Front Row Classics

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 →

300th Episode Front Row Classics is celebrating its 300th episode with one of the most celebrated film authors working today. Brandon is thrilled to welcome historian, author & publisher, Sam Wasson. We discuss Sam’s origins as a film fan and what inspired him to write about film. We also discuss his two latest books, “The … Continue reading Ep. 300- Celebrating 300 episodes with Sam Wasson →

Dark City Dames Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back Czar of Noir himself Eddie Muller. Brandon and Eddie chat about the newly revised and expanded edition of “Dark City Dames: The Women Who Defined Film Noir”. The book chronicles Eddie’s interviews with 6 of noir’s greatest ‘dames’: Audrey Totter, Marie Windsor, Evelyn Keyes, … Continue reading Ep. 299- Dark City Dames-Interview with Eddie Muller →

It Should Happen to You Front Row Classics welcomes Spring with one of the most charming romantic comedies of the 1950s. Brandon and Emmett Stanton are discussing George Cukor’s It Should Happen to You from 1954. The film features one of the best film performances from the effervescent Judy Holliday. We also celebrate the 100th … Continue reading Ep. 298- It Should Happen to You →

McCabe and Mrs Miller Front Row Classics is celebrating the 100th birthday of Robert Altman by taking a look at one of his greatest works. Brandon is joined by Spencer Davis to discuss 1971’s McCabe and Mrs, Miller. Brandon and Spencer discuss this classic anti-Western which features stellar performances from Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. … Continue reading Ep. 297- McCabe and Mrs. Miller →

Connecticut in the Movies Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome actress & filmmaker Illeana Douglas to the show. Brandon and Illeana discuss her love of the movies which led to her becoming a professional in the business. Her love of the movies has led her to many exciting projects including her recent book, “Connecticut … Continue reading Ep. 296- Interview with Illeana Douglas-Connecticut in the Movies →

Love, Queenie Front Row Classics welcomes author Mayukh Sen to celebrate the life of Merle Oberon. Mayukh recently penned “Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood’s First South Asian Star”. The book captures the complicated life of Oberon while also providing a picture of the political atmosphere of the first half of the 20th century. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 295- Love, Queenie-Interview with Mayukh Sen →

Ole Buttermilk Sky Front Row Classics is taking a look at an unsung western classic from 1946. Brandon is joined by film historian & producer Daniel Marino to discuss Canyon Passage. The film, directed by Jacques Tourneur, embodies the post-war feelings of American in the forties. It features stunning Technicolor cinematography and an unlikely Oscar … Continue reading Ep. 294-Canyon Passage →

Welcome Back Duke Front Row Classics is excited to welcome back James Duke Mason this week. Brandon and Duke catch up on everything happening in the last year. They also touch on some of Duke’s grandfather’s (James Mason) best performances. The discussion turns to films like A Star is Born, The Last of Sheila, Lolita … Continue reading Ep. 293- James Duke Mason Returns →

His Girl Hollywood Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome author & entertainment journalist Maureen Lee Lenker. Brandon and Maureen discuss her origins as a classic film fan favorite film genres and most memorable writing assignments. The conversation, then, turns to her latest book, “His Girl Hollywood”, an historical fiction romance set in Classic Hollywood. … Continue reading Ep. 292- His Girl Hollywood-Interview with Maureen Lenker →

Garbo Talks! “Garbo Talks!”. Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of most promoted events in film history. Brandon is joined by Peter Martin to break down 1930’s Anna Christie. The two discuss Clarence Brown’s adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize winning play. This early talkie helped to cement Greta Garbo as a … Continue reading Ep. 291- Anna Christie →

Miss Grant Takes Richmond Front Row Classics is taking a look at an underrated comedy gem in the career of Lucille Ball. Brandon welcomes back Sarah Royal, author of “AKA Lucy”, to take a look at Miss Grant Takes Richmond from 1949. This film came two years before Lucy reached superstardom on “I Love Lucy”. … Continue reading Ep. 290- Miss Grant Takes Richmond →

We’ll Always Have Casablanca Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome author, professor & historian Noah Isenberg. Noah penned one of Brandon’s favorite film books, “We’ll Always Have Casablanca: The Life, Legend, and Afterlife of Hollywood’s Most Beloved Movie”. Brandon and Noah discuss their initial discovery of the film as well as their favorite moments. … Continue reading Ep. 289- We’ll Always Have Casablanca-Chat with Noah Isenberg →

Dial M for Murder Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most underrated classics. Brandon is joined by Emily Nesbitt to talk 1954’s Dial M for Murder. The hosts discuss Hitchcock’s unique storytelling and camera work. The performances of Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Bob Cummings & John Williams are also … Continue reading Ep. 288- Dial M for Murder →

Welcome Jacqueline Stewart Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome Turner Classic Movies host Jacqueline Stewart. Brandon and Jacqueline discuss her career in film scholarship and origins as a film fan. The two also discuss her passion for African American film history and silent film. The conversation, then, turns to TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar. … Continue reading Ep. 287-31 Days of Oscar with Jacqueline Stewart →

The Public Enemy Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of Hollywood’s most famous gangster films. 1931’s The Public Enemy set the stage for so many films that followed. Brandon is joined by writer, Sophia D’Aurelio to break down the movie. Sophia is versed in many areas of classic film, especially topics involving … Continue reading Ep. 286- The Public Enemy →

The Big Carnival Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most cynically biting films ever made. Brandon is happy to welcome back  author/historian Chris Yogerst to take a look at Billy Wilder’s Ace in the Hole.  This 1951 film is one of the most audacious films in Wilder’s canon. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 285- Ace in the Hole →

Rock a Hula Front Row Classics is celebrating the 90th birthday of Elvis Presley with one of his most popular movies. Brandon welcomes back Tristan Tapscott to chat about 1961’s Blue Hawaii. Elvis was at the peak of popularity and magnetism when he made this escapist musical romp. Brandon and Tristan discuss the many colorful … Continue reading Ep. 284- Blue Hawaii →

Storm Warning Front Row Classics is celebrating an audacious and vastly underrated thriller from Warner Bros. Brandon is pleased to welcome back Holley Snaith to discuss Storm Warning from 1950. This noir thriller was an allegory for the politically charged era of the Red Scare in Hollywood. Brandon and Holley discuss Richard Brooks’ and Daniel … Continue reading Ep. 283- Storm Warning →

Welcome John Joseph Front Row Classics welcomes content creator John Joseph to the show. John Joseph has a series of classic Hollywood related videos and posts through his various social media platforms. He and Brandon discuss the origins of their classic film fandom, favorite films and the studio system. The conversation, then, moves to the … Continue reading Ep.-282- Chatting Classic Hollywood with John Joseph →

The Big Parade Front Row Classics is celebrating the 100th anniversary of another landmark silent film. Our friend, Emmett Stanton, joins us to take a look at 1925’s The Big Parade. Brandon and Emmett discuss one of Hollywood’s earliest statements about war and how it influenced the films that came after. The hosts discuss the … Continue reading Ep. 281- The Big Parade →

The Gold Rush Front Row Classics is celebrating the centennial of one of Charlie Chaplin’s most beloved films. Brandon is joined by Peter Martin to take a look at 1925’s The Gold Rush. The hosts discuss their favorite moments from this landmark achievement that still entertains 100 years later.  FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Peter Martin … Continue reading Ep. 280- The Gold Rush →

The Magnificent Ambersons Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the greatest achievements from one of cinema’s true geniuses. Brandon welcomes Robert Bellissimo to celebrate Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons. Robert is the host of his own video podcast called “Robert Bellissimo At the Movies”. Brandon and Robert discuss how the film … Continue reading Ep. 279- The Magnificent Ambersons →

A Summer Place Front Row Classics is taking a look one of the most popular love stories from the late 1950s. Brandon is joined by film historian & author Sloan De Forest to take a look at 1959’s A Summer Place. The two discuss the origins of the film and how it pushed the envelope … Continue reading Ep. 278- A Summer Place →