Front Row Classics

Marion Davies Front Row Classics welcomes author & historian, Lara Gabrielle to celebrate the life of Marion Davies. Lara’s book, “Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies”, is a meticulously researched biography detailing Davies’ trailblazing life. Brandon and Lara mention the many misconceptions of Davies’ life & career. They also chat about Davies … Continue reading Ep. 342- Celebrating Marion Davies with Lara Gabrielle →

Welcome, Martin Turnbull! Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome author Martin Turnbull to the show for the first time. Martin is an accomplished scribe who has written several series of historical fiction novels set during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Brandon and Martin discuss his origins as a classic film lover and segue into … Continue reading Ep. 241- Chatting World War II Hollywood with Martin Turnbull →

Attica, Attica! Front Row Classics is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dog Day Afternoon. Brandon welcomes back Matt Duffy to take a look at this landmark crime drama from the legendary Sidney Lumet. The two take a look at the Oscar nominated performance from Al Pacino in one of his signature roles. The performances of … Continue reading Ep. 240-Dog Day Afternoon →

Hands Across the Table Front Row Classics welcomes back author & historian Olympia Kiriakou to discuss another gem from Carole Lombard’s filmography. Brandon and Olympia are taking a look at Hands Across the Table from 1935. The two discuss the romantic chemistry between Lombard and Fred MacMurray. The sleek direction from the underrated Mitchell Leisen … Continue reading Ep. 239- Hands Across the Table →

Summer Under the Stars Turner Classics Movies is celebrating its’ yearly Summer Under the Stars festival this August. Brandon is thrilled to welcome back actor/comedian, Mario Cantone to the show. Mario is co-hosting every Wednesday night with Ben Mankiewicz this August. His stint premieres tonight at 8pm est/7pm cst with Judy Garland. Mario and Ben … Continue reading Ep. 238- Summer Under the Stars with Mario Cantone →

Lydia Front Row Classics welcomes back author Mayukh Sen to celebrate Merle Oberon. Brandon and Mayukh are taking a look at one of Merle’s greatest screen performances. 1941’s Lydia provided Merle with a perfect vehicle to showcasing her talent & beauty. The two celebrate the incredible camera work and pace from director Julien Duvivier. We … Continue reading Ep. 237- Lydia →

Alice Adams Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the earliest triumphs of Katherine Hepburn’s career. Brandon and Peter Martin are taking a look at 1935’s Alice Adams. The hosts chat about the screenplay adapted from the Booth Tarkington novel. We also discuss the direction by George Stevens in one of his … Continue reading Ep. 236-Alice Adams →

Joyeux Noel Brandon welcomes back, friend of the podcast, Jeremy Arnold to celebrate Christmas in July. Jeremy is the author of “Christmas in the Movies: 35 Classics to Celebrate the Season” and is highlighting two lesser known gems. We start of with We’re No Angels from 1955 which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 235- Christmas in July 2025 with Jeremy Arnold →

Summer Movies The summer heat is raging and Front Row Classics is taking a look at some of our favorite summer movies. Brandon is joined by Jessica Pickens, an unabashed fan of summer, to count down their top 5 favorite classic films to watch in summer. Our picks run the gamut of stars from Frankie … Continue reading Ep. 234- Top 5 Summer Movies →

A Guy Named Joe Front Row Classics welcomes back, friend of the podcast, Morgan Matson to take a look at 1943’s A Guy Named Joe. This romantic, WW2 melodrama still packs an emotional punch due to the performances of Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne and Van Johnson. Brandon and Morgan discuss the MGM gloss along with … Continue reading Ep. 233- A Guy Named Joe →

Pretty Woman Front Row Classics is stepping into the 1990s to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Pretty Woman. Brandon and April Clemmer are discussing the classic film connections that permeate throughout the classic Garry Marshall comedy. They also pay tribute to the performances of Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and the final screen appearance … Continue reading Ep. 232- Pretty Woman →

Celebrating Hattie Front Row Classics welcomes Kevin John Goff to the podcast. Kevin is the great-grand-nephew of Hattie McDaniel and Executive Director of the Hattie McDaniel Estate. Brandon and Kevin discusses Hattie’s journey through show business and road to Hollywood. The two discuss the many barriers she broke and her astonishing perseverance. Kevin also discusses … Continue reading Ep. 231- Celebrating Hattie McDaniel with Kevin John Goff →

Cleopatra Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back Turner Classics Movies’ host, Ben Mankiewicz. Brandon and Ben are chatting about the new season of the TCM podcast, The Plot Thickens. This season focuses on the storied production of 1963’s Cleopatra. Ben’s great-uncle, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, helmed the mammoth production and had to navigate through … Continue reading Ep. 230- The Plot Thickens with Ben Mankiewicz →

Let Me Entertain You Front Row Classics is taking a look at the 1962 film adaptation of Gypsy. Brandon is joined by Jordan Rinkenberger and Kimmy Schofield to discuss the film. Jordan is the director of the upcoming production by Champaign Urbana Drama Makers in Champaign, IL. Kimmy will be tackling the legendary role of … Continue reading Ep. 229- Gypsy →

The Odd Couple Front Row Classics welcomes Andrew Corns of The Revisionist’s Almanac podcast. Andrew’s show takes a unique look at past Oscar races where he and his guests re-vote to see how those ceremonies may have gone in the present day. This week, he is taking a bit of a break from his serious … Continue reading Ep. 228- The Odd Couple →

O’ What a Beautiful Mornin’ Front Row Classics is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. Brandon is joined by three guests who are currently involved in the Springfield Muni’s production opening this weekend. We welcome Assistant Director, Jacob Pahde along with Curley & Laurey themselves, Nathan Moss and … Continue reading Ep. 227- Oklahoma! →

Pile Out, you Tramps! Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most daring films of the early 1950s. Brandon is joined by Larry Aubrey to discuss Caged from 1950. They discuss how Caged is the grandmother of all “women-in-prison” movies. Brandon and Larry also celebrate the Oscar nominated performances of Eleanor … Continue reading Ep. 226- Caged →

The Garland Legacy Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome Vanessa O’Neil to the podcast. Vanessa is the granddaughter of Judy Garland and daughter of, recent podcast guest, Lorna Luft. Brandon and Vanessa discuss what it means to carry the Garland Legacy and how she recently decided to pick up the mantle. The two also … Continue reading Ep. 325- A Conversation with Vanessa O’Neil →

You’re Lookin’ at Country Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most celebrated biopics in history. Brandon is, once again, joined by Peter Martin to discuss 1980’s Coal Miner’s Daughter. We discuss the Oscar winning performance of Sissy Spacek at the legendary Loretta Lynn. Brandon and Peter also pay tribute to … Continue reading Ep. 324- Coal Miner’s Daughter →

This or That Back by popular demand, Brandon is one again joined by Ben Burke, Emmett Stanton and Matt Duffy to discuss all things Classics film. The four play classic film games, discuss guilty pleasures and talk performances they wish could be recast. It’s another episode of outrageous fun with three of the Front Row’s … Continue reading Ep. 323-More Classics Film Opinions with Brandon and Friends →

Musical Matinee We’re continuing our tenth anniversary celebration with a conversation with Turner Classic Movies Host, Dave Karger. Dave and Brandon both share an affinity for movie musicals and spend time discussing some of their favorites. We also discuss what Dave has coming up on Musical Matinee which airs every Saturday at 12pm est/11am cst … Continue reading Ep. 322- Talking Movie Musicals with Dave Karger →

Welcome Lorna and Duke Front Row Classics is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week and we’re celebrating with a series of special episodes. Today, Brandon is chatting with two very special guests. We welcome the wonderful Lorna Luft and, friend of the podcast, James Duke Mason.  Lorna and Duke chat with Brandon about 1954’s A … Continue reading Ep. 321- A Conversation with Lorna Luft and James Duke Mason →

Written on the Wind Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most popular films in the catalog of Douglas Sirk. Brandon and Emmett Stanton discuss 1956’s Written on the Wind. The hosts celebrate Sirk’s signature style and melodramatic tone that permeate through all his films. The two also discuss the star … Continue reading Ep. 320- Written on the Wind →

Jezebel Front Row Classics welcomes back our friends from Sweet Tea and TV to take a look at another movie with a southern flavor. Brandon welcomes back Nikki and Salina to take a look at 1938’s Jezebel. The three discuss the Oscar-winning performance from Bette Davis and why it remains one of the standouts of … Continue reading Ep. 319- Jezebel →

I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side Front Row Classics is taking a splash this summer with Esther Williams. Brandon and Ben Burke are chatting about 1953’s Dangerous When Wet. The two discuss Williams’ underrated talents as well as the prolific career of director, Charles Walters. The talents of Fernando Lamas, William Demarest, … Continue reading Ep. 318- Dangerous When Wet →

NEELY O’ HARA!!! Front Row Classics is taking a look at a not-so-great movie that has earned a cult status over the decades. Brandon welcomes Nigel Speed and Kevin McLain to discuss 1967’s Valley of the Dolls. We talk about the camp legacy the movie has left behind along with the devoted following from the … Continue reading Ep. 317- Valley of the Dolls →

Liza with a Z Front Row Classics welcomes back historian and freelance writer, Holley Snaith. Holley recently contributed two articles for PBS’ American Masters documentary, “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story. Brandon and Holley discuss the highlights of the documentary as well as their own thoughts of Liza career, especially her career in film. … Continue reading Ep. 316- Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story with Holley Snaith →

Happy Birthday Judy! Front Row Classics welcomes Pat Gallagher to celebrate Judy Garland on her 103rd birthday today! Pat is the “man behind the curtain” of The Judy Garland Archive on Instagram. He has earned a loyal following through his thought curation of Garland’s life and career. Brandon and Pat discuss their mutual admiration for … Continue reading Ep. 315- Celebrating Judy Garland with Pat Gallagher →

TCM Imports Front Row Classics welcomes back Turner Classic Movies host, Alicia Malone. Alicia recently penned “TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema”. Brandon and Alicia discuss the origins of the book along with her passion for international cinema. The two also discuss the wide variety of genres covered in the book. … Continue reading Ep. 314- TCM Imports with Alicia Malone →

Celebrating Vera Miles Front Row Classics welcomes author, Christopher McKittrick, to celebrate Vera Miles. Chris recently penned a book called “Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away”. Brandon and Chris discuss how Miles’ shaped her life & career on her own terms. We also discuss her relationship with Alfred Hitchcock while making films like … Continue reading Ep. 313-The Hitchcock Blonde That Got Away-Interview with Christopher McKittrick →

Nashville Front Row Classics is celebrating the centennial of the great Robert Altman with one of this true masterpieces. Brandon and Emmett Stanton are taking a look at 1975’s Nashville. We discuss the legendary ensemble cast featuring the likes of Lily Tomlin, Henry Gibson, Ned Beatty, Keith Carradine, Shelley Duvall, Ronee Blakley and Geraldine Chaplin. … Continue reading Ep. 312- Nashville →

George Stevens Jr. Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back George Stevens Jr to the podcast. George was this year’s recipient of the Robert Osborne Award at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. Brandon and George discuss the award as well as the restoration of “Talk of the Town” and his documentary, “George Stevens: … Continue reading Ep. 311-TCM Film Festival-Conversation with George Stevens Jr. →

Witness for the Prosecution Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most popular courtroom mysteries ever made. Brandon is joined by friend of the podcast, Matt Duffy, to celebrate Billy Wilder’s Witness for the Prosecution. Brandon and Matt celebrate the wit, drama and humor of this movies based on a play … Continue reading Ep. 310- Witness for the Prosecution →

Dancing on the Edge Front Row Classics is proud to welcome Russ Tamblyn to the podcast! Brandon and Russ sit down to discuss several of the stories found in Russ’ memoir “Dancing on the Edge: A Journey of Living, Loving, and Tumbling Through Hollywood.” The two discuss his memories of films like Father of the … Continue reading Ep. 309- Dancing on the Edge-An Interview with Russ Tamblyn →

Welcome to Manderley Front Row Classics is taking a look at the only Best Picture winning film from Alfred Hitchcock’s canon. Brandon is joined by Peter Martin to discuss 1940’s Rebecca. The film remains a favorite due to its gothic atmosphere and stellar performances. Brandon and Peter discuss the similarities and differences from Daphne du … Continue reading Ep. 308- Rebecca →

Welcome Alicia Mayer Front Row Classics welcomes Alicia Mayer to the podcast this week! Alicia’s family history is rooted in the Golden Age of Hollywood. She is the grand niece of Louis B Mayer and granddaughter of Ida Mayer Cummings. Brandon and Alicia discuss the history of the Mayer family and their immigration to America. … Continue reading Ep. 307-Discussing the Mayer Family Legacy with Alicia Mayer →

The Best of Cary Grant Front Row Classics is celebrating the ever-eduring star power of Cary Grant! We’re trying out something different in this episode and hope you’ll like it. Brandon is joined by actor, writer and social media curator, Cassidy Krygger. Cassidy and Brandon will be counting down their personal top 5 favorite Cary … Continue reading Ep. 306- Top 5 Cary Grant Performances with Cassidy Krygger →

TCM Film Fest 2025 It was another eventful year at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival in 2025. Brandon is joined by the Front Row’s Associate Editor in Chief, Craig McFarland, to talk about the many highlights from his third trip to Los Angeles.  FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Craig McFarland Don't forget to follow/reach us … Continue reading Ep. 305- TCM Film Festival 2025 Recap →

Mad About Musicals Front Row Classics welcomes back, friend of the podcast, Jessica Pickens to celebrate one of our favorite genres. Brandon and Jessica are celebrating movies musicals. In this episode, we are sampling four favorites from the thirties through the fifties. We’re taking a look at Footlight Parade (1933), Moon Over Miami (1941), Bathing … Continue reading Ep. 304- Mad About Musicals with Jessica Pickens →

Captains Courageous Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most celebrated adventure films of all time. Brandon is joined by author & historian John DiLeo to discuss 1937’s Captain Courageous. Victor Fleming’s adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s novel still tugs are the heartstrings. Brandon and John celebrate the amazing performance of Freddie … Continue reading Ep. 303- Captains Courageous →

An Affair to Remember Front Row Classics is celebrating one of the most popular romances in film history. Brandon welcomes Daveyanna Garcia to take a look at 1957’s An Affair to Remember. The two discuss many of the memorable moments between stars Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. We also discuss the connections between the original … Continue reading Ep. 302- An Affair to Remember →

TCM Film Fest 2025 Brandon is out in LA and ready to celebrate the 16th annual TCM Film Festival. Before he left Illinois, he was able to chat with Scott McGee. Scott is the Senior Director of Original Programming for Turner Classic Movies and is one of the original architects of the Festival. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 301- 2025 TCM Festival Preview with Scott McGee →