Cinescapism

Welcome to season 2 of Cinescapism podcast! In this episode, Anthony and Kendra reunite to chat about what they’ve been up to during the past six months. Topics include Anthony’s new job, the Oscars, A Star is Born, the TCM Film Festival, the complicated legacy of Gone With the Wind, and more…

“Children of the Night! What music they make!” After a long summer-and-part-of-autumn break, Anthony and Kendra are back with a new episode of film chat! This week, they come to you in Spooky-Vision. In honour of Halloween, they talk about films films and some recent TV series that have scared and otherwise scarred them for life. The header photo for this episode is courtesy of Dr Macro.  

In this episode, French author and journalist Serge Mafioly joins the podcast as guest co-host. He and Kendra answer more listener questions about old Hollywood power couple, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. Books mentioned: Serge Mafioly, Vivien Leigh: D’Air et de feu Kendra Bean, Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait Irene Mayer Selznick, A Private View  

In this episode, Kendra and Anthony discuss legendary acting team and real-life couple, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. They talk about fandom, recommend their favorite films, dive into rumours surrounding this famous relationship, touch on Vivien Leigh’s battle with mental illness, and try and answer the question: why are we so obsessed with these people? Plus, they answer some listener questions! You can find out more about Kendra’s work on this particular subject by browsing her website at vivandlarry.com or reading her book Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait. Also, check out her Viv and Larry Instagram! Header image c/o Mark Mayes collection

In this episode, in honour of Pride, Anthony and Kendra discuss LGBTQ+ images in classic film. We include the life and tragic death of Ramon Novarro, discussions about gay icons such as Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, and Montgomery Clift, and pay tribute to dearly departed hunk, Tab Hunter. Also mentioned: Drag Race, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, bisexuality, OCD, Laurence Olivier, gay celebrity rumours, and all sorts. Oh, and the film Anthony was trying to remember is called Desert Hearts. Header image of Tab Hunter: Dr. Macro      

In this episode, Anthony and Kendra welcome a special guest, journalist Steph Brandhuber. We chat about salty Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and the FX series FEUD: Bette and Joan. Plus, opinions on the Olivia de Havilland vs FX and Ryan Murphy court case, and Bette’s and Joan’s statuses as gay icons. Remember, “This is not RuPaul’s Best Friend Race!”  

In this episode Kendra and Anthony chat about glamorous Austrian inventress and film star, Hedy Lamarr. They discuss Alexandra Dean’s new documentary Bombshell, and also Calling Hedy Lamarr, an exploration of Hedy’s life by her son Anthony Loder. Read Anthony’s review of the new documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, and catch the film on Netflix.

In this episode, Kendra and Anthony talk about following Ava Gardner’s footsteps in Madrid, her performance in The Sun Also Rises, and the friendship between Ava and Ernest Hemingway.

In the inaugural episode, Kendra and Anthony talk about Gone With the Wind (1939), a film that has played a major role in both their lives. They discuss what the film means to them, the controversies surrounding it, and why it’s still so popular 80 years after its premiere.