The Front Row Network

We're right under the wire but Merry Christmas in July from Front Row Classics. Brandon is thrilled to welcome back author & historian, Jeremy Arnold to the podcast. Jeremy is the author of last year's "Christmas in the Movies" from Running Press and TCM, which is still available wherever books are sold.

Brandon and Jeremy discuss two films celebrating anniversaries in 2024. Both films discussed are connected in ways that may surprise you. 1944's Meet Me in St. Louis (80th anniversary) and 1994's Little Women (30th anniversary) both feature pivotal scenes of the holiday season. Yet, they can be enjoyed year round.

Front Row Classics is proud to welcome Chris Yogerst to the show. Chris recently penned "The Warner Brothers" for University Press of Kentucky. The book provides an epic look at the brothers Warner who founded one of the most influential studios in Hollywood history. The book paints a portrait of not only Hollywood history but how American history shaped the brothers in their outlook and worldview. Brandon and Chris discuss how these brother helped shaped American ideals in some of the most crucial moments of the Twentieth Century.

"The Warner Brothers" is available from University Press on Kentucky wherever books are sold.

Chris Yogerst is the author of Hollywood Hates Hitler! Jew-Baiting, Anti-Nazism, and the Senate Investigation into Warmongering in Motion Pictures and From the Headlines to Hollywood: The Birth and Boom of Warner Bros. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, Journal of American Culture, Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television, and the Hollywood Reporter. He currently serves as an associate professor of communication in the Department of Arts and Humanities at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Front Row Classics takes it's first look at the James Bond franchise by celebrating the 60th anniversary of what many consider the ultimate Bond film. Emmett Stanton joins Brandon to celebrate 1964's Goldfinger. Brandon and Emmett discuss the unending charisma of Sean Connery as 007. We also celebrate the iconic performances of Gert Frobe as Auric Goldfinger, Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore and Harold Sakata as Oddjob. This is the film where many of the permanent elements of the franchise came together in spectacular fashion. We also celebrate the unforgettable theme song sung by Dame Shirley Bassey.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most underrated comedies of the 1940s. Brandon is joined by Lauren Van De Vendel to discuss 1947's The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Legendary writer, Sidney Sheldon. won that year's Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The hosts celebrate the many hilarious moments made real by a charming cast. Brandon and Lauren also celebrate the performances of Cary Grant, Myrna Loy and a teenage Shirley Temple.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at Stanley Kramer's acclaimed production of the classic play Inherit the Wind. Brandon is joined by brothers. Edmund and Gary Entin to discuss a film still relevant today. Edmund and Gary are filmmakers and producers aside from being film buffs. We discuss their personal connection to the piece and how the movie perfectly captures the essence of the play. We also celebrate the remarkable performances of Spencer Tracy, Frederic March and Gene Kelly.

Front Row Classics welcomes entertainment journalist/historian Tara McNamara. Tara is co-hosting this month's TCM Spotlight, The Hays Gaze, alongside Dave Karger. The weekly series highlights the anniversary and influence of The Hays Code. Tara and Dave will present different film pairings before and after the implementation of censorship in Hollywood.

Brandon and Tara discuss the history of the Hays Code as well and several of the selections this month. They also discuss the power of movies to influence young people from an early age.

The Hays Gaze will be presented every Monday night at 8pm est/7pm cst on Turner Classic Movies.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most groundbreaking films of the late 60s. The Wild Bunch marked the end of an era for the classic American western. Brandon is joined by Jay Hoffman of Front Row Flashbacks to discuss Sam Peckinpah's violent revisionist take on the Old West. The hosts discuss the legendary cast including William Holden, Robert Ryan and Ernest Borgnine. We also discuss the many themes that include sense of duty, loyalty and aging.

Front Row Classics welcomes Ryan Bijan this week. Ryan is founder and host of Cowtown Movie Classics which curates classic films for movie goers in Fort Worth, TX. Brandon and Ryan are discussing Cecil B DeMille's 1932 pre-code epic film, The Sign of the Cross. The film, starring Fredric March, Claudette Colbert and Charles Laughton, perfectly illustrates DeMille's penchant for storytelling and grandeur. The film also features several scenes that wouldn't have gotten past the Hays Code only a couple years later.

Front Row Classics is traveling back to the Disney Studios in the 1960s. Brandon is joined by author, Morgan Matson to discuss 1961's The Parent Trap. Morgan is a New York Times bestselling novelist, who also happens to be a film buff. Brandon and Morgan celebrate the charm and fun that keeps this movie timeless 6 decades later. We celebrate the remarkable performance of Hayley Mills (and Hayley Mills) as well as the star power of Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith. The stacked supporting cast of legendary character actors also help the film achieve its prominent place in Disney history.

We're taking a look at one of the most suspenseful crime dramas of the 1970s. Brandon is joined by lawyer and journalist, Matt Belenky, to discuss 1974's The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Brandon and Matt praise the deliberately paced direction by Joseph Sargent. The movie perfectly mixed suspense with quirky comedy thanks to the script by Peter Stone. We also praise the performances from the ensemble cast including Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Jerry Stiller, Hector Elizondo and Earl Hindman.