Classic Movie Musts

In this episode we discuss Billy Wilder's infamous, Sunset Boulevard (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden, and breakdown Wilder's scathing criticism of Hollywood.   Sunset Boulevard is currently #12 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

In this episode, we break down the swashbuckling adventure, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, and Claude Rains.  We discuss how director Michael Curtiz enhanced the excitement and tension of the film thanks to dynamic editing techniques that would influence Hollywood action movies for generations.

In this episode, we dissect the Stanley Kubrick horror classic, The Shining (1980), starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd.  The Shining is a deceptively simple horror narrative that works largely beneath the surface to reveal psychological breakdown, and the collapse of the American family.

In this episode, we discuss the holiday classic, It's A Wonderful Life (1946).  Directed by Frank Capra and starring Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers, this film wrestles with themes of individual vs. community like only Capra can. It's A Wonderful Life is currently #20 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

In this episode, we're joined again by Ted Walch to discuss a film of legendary stature, Casablanca (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, and Dooley Wilson. 

In this episode, we discuss Bob Fosse's modernist film musical, Cabaret (1972), starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey.   Cabaret is currently #63 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

During this episode, we discuss how John Ford uses cinematography, editing, and production design to evoke the power of memory in the family melodrama, How Green Was My Valley (1941), starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Donald Crisp, and Roddy McDowell.  Join us as we discuss the film that beat Citizen Kane to the Best Picture Oscar.

In this episode, we're joined by teacher and film historian Ted Walch to discuss Charlie Chaplin's first feature length film, The Kid (1921), starring himself and Jackie Coogan.

In this episode, we discuss Sam Peckinpah's modernist western, The Wild Bunch (1969).  Surrounding a ruthless, violent group of outlaws, starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan, The Wild Bunch redefined violence in American movies. The Wild Bunch is currently #79 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

In this episode, we're discussing the Doris Day, Rock Hudson romantic comedy, Pillow Talk (1959).  This influential film's success is reflective of equal parts innovation for the genre going forward and inspiration from the screwball comedy that came before.

In this episode, we dive into the musical drama A Star is Born (1954), directed by George Cukor and starring Judy Garland and James Mason.  We'll examine how this powerful film leverages Garland's performance and persona to devastating effect.

In this episode, we close out Alfred Hitchcock month with his legendary film Psycho (1960), starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins.  We discuss how Psycho represented the final undoing of Hitchcock's emblematic style, and acts as the ideal capstone to his storied career.

In this episode we discuss the iconic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Rear Window (1954), starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly.  We'll breakdown how Hitchcock ramped up the suspense by centering the film on an everyday scenario and we'll continue to examine the importance of romance and trust to Hitchcock's films.  Rear Window is currently #48 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

In this episode, we discuss Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946).  Starring Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, and Claude Rains, this film is a trademark example of Hitchcock's ability to balance suspense, romance, and trust to tremendous effect.  Join us for this unforgettable film.

In this episode, we kick off Alfred Hitchcock month on Classic Movie Musts with a look at Hitchcock's first undisputed masterpiece The 39 Steps (1935).  Starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, this "wrong-man" thriller established Hitchcock's directorial style.