Musical Matinee

We’re continuing our tenth anniversary celebration with a conversation with Turner Classic Movies Host, Dave Karger. Dave and Brandon both share an affinity for movie musicals and spend time discussing some of their favorites. We also discuss what Dave has coming up on Musical Matinee which airs every Saturday at 12pm est/11am cst on Turner Classic Movies.

Dave Karger is a host on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). An award-winning host, interviewer, and entertainment expert, Dave began guest hosting on TCM in 2016 and was named an official host in 2018. He is also the host of TCM’s Musical Matinee, celebrating the musical genre each Saturday. He has made more than 200 live appearances on NBC’s Today. In 2018 he co-hosted ABC’s Live from the Red Carpet on Oscar night. His first book, 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins was released in January 2024.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Welcome Lorna and Duke

Front Row Classics is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week and we’re celebrating with a series of special episodes. Today, Brandon is chatting with two very special guests. We welcome the wonderful Lorna Luft and, friend of the podcast, James Duke Mason.  Lorna and Duke chat with Brandon about 1954’s A Star is Born. We discuss the legendary performances of Judy Garland (Lorna’s mother) and James Mason (Duke’s grandfather). The three chat about the inception, production and aftermath of the film as well as the impact it still has on our popular culture.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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Written on the Wind

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most popular films in the catalog of Douglas Sirk. Brandon and Emmett Stanton discuss 1956’s Written on the Wind. The hosts celebrate Sirk’s signature style and melodramatic tone that permeate through all his films. The two also discuss the star studded cast including Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and an Oscar-winning performance by Dorothy Malone. We also make the connections between films like this and the modern American soap opera. 

FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Emmett Stanton

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Jezebel

Front Row Classics welcomes back our friends from Sweet Tea and TV to take a look at another movie with a southern flavor. Brandon welcomes back Nikki and Salina to take a look at 1938’s Jezebel. The three discuss the Oscar-winning performance from Bette Davis and why it remains one of the standouts of her career. We also discuss the direction of William Wyler as well as the portrayal of the South throughout the movie.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side

Front Row Classics is taking a splash this summer with Esther Williams. Brandon and Ben Burke are chatting about 1953’s Dangerous When Wet. The two discuss Williams’ underrated talents as well as the prolific career of director, Charles Walters. The talents of Fernando Lamas, William Demarest, Jack Carson and Charlotte Greenwood are honored. Brandon and Ben also spend time discussing the legendary underwater sequence featuring Tom and Jerry.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Ben Burke

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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NEELY O’ HARA!!!

Front Row Classics is taking a look at a not-so-great movie that has earned a cult status over the decades. Brandon welcomes Nigel Speed and Kevin McLain to discuss 1967’s Valley of the Dolls. We talk about the camp legacy the movie has left behind along with the devoted following from the gay community. The three talk about the stand out moments and performances as well as behind the scenes trivia. 

FEATURING: Brandon Davis, Kevin McClain and Nigel Speed

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Liza with a Z

Front Row Classics welcomes back historian and freelance writer, Holley Snaith. Holley recently contributed two articles for PBS’ American Masters documentary, “Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story. Brandon and Holley discuss the highlights of the documentary as well as their own thoughts of Liza career, especially her career in film.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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Happy Birthday Judy!

Front Row Classics welcomes Pat Gallagher to celebrate Judy Garland on her 103rd birthday today! Pat is the “man behind the curtain” of The Judy Garland Archive on Instagram. He has earned a loyal following through his thought curation of Garland’s life and career. Brandon and Pat discuss their mutual admiration for Garland’s talent and Pat’s origins as a Garland/Oz fan. We also discuss the events/opportunities that Pat’s efforts have allowed him to be part of. 

You can find Pat on Instagram at @judygarlandarchives.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Nyaw

TCM Imports

Front Row Classics welcomes back Turner Classic Movies host, Alicia Malone. Alicia recently penned “TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema”. Brandon and Alicia discuss the origins of the book along with her passion for international cinema. The two also discuss the wide variety of genres covered in the book.

“TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema” is available from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies wherever books are sold.

Alicia Malone is a host on Turner Classic Movies and the host of TCM Imports, showcasing cinematic treasures from around the world. Malone is an authority on classic, independent, and foreign films, and is passionate about supporting women in film. She has given two TEDx talks on the accomplishments and obstacles women have faced throughout cinema’s history. Malone began her television career in her native Australia, working behind the scenes. Her expertise in film led to her transition as a host, interviewer, and film critic for television, radio, print, and online. She has appeared as a film expert on a variety of TV channels and programs, including CNN’s The Movies documentary series, MSNBC, Access Hollywood, E!, Entertainment Tonight, MTV, and ABC.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
Twitter: @FRNCLASSICS
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrownetwork/
Instagram: frontrowclassicspod
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Nyaw

Celebrating Vera Miles

Front Row Classics welcomes author, Christopher McKittrick, to celebrate Vera Miles. Chris recently penned a book called “Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away”. Brandon and Chris discuss how Miles’ shaped her life & career on her own terms. We also discuss her relationship with Alfred Hitchcock while making films like “Psycho” and “The Wrong Man”. 

“Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away” is available from University Press of Kentucky wherever books are sold. 

Christopher McKittrick is the author of Gimme All Your Lovin’: The Blues, Boogie, and Beard of ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, Somewhere You Feel Free: Tom Petty and Los Angeles, and Can’t Give It Away on Seventh Avenue: The Rolling Stones and New York City. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA TODAY, and more. McKittrick is also a regular contributor on podcasts and radio programs concerning film, music, and pop culture.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
Twitter: @FRNCLASSICS
Email: [email protected]
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Instagram: frontrowclassicspod
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Nyaw