Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue

Zach welcomes back Lara Gabrielle (Author/Historian, ‘Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies) for a chat surrounding a Pre-Code Marion Davies film buried for decades until recently as they unpack the laughs & heart in the 1931 film IT’S A WISE CHILD. Hop into one of Mr. Cohen’s cars and live the screwball life at a mile a second as the duo catch up with Marions life following her sound debut, walk through the plot and the ways it showcases Davies’ range as an actor, fawn over the supporting players from Marie Prevost to James Gleason, unravel the story of why the film remained unseen for decades until the recent Warner Archive Blu-Ray release, and finally ponder over the ways the film shines a light on Davies’ talents and gives her a long overdue spotlight.   PLUS: Another Jack Benny/Marion Davies connection!   Be sure to pick up your copy of Lara’s book CAPTAIN OF HER SOUL: THE LIFE OF MARION DAVIES Website: https://mariondaviesbook.com/ Amazon Link:https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Her-Soul-Marion-Davies/dp/0520384202 or look for the book at your local bookstore!   You can hear Lara talk more about Marion Davies on our previous episode covering ‘The Hollywood Revue of 1929’ here: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-132-the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-or-marion-davies-the-mystery-of-the-phantom-screen/   And be sure to follow Lara on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads by searching the handle @backlotsfilm

The BallyBOO concludes as Zach welcomes actor & musician Spencer Kane (X-Presidents) on the show to unpack the crates at McDougal’s House of Horrors and get caught up in the chaos that ensues as they chat about the 1948 comedy chiller, ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN!   Get ready to laugh & scream as the duo sift through the production stories, become aghast at the original treatment for the film, laugh along through a detailed plot breakdown, and finally discuss the many ways the film has influenced the world of Horror and Comedy to this day!   PLUS: Seriously guys, the original treatment is freakin nuts.   Be sure to Follow Spencer’s adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_denver_kane?igsh=OXplMTAwZmx3YWRv   And Check Out his Band, X-Presidents https://www.x-presidents.band

The BallyBOO continues as Zach welcomes back podcast pal Robert Stroude (Blogger/Laurel & Hardy Correspondent) to probe the hidden mysteries of a man brought back from death to bear judgement among the living as they unpack Michael Curtiz’s 1936 Horror film, THE WALKING DEAD. SHUDDER in terror as they dare to unpack the production stories surrounding the film! SHIVER in your seats at the many strange choices made in early drafts of the script! SCREAM for your life as they unpack a 60 minute film in meticulous detail! and finally ESCAPE from the chilling chatter as they settle upon the ways The Walking Dead stands out in Golden Age Hollywood and what it has to teach the film makers and lovers of the present.   Be sure to follow Rob’s adventure covering all the Mickey Mouse theatrical shorts with his brand new Substack, ‘My Year With Mickey’ : https://myyearwithmickey.substack.com/p/my-year-with-mickey

Zach welcomes aboard podcaster & educator Michael Boyce (Geek4 Podcast) onto the program for a historical analysis of the Battle of Ballard’s Wharf as they unpack Charles Crichton’s 1947 triumph for Ealing Studio’s , HUE & CRY! Once you hear the words “Operation Seagull”, prepare to join the duo on the Blood & Thunder Boys battleground where they unpack the origins of Ealing Studio, learn from how the creative team at Ealing were able to conjure such a fantastical story, marvel at the stock character actors used in unique ways, ponder over how the post-war conditions of Britain lend to the film’s aesthetics as well as its script, and finally settle upon the ways Hue & Cry would shape the world of Ealing, Comedy, & the medium of film at large. PLUS: Is Joe Kirby a murderer at the end of the film? —— Be sure to tune in & listen to Michael’s sensational podcast, GEEK 4 , now available wherever you listen Website: https://www.michaelwboyce.com/geek4 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geek-4/id1529501248 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5svoHXXzHQrgGAGtn05OMz?si=tfbKZelgQ1a-LP3o3JmwtA and follow the show on social! Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/geek4pod.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geek4pod?igsh=MXQ2eHFxeXFwNXJwcw== and give Mike a follow as well! Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mwboyce?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==  

Rashmi & Zach continue their Police Noir unit with a stop in France and a time jump to 1981 where they unpack the grittiest crime story involving media piracy and bread buttering, Jean-Jacques Beineix’s DIVA Tune into to hear the duo unpack how Beineix weaves old trick of noir under a color fueled new spirit that pushes the limits of noir even further than the golden age!

Zach welcomes film blogger Zoë Kaperonis (The Film Around the Corner) aboard a gondola that takes them straight to art deco Italy in their top hats and white ties as they unpack the 1935 Astaire & Rogers classic, TOP HAT! Settle in as the two delve into the origins of the Astaire & Rogers partnership, marvel at the preparation and choreography courtesy of Hermes Pan, giggle along to plot that thankfully doesn't make sense, worship at the altars of Edward Everett Horton & Eric Blore, and then finally settle upon the many ways films like Top Hat have shaped the film landscape we see today. —--- Be sure to follow Zoë’s Golden Age Hollywood journey through her fabulous blog, THE FILM AROUND THE CORNER: https://thefilmaroundthecorner.substack.com Her latest entry, as it happens, covers one of Jack Benny’s craziest films and her thoughts on it are well worth the read here: https://thefilmaroundthecorner.substack.com/p/college-holiday-1936 And give her a follow on Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefilmaroundthecorner?igsh=MWFjcXZvMDVyZDVsZw== Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/zgkap.bsky.social