Speeding Bullitt: The Life and Films of Steve McQueen

Peter Drummey, Chief Historian and Stephen T. Riley Librarian for the Massachusetts Historical Society joins me to discuss the historical significance of Thomas Crown's home at 85 Mount Vernon Street in Boston's affluent neighbourhood of Beacon Hill.

Film producer Arthur Friedman joins me to discuss his time working for United Artists in the 1960s, including his involvement with the world premiere of The Thomas Crown Affair in Boston, Massachusetts in 1968. Our conversation also includes anecdotes from Arthur's experience in film distribution, insights into his friendship with Bobby Darin, and he explains how he got involved with the Coen brothers.

1968's The Thomas Crown Affair was the only film Steve McQueen had to fight to be in after becoming a star. Steve McQueen expert Marshall Terrill joins me to discuss why Steve badly wanted to play Thomas Crown, and how it impacted his life and career. Megan Sanders and Simon Tennant join me in the second half of the show to discuss the Sanders chukka boot, a model made popular by Steve McQueen.

Writer and Steve McQueen expert Marshall Terrill unpacks the contents of Steve McQueen's FBI file, as well as addresses rumours about Steve, including hearsay about his sexuality.

This episode contains a new introduction with Steve McQueen expert Marshall Terrill. Frank Hill met Steve McQueen in 1963 as a youth attending Boys Republic in Chino, California. Over the next 17 years, Frank developed a close relationship with McQueen, spending a significant amount of time with the Hollywood icon. During our 60-minute conversation, Frank shares many never-before-heard stories about "The King of Cool," including tales of speeding cars (and bikes), fist fights, and run-ins with police. This episode was originally released on January 9, 2020.

In 1965, John Norris scored a job as Steve McQueen's stand-in and photo double for The Sand Pebbles. The two developed a friendship, which led to Norris working with McQueen again for 1972's The Getaway. John joins me to share stories about filming the American war epic, and to talk about his friend, Steve McQueen.

Writer J.R. Jordan discusses his book, Robert Wise: The Motion Pictures, as well as the life and career of the director. The second half of the show features a conversation with Jerry Figgiani, one of McQueen's buddies from his days in Greenwich Village.

Writer and Steve McQueen expert Marshall Terrill and I explore Steve McQueen's time filming the The Sand Pebbles, an American war epic directed by Robert Wise. The second part of the show looks at the curious life of the woman who played Maily, Marayat Andriane.

Film historian and writer Alan L. Gansberg and I discuss Steve McQueen's Hollywood, exploring various aspects of the industry that impacted McQueen's life and career.

In 1965, Steve McQueen and John Sturges set out to make the first authentic grand prix racing film, Day of the Champion. The movie was shelved before being completed, leaving McQueen fans with plenty of questions about the project. Filmmaker Alex Rodger's new documentary Steve McQueen: The Lost Movie helps answer many of those questions, he joins me on Episode 31 to talk about his film.