For this episode, we’re breaking format a bit. Instead of focusing on one film, we’ll talk about several: all from the silent film era. It’s not a draft, but each panelist has picked a movie, and we’ve all watched them! Our guide is guest host, Micki Maynard!

Silent Sampler

Micheline Maynard with Shelly Brisbin, Nathan Alderman, Dr. Drang, Annette Wierstra and Randy Dotinga

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The Movies

All of these films are freely available on YouTube. Better versions of most are available for purchase or streaming. Here, I’m providing the YouTube links.

Links

The Self-Referential LTS

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Nicholas Ray directs Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Graham. Bogie is Dix Steele, who should not be confused for Captain Picard’s hollowdeck alter ego, Dixon Hill. (Am I the only one who does that?) Bogie is not a detective, but a screenwriter suspected of murder. In A Lonely Place is considered one of the best film noir made, and Bogart and Graham give excellent performances.

In A Lonely Place

Shelly Brisbin with Judy Samelson, Randy Dotinga, Micheline Maynard and Nathan Alderman

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, our topic:

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It’s the age-old story: Boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl get married, girl’s psychosexual hangups put strain on their marriage, girl may or may not begin turning into a large murderous panther because of an ancient family curse … you know, the usual. Horror auteur Val Lewton and ace director Jacques Tourneur spin a low budget into shadow-drenched, spine-tingling gold in a creepy classic that takes the time to care about its characters, and brilliantly lets sound, suggestion, and your imagination do all the heavy lifting. Featuring the most infamous bus in movie history! (Note: This is the 1940s original, not the, er, sweaty 1980s remake.) With your guest host, Nathan Alderman.

Cat People

Nathan Alderman with Shelly Brisbin, Annette Wierstra and Randy Dotinga

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

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We watch Billy Wilder’s story of a silent film queen’s life in middle age and the screenwriter who stumbles into her world. Noir, melodrama, dark humor, horror. It’s all here in this classic, staring Gloria Swanson. She’s all of 46 when she made this movie, but a has-been like her character. This episode is full of excellent trivia and unexpected connections made by our super-smart panel.

Sunset Boulevard

Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

This is the last episode of the LTS summer season. We’ll be back in October with more classic movies.

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Probably the best of the Sturges comedies, The Palm Beach Story is part romance, part screwball comedy, part drawing room comedy. The performances sparkle, the movie looks great, and the plot is inventive. Joel McCrea and Claudette Colbert are our delightful stars. And I get to talk about Mary Astor some more. Don’t miss this one, kids.

The Palm Beach Story

Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Dr. Drang, Annette Wierstra and Nathan Alderman

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

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Fair warning: this recap of a Preston Sturges film from 1937 also features Barbie content.

Easy Living

Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

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Shelly talks with the “czar of noir” about his new book, his favorite films noir and what’s happening at Turner Classic Movies.

An Interview with Eddie Muller

Shelly Brisbin with Eddie Muller

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Eddie Muller Interview Links

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

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Who would dare comment on the inherently propagandistic aspects of the war effort, right in the middle of World War II? That would be Preston Sturges. A soldier is discharged from the Army because he has hay fever, but is declared a war hero when he returns to his hometown. Eddie Bracken and Ella Raines (last seen on LTS in Phantom Lady) are your stars.

Hail the Conquoring Hero

Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

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The Summer of Sturges continues with a movie that’s not in a class with The Lady Eve. But we still need to talk about it. World-renown conductor Rex Harrison suspects his much younger wife (Linda Darnell) of cheating on him, and he dreams up three different ways to punish her for it.

Unfaithfully Yours (1948)

Shelly Brisbin with Erika Ensign, David J. Loehr and Randy Dotinga

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The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

Next time, we’ll watch

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We begin the summer of (Preston) Sturgess celebration with a true classic. Director and stars were at their best here, and it’s a treat to watch LTS’ favorite dame work her magic on Henry Fonda. I have four more Sturgess offerings coming up, but this one is hard to beat.

The Lady Eve

Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard and Annette Wierstra

Get in touch with the show at [email protected] or on the socials.

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.