Episode 381- Making Mary Poppins with author Todd James Pierce
In this episode, I spoke with author Todd James Pierce about his book "Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film". Making Mary Poppins reveals the extraordinary true story behind the creation of one of the most beloved films of all time―and the two little-known songwriters who helped make it possible.
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Episode 380- Butterfly McQueen and that Famous Saying
Guest Host James Lott Jr talks about Butterfly McQueen! Butterfly McQueen was an African American actress and dancer, best remembered for her role as Prissy in the classic 1939 film Gone With the Wind. Her distinctive, high-pitched voice and expressive personality made her unforgettable to audiences — but her legacy extends far beyond that one film.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook.The books are on Amazon.
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Episode 379 -On Dangerous Ground
Guest Host James Lott Jr talks On Dangerous Ground (1951), directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino:Release year: 1951. Runtime: 82 minutes. Genre: Film noir / crime drama. ✅ Critical & Audience ReceptionOn Rotten Tomatoes, it has a Tomatometer rating of 89% (based on 19 Critics).On Metacritic, its score is listed as “Generally Favorable” with a score of 78. The film is appreciated for its striking visuals, contrasting urban and snowy rural settings, and its score by Bernard Herrmann. 📌 Notable Production & Artistic DetailsProduced by John Houseman for RKO Radio Pictures. Screenplay by A. I. Bezzerides (based on the novel Mad with Much Heart by Gerald Butler). Music composition by Bernard Herrmann, known for his evocative style that enhances the film’s emotional tone. Cinematography by George E. Diskant. 🧮 Additional NotesThe film’s structure: It begins in a gritty urban setting and transitions into a snowy countryside — a rare shift in classic noir for that era. Though well-regarded now, contemporary reception was mixed; for example, critic Bosley Crowther of the New York Times gave it a less favorable review upon release.
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Episode 378-The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
In this episode I spoke with author Chris Yogerst about his latest book "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". Few lines of movie dialogue have had greater impact than the most famous line from John Ford’s 1962 masterpiece The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: “This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” Although critics of the day did not realize its magnitude, with time The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance has become cemented in our popular culture. This film connects to nearly every Western before or after, from Ford’s own Stagecoach (1939) to Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven (1992).
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Episode 377- Breaking Away: The Quintessential Underdog Movie
In this episode I spoke with author Steve Basford about his book "Breaking Away: The Quintessential Underdog Movie". Breaking Away, released in 1979, is the quintessential underdog movie, earning numerous award nominations and ranking in multiple Top Ten lists. Why is it so popular, to this day?What is Breaking Away about, a bike race? The race is the climactic ending of the movie, but a small portion. It's a story about class differences, honesty, pride, family, relationships, romance, and changing attitudes. In other words, it's about life.
Ireland