Watching Classic Movies

Melodrama, it’s much more than Douglas Sirk-directed mid-century dramas, I had a great talk with writer, film programmer, podcaster, and teacher Millie De Chirico about what melodrama really means, what we love about it, and the surprising places you can find melodrama, from horror to action flicks. Subscribe to Millie’s Substack, Professional Sweetheart [https://professionalsweetheart.substack.com/] Check out the fantastic book Millie wrote with Quatoyiah Murry TCM Underground: 50 Must-See Films from the World of Classic Cult and Late-Night Cinema [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/millie-de-chirico/tcm-underground/9780762480005/?lens=running-press] My video review of the book [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEue9CBxaJ0] Millie’s official website [https://www.milliedechirico.com/] Millie co-hosts the fabulous I Saw What You Did podcast with Danielle Henderson [https://www.exactlyrightmedia.com/i-saw-what-you-did] Follow Millie-- Twitter: @milliedechirico Instagram: @debbie_country BlueSky: @milliedechirico.bsky.social The show is available on— Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and Radio Public Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: [https://anchor.fm/k-cruver] You can also support my work on ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support]

There are few stars who have reached the heights that Joan Crawford did. In his book Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom my guest Robert Dance explores how she rose from childhood poverty to the top of her industry where she maintained a successful career for over four decades. We talked about her drive and talent for business and how she was a surprising feminist presence in mid-century cinema.   You can purchase Ferocious Ambition: Joan Crawford’s March to Stardom here [⁠https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/F/Ferocious-Ambition⁠] Check out the gorgeous photos on the official Ferocious Ambition Instagram account [https://www.instagram.com/joancrawford_ferociousambition/]  The show is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and Radio Public   Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month [https://anchor.fm/k-cruver]   You can also support my work on ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support]

The two cinematic versions of Scarface were influential films which reflected their times, the thirties and eighties respectively. The prolific Nat Segaloff explores their legacy in Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface, a fascinating book that draws on Nat’s industry experience and considerable research skills. We talked about the effect these movies had, the people who made them remarkable, and what it was like to meet Scarface director Brian De Palma. Learn more about Nat’s many film books at his website http://www.natsegaloff.com/ You can purchase Say Hello to My Little Friend: A Century of Scarface here https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806542966/say-hello-to-my-little-friend/ The show is available on— Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, Google, and Radio Public Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://anchor.fm/k-cruver You can also support my work on ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support]

Film critic Odie Henderson has applied his vast film knowledge and solid storytelling skills to the writing of an excellent new book Buy Odie's Book [https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/black-caesars-and-foxy-cleopatras] Check out Odie's Blaxploitation Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0PKDgftiwuQuDbASJDG5oi?si=4cce1a3ef2ce4c34&nd=1&dlsi=9d336bc48c714988] Keep up with Odie on BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/odienator.bsky.social] Odie's film reviews: Boston Globe [https://www.bostonglobe.com/about/staff-list/staff/odie-henderson/] Roger Ebert [https://www.rogerebert.com/contributors/odie-henderson] Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month [https://anchor.fm/k-cruver ] You can also support my work on ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support]

Eleanor Powell was Hollywood’s best female tapper, but she isn’t nearly as well known as screen hoofers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. With their book Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance my guests Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère are working to fix that cultural oversight. Having been dancers themselves, they offer a fascinating perspective on this one-of-a-kind star’s style. We talked about the uniquely skilled Powell, who was as engaging as a person as she was a performer, and Paula and Lisa’s own relationship with her in her later years.  Connect with Paula and Lisa: Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/eleanorpowell.bio Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eleanorpowell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleanorpowellborntodance/ Paula’s Twitter/X: @PMBroussard Lisa’s Twitter/X: @pamelisa Website: www.eleanorpowell.dance Like the podcast? Want to hear more frequent episodes? Subscriptions are as low as 99 cents a month: https://anchor.fm/k-cruver You can also support my work on ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/watchingclassicmovies] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/k-cruver/support]