In the new episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew, how the world first met John McClane, and the world's only Christmas comedy horror musical.

1988's Die Hard got the greenlight quickly once Fox realised it was short on a summer release that year - but it had to negotiate a contractual obligation first.

Anna & The Apocalypse meanwhile did something very different with the Christmas movie - and its origins lie in part with Ryan Gosling and some breakfast cereal.

Stories of both are told in this episode.

Find Simon on Twitter at @simonbrew, and the podcast can be found at @filmstoriespod.

Support our work at www.patreon.com/simonbrew.

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