulous visual storytelling, and a surprisingly dark sense of humor. We walk through why the premise is so clean and timeless: a railroad engineer loses the girl, loses the train, chases the train, and accidentally becomes a hero.We also get honest about what makes "The General" complicated. A comedy about one of the most tragic events in American history? That was what Buster Keaton took on in 1926, and its a choice that baffled many audiences and critics on release,  especially in an era when audiences expected war movies to be solemn and sentimental.  The lukewarm reception had a prolonged effect on the great comic's career, and after the film’s messy rollout and the initial box office disappointment, Keaton's career began a slow but steady slide into near oblivion.  The film's eventual re-evaluation and celebration by later generations is one of the most surprising and heartwarming stories in Hollywood history, and the long turnaround eventually put "The General" alongside the most celebrated movies ever preserved and praised.If you love classic Hollywood, silent cinema, or practical stunts that modern CGI cannot replace, press play, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a rating and review so more film fans can find the next hundred.Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

The news hit like a gut punch: Dolly is gone, and somehow the whole world is mourning at once. We needed to talk it out, but since laughter through tears is our favorite emotion, not with a stats-heavy deep dive, but with the stories, songs, laughs, and screen moments that made her feel bigger than celebrity and closer than a neighbor. We look back at the Dolly we met through film and television, from "9 to 5" (1980) to "Steel Magnolias" (1989) to the pure guilty-pleasure fun of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982),  plus a real soft spot for "Straight Talk" (1992). Along the way we dig into what made her performances work and that made even the lightest scenes feel true. And of course we talk music, including why “I Will Always Love You” lands differently in Dolly’s intimate original and why “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” has carried so many of us through hard nights.  Plus "Jolene", "Here You Come Again", "Coat of Many Colors" and all the songs that make up the fabric of our lives.We’re joined by two friends of the pod who bring Dolly into sharper focus. Playwright Del Shores shares personal meetings that capture her kindness and her lack of judgment. Author and documentarian Randy Schmidt talks about growing up with Dolly on TV, her master plan to become a “universal star,” and gives us  a sneak peak at his upcoming documentary, "Dolly Uncovered" . We also honor the heart behind the legend, from quiet generosity to the Imagination Library’s massive impact on kids and families. So don't feel like a bastard at a family reunion! Join us as we discuss this universally beloved star.  Listen, share it with a fellow fan, and subscribe for more. Then leave a review and tell us your favorite Dolly song or movie, what is yours?Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.

The line hits like a slap- literally: “Let me tell you the truth for once in my life...I was the slut of all time!” From that notorious confession, we jump into one of the most infamous Hollywood melodramas of all time, MGM’s "Butterfield 8". Today on "Going Hollywood" we're unpacking this notorious guilty pleasure from 1960, and why this film is widely called trash while still being weirdly hard to look away from. We dig into the behind-the-scenes story that makes "Butterfield 8" essential Hollywood gossip history: Elizabeth Taylor reportedly despised the script, rushed to finish her final MGM contract, and pushed for demands that shaped the production, including New York locations and a role for Eddie Fisher. Then we get into the on-screen chaos: Gloria Wandrous as “call girl” versus “model,” the Production Code-era dance around sex, and the film’s relentless need to shame and punish its heroine. Along the way, we talk about Lawrence Harvey’s chilly performance, the mink coat plot trigger, and that marathon car crash finale. The most revealing part might be the meta-layer. "Butterfield 8" plays as a commentary on Taylor’s real-life scandal with Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, right down to casting and styling choices that feel pointed. We also explain the title itself as a phone exchange tied to Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and we trace how Taylor’s near-death illness and tracheotomy helped shape her first Best Actress Oscar narrative, even as many argue Shirley MacLaine deserved the win for "The Apartment". Subscribe, share the episode with a classic film friend, and leave us a review, then tell us: is "Butterfield 8" glorious trash or just trash?Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpodTo watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rTo watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDTReach us at [email protected] to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.