#82 The Night of the Hunter 70th anniversary with Imogen Smith

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]

In Cineversary podcast episode #82, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ hunts on horseback for the perfect film and finds it in Charles Laughton's The Night of the Hunter, which celebrates a 70th birthday this year. Joining him on this journey is Imogen Sara Smith, author of In Lonely Places: Film Noir Beyond the City, editor-in-chief of Noir City Magazine, and frequent contributor to the Criterion Collection. Together, they travel upriver to explore what makes this movie a masterpiece, the filmmakers it inspired, 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 #81, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ goes prospecting for comedic gold by revisiting Charles Chaplin’s The Gold Rush on its 100th anniversary. Accompanying him on this expedition is Jeffrey Vance, a film historian, film archivist, and author of the book Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema. Together, they mine the priceless merits of the Little Tramp’s hilarious and impressive adventure, examining how it has stood the test of time, what makes the laughs evergreen, and how scores of imitators have been influenced by this masterwork.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #80, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ lifts a golden chalice to toast the golden anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones. Joining him on this quest is Darl Larsen, a film and animation professor at Brigham Young University and author of A Book About the Film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Together, they collect several nice and inexpensive shrubberies, decipher obscure Swedish subtitles, and try to convince listeners that they’re not quite dead as they explore why this film still matters 50 years later.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #79, host ⁠Erik Martin⁠ marks the 65th anniversary of one of the crown jewels of world cinema,La Dolce Vita, directed by Federico Fellini. Accompanying him this month is filmmaker and Fellini scholarAntonio Monda, associate professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Together, they explore how the movie broke new ground, why it’s still relevant, its multiple themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].