The 1933 classic “King Kong” has been referred to as not only a terrifying monster movie, but also an epic fairy tale, tragic love story, and landmark piece of cinema. 

In fact, this groundbreaking film actually originated the legendary character of King Kong, now part of the MonsterVerse… and it’s the focus of this week’s fun podcast!

What role did a Komodo dragon play in inspiring the story concept for “King Kong”? Why has Fay Wray been called the very first Scream Queen? Just how did Willis O’Brien and his team bring King Kong to life, in what has been described as “a towering achievement of ingenuity and early effects mastery”? And what is the mystery behind the lost spider pit sequence?

We discuss all this and more in this monster of an episode! 

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The 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” became an American classic. 

The 1962 film adaptation earned 8 Oscar nominations, 3 wins, and Atticus Finch the #1 spot on AFI’s 2003 list of greatest movie heroes.

And the Pulitzer Prize awarded to Harper Lee is believed to be one factor behind her failed friendship with Truman Capote.

In this fascinating podcast, we discuss the legacy of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and trace the long journey of this classic work. 

What elements of Harper Lee’s own life are reflected in “To Kill a Mockingbird”? What does Mary Badham, who played Scout, consider her favorite memory from filming? What role did Harper Lee play in creating Truman Capote’s book “In Cold Blood,” and what caused the long-time friends to drift apart? And why has Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” for Broadway been referred to as a ‘rethink’?

We discuss all this and more!

Thank you to Scamanda creator/investigator Nancy Moscatiello for her shout-out at the top of the episode! Be sure to check out the podcast Scamanda, available everywhere podcasts are found, along with the docuseries of the same name, exclusively on Hulu. Our coverage of the case can be found in Episodes 198, 199, 205, and 206 (September & November 2025)!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Often referred to as “The Master of the Legal Thriller,“ John Grisham published his first book, “A Time to Kill,” in 1989, and 37 years later, he shows no signs of slowing down. 

He has now written 51 consecutive #1 bestsellers that have been translated into more than 50 languages. 

So  what better time to celebrate the career of the acclaimed and prolific author John Grisham than the week of his 71st birthday (February 8)?

What real-life experience inspired John Grisham to write “A Time to Kill”? How did “The Firm” change the author’s life? What’s the best writing advice John ever received? How has John’s wife Renee been instrumental to his success? And just how HAS he produced more than 50 bestsellers?

The verdict is in… this podcast episode is for you! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

“You can’t handle the truth…”

If you’re a fan of  the 1992 classic “A Few Good Men”-- a film is widely considered to be one of the top 10 courtroom dramas in American film history– this episode is for you!

What mystery surrounds a Marine involved in the real-life incident that inspired “A Few Good Men”? How did Aaron Sorkin’s sister (and cocktail napkins) help him create the story? Why did a TV exec question Demi Moore’s casting? And what have Jack Nicholson’s castmates said about their experience working with the legendary actor?

We discuss all this and more, including a brief tribute to director Rob Reiner. 

How to support Scandal Water:

#OrderintheCourt #JuryDuty #Courtroom #AFewGoodMen #AaronSorkin #RobReiner #TomCruise #JackNicholson #DemiMoore #KevinPollack #KevinBacon #Film #Movies #Podcast #February

In September of 1943, bombardier Louis Zamperini and his friend Phil, the pilot of their crashed B-24 plane, finally reached land after being stranded on the ocean for 47 days.

Louie had no idea the two had landed in Japanese territory, at a location nicknamed “Execution Island,” and that his situation was about to get much worse…

In this fascinating podcast we tell the story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who survived  a plane crash and 47 days in a life raft, only to face 2 years in Japanese POW camps and a sadistic guard nicknamed “The Bird.”

You won’t want to miss this inspiring story, detailed in the bestselling 2010 book “Unbroken” and the 2014 film by the same title. 

How to support Scandal Water:

 #SurvivorStories #ScandalWaterPodcast #LouisZamperini #Unbroken  #PlaneCrash #WorldWarII #Olympics #POW #Survivors

“I hadn’t left the plane… the plane had left me.”

This is the situation that 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke faced on December 24, 1971. Hit by lightning, the plane in which Juliane and her mother were traveling had broken up, and the teen– who was still strapped into her bench seat– found herself free-falling to the earth from the height of approximately 2 miles. 

Miraculously, Juliane survived, only to realize that she was alone in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, injured, nearly blind due to broken capillaries and her lost glasses, and wearing only a torn minidress and a single sandal. 

Be sure to join us for the fascinating story of how Juliane Koepcke survived not only a plane crash, but also 11 days alone in the Amazon jungle.

Thank you to Aletta for her shout-out at the top of the episode! Be sure to check out the podcast Scamanda, available everywhere podcasts are found, along with the docuseries of the same name, exclusively on Hulu. Our coverage of the case is in Episodes 198, 199, 205, and 206! (September & November 2025). 

How to support Scandal Water:

#SurvivorStories #ScandalWaterPodcast #JulianeKoepcke #PlaneCrash #AmazonRainforest #Scamanda #Survivors

“Kevinnnn!”

If that simple quote immediately floods you with feelings of nostalgia, the holiday spirit, and memories of an 8-year-old boy outwitting the bumbling Wet Bandits, this episode is for you!

The Christmas classic “Home Alone”  turns 35 this year, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with this fun podcast.

How did John Hughes come up with the idea for “Home Alone”? What unpleasant experience with a popular actor led Chris Columbus to his role as director? How was the town of Winnetka transformed into the film’s setting, and what memories have been shared by the daughter who lived in the famous McCallister home? How did Daniel Stern almost lose his role as the dimwitted Marv? And what are a few of Macauley Culkins’ recollections from filming? 

We discuss all this and more! So join the fun… and keep the change, ya filthy animal!

How to support Scandal Water:

Looking for your own small-town, Hallmark Christmas experience? Look no further than historic Frankfort, Kentucky’s state capital!

That’s where Candy and Ashley headed for an impromptu field trip last month, and they share their adventures in this fun episode. 

The visit started with a delicious lunch at the 50s-themed Main Street Diner and a word from co-owner Megan Allan. Then after a little guidance from Suzy Hosley, Executive Director for Downtown Frankfort, Inc., Ashley and Candy headed to Poor Richard’s Books, a charming independent bookstore. There, owner Liz Bernoskiei spoke briefly about the history of the business and the building in which it resides, as well as her role in helping to establish Frankfort’s popular Candlelight Weekend. After a stop at the Capital City Museum, where staff members Roger Barlow and Eva Napier offered some insights about the subject of this year’s exclusive Christmas ornament, the Lovely Miss Elizabeth, Candy and Ashley concluded their visit with a tour of the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory. On top of the bourbon balls, the two hosts were given an additional treat– the opportunity to speak with Charles Booe himself, business owner and grandson of co-founder Ruth Booe!

This episode will not only put you in a holiday mood, it will also give you ideas for your next day trip! 

How to support Scandal Water:

#ChristmasattheCapital #VisitFrankfortKY #MainStreetDiner #PoorRichardsBooks #CapitalCityMuseum #RebeccaRuthCandyFactory #Kentucky #Tourism #Christmas #FieldTrip

Good grief! It’s hard to believe it’s been 60 years since “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired. 

Yet the story of a round-headed young boy disheartened by the commercialization of Christmas remains a beloved holiday classic to this day. 

How did the Coke vs. Pepsi advertising wars help prompt “A Charlie Brown Christmas”? What challenges did the team face in translating Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” from comic strip to animated film for the first time? In what ways did this Christmas special differ from the typical TV shows of the 1960s? And why did the TV execs– and even some of the production team– fear “A Charlie Brown Christmas” would flop? We discuss all this and more!

If picturing Linus’s monologue and Charlie Brown with his humble tree still adds a little meaning to YOUR Christmas, this is the episode for you! 

Thank you to Sara Taylor for her top-of-the-episode shout-out! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Famous for their ‘eye-high’ kicks, the Rockettes have performed in every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1957, and more than 72 million people have attended their annual Christmas Spectacular that first debuted in 1933.

As if that weren’t impressive enough, this year the iconic precision dance troupe also celebrates its 100th anniversary!

How did the group evolve from the 1925 “Missouri Rockets,” whose primary purpose was performing before and after movies, to today’s world-renowned dance company? What does it take to become a Rockette? How does math play a role in the complicated process of choreographing their routines? What are some highlights from the troupe’s history? And how DO they pull off some of those moves, like the famous toy soldier fall?  We discuss all this and more!

Be sure to join us as we celebrate the Radio City Rockettes’ 100-year legacy of talent, dedication, and sisterhood. 

Thank you to Grace McKeel for her top-of-the-episode shout-out!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!