Michelle and Casey discuss the Western epic The Big Country, released in 1958 and based on the novel Ambush at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton (later renamed The Big Country). This film adaptation was directed by William Wyler and notably stars Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston and Burl Ives. All the actors in this film have standout performances. The Big Country lacks specific historical references unlike other Westerns, but Casey and Michelle still found historical details to discuss, including the House Un-American Activities Committee, as well as 1958-style movie-making magic such as choices about location, music, editing, and more.

Show Notes:

(1) The Big Country soundtrack, score by Jerome Moross

(2) You Must Remember This Podcast by Katrina Longworth

Her episode on William Wyler's later career films

Her season on the Hollywood Blacklist

The 2004 film The Libertine stars John Malkovich as Charles II and Johnny Depp as real life poet, The Earl of Rochester aka John Wilmot (lots of Johns!). We are once again exploring the theme of "creative genius" in the 17th century, but Wilmot's demise is the most elaborate of the main characters in the biopics we've discussed to date. Wilmot's real life poems were satyrical smut, and he seemed to live close to the lines he penned, dying at just 33 years old. Yet this film also explores themes of feminism and pokes fun at the idea of aristocracy, not unlike Wilmot's poems. Samantha Morton shines in this film as Elizabeth Barry, and Rosamund Pike plays Wilmot's wife, Elizabeth Malet (lots of Elizabeths!). The movie was written as a play first and at times feels more play like film like, but as far as transporting the viewer to another time, this move nails it.

Show Notes:

The Poetry Foundation: John Wilmot Earl Of Rochester https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-wilmot

Portrait of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680). Private Collection. Artist : Huysmans, Jacob (c. 1633?1696). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Set in 1932, the film 'Sinners' brings History through the lens of music, vampires, and the Black Southerner experience. We dive into this award-winning layered masterpiece for our 20th episode of the podcast. Join us as we talk about the significance of the creative choices by director Ryan Coogler for Sinners–the most Oscar-nominated film of all time.

Links to media mentioned in the podcast:

BOOK: Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists Through the Great Depression https://uncpress.org/9781469625485/hammer-and-hoe/

MOVIE: "The Commitments" (1991) 'Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dublin boy, decides to put together a soul band made up entirely of the Irish working class.'

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: "Journalist Geoff Bennett discusses his book on Black artists who shaped American comedy" Link to interview about "Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to '90s Sitcoms."

MOVIE REVIEW: "The inclusion of the Chows’ story gives value to not only Asian American representation in media but also the range of Asian American experiences. Sinners also sheds light on the often unheard-of Mississippi Delta Chinese community to a wider range of audience members" Link to review by the 1882 Foundation

ARTICLE: The Wrap: 'Sinners": The Meaning Behind the Irish Vampire Remmick

ARTICLE: Folklore Film: Folklore in Sinners Everyone Missed

MUSIC: The Sinners soundtrack

Robin and Michelle discuss the heartbreakingly beautiful Oscar- nominated film Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Irish actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The movie portrays a fictional estimate of William Shakespeare and the inspiration he drew from tragedy in his own family to create the play Hamlet.

LINKS:

What ‘Hamnet’ Gets Right and Wrong About William Shakespeare’s Life and Family Biography.com

Jessie Buckley Is Stripping Away the Artifice ELLE Magazine

Life after Outlander? Life after Outlander! Michelle and Robin catch up with each other and have a proper gab about: what to expect from the Podcast this summer, the newly released Blood of My Blood Season 2 trailer, and what's coming out in the world of period dramas next year. We wrap it up with Michelle quizzing Robin on quotes from Peaky Blinders; you can play along at home!

It's a short episode. Hit play and have fun. Do it!

The end has finally arrived! Michelle and Robin break down the Series Finale of Outlander, and share their thoughts on this epic eight season experience. Along the way they discuss alternative endings, the vibrating frequency of linen, and the history of purgatory! Strap in, this one is a fun romp.

Diana G. herself wrote this one, the penultimate episode of Outlander! She has only written a few episodes throughout the whole series, so hopes were high that this would be a dialed hour of TV. Robin and Michelle discuss why they thought it worked in this episode of the pod.

They also go on some epic history side-quests early on, so grab a dram and dust off your history-brain, Time Travelers, we're diving right in. Can you change the outcome of history by impacting key individuals? Tune it for Robin as she opines!

Fear not, we circle it back to the sexual tension between Jamie and John–it could fuel a trip to the moon!

Enjoy this episode of the podcast, and hey, while you are at it–please honor us with a rating and a review on your listening app of choice? The algorithm is starving for some attention.

Much appreciated!

Robin and Michelle discuss the much anticipated Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man. This movie brings the first chapter of the Peaky Blinders saga to a close, so there is much to discuss!

Robin's Peaky Blinders montage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac_ockJWex0

This was Season 8's Golden Episode, and it sure lived up to that title! Written by show creator Ronald D. Moore, this Ridge-focused episode had humor, hugs, montages (naturally) and lots of great scenes with Jamie. The acting in this episode stood out, but so did an apparent cameo with historical figure Johnathon Edwards, a looming Presbyterian minister of the period. And maybe one day soon we'll get to discuss Outlander without bringing up dead babies...but, not today! Because our episode includes a discussion of death by suicide being viewed as sin and the real consequences that has led to. Including a tragic phenomenon called "Suicide by Proxy."

But this episode of the pod is 90% cheery because it really is a heartwarming Outlander episode. Enjoy!

OUR SPOILER-FREE EPISODE BRIEF: For such a dark and twisty episode of Outlander, Robin and Michelle had a lot of fun dissecting this one. We get existential and cover big questions like, "When does a relationship with a fictional character cross the line?" and "What does a show creator owe its fan base?" and "What is up with the Outlander fan base?!"

Bonus Bibles, sexy knees, and some of the best acting Outlander has ever seen are also covered.

Join us in not taking ourselves—or Outlander—too seriously.

The podcast episode is nothing but spoilers. Proceed as you wish.