Costume Drama Rewind

We both grew up loving the animated film Anastasia, which takes decades of rumors about the survival of the Romanov Grand Duchess and asks - what if she really did escape the Russian Revolution? In this episode, we offer a snarky but loving review of the film and then get down to the real story. 

In 1183, Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their horrid sons celebrated the most awkward family Christmas of all time - at least according to "The Lion In Winter." Join us as we review this star-studded classic and share what it gets right and wrong about the first Plantagenet king. 

In our first double episode, we explore two World War One films made almost 15 years apart, both of which begin with a true story and build from there. Recent blockbuster 1917 tells of a desperate flight across No-Man’s-Land to deliver a message, while Joyeux Noel incorporates French, German, and Scottish perspectives in recounting the famed Christmas Truce of 1914.  In this episode, we dig into some common themes between the two films. 

It’s our first Costume Drama Rewind Christmas, as we take a look at the backstory behind one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time. The Man Who Invented Christmas covers Charles Dickens’ struggle to write and publish A Christmas Carol and Dickens' contining impact on our holiday celebrations. 

In which we examine the historical context behind Robert Kennedy's assassination and announce our votes for how many campaign boater hats the movie gets.

In which we learn about why every lighthouse seems to be haunted, that Laura is banned from picking movies for the foreseeable future, and we decide how many U.S. Lighthouse Board uniform caps to award to Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe. 

In which Laura won't shut up about her celebrity crush on Benjamin Walker, we learn more about Abraham Lincoln's life and that of his family and friends, and Megan demonstrates her detailed knowledge of the Civil War and the topography between DC and Gettysburg. But how many stovepipe hats will it get?

In which we learn the real history of the Salem Witch Trials and why they have a prominent place in American folklore, and in which Laura makes an apology to the Beverly Historical Society.  We also determine how many stereotypical white Pilgrim coifs to rate the movie, while sneering at the idea that Puritans' outfits never progressed past the fashions of 1620.

In which we announce the beginning of our SPOOKY October series, learn more about why you automatically associate Victorians with ghosts and creepiness, and get a bit too acquainted with Megan's diehard Benedict Cumberbatch/Sherlock obsession while answering "How many deerstalker hats?"

In which there's a Twin Peaks reference, and we might as well bill the squeaky chair as a co-host. Also starring: SPAM, spies, Jack the Ripper, and Kate Middleton. Awarded? Fabulous scarf headbands.