The Front Row Network

Front Row Classics is happy to welcome author Howard Gutner. Howard has recently penned a book devoted to the life and career of costume designer, Travis Banton. "Banton of Paramount: Haute Couture in Hollywood's Golden Age" looks at the man responsible for creating the images of legendary women like Carole Lombard, Mae West and Marlene Dietrich.

"Banton of Paramount: Haute Couture in Hollywood's Golden Age" is available from Lyons Press wherever books are sold.

Howard Gutner first became interested in the Hollywood studio system and its traditional blend of business and art while attending the film studies program at Northwestern University. In 2001 he published Gowns by Adrian: The MGM Years1928–1941 (Harry N. Abrams). This book was the first comprehensive review of Adrian's career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Gutner's most recent book is MGM Style: Cedric Gibbons and the Art of the Golden Age of Hollywood. He lives in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Front Row Classics welcomes back our friend, Maureen Lee Lenker. Brandon and Maureen are taking a look at movies where heat radiates from the screen. Brandon and Maureen discuss their personal top 5 films that makes your home theater feel humid just from their aesthetic. The two cover films from the Golden Age through the modern era.

Fall is here but summer seemed to linger forever. So, we have just a bit of lingering summer content for you. Brandon is joined by John Dellaporta to discuss the films, from classics to recent blockbusters, that define the season for them.

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome performer/singer, Charlie High. Charlie is a New York-based performer who has a true appreciation for golden age show business and the Great American Songbook. Brandon and Charlie discuss his origins as a performer, the love of entertainment and the best of Broadway. They also discuss his upcoming performance of "Charlie Sings Judy" a celebration of "Judy at Carnegie Hall".

Charlie High is a New York City–based performer whose work has been seen Off-Broadway and in national tours, regional theatres, and concert halls throughout the United States. He is the creator and star of Charlie Sings Judy, a celebration of Judy Garland's landmark 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. He appeared in the national tours of The Producers and Lincoln Center Theater's acclaimed production of My Fair Lady, directed by Bartlett Sher. He has performed with symphony orchestras across the country, including the Utah Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Pacific Symphony, and North Carolina Symphony. @heycharliehigh

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome back Turner Classic Movies Host, Dave Karger. Dave has recently penned, "50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classics Films". The book features insightful and warm conversations with 50 notable entertainment figures discussing their favorite classic films. Brandon and Dave chats about his experiences speaking with stars like Paul Rudd, Carol Burnett, Sarah Jessica Park, Anderson Cooper and Molly Shannon. The movies picked range from the entire history of film with titles like The Wizard of Oz, The Way We Were, Almost Famous and High Noon.

"50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classics Films" is available from TCM and Running Press wherever books are sold.

Front Row Classics welcomes back our friend, Mayukh Sen and author, Charlotte Druckman. The two have penned a fascinating cultural analysis and celebration of the art of soap operas. "Love in the Afternoon, and Evening: Essay and Conversations on Soap Operas" is a love-letter to an often misunderstood genre. Brandon, Mayukh and Charlotte discuss how soaps helped to establish the current trend of serialized storytelling along with its classic film origins.

Charlotte Druckman is an award-winning writer, author of Skirt Steak, and creator of the collection Women on Food. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine, among others. She lives in New York, where she was born and raised. Mayukh Sen is the author of Love, Queenie―a finalist for the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Award for Biography―and Taste Makers. He is a 2026 United States Artists Fellow and teaches film and television reporting and criticism at New York University. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at the film career of James Mason. Brandon is joined by friend of the pod, James Duke Mason (grandson of James Mason), and author Madeline King Porter. Madeline has recently penned a wonderful examination of Mason's life and career. "James Mason: The Movie Star Hollywood Forgot" is now available from University Press of Mississippi. The book has been a decade in making, and provides illuminating insight on Mason from many who worked with him.

Madeline King Porter is the best-selling coauthor of more than thirty mystery, historical, family saga, and modern romance novels and the first-ever winner of the Romance Writers of America's Award for Mainstream Historical Romance for The Day Beyond Destiny. Her travel stories have appeared in publications throughout Southern California, including the Los Angeles Times.

Front Row Classics is celebrating 500 episodes. We're taking it a little simpler. Brandon is solo for this episode. He'll be answering questions from listeners and regular contributors to Front Row Classics while also giving some thoughts about what the show has meant to him.

The Front Row Network is pleased to welcome the new WOW-Women of Wrestling champion, Santana Garrett. Brandon and Santana chat about her journey in professional wrestling that led to her to this particular moment. Santana also chats about the empowerment of being in a locker room full of women. She also sends a message for anyone wanting to challenge her for the championship.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most underrated romantic melodrama's of the 1930s. Brandon is joined, once again, by author and film professor Marsha Gordon. Brandon and Marsha are chatting about 1936's Next Time We Love. Based on Ursula Parrott's novel, the film features the wonderful Margaret Sullivan, Jimmy Stewart (in his first leading role) and Ray Milland. Brandon and Marsha discuss the origins, casting and highlights of their overlooked gem.