Silver Screeners

75 years ago, The Best Years of Our Lives, the story of three WWII veterans struggling to readjust to life as civilians, to hold down jobs, to reconnect with loved ones, and to reclaim some sense of optimism, premiered in New York City. Becoming the 2nd-highest grossing film ever of its time, it won 7 competitive Oscars, including Best Picture, plus a Special Recognition award for co-star Harold Russell, a non-actor who served in WWII in real life. Go behind the scenes to find out how this classic came to be and how it was received at the time. Plus, the usual behind-the-scenes facts, trivia segment, and shout-outs to listeners! "Grazie di cuore, Papa."

Call him the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, or simply Batman, but he is a DC superhero who's been a fan favorite for almost an entire century. Davey A from the podcast I'd Give That 10 Minutes! joins me for a look back at the 1989 summertime blockbuster Batman, directed by Tim Burton, with Michael Keaton donning the cape and driving the Batmobile while movie audiences "got a load of" Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Plus, the usual fun facts, poll results, trivia segment, and shout-outs to listeners!

In the early morning hours of November 13, 1974, a horrific mass murder of an entire family occurred in a Dutch colonial house in an upscale neighborhood in Amityville, Long Island. One year later, another family bought the house and moved in. 28 days later, claiming paranormal disturbances, they fled and left everything they owned behind. In 1979, a movie based on the alleged haunting was released and launched a franchise. Here in episode 28, we look back at the controversies surrounding what happened to both families. Plus, the usual behind the scenes facts, new trivia, and listener shout-outs.

30 years ago, FBI trainee Clarice Starling went to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and one of cinema's most well-written psychological thrillers launched Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, screenwriter Ted Tally, and director Jonathan Demme out of their seats and onto the stage at the Academy Awards. In episode 27, we look at 1991's Oscar winner for Best Picture, as well as its 2001 sequel, Hannibal, in which Julianne Moore stepped into the role of Agent Starling to face off against Hopkins. Plus, the usual behind the scenes fun facts, new trivia, poll results, and listener shout-outs! "Ti voglio bene, Nonna."

I'm joined in episode 26 by Tommy Goodwin from the podcast Rewatch, Relive, Repeat to celebrate two werewolf movie classics - the 80th anniversary of 1941's The Wolf Man directed by George Waggner and starring Lon Chaney, Jr. and the 40th of An American Werewolf in London, directed by John Landis and starring David Naughton! We quiz each other, discuss the movies, and have great conversation. Plus, the usual fun facts, poll results, trivia segment, and shout-outs to listeners!

Silver Screeners celebrates its 25th episode with a tribute to the 90th anniversary of Dracula and Frankenstein, both horror classics from 1931! Guest Ian Graham from the podcast Cult Connections joins me to discuss both icons and their enduring legacies. Plus. the usual fun facts, poll results, trivia segment, and shout-outs to listeners!

"They're coming to get you, Barbara!" Take a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a nostalgic romp through abandoned farmhouses and creepy cemeteries through the creative vision of George A. Romero! We look at 1968's cult classic (as well as the 1990 Romero-produced remake) to see why it is a permanent fixture in the horror genre. Plus, the usual behind the scenes fun facts, new trivia, poll results, and listener shout-outs!

Friend and colleague Jamie (no, not that Jamie) and her brother Eric (no, not Michael Myers) join me for a fun-filled look back at the entire Halloween franchise! We revisit favorite moments, favorite characters, favorite timelines in the series ... and throw trivia questions around like Laurie Strode wields those sewing needles. Plus, the usual listener trivia segment, poll results, and shout-outs!

For part 2 of the show's first two-parter, we look at two comedies to kick off the new school year. Thornton Melon, the eternally enthusiastic optimist, and Billy Madison, the overgrown, rambunctious man-child, both return to the classroom for the first time in years to give academia all they've got! Behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, new trivia, and shout-outs to you, your comments, and feedback!

It's September, and a new school semester is underway. Whether it's been two weeks, two months, or two decades since you were last in a classroom, we all see the back-to-school sales and feel the daily commutes getting tighter with school transportation once again on the roads every morning and afternoon. For the show's first two-parter, we look at 1999's October Sky and 2006's Akeelah and the Bee for crowd-pleasing, inspirational stories about the academic underdog who gives it their all to defy the odds, rise to a challenge, and see what they're made of - with the help of supportive teachers and mentors along the way. Plus, the usual behind-the-scenes fun facts, poll results, new trivia, and more shout-outs to listeners!