Cult Connections

Ian is joined by Danielle Pajak to discuss the three screen versions of classic sci-fi novel Solaris.

Solaris was written by Polish author Stanislaw Lem. Lem is considered an important and influential figure of 20th centrury science fiction. Published in 1961 Solaris concerns a team of scientists studying an oceanic lifeform on a distant planet.

The book has been adapted three times for the screen, once for television and twice for the cinema.

Solaris (1968). Directed by Lidiya Ishimbaeva and Boris Niremburg. starring Vasily Lanovoy, Antonia Pilyus, Vladimir Etush and Viktor Zozulin

Solaris (1972). Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. Starring Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionis and Juri Jarvet

Solaris (2002). Directed by Steven Soderberg. Starring George Clooney and Natascha McElhone

Ian is joined by academic and writer Dr Adrian Smith and Krimi afficionado Holger Hasse to discuss the work of Edgar Wallace on screen. While a single podcast episode can in no way do justice to the sheer volume of adaptations of his work we cover three very different films that highlight the huge influence Wallace had on screen.

Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British writer. With 170 novels and 957 short styories his works have been adapted over 160 times for the big screen. Numerous adaptations for TV have also been produced. He continues to be credited today for his work on King Kong!

The Dark Eyes of London aka The Human Monster (1939). Directed by Walter Summers. Based on the novel The Dark Eyes of London by Edgar Wallace. Starring Bela Lugosi, Hugh Williams and Greta Gynt.

Der Hexer aka The Mysterious Magician (1964). Directed by Alfred Vohrer. From the Edgar Wallace novel The Ringer. Starring Joachim Fuchsberger, Heinz Drache and Sophie Hardy.

Five Golden Dragons (1967). Directed by Jeremy Summers. Based on characters created by Edgar Wallace. Starring Robert Cummings, Margaret Lee, Klaus Kinski and Christopher Lee.

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A special sitcom episode is a TV Christmas tradition. Ian is joined by Joe Higgens to take a ferry cross the Mersey for three Liverpool set shows. So what happens when we spend Christmas with The Liver Birds, Bread and Watching?

Bullseye! (1990) Find out what happens when two great British actors meet one of the country's most successful directors. Ian's joined by Mark Plant to review Michael Caine and Roger Moore in the Michael Winner directed Bullseye! We also discuss the latest Sight and Sound poll and Agnes Varda's Cleo from 5 to 7

Ian and Maria reach the conclusion of Andor Season One. WARNING May contain references to Rick Astley

It's the penultimate episode of Andor so Maria and Ian are talking equations, Bantha webs and salads!

Ian and Maria are talking fountains, the backstroke and equations.

Ian is delighted to be rejoined by Helen Carey as tackle three films by notorious Italian director Bruno Mattei. Famous for his low budget copies of the box office smashes of the day - we talk about his version of Rambo, Predator and Robocop and that's all-in-one film. Not to mention Jaws, Aliens and Terminator. So, get ready for Shocking Dark, Robowar and Cruel Jaws

Just Want To Try Something is the interactive podcast which is all about its listeners. Can Ian create a podcast which his listeners then help grow. Will anybody listen in the first place. How many likes, subscribers, shares and reviews can we get and will that help the show to grow. Come and be part of a unique experiment which is dependent on YOU

Ian and Maria are talking dippy eggs, the KLF and Alan Patridge. All this and more in Andor Ep 9: Nobody's Listening