The Front Row Network

We're taking a look at one of the most uncompromising, ruthless films of the 1950s this week. 1957's Sweet Smell of Success is a movie unlike any other. Brandon and Emmett Stanton take a look at the unforgettable performances of Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis as J.J. Hunsecker and Sidney Falco. The acidly poetic screenplay by Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets remains one of the wittiest ever seen on celluloid. The conversation also praises the direction by Alexander McKendrick, cinematography by James Wong Howe and score by Elmer Bernstein.

Demetri Martin sits down with Craig from The Front Row Network to discuss his latest comedy special on Netflix, "Demetri Deconstructed." This is the first of a trilogy of specials which will also release on Netflix. "Demetri Deconstructed" is shot using a New Wave French cinema style, Demetri discusses the choices he made in curating the new special. Available now on Netflix.

Featuring: Craig McFarland

Front Row Classics is celebrating one of the most respected actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. March 15th marks the birthday of James Mason. Brandon is happy to welcome Mason's grandson, James Duke Mason to the show. Duke is a writer, commentator and advocate. We discuss his experiences living in both LA and Europe as well as his life in both show business and politics. Brandon and Duke also pay tribute to many of his grandfather's best performances. The best James Mason impersonators are also discussed.

Front Row Classics welcomes Madeline Hanson this week. Maddie is a passionate classic film fan with her own social media series called "Tinseltown Maddie". She looks at the Golden Age of Hollywood with a comedic twist on both Instagram and TikTok. Brandon and Maddie discuss classic film fandom, some favorite movies and pay tribute to the likes of Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Ava Gardner. They also recap and compare notes on this year's TCM Film Festival.

You can find more about Maddie at https://tinseltownmaddie.com/

Brandon is back from Hollywood. This year's Turner Classic Movies' Classic Film Festival proved to be even more memorable than last year's. Craig McFarland joins Brandon to break down each day of the Fest. From memorable screenings to the WB Studio tour, we're taking a look back at a jam packed 5 days.

Front Row Classics welcomes historians/writers Alain Silver and James Ursini this week. The two have penned a book celebrating the quintessential film noir, Double Indemnity. "From the Moment they Met it Was Murder: Double Indemnity and Rise of Film Noir" is a valuable resource for fans of this legendary movie. Brandon and the two authors discuss the origin and impact of the film on the noir genre. They also celebrate the performances of Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G Robinson.

"From the Moment they Met it Was Murder: Double Indemnity and Rise of Film Noir" is available wherever books are sold from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies.

Screenwriter/producer and film historian Alain Silver is the author/editor of more than thirty books on cinema, including The Noir Style, The Samurai Film, and Film Noir The Encyclopedia. He has also produced more than thirty independent motion pictures; provided commentary for many noir DVD/Blu-ray releases; and lectured on film history and production at numerous colleges, festivals, and conferences in the US and abroad. James Ursini has cowritten or edited more than a score of books with Alain Silver, including their Film Noir Reader series and director studies of David Lean and Robert Aldrich. He has also supplied commentary for numerous film noir DVDs, including Double Indemnity. He has worked in both fiction and non-fiction feature production and has taught filmmaking at UCLA and other schools in the Los Angeles area.

Brandon is currently attending the 15th Annual Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. He recently spoke with TCM's SVP of Programming, Charlie Tabesh. Brandon and Charlie preview the various aspects of this year's festival and what passholders can look forward to. Be sure to check out Brandon's daily coverage on the festival on Front Row Classics' Facebook and Instagram pages this weekend.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of great films of the 1960s. Brandon and Emmett Stanton are discussing The Hustler. Robert Rossen's character study features one of Paul Newman's signature performances as Fast Eddie Felson. Brandon and Emmett praise the sharp camera work, screenplay and performances by a great cast including Piper Laurie, George C. Scott and Jackie Gleason.

Front Row Classics is "working like a dog" this week. We're celebrating the 60th anniversary of A Hard Day's Night as well as the Beatle' arrival in America. Brandon is joined by author & film historian, Sloan De Forest. Sloan is a self-proclaimed "Beatle Maniac" and helps to provide great insight into this musical comedy directed by Richard Lester. Brandon and Sloan marvel at the natural acting & comedic abilities from John, Paul, George & Ringo. We also discuss how modern the film still feels after sixty years.

Front Row Classics is joining forces with Beyond the Mouse this week. We're celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Walt Disney's masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty. Brandon. Craig and Vanessa are proud to welcome Disney artist and animator, Michael Giaimo.

The hosts discuss the elegance and pageantry that covers every frame of Sleeping Beauty. We spend time discussing their favorite scenes and characters. Michael also helps put the film into proper context within the history of the Disney Studios.

Michael Giaimo's many credits includes Art Direction for Pocahontas (1995) as well as Production Design & Art Direction for Frozen (2013) and Frozen 2 (2019)