Laughs & Lessons From Hollywood's Golden Age
Rashmi & Zach reach the end of their "One Last Job" unit of Noir with a trip to Australia and unspool the glory of Julius Avery's 2014 outing, SON OF A GUN. Tune in to hear them breakdown how the film draws upon its Noir ancestors & indie filmmaking savvy to create a tight crime caper on a budget with style!
Zach welcomes back podcaster Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) for a Top Ten Countdown dedicated to the greatest year in Golden Age Hollywood as they present to you: THE DIVINE '39 All last year, Ryan and Zach celebrated the year of 1939 in film by watching the classics and the underseen gems. Now join along as they each give you their list of Top Ten Films and why they treasure them so dearly. PLUS: The duo fix the 1939 Academy Awards so you don't have to! -------------------------------------------------------- Listen to Ryan each and every week on REEL NERDS PODCAST Website: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-nerds-podcast/id442184939 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NMZkh3WRDuIgIGuFRraEV and Follow the Reel Nerds on Social Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelnerds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNerdsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelnerds/?hl=en
Zach welcomes back return guests & Ballyhoo correspondents Andrew Bueno (Stand-Up Comedian, Writer), Matt Willocks (Filmmaker & Podcaster, 'Pulp Cinematic Universe' and 'History of High Adventure'), and Jace Perrodin (Filmmaker) to unpack a true crime case turned controversial motion picture from Warner Bros. in 1939 as they dive deep into CONFESSIONS OF A NAZI SPY! Tune in as the group lay out the details of the actual case, learn how the film was able to circumvent era censors and opposing forces, analyze its use of documentary & procedural crime drama, marvel at the bumbling nature of various characters, dissect the films effectiveness as a means of communicating a message, and finally settling upon how the film & the genre it created would change the face of cinema. Research Notes for the film can be found here: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/research-page/ To get a glimpse at Jace's own filmmaking skills, check out his YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/@jaceperrodin4514 Be sure to give a follow and some love to Matt Willocks On Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mattwillocks and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattwillocks/ Look out for Andrew Bueno's comedic genius all across the Denver area and follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bueno24.7/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D Threads: https://www.threads.net/@bueno24.7
Rashmi & Zach pay a visit to the cinematically oft neglected country of Chad on their international Noir tour as they unpack Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's 2013 tale of dance and danger, GRIGRIS. Tune in as the duo unpack the many ways the film is picking up very familiar tropes and traits of Noir past while able to bring forth an ending that the dawn of Film Noir could never achieve.
Rashmi & Zach's tour through the wide world of noir lands this week in Mexico as our hosts navigate the bleach bypassed world of Alejandro González Iñárritu and his 2000 debut feature, 'Amores perros'. Tune in as the duo unpack this crime anthology that embraces its noir roots and comes across the unique ways that Iñárritu upends traditional noir tropes to create further dimensions for viewers to contemplate.
Zach welcomes Craig Shemin (Author & Historian, 'Sam & Friends: The Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show') onto the program for an inspirational, celebration-al, & Muppet-tational chat about Jim Henson and his first outing into Television, SAM & FRIENDS. Grab your favorite Esskay Meat Product and your thermos filled with Wilkins Coffee as the two explore the origins of Jim's path to puppetry, unveil the curtain to find out more of how his partner Jane Nebel contributed so heavily to early Muppet success, roll on the floor laughing through 5 surviving episodes of the show, and settle upon how 'Sam & Friends' and Muppet's have influenced the world of television & beyond to this day. Plus: The Ballyhoo gets a Sponsor! ------ Be sure to pick up a copy of Craig's book on the history of Sam & Friends for a deeper look into its history. Visit https://www.samandfriendsbook.com for ways to purchase & how to get even more swag from your book purchase! And be sure to follow Craig's talents as a writer by watching his two original Jack Benny scripts as performed by NO SOAP RADIO ( https://nosoapradioplayers.com ) Watch Here- "This is Your Life, Jack Benny" : https://youtu.be/vSQAHnpTg1E?si=9lE-Q19oHwKZY_ex " Jack Visits the Apollo 11 Launch" : https://youtu.be/Xytm4gByVUw?si=jZV6KRk1IG4RebdF ------ Special Thanks to Matt Merback for his performance as Mr. Wilkins in the ending sketch.
Rashmi & Zach's trek through the noir alley's of the world continues with a stop in Hong Kong; where with the twist of your hand and a flock of doves, noir and action combine in John Woo's THE KILLER! Tune in to hear more about the making of the film, hear them deconstruct the crime thriller's plot, and analyze how John Woo takes the reliable plot elements & style of noir and intertwines them with the pulse pounding action he would become revered for.
Zach welcomes aboard Jack Hanley, Shay Westcott, & Bryan Bonner (Founders of REEL WEIRD HORROR COLLECTIVE) to celebrate Horror Cinema with a Top 10 countdown of their favorite films of fright from yesteryear in... THE TERROR-FUL TEN!!!! Tune in as everyone round robins ten to one with their favorite horror films made up into 1968, revel in their admiration for everything from Boris Karloff on down to George Romero, and learn a bit more about the fabulous new REEL WEIRD HORROR COLLECTIVE'S mission and upcoming awards ceremony. --------------------------------------- Be Sure to Follow the REEL WEIRD HORROR COLLECTIVE on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Reel-Weird-Horror-Collective/61567604516749/ and visit the homepage for their inaugural award ceremony coming soon: https://reel-weird-horror-awards.ghost.io/ Be sure to check out Jack's Amazing Podcast Work! Blindspotting: A Film Discovery Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blindspotting-a-film-discovery-podcast/id1587516521 They Did It: A Conspiracy Podcast- https://www.audible.com/pd/They-Did-It-A-Conspiracy-Podcast-Podcast/B09VCV6LH3 The Superlatives- https://thesuperlativesfilmpodcast.podbean.com/ Tune in and listen to Bryan's show, DO YOU LIKE SCARY MOVIES? Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/do-you-like-scary-movies/id1438657266 Site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1946536 And be sure, when in Boulder, to visit the fabulous Dairy Arts Center https://thedairy.org/
Rashmi & Zach's tour through the wide world of noir lands them in Fance and at the door steps of an old friend, Jean-Pierre Melville, and his 1970 heist spectacular, LE CERCLE ROUGE! Tune in to hear more of how Melville homages and updates the Noir genre of Hollywood that entranced him, thrill alongside our hosts as they unpack this meticulous and patient picture, and... swoon like crazy over the glory that is Alain Delon with a mustache! To learn more about the beginnings of Melville and Delon's collaborations, listen to Rashmi & Zach's previous chat on Le Samouraï https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-87-wonders-of-world-cinema-le-samourai-the-samurai-1967-or-a-matter-of-birds-bullets/
Zach welcomes back podcaster Michael Holland (From Out of the Past) for a night in a creepy bayou mansion filled as much laughter as there is terror with deep dive into the 1939 Horror-Comedy, THE CAT AND THE CANARY! Grab your scotch and get ready to make rye faces as the duo dissect how the film becomes a major stepping stone for comedian Bob Hope, revel in the understated mastery of Eliot Nugent's direction, cackle like crazy over their favorite Hope lines, appreciate the perfect genre blending of horror and comedy, and then finally surmise the way this film has influenced the world of cinema today. Plus: George Zucco as Marion Crane in Psycho- a sight you can can never unsee in your mind! ----------------------------------------- Be sure and listen to Michael's fantastic podcast, FROM OUT OF THE PAST https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-out-of-the-past/id1709872451 Be sure also to check out his blog: https://hollandimaginarium.blogspot.com/ and visit his Linktree to follow him on social media: https://linktr.ee/hollandimaginarium
Rashmi & Zach move along the map in their Noir journey and find themselves back in Japan to unravel the amazing heist and aftermath of Takumi Furukawa's 1964 caper, CRUEL GUN STORY (Kenjū zankoku monogatari)! Tune in today to unpack all the glorious ways Furukawa blends together the various strands of noir in such an efficient way and how it stands in the grand gutter of Noir legacy. PLUS: Joe Shishido becomes the greatest meme of all time. To watch CRUEL GUN STORY, go to Criterion for Disc & Streaming Options Criterion Listing: https://www.criterion.com/films/2958-cruel-gun-story Disc (As part of the Eclipse series): https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/655-eclipse-series-17-nikkatsu-noir Streaming: https://www.criterionchannel.com/cruel-gun-story ----------- Our upcoming film, Le cercle rougue (1970) can be purchased here: https://www.criterion.com/films/628-le-cercle-rouge
Zach welcomes back podcaster and Cary Grant aficionado Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) for a trip to the port of Barranca to explore the lives and perils of its daring air mail pilots as they dig deep into Howard Hawks' 1939 spectacular, ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS. Buckle up for quite a wild flight as the two unpack the intriguing production history, learn how Hawks was able to bounce back after the debacle of 'Bringing Up Baby', talk through the star studded cast and the ups and downs they had working with Hawks, marvel at the stunning visual effects from real flight footage on down to miniatures, and then finally come in for a landing ready to summarize how the film has managed to keep entertaining audiences for generations. PLUS: Two Bonus Radio Shows! Lux Radio Theater: 'Only Angels Have Wings', Broadcast May 29th, 1939 & The Jack Benny Program: 'Mr. Benny Goes to Washington', Broadcast March 10th, 1940 Listen to Ryan each and every week on REEL NERDS PODCAST Website: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-nerds-podcast/id442184939 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NMZkh3WRDuIgIGuFRraEV and Follow the Reel Nerds on Social Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelnerds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNerdsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelnerds/?hl=en
Rashmi & Zach set upon their first trip abroad in their international noir journey with a stop in France as they deep dive into the gritty world of Jules Dassin's 1955 caper, RIFIFI. Tune in to hear about the films unusual origin story, stories from the production, and how the film's influence has permeated the world of film we experience today. —------------------- Please take a moment to donate to or to share these links in support of the assistance to those affected by the Southern California Wildfire. Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/los-angeles/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/palisades-fire--red-cross-opens-emergency-shelter-.html Direct Relief: https://www.directrelief.org/2025/01/as-southern-california-fires-rage-medical-aid-en-route/ LA Food Bank: https://www.lafoodbank.org/fire/
Zach welcomes back pod-pal Ryan Frost (Podcaster, 'Reel Nerds Podcast') to celebrate the holidays with the Peanuts gang as the two celebrate their classic 1965 television debut, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Stop by the Ballyhoo's podcast booth and listen as the boys explore the intriguing journey Peanuts took from funny pages to the TV Screen, become awed by the innovations that the creative team brought to television as a whole, become inspired by Sparky's perfect holiday story, and finally settle upon the many ways in which the show has influenced the television landscape and pop culture as a whole. PLUS: Ryan and Zach create the next great comic strip character. PLUS: No cursing, only trombones. Listen to Ryan each and every week on REEL NERDS PODCAST Website: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-nerds-podcast/id442184939 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NMZkh3WRDuIgIGuFRraEV and Follow the Reel Nerds on Social Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelnerds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNerdsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelnerds/?hl=en
Zach welcomes back pod-pal Rob Stroude (Ballyhoo Correspondent) for a fine holiday mess with Laurel and Hardy as they unpack the delightful and bonkers 1934 holiday classic, BABES IN TOYLAND. Hitch a ride with them aboard a Zeppelin driven by a capuchin monkey dressed as Mickey Mouse as the duo explore the tumultuous production history of the film, break down how the film strikes a balance between straigh story telling and comedy driven set pieces, marvel at the boys' ability to interact alongside sincere narrative, and then finally settle upon the many ways this film has stood the test of time for fans of Stan and Ollie and for film fans at large. Plus: Cary Grant joins the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Be sure to listen to the first Laurel & Hardy chat with Rob Stroude here Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-138-laurel-hardy-vol-1-a-cuckoo-short-film-festival/id1540142449?i=1000671850037 Spotify: Website: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-138-laurel-hardy-vol-1-a-cuckoo-short-film-festival/ To hear more of Robert, listen to his episode on ALL THE BEST LINES, where he and our pals Smokey and Adam dissect IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-best-lines/id1533468069?i=1000653777198 And be sure to follow Rob around social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@robstroude BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/robstroude.bsky.social
Zach welcomes back Marshall Rosales (Filmmaker, Ballyhoo Correspondent) to help sift through the remains of a butchered Noir masterpiece as the duo take an extensive look at Orson Welles' 1958 classic, TOUCH OF EVIL. Pull up a comfy chair and get ready for a heavy exploration as the boys unpack the making of the film and the many versions of the stories that are told, revel in the master craftsmanship that Welles presents on screen, meticulously analyze the many versions that exist and how they differ, reckon with the films sensitive subject matters , and finally settle upon the many lessons that Touch of Evil and it's ultimate fate teach us about filmmaking. PLUS: Charlton Heston's diary demands an Audible release. --------- To check out more of Marshall's work, head on over to his website: http://marshallrosales.com And listen to his prior Ballyhoo Appearances like- House of Wax: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-17-house-of-wax-1953-or-the-many-dimensions-of-de-toth/ and The 2 Part discussion surrounding 'Salt of the Earth' Part 1: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-113-salt-of-the-earth-1954-part-i-the-film-or-strike-2/ Part 2: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-114-salt-of-the-earth-1954-part-ii-the-production-or-strike-3/ ---------
Welcome to the wide world of noir as Rashmi and Zach introduce the newest YBR Presents series: NOIR MONDIAL The duo inaugurate this new series studying film noir here and abroad with their first study unit, 'One Last Job'. As a starter they dig into one of film lands most beloved noir heists, John Huston's 150 classic, THE ASPHALT JUNGLE! Tune in today to hear them break down the film and how it influenced the wider world of both noir and film at large.
Zach welcomes Natalie Gordon Beiser (Film Scholar/ Podcast Pal) aboard MGM musical train whose destination is a tribute to cinema itself as they unpack and revel in Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen's 1952 masterpiece, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN'. If you can stan 'em, follow our podcast duo as they marvel at the long journey the film took from idea to screen, become fascinated with the process of sewing in previously published songs into the fabric of a filmmaking tribute, revel in the performances from Don to Lina , sift through the ups and downs the film has as a plot trying to balance its musical components, and then finally settle upon the many MANY ways the film has influenced the world of cinema and musicals we inhabit today. PLUS: Jean Hagan was robbed by the Academy, and we CAN'T STAN EM!
Zach welcomes aboard regular Ballyhoo contributor Matt Willocks (Pulp Cinematic Universe) and new contributor Ken Sowder on board the beginning of a journey through the history of the high adventure genre. On this episode, the trio take a trip to the Alabama Hills of California in 1939 to witness George Steven's influential RKO epic, GUNGA DIN! Join our daring adventurers as they study the text's of the films production and the historical context surrounding the characters and settings, travail dangerous roads as they sift through the plot and it's influential tropes, uncover the essential reckonings of the films imagery and central point of view, and finally emerge from an arduous journey with knowledge of the many ways it has influenced the world of cinema and the adventure genre in particular. Plus: George Lucas finally snaps back.
The BallyBOO concludes for this year as Zach is joined by return guest Rashmi Menon (Ballyhoo Correspondent/ YBR Presents Co-Host)Continue readingEp. 142: The Killer Shrews (1959) or ‘The Texas Mutant Shrew Massacre'
Zach welcomes back actress/writer/ craft artist Erin Mullane (Velvet Void Creations) for a journey to Mushnick's Floral Shop on SkidContinue readingEp. 141: The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) or ‘Law & Order: Homicidal Horticulture Unit
Zach welcomes back Amy Cornell (Hammer Fan/ Ballyhoo Correspondant, ‘The War of the Worlds') as the two take the BallyBOOContinue readingEp. 140: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) or ‘A Matter of Blood & Bosoms'
The BallyBOO returns this week to kick off a month of spooky programming in podcast land. To kick things off,Continue readingEp. 139: The Man Who Laughs (1928) or ‘Joker : origine d'un sourire'
Zach welcomes aboard film fan Robert Stroude for a short film bonanza centered around Hollywood's legendary bowler-hatted Cuckoo's, LAUREL &Continue readingEp. 138: Laurel & Hardy Vol. 1- A Cuckoo Short Film Festival
This week the Ballyhoo becomes a part of a new universe as Zach and Matt Willocks begin their journey throughContinue readingEp. 137: Pulp Cinematic Universe- The Shadow (1940) & (1994)
Zach welcomes film professional and podcaster Michael Holland (From Out of the Past) aboard a stagecoach that's about to enterContinue readingEp. 136: San Antonio (1945) or ‘Cuddles Cast'
Zach and Rashmi conclude their journey through Japanese Horror Cinema with a leap forward in time to that terrifying newContinue readingKowai- Chapter 16: Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
Zach welcomes back podcaster Henry Jarvis (Reel Nerds Podcast) to help him navigate a groundbreaking German film from up andContinue readingEp. 135: People on Sunday (1930) or ‘The Reel World: Weimar Era Berlin'
Zach and Rashmi learn how to get ahead (or two) in life as they unravel the 1975 whirlpool of madnessContinue readingKowai- Chapter 15: Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees (1975)
The Brothers Marx are back and…. oh boy, its a doozy as Tyler Maybee (Podcaster, ‘Surrounded by A**holes) returns toContinue readingEp. 134: The Marx Brothers Vol. III- The MGM Misfires
Zach and Rashmi find themselves amid the haunted susuki grass as they settle in for an unnerving tale courtesy ofContinue readingKowai- Chapter 14: Onibaba (1964)
Zach welcomes back Erin Mullane (Filmmaker, ‘The Other Lemming') for a show to pay tribute to filmmaking legend Roger CormanContinue readingEp. 133: The Raven (1963) or ‘Fantastic Geezers & Where to Find Them'
Zach and Rashmi get invited to a spinster aunt's abode where terrifying and darkly hilarious things lurk as they takeContinue readingKowai- Chapter 13: House (1977)
Zach welcomes author and historian Lara Gabrielle (Captain of her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies) onto the Revue toContinue readingEp. 132: The Hollywood Revue of 1929 or ‘Marion Davies & The Mystery of The Phantom Screen'
Zach and Rashmi are on the highway to hell by way of Shintoho as they unravel the many layers andContinue readingKowai- Chapter 12: Jigoku (1960)
Zach welcomes back podcaster Rashmi Menon (YBR Presents KOWAI) onto the show to revisit the wide world of Welles withContinue readingEp. 131: Macbeth (1948) or ‘The Bard and The Boy Wonder'
Zach & Rashmi get Shakesperean on Kowai as they tackle a fog laden land of Madness and Mifune with AkiraContinue readingKowai- Chapter 11: Throne of Blood (1957)
Zach welcomes filmmaker and film lover Jace Perrodin onto the show to tackle one of the great titans of cinemaContinue readingEp. 130: Modern Times (1936) or ‘Modern Times (2024)
Zach welcomes back filmmaker and podcaster Brad Haag (Reel Nerds Podcast) as the duo hitch a ride on a wagonContinue readingEp. 129: YBRTV- Star Trek (1966) or ‘The Tribble with Khan'
On this special mini-episode, Zach and return guest Annette Bochenek (Hometowns to Hollywood) sit down to recap their experiences atContinue readingEp. 128.5: TCM Film Festival Recap
Zach and Rashmi get entranced to an upper class home only to find the fantasy is the trance of aContinue readingKowai- Chapter 10: Ugetsu (1953)
Zach welcomes back actress and filmmaker Erin Mullane (‘The Other Lemming') to attend a good ol horror fiend frenzy courtesyContinue readingEp. 128: The Comedy of Terrors (1964) or ‘Terror Titan Throwdown 64'
Zach and Rashmi sift through an oft told tale under delicate and dread fueled care as they unpack Nobuo Nakagawa'sContinue readingKowai- Chapter 9: Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan (1959)
Zach welcomes the illustrious film critic, historian, and podcaster Leonard Maltin (Leonard Maltin's Movie Crazy, Maltin on Movies) aboard toContinue readingEp. 127: The Meanest Man in the World (1943) or ‘Benny V. Fox: Dawn of Rewrites' (Special Guest Leonard Maltin)
Zach welcomes back podcaster Zack Beins (Talkin Troma) for a gigantic discussion surrounding the early cinematic legacy surrounding the illContinue readingEp. 126: Titanic in Cinema or ‘Nearer My Pod To Thee'
Zach and Rashmi hop aboard a ghost ship and set sail for for the terrors found within Hiroshi Matsuno's 1968Continue readingKowai- Chapter 8: The Living Skeleton (1968)
Zach welcomes back podcaster Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) for a Top Ten Countdown nearly a century in the makingContinue readingEp. 125: The Glee of 1933- A Look Back At The Year 1933 in Film
A Special Radio Revue quadruple bill followed by a special conversation from the 4th Annual Jack Benny Convention Zach andContinue readingEp. 124: Radio Revue- Jack Benny keeps us in… SUSPENSE!
Zach and Rashmi wind down a spooky path or revenge as they take a closer look at Kaneto Shindo's 1968Continue readingKowai- Chapter 7: Kuroneko (1968)
Zach welcomes back filmmaker and podcaster Brad Haag (Reel Nerds Podcast) to cover…. MARTIANS? AGAIN? Yes, the duo team upContinue readingEp. 123: The War of the Worlds (1953) or ‘Do Electric Guitars Dream of Ray Beams?'
Zach and Rashmi get caught up in a sweeping epic of the supernatural as they dive deeply into Masaki Kobayashi'sContinue readingKowai- Chapter 6: Kwaidan (1964)
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
