War Movie Theatre

What could be more Christmassy, or more war-y, than Angela Lansbury punching Nazis? This week, we're off down Portobello Road and away under the briny sea as we watch the Disney classic war movie-witchcraft crossover Bedknobs and Broomsticks. We're joined by comedy writer James Kettle, whose hits include The Life I Lead, a play about Bedknobs actor James Tomlinson.Next week, in memory of Rob Reiner, we're watching A Few Good Men.Help us out by doing our listener survey: http://bit.ly/warmovietheatre-surveySuggestions? Comments? Drop us a line at [email protected] us at facebook.com/WarMovieTheatre or on Bluesky and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurence Olivier! Gregory Peck! Baby Hitler! Excited by the news that scientists have finally - finally! - managed to sequence the Fuhrer's DNA, Rob and Duncan are joined by Times history correspondent Jack Blackburn, a young man with a disturbing resemblance to... no, that can't be right. They're watching The Boys From Brazil, the Nazi buffet-crashing, father-murdering Nazi-cloning thriller comedy classic. With a smorgasbord of Nasty Nazis and tremendous deaths, the awards section is wide open in the only podcast to bring you rock-solid info on both James Mason's contract negotiations and Hitler's micro-penis.Next week, in a Christmas special, we're watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Help us out by doing our listener survey: http://bit.ly/warmovietheatre-surveySuggestions? Comments? Drop us a line at [email protected] us at facebook.com/WarMovieTheatre or on Bluesky and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Rob and Duncan are stranded in the Mediterranean, holding out against constant bombing, and starving under siege conditions, watching Malta Story. They're joined by former Downing Street Director of Communications Matthew Doyle, who since we recorded has joined the House of Lords - the second peer to come on the show. Jack Hawkins is as good as ever, but how is Alec Guinness as a romantic reconnaissance pilot? Is it fair to the people of Malta for the film to spend quite so much time dealing with the island's one spy? And might this actually be the operation that changed the course of WW2?Next week: The Boys From Brazil.Help us out by doing our listener survey: http://bit.ly/warmovietheatre-surveySuggestions? Comments? Drop us a line at [email protected] us at facebook.com/WarMovieTheatre or on Bluesky and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the second week running, we're with Australian troops, this time in the 1941 defence of Tobruk. Desert Rats took its name from a different unit, and quite a few liberties with the history, but it also delivered a some terrific scenes of commandos sneaking through the enemy lines on do-or-die missions, and caught Richard Burton as he was on the brink of stardom. And then of course there's James Mason, James Masoning. Next week: Malta Story.Help us out by doing our listener survey: http://bit.ly/warmovietheatre-surveySuggestions? Comments? Drop us a line at [email protected] us at facebook.com/WarMovieTheatre or on Bluesky and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Weir's 1981 Gallipoli set both him and Mel Gibson on a path to Hollywood glory, and also helped establish the popular narrative for a campaign that is crucial to Australia's national identity. Which is hardly a surprise, as it's one of the greatest films about the Great War. Even though -- or because -- it actually doesn't feature that much war. Rob and Duncan are joined by Chris Kempshall, historian of the First World War and Star Wars (though not both at once), and consultant on the forthcoming Gallipoli game, to discuss why the film is a great teaching aid, why posh Aussies sounded just like Brits in 1915, and why synth music was the obvious soundtrack for a 100m race in 1981 movies.Trigger warning: This podcast contains references to both England and Australia batting performances in the first Ashes test that some listeners may find distressing.Next week: The Desert Rats.Help us out by doing our listener survey: http://bit.ly/warmovietheatre-surveySuggestions? Comments? Drop us a line at [email protected] us at facebook.com/WarMovieTheatre or on Bluesky and Twitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.