The Front Row Network

Front Row Classics ushers in Noirvember with Joan Crawford at Warner Brothers. We're taking a look at 1949's Flamingo Road. Brandon welcomes Nikki and Salina from the podcast, Sweet Tea and TV. The podcast focuses on how the South is portrayed in TV and film. The hosts take a look at the soapy, southern tone of the film along with the colorful cast of characters. We praise the towering presence of Crawford who carries an (at times) silly script in her own original way. Much of the conversation is dedicated to the highlight of the film being the amazing toxic chemistry of Joan Crawford and Sydney Greenstreet in one of cinema's most unlikely rivalries.

Front Row Classics welcomes back our friend Vanessa Ferguson and Brett Rutherford from Beyond the Mouse. The two hosts and Brandon are celebrating the 100th anniversary of MGM by taking a look at one of the greatest examples of the studio's unparalleled glamour. 1941's Ziegfeld Girl is a mammoth production illustrating what life was like for performers in the Ziegfeld Follies. The film features a star-studded cast with three great MGM stars at the center: Judy Garland, Lana Turner and Hedy Lamarr. The hosts discuss their various storylines along with the performances by Jimmy Stewart, Jackie Cooper, Tony Martin, Eve Arden and Edward Everett Horton

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most beloved comedy classics from the 1940s. We're celebrating Preston Sturges' masterpiece, Sullivan's Travels. Brandon is joined by New York Times bestselling author, Morgan Matson, to break down this hilarious and heartwarming tribute to the art of comedy. Brandon and Morgan discuss the performances of Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake along with the regular Sturges stock company of character actors. They also mention why this film is one of the most important movie about the movies ever made.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most beloved comedies in film history. Brandon is joined by Christian Keys to celebrate 1982's Tootsie. Christian is Associate Producer for One Day to Love, a podcast hosted by actress Tonja Walker. He also happens to be a classic film aficionado. Brandon and Christian discuss how the film remains both fresh & funny as well as a time capsule of the early 80s. They praise the direction of Sydney Pollack and performances by the great ensemble cast including Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Bill Murray, Dabney Coleman and Charles Durning. We take the time to also pay tribute to the late Teri Garr.

Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome film historian/preservationist Alan K. Rode to the podcast. Alan has been at the forefront of classic film community for many years. He has produced and hosted annual film festivals, produced documentaries & audio commentaries and authored two notable cinema biographies. Brandon and Alan discuss one of those titles at length; "Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film". Brandon and Alan discuss Curtiz's directing style, personality and the many beloved films he brought to the screen. The two also spend time discussing the evergreen appeal of film noir for classic film fans.

Front Row Classics welcomes back author, John DiLeo, to discuss his latest book : "Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances". The book takes a look at forty overlooked performances by actors whose co-stars took home the gold on Oscar night. The book celebrates performances ranging from the silent era through modern day. Brandon and John discuss several of the performances highlighted from films such as Captains Courageous, Paper Moon, Mary Poppins, Key Largo and Ordinary People.

John DiLeo is the author of seven other books about classic movies: And You Thought You Knew Classic Movies, 100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember—But Probably Don't, Screen Savers: 40 Remarkable Movies Awaiting Rediscovery, Tennessee Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors, Screen Savers II: My Grab Bag of Classic Movies, Ten Movies at a Time: A 350-Film Journey Through Hollywood and America 1930-1970, and There Are No Small Parts: 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less.

He has been an annual participant in the Black Bear Film Festival (Milford, PA), conducting onstage interviews with such notables as Farley Granger, Arlene Dahl, Marge Champion, Keir Dullea, Jane Powell, Rex Reed, Tab Hunter, Lorna Luft, and Jane Alexander. Born in Brooklyn, he currently resides in Milford, PA, where he can be found most Sunday afternoons introducing classic movies on the big screen at the historic Milford Theater. DiLeo is present on social media in the usual places, including Facebook and Instagram.

Front Row Classics is once again celebrating MGM's 100th anniversary with a look at a timeless family classics. Brandon welcome back friend of the podcast, Matt Duffy, to talk about 1944's National Velvet. Brandon and Matt celebrate the remarkable performances of Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney at the height of their adolescent stardom. The hosts also explore World War II's impact on the film as well as the talents of director Clarence Brown.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most daring, satirical films to ever come out of Hollywood. Brandon is joined, once again, by author & film historian Chris Yogerst. Chris recently penned "The Warner Brothers" for the University Press of Kentucky. A Face in the Crowd is a signature Warner film directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. The movie features topics relating to politics & media that are still scarily relevant today. Brandon and Chris discuss those topics as well as the powerhouse performance of Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes. The hosts also praise the performances of Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, Anthony Franciosa and Lee Remick.

Happy Halloween from Front Row Classics. Brandon welcomes back Emmett Stanton to take a look at Brian DePalma's Carrie. Based on Stephen King's novel, Carrie remains as effective as it was in 1976. It not only remains a horror classic but also an indictment of bullying. Brandon and Emmett praise the Oscar nominated performances of Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. We also highlight the performances of Betty Buckley, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving and John Travolta. 

#MonsterCast concludes with our 3rd and final spotlight for 2024: 2004's horror-comedy masterpiece Shaun of the Dead.

Shaun is a 30-something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he's not working at the electronics store, he lives with his slovenly best friend, Ed, in a small flat on the outskirts of London. The only unpredictable element in his life is his girlfriend, Liz, who wishes desperately for Shaun to grow up and be a man. When the town is inexplicably overrun with zombies, Shaun must rise to the occasion and protect both Liz and his mother.

Jeremy and Sara talk about the dual nature of how well this film parodies and shows love for the zombie genre and just what makes Edgar Wright such a special director.

SHAUN OF THE DEAD is available NOW on Peacock.

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