“THE HOLMES ACTING DYNASTY: FROM STAGE TO SCREEN” - 11/24/25  (115)

When we think of the great acting family dynasties of Hollywood, we often think of the Barrymores, the Carradines, or the Fondas, but today we’ll be discussing another acting dynasty that may not be as familiar, but is every bit as interesting. The HOLMES family consisted of prolific character actor TAYLOR HOLMES, whose career spanned from Broadway to film to TV, his actress wife, EDNA PHILLIPS, and their talented children, PHILLIPS HOLMES, a leading man of the early 1930s, MADELEINE TAYLOR HOLMES, a gifted character performer in her own right, and actor RALPH HOLMES, whose early promise was tragically cut short. Joining us is special guest actress/musician MICHELLE HOLMES, who is a cousin of Taylor Holmes. Together, we’ll explore how the Holmes family helped shape the Golden Age of Hollywood — and how their influence still lingers today.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Fool For Luck (1917);

Ruggles of Red Gap (1918);

Kiss of Death (1947);

Nightmare Alley (1947);

Joan of Arc (1948);

A Christmas Carol (1949);

Father of the Bride (1950);

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953);

Sleeping Beauty (1959);

An American Tragedy (1931);

Broken Lullaby (1932);

Dinner at Eight (1933);

Nana (1934);

Great Expectations (1934); 

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976);

Fatso (1980);

Undersea Kingdom (1936);

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"FROM SILENT DREAMS TO SILVER SCREENS - THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN STORY" Nov 17, 2025 - (114)

Each year thousands of people flock to Hollywood, and most are usually stopped in their tracks upon the first sighting of the iconic Hollywood Sign. Sitting high atop Mount Lee 1400 feet above the city, the Sign is a mesmerizing beacon of light that has come to symbolize the hopes and dreams of so many who’ve come here to become a star. This week, we get (really) up-close and personal with the Hollywood Sign. At the invitation of the Hollywood Sign Trust, the organization in charge of maintaining, protecting, and publicizing the Sign, we were able to record at the base of the Sign, a location that is off-limits to the public. Joining us to tell the fascinating and fanciful history of the Hollywood Sign is DIANA WRIGHT, who works with the Trust. You won’t want to miss this one! 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“20 Fun Facts About The Hollywood Sign,” January 22, 2017, by Nelson James, Signs.com;

Hollywoodsign.org;

laconservancy.org;

Hollywoodchamber.net;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

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EPISODE 113 -  “BIG STAR, SMALL SCREEN - A CONVERSATION WITH FRONT ROW CLASSICS’ BRANDON DAVIS” - 11/10/25

In the early days of television, many classic film actors were hesitant—or even outright refused—to appear on TV for a multitude of reasons. Many thought that TV was low-brow. Others thought they would get overexposed and it would somehow diminish their box-office power. Slowly stars like LORETTA YOUNG, BARBARA STANWYCK, ROBERT MONTGOMERY, and LUCILLE BALL figured out that TV could enhance and elongate their popularity and appeal. Slowly, classic stars began to pop up on the boob-tube. Joining us this week is BRANDON DAVIS, host extraordinaire of the fantastic podcast Front Row Classics, who will discuss the migration of classic film stars to the small screen and how it affected their popularity and careers. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen IDA LUPINO doing her best “Norma Desmond” on an episode of “Charlie’s Angels” in 1977.  

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Columbo: The Series (2017), by Scott V. Palmer;

Wagon Train: The Television Series (2011), by James Rosin;

I Love Lucy: The Complete Picture History of the Most Popular TV Show Ever (1998), by Michael McClay;

Perry Mason TV Show Book (1987), by Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

TV Series Mentioned:

I Love Lucy 

The Lucy Show

The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour

Here’s Lucy

The Barbara Stanwyck Show

Dr. Kildare

Perry Mason

Route 66

Wagon Train

The Big Valley

Batman

Petticoat Junction

The Brady Bunch

The Carol Burnett Show

Columbo

Murder She Wrote

The Love Boat

Fantasy Island 

Hotel

Falcon Crest

Charlie’s Angels

The Colbys

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EPISODE 112 -  “CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH: JACQUELINE WHITE” - 11/03/25

When we think of our beloved Classic film stars who are still with us, we tend to think of EVA MARIE SAINT, ANN BLYTH, KIM NOVAK, ROBERT WAGNOR, or DICK VAN DYKE, however, there is one star among us who will be turning 103 in November. The name JACQUELINE WHITE may not ring any bells today, but for a brief time in the 1940s, she was a beautiful, talented leading lady with much promise. In fact, when she was up for the lead role of the mother in the 1946 film The Yearling, she was told by the producers that she was too beautiful to portray the simple pioneer woman. The role went to JANE WYMAN, who probably would have been none-too-pleased to know that, apparently, she was just fine playing such a plain and simple woman! But as a consolation prize, Wyman was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actress. Join us as we pay tribute to Jacqueline White and her contribution to classic cinema. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Jacqueline White Official Biography, 1946, RKO Studios;

“Jacqueline White May Be The New Irene Dunne, December 1, 1946, Los Angeles Times;

“Jacqueline White to Wed,” September 20, 1948, by Louella Parsons, Los Angeles Examiner;

“Snappy Shots,” October 24, 1948, by Dorothy Manners, Los Angeles Examiner;

“An Interview With…Jacqueline White,” by Mike Fitzgerald, Western Clippings;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Dr. Gillespie’s New Assistant  (1942), starring Lionel Barrymore, Van Johnson, & Susan Peters;

Reunion in France (1942), starring Joan Crawford & John Wayne;

Air Raid Wardens (1943), starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, & Jacqueline White;

Three Hearts for Julia (1943), starring Ann Sothern & Melvyn Douglas;

Pilot #5 (1943), starring Franchot Tone, Marsha Hunt, & Gene Kelly;

Swing Shift Maisie (1943), starring Ann Sothern & James Craig;

A Guy Named Joe (1943), starring Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne, & Van Johnson;

Song of Russia (1944), starring Robert Taylor & Susan Peters;

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), starring Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, & Robert Walker;

The Harvey Girls (1946), starring Judy Garland, John Hodiak, & Angela Lansbury;

The Show Off (1946), starring Red Skelton, Marilyn Maxwell, & Marjorie Main;

Banjo (1947), starring Sharron Moffat & Jacqueline White;

Seven Keys To Baldpate (1947), starring Phillip Terry & Jacqueline White;

Crossfire (1947), starring Robert Young, Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, & Gloria Grahame;

Night Song (1947); starring Dana Andrews & Merle Oberon;

Return of the Bad Men (1948), starring Randolph Scott, Robert Ryan, Anne Jeffries, & Jacqueline White;

Mystery In Mexico (1948), starring William Lundigan & Jacqueline White;

Riders on The Range (1950), starring Tim Holt & Jacqueline White;

The Capture (1950), starring Lew Ayres & Teresa Wright

The Narrow Margin (1952), starring Charles MacGRaw, Marie Windsor & Jacqueline White;

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EPISODE 111 -  “CELEBRATING DIANE KEATON: THE HIDDEN GEMS OF A HOLLYWOOD ORIGINAL” - 10/27/25

When DIANE KEATON passed away on October 11, 2025, she left behind an incredible legacy of important films and stunning performances that were some of the best of the era. Her youthful effervescence, her fashion style, everything about her belied mortality.  Most people think of her masterful, Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall, (1977) but her career is so much more than that one role. Over the past five decades, her filmography is a study in contrasts: farce, heart wrenching dramas, rom-coms with a twist — she’s taken risks, playing complicated women (even in the lighter faire), and made some really interesting choices. In this episode, we’re going to take a look at some of the films Diane Keaton made that don’t always get the spotlight they deserve. Watching these films, whether for the first time or a revisit, you realize just how bold and varied her work was. Whether in a quiet drama focusing on an intimate character study, a quirky comedy, or something completely unexpected, Diane Keaton always brought a mix of honesty, humor, and heart that was entirely her own.  So, today we honor the life and legacy of the multifaceted Diane Keaton.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Play It Again, Sam (1972), starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, & Tony Roberts;

Looking For Mr, Goodbar (1977), starring Diane Keaton, Tuesday Weld, William Atherton, Richard Gere, Richard Riley, Allen Fienstein, Tom Berenger,  Priscilla Pointer, & LaVar Burton;

Interiors (1978), starring Diane Keaton, Mary Beth Hurt, Kristin Griffith, Geraldine Page, E.G. Marshall, Richard Jordan, Sam Waterston, & Maureen Stapleton;

Shoot The Moon (1978), starring Diane Keaton, Albert Finney, Dana Hill, Karen Allen, Peter Weller, Tracy Gold, Tina Yothers, & Viveka Davis;

Marvin’s Room (1996), starring Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert DeNiro, Gwen Verdon, Hume Cronyn, & Hal Scardino;

Sometime’s Gotta Give (2003), starring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Frances McDormand, & Jon Favreau;

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EPISODE 110 -  “LON CHANEY SR, and LON CHANEY JR” - 10/25

LON CHANEY, known as the 'Man of a Thousand Faces,' amazed audiences in the silent era with his unforgettable performances in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925). He was a master of transformation, using makeup, physicality, and raw emotion to create these classic characters no one had ever seen before. His son, LON CHANEY, JR., had the difficult job of following in his father’s footsteps. But he made his own mark, especially as The Wolf Man (1941), a role that turned him into one of Universal’s great horror stars. Join us as we discuss this remarkable father-and-son duo, their careers, their lives, and how the Chaney name became synonymous with both monsters and movie magic.

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“Not the Girl Next Door” (2008), by Charlotte Chandler;  

“Lon Chaney: The Man Behind the Thousand Faces” (1993), by Michael F. Blake;

www.lonchaney.com;

PBS.org/WNET/AmericanMasters;

Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces, Documentary (2022);

Lon Chaney, Jr.: Son of a Thousand Faces, Documentary, A&E Biography (1995);

“Secrets from Lon Chaney’s Oklahoma Odyssey,” November 14, 1982, by Sam Anderson, The Oklahoman;

“9 Transformative Facts About Lon Chaney Sr.,” November 6, 2019, by Jane Rose, Mental Floss;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923);

The Phantom of the Opera (1925);

The Wolf Man (1941);

By the Sun’s Rays (1914);

The Wicked Darling (1919);

The Miracle Man (1919);

The Penalty (1920);

He Who Gets Slapped (1924);

The Unholy Three (1925);

The Blackbird (1926);

The Road to Mandalay (1926);

Tell It to the Marines (1926);

Mr. Wu (1927);

The Unknown (1927); 

London After Midnight (1927);

The Big City (1928);

Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928); 

While the City Sleeps (1928); 

West of Zanzibar (1928);

Where East is East (1929); 

Thunder (1929);

Girl Crazy (1932);

Undersea Kingdom (1936);

Of Mice and Men (1939);

One Billion BC (1940);

Billy the Kid (1941);

Riders of Death Valley (1941);

Badlands of Dakota (1941);

Too Many Blondes (1941);

San Antonio Rose (1941);

Man Made Monster (1941);

Frankenstein (1932);

The Mummy (1932);

The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942);

The Mummy’s Tomb (1942);

Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943);

Son of Dracula (1943);

House of Frankenstein (1944);

Abbott and CostelloMeet Frankenstein (1948);

High Noon (1952);

Bride of the Gorilla (1951);

The Black Castle (1952);

Indestructible Man (1956);

The Alligator (1959);

The Bushwhacker (1952);

The Silver Star (1955);

The Haunted Palace (1963);

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971);

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“HOLLYWOOD GOLDEN BOY: THE LEGACY OF ROBERT REDORD” - 10/13/25 - (109)

On September 16, 2025, the world lost a cinematic giant when ROBERT REDFORD, the golden boy of Hollywood, passed away at the age of 89 in his beloved Utah. Redford was a towering figure in American cinema whose influence spanned over six decades as an actor, director, producer, and environmental activist. Known for his striking looks, natural charisma, and understated acting style, Redford became a leading man in the 1960s and '70s with iconic roles in classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and All the President's Men. Join us this week as we pay tribute to this giant of the big screen! 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

“Robert Redford: Legendary Leading man, Environmentalist, Movie Maverick,” 2025, Parade Magazine;

"Robert Redford the Actor: A Look Back at His Movies,” September 19, 2025, by Pamela McClintock & Mia Galuppo, Hollywood Reporter.

“Peter Biskind on Robert Redford’s Legacy,” September 18, 2025, by Peter Biskind, Hollywood Reporter;

“Inside Daisy Clover,” June 11, 2023, by Brian Hannan, The Magnificent 60s.com;

“Candidate, a Comedy About the State of Politics, Opens: Robert Redford Plays Senatorial Hopeful Chronicle of a Doomed Campaign Is at Sutton,” June 19, 1972,  by Vincent Canby, New York Times;

RoberEbert.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Inside Daisy Clover (1965), starring Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Christopher Plummer, Ruth Gordon, and Roddy McDowell;

Downhill Racer (1969), starring Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, & Camilla Sparv;

This Property is Condemned (1966), starring Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Kate Reid, Charles Bronson, Robert Blake, & Mary Badham;

Jeremiah Johnson (1972), starring Robert Redford, Will Geer, & Delle Bolton;

Tell Them Willie Boy is Here (1969), starring Robert Redford, Robert Blake, & Katharine Ross;

The Candidate (1972), starring Robert Redford, Peter Boyle, Melvin Douglas, Don Porter, Karen Carlson, & Allen Garfield;

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EPISODE 108 -  “HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY: GLENN FORD & ELEANOR POWELL, REMEMBERED BY SON PETER FORD” - 10/06/25

PETER FORD was born into Hollywood royalty. As the son of MGM dancing sensation ELEANOR POWELL, and rugged leading man GLENN FORD, he was born into a world stat few can imagine. He lived in a mansion in Beverly Hills with a staff of 8. He called RITA HAYWORTH “Aunt Rita,” was babysat by JAMES MASON, had his first martini (at 10!) thanks to FRITZ LANG, and often had luminaries like HENRY FONDA, BARBARA STANWYCK, and CLARK GABLE at his dining room table. Peter once wrote, “I was sent by Central Casting to play the role of the perfect Hollywood son in this idyllic world of make-believe. I was great and performed flawlessly. It was hard work but I was underpaid!” Join us as Peter offers a fascinating, honest, and informative discussion of his loving, but complicated relationship with his parents, and what it was like to grow up surrounded by icons. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Glenn Ford: A Life (2011), by Peter Ford;

“Peter Ford, A Star’s Son: The Hardest Job in the World,” April 2011, by Charles Ziarko, Classic Images; 

www.PeterFord.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Gilda (1946), starring Glenn Ford & RitaHayworth;

The Big Heat (1953), starring Glenn Ford & Gloria Grahame;

Heaven With The Barbed Wire Fence (1939), starring Glenn Ford, Jean Rogers & Richard Conte;

So Ends the Night (1941), starring Fredric March, Glenn Ford & Margaret Sullavan;

The Loves of Carmen (1948), starring Glenn Ford & Rita Hayworth;

The Man From Colorado (1948), starring Glen Ford, William Holden & Ellen Drew;

The Blackboard Jungle (1955), starring Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier & Anne Francis;

Interrupted Melody (1955), starring Glenn Ford & Eleanor Parker;

3:10 to Yuma (1957), starring Glenn Ford & Van Heflin;

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EPISODE 107 -  “SUSAN PETERS: A CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD TRAGEDY” - 9/29/25

SUSAN PETERS was a rising star in Hollywood’s Golden Age, a gifted actress whose poise, talent, and beauty quickly earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. With a promising career ahead of her, she seemed destined for lasting stardom—until a devastating accident abruptly changed everything, marking the beginning of a long, painful decline. Her story is one of both brilliance and heartbreak, a portrait of a woman whose strength and grace were ultimately no match for the crushing weight of physical and emotional suffering. Today, we’ll be discussing the tragic arc of Susan Peters’ life and career, examining how a promising future was shattered in an instant. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Fallen Angels: The Tragic Untimely Deaths of 14 Hollywood Beauties (1991), by Kirk Crivello;

“The Tragic Death of Susan Peters,” May 10, 2022, by Karen Corday, Grunge.com;

“The Many Acts of Susan Peters,” June 25, 2018, by Christina Newland, Hazlitt.com;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

Susan and God (1940), starring Joan Crawford & Fredric March;

Santa Fe Trail (1940), starring Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland;

The Strawberry Blonde (1941), starring James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, & Rita Hayworth;

Meet John Doe (1941), starring Barbara Stanwyck & Gary Cooper;

Scattergood Pulls The Strings (1941), starring Guy Kibbee;

The Big Shot (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart;

Tish (1942), starring Marjorie Main & Lee Bowman;

Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant (1942), starring Lionel Barrymore & Van Johnson;

Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942), starring Mickey Rooney;

Random Harvest (1942), starring Greer Garson & Ronald Colman;

Assignment in Brittany (1943), starring Jean-Pierre Aumont;

Young Ideas (1943), staring Herbert Marshall & Mary Astor;

Song of Russia (1944), starring Robert Taylor & Susan Peters;

Keep Your Powder Dry (1945), Starring Lana Turner, Laraine Day, & Susan Peters’

The Sign of the Ram (1948), starring Susan Peters & Alexander Knox;

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EPISODE 106 -  “FROM THE BAD SEED TO THE WONDER YEARS: PATTY MCCORMACK AND DAN LAURIA IN CONVERSATION” - 9/22/25

This week, we are thrilled to welcome two celebrated actors —  PATTY McCORMACK, who made an indelible mark on cinema as the unforgettable child star of “The Bad Seed,” and Dan Lauria, beloved for his role as the father on “The Wonder Years” and his extensive work on stage and screen. Patty and Dan share personal stories from their careers, reflect on the craft of acting, and talk about what continues to inspire their love of performance. It’s a lively, heartfelt conversation that blends Hollywood history with the enduring passion of two artists who’ve spent their lives in the spotlight.  Patty and Dan are currently starring in Dan’s play “Just Another Day,” a beautiful look at aging, love, memories and the power of a good classic movie.  

SHOW NOTES: 

To purchase tickets to JUST ANOTHER DAY starring Patty McCormack and Dan Lauria, visit https://odysseytheatre.com/whats-on/just-another-day/ through September 28, 2025.

Sources:

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com

Movies Mentioned:

The Bad Seed (1956), starring Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, and William Hopper;

Frost/Nixon (2008), starring Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, & Kevin Bacon;

The Master (2012), staring Philip Seymour Hoffman & Joaquin Phoenix;

Reagan (2924), starring Dennis Quaid, Penelope Ann Miller, & Jon Voight;

All Mine To Give (1957) starring Glynis Johns & Cameron Mitchell;

Kathy O (1958), starring Dan Duryea, Patty McCormack, Jan Sterling, & Sam Levene:

Jacktown (1962), starring Patty McCormack & Richard Meade;

Mary Jane (1968), starring Fabian & Diane McBain;

The Young Runaways (1968), starring Kevin Coughlin & Patty McCormack;

Don Quixote (1972), starring Akim Tamiroff;

9 1/2 Weeks (1986); starring Mickey Rourke & Kim Basinger;

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