Trade Movies #020 - To Be or Not to Be (1942) and Trouble in Paradise (1932) with director/showrunner/writer/actress Claudia Lonow
SUCH A FUN ONE!! Claudia is an amazing guest who has clearly worked with a lot better interviewers than me. She was very nice in guiding me back to actually doing an interview instead of just yammering myself (which of course I tend to do). ALL THE INFO about HER NEW FILM called DEAD can be found here:https://www.deadthefilm.com/It is playing IN A THEATER NEAR YOU PROBABLY RIGHT NOW as of September/October/November 2025!! It looks great!!and Claudia herself can be found:https://www.tiktok.com/@crapaportThe bot says: "In this engaging conversation, Claudia Lonow, a seasoned television producer, writer, and actress, shares her insights on the film and television industry, her personal experiences, and the evolution of storytelling in modern media. From discussing the challenges of network television to the joys of independent filmmaking, Claudia reflects on her journey and the impact of classic films on her work. The conversation also touches on the importance of humor in serious topics and the dynamics of personal relationships in the creative world. Claudia Lonow and Geoff Alexander also explore the evolution of family dynamics in comedy, the impact of personal experiences on writing, and the role of humor in addressing serious topics. They discuss the influences of classic cinema on modern storytelling, the legacy of forgotten women in Hollywood, and the challenges of modern comedy writing. The dialogue also delves into the art of character development, directing techniques, and the importance of visual storytelling, all while reflecting on the shifting standards of comedy writing and the lasting influence of classic films on contemporary writers."Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Claudia Lonow00:06:57 Musical Preferences and Family Dynamics00:12:49 Navigating the Television Industry00:19:03 The Challenges of Network Notes00:28:07 The Impact of Late Stage Capitalism on Creativity00:32:11 Navigating Personal Loss Through Creative Expression00:38:15 The Evolution of Humor in Film and Television00:44:20 Exploring Classic Cinema and Its Influence00:50:03 The Legacy of Carol Lombard and Screwball Comedy00:55:04 Dark Comedy and Its Themes01:01:31 The Changing Landscape of Comedy01:07:37 Cultural Reflections in Television01:14:38 Generational Love for Classic Films01:21:25 Reflections on Film and Comedy01:27:23 The Art of Storytelling in Film01:38:25 Influences and Inspirations in Creative Work01:44:35 The Lubitsch Touch: A Masterclass in Dialogue01:50:08 The Complexity of Relationships in Classic Cinema01:57:10 The Evolution of Comedy and Executive Influence02:02:40 The Future of Writing and Creative Freedom
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Interview with Tad Griffith, legendary trick rider and stuntman for The Mask of Zorro (1998)
THIS WAS SO FUN!!! A DREAM COME TRUE! The Mask of Zorro is one of my VERY all-time favorite movies, so getting to talk to the guy who does, in my opinion, the COOLEST horse stunt in any movie...incredible. I can't thank Tad Griffith enough for taking the time to talk to me today. His bio is seriously nuts: Mad Max: Fury Road, Iron Man, Fast & Furious, The Magnificent Seven, Cowboys & Aliens, 22 Jump Street, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and so much more. You can find Tad here and more information on doing actor training, stunt training, and anything horse-related:https://www.atadwest.com/I will be going there as soon as I can!Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Tad Griffith00:05:24 The Evolution of Trick Riding00:16:49 The Future of Stunts and AI00:26:47 The Role of AI in Animation and Stunts00:33:30 Training Horses: Individuality and Trust00:50:27 The Legacy of Film Craft and Animal Welfare00:58:41 Training Actors for Stunts01:04:20 Paths to Becoming a Stunt Performer01:11:01 Certification for Animal Performers01:17:07 The Mask of Zorro Play-By-Play01:22:40 Leapkick at the Camera01:25:57 The Iron Cross on a horse01:30:11 Trick Saddles on Horses01:32:29 The Coolest Horse Stunt in Movies01:34:45 The Art of Roman Riding01:39:49 Going over the camera while roman riding01:40:53 Using the Steedycam to make a shot safer01:46:50 Jumping over the tree01:51:12 Casey taking a bump on the tree01:52:52 Reflections on Risk and Performance01:55:33 Switching horses for the finale01:56:55 Shooting in Mexico01:59:10 Training the Next Generation of Stunt Performers02:04:22 Tad's innovations in filming with horses02:10:57 The Future of Stunt Work and Filmmaking02:17:00 The importance of ethical treatment of animals on set02:21:35 Wrapping up and how well The Mask of Zorro has aged
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Trade Movies #019 - Auntie Mame (1958) and Mourning Becomes Electra (1947)
MONICA LAWRENCE is my guest this week, a documentary filmmaker, writer, director, Zuni tribe member, former professional belly dancer, and who led 114 VESPA SCOOTERS in a rally! Very happy to have Monica on! You can find her here:https://www.tiktok.com/@devonself1Chapters00:00:00 Breaking Barriers: Leading the Vespa Rally00:07:15 Exploring Identity: The Unifying Power of the Ribbon Skirt00:13:20 The Importance of Cultural Exchange00:19:23 Embracing Diversity: The Melting Pot of America00:29:07 Diversity in Media Representation00:35:42 Historical Context of Native American Heritage00:40:09 The Impact of Representation in Film00:45:45 The Role of Native American Voices in Cinema00:53:47 Exploring Stereotypes in Classic Cinema01:01:12 Contrasting Themes in Film: Auntie Mame vs. Morning Becomes Electra01:08:51 The Tragic Nature of O'Neill's Works01:17:28 Seasonal Viewing Preferences in Film01:24:03 Cross-Generational Movie Watching01:31:57 Evolution of Hispanic Representation in Film
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Trade Movies #018 - The Snake Pit (1948) and My Cousin Rachel (1952) with Wilhemina
SORRY FOR THE SLIGHTLY late episode. We are moving to an every-two-week cadence because I have PROJECTS THAT MAY BE EXCITING TO YOU coming soon!! I also might pair this with a whole Olivia de Havilland week on my channels! This was such a fun ep, Wilhelmina is a OdH expert and I'm grateful to watch these two movies, which I LOVED. Find her here:https://www.tiktok.com/@orlaithmarchChapters00:00:00 Introduction to Olivia de Havilland Enthusiasm00:03:56 Wilhelmina's Journey into Film History00:05:41 Family Influence in Film Appreciation00:08:32 The Legacy of Errol Flynn and Classic Cinema00:11:31 Olivia de Havilland: A Trailblazer in Film00:14:29 The Impact of The Snake Pit on Mental Health00:17:33 Olivia de Havilland's Unique Acting Choices00:20:28 The Evolution of Female Roles in Hollywood00:23:30 The Significance of The Snake Pit's Message00:26:34 Olivia de Havilland's Lawsuit Against Warner Brothers00:30:53 The Legal Battles of Olivia de Havilland00:33:32 Artistry and Independence in Hollywood00:36:12 Method Acting and Character Preparation00:40:14 Exploring Neurodivergence in Performance00:44:32 Redefining Strength in Femininity00:55:10 The Complexity of My Cousin Rachel01:00:26 Character Interpretations and Performance Analysis01:03:28 Ambiguity in Acting and Storytelling01:07:03 The Complexity of Female Characters01:10:02 Acting Techniques and Character Dynamics01:16:12 Behind the Scenes: Method Acting and Rivalries01:23:46 Film Recommendations and Closing Thoughts01:24:39 Exploring Historical Melodrama in Film01:26:01 The Legacy of Theda Bara and Lost Films01:28:16 The Impact of the Hays Code on Cinema01:30:51 Rediscovering Lost Film Clips01:31:53 Recommendations for Olivia de Havilland Films01:35:57 Reflections on Aging in Hollywood01:39:53 The Enduring Influence of Olivia de Havilland
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Trade Movies #017 - Meek's Cutoff (2010) and The Hanging Tree (1959)
Jenna and I go NUTS for some Westerns. very thankful for her to pick Kelly Reichardt's excellent "Meek's Cutoff" (2010), which was tremendous and one of the best shot modern things that I've seen in ages. And to give me an excuse to watch "The Hanging Tree" (1959) by the absolute boy Delmer Daves, which has a serious argument for being his best movie. You can find Jenna here, which you should, because she's one of my favorite creators! :https://linktr.ee/jenna.sais.quoiChapters00:00:00 Introduction to Jenna and Her Work00:06:30 Cultural Reflections in 'The Sopranos' and Italian Identity00:08:50 The Impact of 'Goodfellas' and Family Dynamics00:14:47 Cinematography and the Aesthetic of 'Meek's Cutoff'00:20:39 Budget Constraints and Storytelling in Independent Cinema00:26:49 Cultural Narratives and Personal Experiences with Religion00:32:02 Culinary Delights and Cultural Influences00:38:40 Delmer Dave's Complex Portrayal of Women00:46:04 The Influence of Dorothy Johnson's Writing00:52:26 Contrasting Perspectives in Western Narratives01:09:21 Navigating Choices in Uncertain Times01:15:14 Exploring Toxic Masculinity in Cinema01:20:19 The Absence of Female Voices in Classic Cinema01:25:22 The Influence of Personal Experiences on Content Creation01:29:51 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Fashion01:34:49 The Concept of Expert Opinions in Relationships01:40:01 The Freedom of Aging and Self-Expression01:46:50 Historical Context of Mormonism01:56:59 Cinema and Film Culture02:05:57 Influential Films and Personal Growth02:13:21 Creative Collaborations and Inspirations02:20:26 Navigating Privilege and Identity02:28:36 Parenting and Film Appreciation02:34:21 Fostering Creativity in Children02:42:28 The Legacy of Pasolini and Italian Cinema02:48:20 Exploring Italian Film Aesthetics02:55:15 The Female Gaze and Marilyn Monroe03:03:20 Richard Donner's Cinematic Influence03:10:29 Crush of the Week: Analyzing Characters03:12:22 Recommendations and Reflections on Cinema03:27:41 Meta Commentary in Film03:30:09 Memories of Moab and John Wayne03:30:45 Masculinity in Classic Cinema
A podcast about trading movies with friends. Every episode, a guest picks a movie, and I pick a movie, then we watch them, discuss the two movies and the guest's relationship with movies.
Ireland