The Dream Factory

The Dream Factory Christmas Show

Happy holidays everyone!  To mark this special time of year I’m opening my home (just like Judy Garland did on TV in 1963) to some cherished podcast family and friends. Together we’ll discuss a few of the MGM classics that have become must-watches over the Christmas season. Conor from The Garland Gab is back with me to discuss a Judy Garland classic; my podcast mentors Tara and EmKay from Down the Yellow Brick Pod explore some Oz Christmas connections (and Kevin McCallister!); Christian the host of That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema happily joins me to celebrate the MGM adaptation of Little Women; and our friend Nate makes a return to chit-chat about the OTHER Christmas movie in James Stewart’s canon. Plus I reflect on my favourite film of all time which is also a Christmas classic. Oh and there’s also a surprise message from an Oscar winner too….ho ho ho! You can catch up on season one episodes of The Dream Factory now on Apple & Spotify! Season two will be roaring onto the scene in spring 2026…. Guest Links: Down the Yellow Brick Pod:  linktr.ee/DowntheYBP The Garland Gab: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGarlandGab That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema: https://www.youtube.com/@thatolgayclassiccinema instagram.com/thatolgayclassiccinema [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_header&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1NIUm1waGhLWXhSZXFCdFZZYnplSm95UDgyQXxBQ3Jtc0tuTF80ZHljc1F4OUI3N2hUeHpPQjczUGYwelYxbGRXM3pWR3gydi03aXh2VUhuRU5uSnVNc0duQkdSX3FJcVlnbWk2dnVyRDVFb09kd1dzcGtaNGdLUGlwWnp1TU5hS2Y0M0U5dS1ZUzhBV2JhY2g2UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fthatolgayclassiccinema%2F] Thanks for listening! Derek Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod bio.site/thedreamfactorypod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fthedreamfactorypod%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaas0__sutRGGvJsWFxovqL2xb_sc5sbj9VxBzU7lZfyJCf9p7WE4Cl99Bc_aem_oV7dzlFPkE66B6gl6VZBfg&e=AT2vtmWKfdawoPdwari3_3bb4uqvp4THp_A-L365Z2VjOB_0Md7t3ra_KPVINmTlvHzZnYSoYzXS1zYNYvnGP2QiajetxWncue1G]

Summer Stock - Goodbye, MGM (Part 9)

Well folks, we’re reached the end of the season on The Dream Factory and it’s been trolley-fuls of fun speaking about my favourite topic: Judy Garland’s movies she made at MGM. We touched on two special movies from her canon and hopefully lifted the veil on the world that was the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie factory and its crazy ups and downs. To mark the end of Judy’s time at MGM, Nate and I talk about some of the movies that might have been for Judy while at the studio (Pride and Prejudice???) and also wrap up the last scenes of Summer Stock and discuss its afterlife.  Again, thank you for listening to the first season of this podcast. It's been a dream of mine for years and the kind reception I’ve received has been so heartwarming. And I couldn't have done it without Nate and Conor, my two supremely talented co-hosts. Love you both. My plan is to return with new episodes this coming spring (these things take time, kids!) with perhaps a surprise or two in the meantime. THANK YOU EVERYONE! You’re the essence of peppermint (IYKYK). Please catch up on all the episodes of The Dream Factory on Apple and Spotify. Thanks for listening! Derek Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod bio.site/thedreamfactorypod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fthedreamfactorypod%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaas0__sutRGGvJsWFxovqL2xb_sc5sbj9VxBzU7lZfyJCf9p7WE4Cl99Bc_aem_oV7dzlFPkE66B6gl6VZBfg&e=AT2vtmWKfdawoPdwari3_3bb4uqvp4THp_A-L365Z2VjOB_0Md7t3ra_KPVINmTlvHzZnYSoYzXS1zYNYvnGP2QiajetxWncue1G]

Summer Stock - Just Get Happy! (Part 8)

The penultimate episode of our Summer Stock deep dive is upon us and it’s been acres and acres of fun to have Nate as my guest host. This time we explore the unique sound of the MGM musical through some of its behind the scenes musical talent plus much more. Plot wise, it’s opening night of the show that’s taking over Jane’s barn and we talk about its musical numbers from the bouncy (All for You!) to the ridiculous (Heavenly Music ughhhh) to the sublime (Garland’s iconic Get Happy). What a moment in cinema! One more new episode of The Dream Factory arrives next Sunday on Apple and Spotify. Thanks for listening! Thanks for listening! Derek Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod bio.site/thedreamfactorypod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fthedreamfactorypod%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaas0__sutRGGvJsWFxovqL2xb_sc5sbj9VxBzU7lZfyJCf9p7WE4Cl99Bc_aem_oV7dzlFPkE66B6gl6VZBfg&e=AT2vtmWKfdawoPdwari3_3bb4uqvp4THp_A-L365Z2VjOB_0Md7t3ra_KPVINmTlvHzZnYSoYzXS1zYNYvnGP2QiajetxWncue1G]

Summer Stock - The Smell of Greasepaint (Part 7)

Thank you for joining us on our tractor as we plow through the Gene Kelly/Judy Garland homage to the backyard musicals: MGM’s Summer Stock.  As the plot chugs along, Nate and I really begin to feel the heat coming off the Judy-Gene screen pairing (are they REALLY kissing? Why the strange jump cut mid-kiss?) and we get to smell some greasepaint and do a little dancing on newspapers. Why is this movie so much fun??? And please check out the fantastic book "C'mon, GetHappy: The Making of Summer Stock" by David Fantle & Tom Johnson. It helped us tremendously in our research for these episodes. Thanks for listening! Derek Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod bio.site/thedreamfactorypod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fthedreamfactorypod%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaas0__sutRGGvJsWFxovqL2xb_sc5sbj9VxBzU7lZfyJCf9p7WE4Cl99Bc_aem_oV7dzlFPkE66B6gl6VZBfg&e=AT2vtmWKfdawoPdwari3_3bb4uqvp4THp_A-L365Z2VjOB_0Md7t3ra_KPVINmTlvHzZnYSoYzXS1zYNYvnGP2QiajetxWncue1G]

Summer Stock - The Portland Fancy (Part 6)

Every great movie musical has a big dance number at a party and MGM’s Summer Stock is no exception. Nate once again joins me as Judy and Gene turn a country square dance (“The Portland Fancy”)  into a red hot number where they both tear up the barn floor! We start this episode with a “tour” of the musical production units that created the idea of the MGM Musical, giving the studio its most identifiable genre. We then dive into the lives of some child and character actors and some of the folks behind the scenes (choreographers, art directors!) bringing this 1950 musical to life. Please note: these episodes on Summer Stock deal with frank discussions on addiction and mental health. If you or someone you know requires resources in these areas please visit CAMH in Canada (1-800-463-2338 or camh.ca) and NIMH (988 or nimh.nih.gov [http://nimh.nih.gov/]) in the US.  Thanks for listening! Derek Instagram: @thedreamfactorypod bio.site/thedreamfactorypod [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbio.site%2Fthedreamfactorypod%3Ffbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaas0__sutRGGvJsWFxovqL2xb_sc5sbj9VxBzU7lZfyJCf9p7WE4Cl99Bc_aem_oV7dzlFPkE66B6gl6VZBfg&e=AT2vtmWKfdawoPdwari3_3bb4uqvp4THp_A-L365Z2VjOB_0Md7t3ra_KPVINmTlvHzZnYSoYzXS1zYNYvnGP2QiajetxWncue1G]