The Projection Booth Podcast

We conclude #Noirvember 2021 with a special episode about David Lynch's Lost Highway. Written by Lynch and Barry Gifford, it's the story of Fred Madison (Bill Pullman), a musician who has trouble trusting his wife, Renee (Patricia Arquette). When they begin to get anonymous deliveries of VHS tapes, the pair are plunged into an underworld of mystery… Jedidiah Ayres and Bill Ackerman join Mike to discuss the film and this phase of David Lynch's career.

Noirvember 2021 continues with a look at Wendell B. Harris's Chameleon Street. After winning the Sundance film festival in 1990 the film took too long to come out theatrically and died a quick death after it did. It's the story of Douglas Street played by Harris. He's a man who goes from installing burglar alarms to extorting a Detroit Tiger to impersonating a doctor, student, lawyer, and more. Jay Jackson and Jonathan Melville join Mike to discuss this thought-provoking film.

Noirvember 2021 continues with a look at Orson Welles's The Lady from Shanghai. It's the story of Michael O'Hara (Orson Welles), a sailor who falls in with a weird group of people: A gorgeous blonde, Elsa (Rita Hayworth), the titular lady from Shanghai, her husband, Arthur Bannister, a high-powered lawyer, and his partner, Grisby, a…well, he's kind of a weirdo who wants to fake his own death and pin it on Michael. Spencer Parsons and Peter Flynn join Mike to discuss this highly-compromised film.

On this special episode of The Projection Booth, Mike talks with John Alan Simon and Elizabeth Karr about the restoration of Dennis Hopper's Out of the Blue. Learn more at http://outofthebluedennishopper.com/

Noirvember 2021 continues with a look at John Boorman's POINT BLANK.  Released in 1967, the film was based on the 1962 novel by Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark.  The film stars Lee Marvin as Walker, a man who was betrayed by his wife and his best friend.  Now he's back, seemingly from the dead, and goes on a quest to kill his friend and get back the money he feels he's owed.  Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to discuss The Hunter, Point Blank, and the many cuts of Brian Helgeland's Payback.

Mike spoke with Jez Conolly and Emma Westwood about their Constellations book on John Frankenheimer's Seconds (1966). Pick it up at https://amzn.to/2Xdp2mW

Shocktober 2021 continues with a look at Jack Gold's The Medusa Touch. It's the story of John Morlar (Richard Burton) a man with a special gift who is "murdered" in the first few minutes of the film. It then becomes an investigation by Detective Brunel (Lino Ventura) who tries to learn more about Morlar, who murdered him, and why. Agatha Luz and Jeff Meyers join Mike to discuss psychic films, "dogs" of 1978, and more.

Mike spoke with cinematographer Ed Lachman about some of his earlier films (The American Friend, The Limey) along with his latest work with Todd Haynes, The Velvet Underground.

#Shocktober2021 continues with a look at Paul Wendkos's The Mephisto Waltz (1971). Based on the novel by Fred Mustard Stewart, the film stars Alan Alda as Myles Clarkson, a pianist turned author along with Jacqueline Bisset as Myles's wife Paula who isn't a big fan of Myles's new friend, the crotchety professional pianist Duncan Ely (Curd Jürgens), who harbors a dark secret. Rahne Alexander and Andrew Nette join Mike to discuss the film, its similarities to Rosemary's Baby, and how this and other supernatural flicks paved the way to the '80s "satanic panic".

Mike spoke with filmmaker Lynne Sachs about her career including an octet of films that are currently showing on The Criterion Channel.

#Shocktober2021 continues with a look at Álex de la Iglesia's 2013 film Witching & Bitching (AKA Las brujas de Zugarramurdi). It's the story of two men (Hugo Silva and Mario Cassas) who rob a gold re-buyer along with one of the men's sons. On the run from the cops they cross paths with a trio of witches in the spooky village of Zagurramurdi. Chaos ensues. Elena Romea (Spanish Fear) and Andrew Leavold (Trash Video Archives) join Mike to discuss this and many other of de la Iglesia's films.

We are kicking off Shocktober 2021 with a look at William Beaudine's Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) which stars Bela Lugosi (as you may have guessed) as well as comedy duo Sammy Petrillo and Duke Mitchell. They're a knock-off Martin & Lewis team and they're found on a little island in the Pacific that is populated by stock footage of African animals. Rich Whitley, Jamie Klein, and Fredde Duke join Mike to discuss the film as well as Fredde's documentary about her father, producer Maurice Duke, Fuck 'Em. Screenwriter Michael Barrie also stops by as well. Mike also speaks with writer Gary D. Rhodes about his work including his latest two-volume set, Becoming Dracula: The Early Years of Bela Lugosi.

We're wrapping up Czechtember 2021 with a look at Jiri Menzel's Capricious Summer. Released in 1968, it's based on a book by Vladislav Vancura, it's the story of three men on holiday who spend most of their time philosophizing and avoiding one woman while trying to woo another and getting nowhere. Kat Ellinger and Jonathan Owen join Mike to discuss the film.

Kat Ellinger and Jonathan Owen join Mike to discuss Juraj Herz's Oil Lamps (1971), a tragic fin de siecle melodrama about the Stepa Kilianova (Iva Janzurová) and her husband Pavel (Petr Cepak), a former solider who suffers from syphilis.

#Czechtember2021 continues with a look at Václav Vorlícek's Girl on a Broomstick, the story of a young witch who would rather escape to the world of human beings than be stuck in detention for 300 years(!). Gil Kenan and Kat Ellinger join Mike to discuss the film while author Hermína Franková (and her granddaughter, Hana Frank) discuss the writing of the original story and the 2019 musical version.

#Czechtember2021 continues with a look at Václav Vorlícek's 1977 comedy What Would You Say to a Nice Plate of Spinach? The film stars Vladimir Mensik and Jiri Sovak as a couple of nogoodniks who get involved in some industrial espionage to steal parts of a machine that ages, de-ages, and shrinks creatures. Just don't eat any spinach before undergoing treatment! Ben Buckingham and Jonathan Owen join Mike to discuss this oddball film.

Mike talks with director Roger Donaldson about his work from Smash Palace to The World's Fastest Indian.

Czechtember continues with a look at Otakar Vavra's Witchhammer. Based on the 1963 book by Václav Kaplický, the film looks at the paranoia of a witch hunt in Moravia during medieval times.  And, being released in 1970, the film also looks at the persecution of women as well as show trials in the Communist system. Samm Deighan and Rahne Alexander join Mike to discuss this harrowing film.

It's that time! Aaron Peterson (The Hollywood Outsider) and Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy) help Mike pull back the curtain and discuss the inner-workings of The Projection Booth. Mike answers listener questions, thanks Patreon donors, jaws on about how the sausage is made, and reads some bad reviews.

We conclude African Cinema month with a look at 2017's I Am Not A Witch in which a little girl lives with a group of witches in Zambia while being exploited by a government official.  Samm Deighan and Spencer Seams join Mike to discuss this beautiful and harrowing film.

African Cinema month continues with a look at Dakan. Directed by Mohammed Camara, it's the story of two young men -- Manga and Sori -- in Guinea who are in love. Everyone and everything tries to tell them that they shouldn't love one another including Manga's mother and Sori's father. Chris Stachiw and Spencer Seams join Mike to discuss the controversial 1997 film.

African Cinema month continues with a look at Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's 2006 film Daratt (AKA Dry Season) in which a young orphan, Atim, is set on a path of vengeance by his grandfather. Spencer Seams and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss the film while Professor Kenneth Harrow discusses his career writing about African films.

African Cinema Month kicks off with a look at Djibril Diop Mambéty's Touki Bouki (1973). Also known as The Journey of the Hyena, it's the story of two young people, Mory and Anta, who dream of leaving their Dakar and going to Paris. Ben Buckingham and Spencer Seams join Mike to discuss Mambety's Touki Bouki and Hyenas (1992).

We conclude Spaghetti Western month with Damiano Damiani's Quien Sabe from 1966. Released in the US as A Bullet for the General, it's the story of a Mexican revolutionary, El Chuncho, (Gian Maria Volente), and his relationship with his brother El Santo (Klaus Kinski), and a gringo named Chucho names Nino,(Lou Castel). Samm Deighan and Andrew Leavold join Mike to discuss this politically charged Western.

Author Clark Collis talks to Mike about his first book, You've Got Red On You: How Shaun of the Dead was Brought to Life, a terrific look at the making of Edgar Wright's second feature film. The book is available for pre-order at https://amzn.to/3iIfSWg

Spaghetti Western Month continues with a look at the Sabata films. The first and third films star Lee Van Cleef as Sabata, a bounty killer with a penchant for gadgets. Mark Begley and Heather Drain join Mike to discuss the three official Sabata films and four of the knock-offs which have little to nothing to do with the titular gunfighter.

Director Jon Spira talks to Mike about his career including his latest film, the 2021 documentary Hollywood Bulldogs: The Rise and Falls of the Great British Stuntmen. Keep up with Jon at jonspira.co.uk

Spaghetti Western Month continues with a look at Sergio Sollima's 1966 film The Big Gundown. It's the story of Jonathan Corbett (Lee Van Cleef), a bounty hunter who is being wooed to run for the US Senate. To cement his law & order image, he's asked to pursue the criminal Cuchillo (Tomas Milian).   Mike Malloy and Beth Accomando join Mike to discuss Sollima's Western trilogy.

Filmmaker, author, artist Ethan Minsker talks about his 2018 film Man in Camo as well as some of his previous work and his upcoming documentaries on Scooter LaForge and Film Threat magazine.   Learn more at http://www.ethanminsker.com/

Spaghetti Western month continues with a look at Sergio Corbucci's The Great Silence (1968). The film stars Jean-Louis Trintingant as the titular Silence, a mute gunfighter who shoots the thumbs off his enemies. He's pitted against the appropriately named Loco (Klaus Kinski) in a snow-bound Utah town in one of the most nihilistic films you may enjoy.  Maitland McDonagh and Ivo Ritzler join Mike to discuss the film and, unfortunately, discuss how it still has such a powerful resonance even today.

Spaghetti Western month kicks off with the psychedelic western horror film Matalo (Kill Him!) from Cesare Canivari. The film tells the story of a stage coach robbery, a ghost town, and some outlaws who look like they escaped the Manson Family.  Cullen Gallagher and Chris Stachiw join Mike to discuss this unusual film. 

On this special bonus episode, Mike talks to author Justin Berger about his book, The Empire Strikes Back Unauthorized Timeline 1975-2020 which puts the whole effort of putting together TESB as well as the marketing and post-release life of the film.

Sci-Fi Month continues with a look at Planet of the Apes from 1968. It's the story of a quartet of astronauts who travel to a distant world where evolution seems to have gone awry.  Richard Hatem and Edward G. Pettit join Mike to discuss the original quintet of POTA films as well as the Burton misfire and the recent trilogy.

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Mel Stuart's Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Mike spoke to Paris Themmen about his role as Mike Teavee as well as his time on Jeopardy and his adventures while backpacking the world. Get your copy of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at https://amzn.to/3djPaBr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the big takeover! Skizz Cyzyk and Mike White took over the See Hear Podcast to talk about The Sparks Brothers documentary from Edgar Wright. Enjoy and subscribe to See Hear via https://seehearpodcast.blogspot.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sci-Fi Month continues with a look at Steven Spielberg's 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It's really three stories in one. In the first it's former cartographer David Laughlin (Bob Balaban) who's been recruited to help French scientist Claude Lacombe (Francois Truffaut) investigate a strange series of alien visitations. The second concerns Julian Guiler (Melinda Dillon) whose little boy, Barry, is kidnapped by aliens. And, the third follows Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss), a man who's disillusioned with his life until he witnesses a group of alien ships which plant an image in his head as kind of an invitation to join them. Suzen Tekla Kruglnska and El Goro join Mike to discuss this landmark film. Interviews include production designer Joe Alves, screenwriter Matthew Robbins, second assistant director Jim Bloom, and special effects supervisor Douglas Trumbull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue Sci-Fi Month with a look at the 1981 film from director Terry Gilliam, Time Bandits.  It's the story of a band of god's workers who have stolen a map that allows them to travel through time.  Along the way they meet a young lad named Kevin (Craig Warnock) whose parents ignore him.  He joins the titular Time Bandits on their adventures as they run from god and into the arms of Satan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode, Mike talks with writer Mishna Wolff about her feature film debut, Werewolves Within (2021). Based on the Ubisoft video game, it's the story of Finn (Sam Richardson), the new sheriff of a dysfunctional town where not everyone is who they say they are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode, Mike talks with writer/director Prano Bailey-Bond about her feature film debut, Censor (2021). It's the story of Enid (Niamh Algar), a censor during the UK's "video nasty" era who's sister has gone missing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's more from the interview with Jim Bloom that wasn't included in the Empire Strikes Back episode. Hear Jim discuss his long and storied career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sci Fi Month continues on The Projection Booth with a look at Gary Nelson's 1979 film, The Black Hole.  It's the story of a group of astronauts who, after an unscheduled course correction, run across the missing ship The Cygnus, which is in stasis just outside of a black hole.   It's something of a re-telling of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Maximlian Schell playing Captain Nemo by way of Dr. Hans Reinhardt.   El Goro (Talk Without Rhythm) and David Kittredge (The Outcast) join Mike to discuss this uneven film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special episode, Mike talks with Susan Sandler, the director of Julia Scotti: Funny That Way. It's a look at Julia Scotti, a trans comedian. It's a "warts and all" documentary about Scotti and her journey to where she is today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're kicking off Sci-Fi Month with a look at the sequel to Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It's Irvin Kershner's continuation of the Star Wars story and perhaps one of the best sequels ever made. Chris Bricklemyer (Outside the Cinema) and Jamie Benning (The Filmumentaries Podcast) join Mike to discuss this beloved film.  Interviews include Associate Producer Jim Bloom, Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky, Editor Paul Hirsch, and authors Rebecca Harrison and J. W. Rinzler.

On this special episode, Mike talks with Filippo Meneghetti about his 2019 film Two of Us. It's the story of Barbara (Nina Dorn) and Martine (Madeleine Girard), a couple who have kept their relationship secret from Martine's family. 

On this special episode, Mike talks with co-directors Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Medow along with Franco Stevens about their documentary, Ahead of the Curve. It's the story of how Stevens created the first mainstream lesbian magazine in the United States via her creativity, tenacity, and a string of good luck at the track. Learn more at https://curvemagmovie.com/

Released in 1974, Gone in Sixty Seconds was directed, written by, and stars H. B. Halicki as Maindrian Pace. He’s an accident investigator by day… and a car thief by day too. He gets charged with stealing 48 cars for the unscrupulous Mr. Villas. All of the cars are given female nicknames and it’s the car named Eleanor that seems to haunt him as he and his crew get to work filling a very tall order. El Goro (Talk Without Rhythm) and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) join Mike to discuss Halicki's movie empire and the 2000 Dominic Sena remake starring Nicholas Cage.