With history seemingly repeating itself as nationalism takes hold and talks of a potential Second Cold War talk hold, we decided to revisit the incredibly prevalent 1962 classic The Manchurian Candidate: starring Frank Sinatra, Angela Lansbury, Lawrence Harvey, and Janet Leigh. Be sure to tune in as film historian Max Alvarez and resident film curator Gary Palmucci discuss the insider production scoop, the differences between the film and its literary source material, and its evergreen themes of political domination and scheming–all the while punctuating the talk back with an extensive audience Q&A.

Be sure to RSVP for the next New Plaza Cinema Talk Back on Network here.

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On this throwback New Plaza Cinema Talk Back, prolific Emmy-nominated film historian and writer Joseph McBride [Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge, What Ever Happened to Orson Welles?: A Portrait of an Independent Career, Hawks on Hawks (Screen Classics)] joins resident film historian Max Alvarez in discussing the lasting legacy of Billy Wilder's 1960 Oscar-winning classic The Apartment, how its critique on corporate greed still holds up today, and how it fits in the wider scope of Wilder's filmography--Hollywood-wise, history-wise, and otherwise-wise! 

Be sure to RSVP for the next New Plaza Cinema Talk Back on Dance Girl Dance here.

Also subscribe to New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

And follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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In this talk back recorded during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, film historian Max Alvarez and resident film curator Gary Palmucci discuss the political turmoil, civil rights discourse, and censorship issues surrounding the 1950 hidden gem No Way Out, which also happens to be Sidney Poitier's film debut. Coupled with an audience Q&A, this discussion not only delves into the Jim Crow Era context surrounding the film, but also how this film was received at the time of its release and how it fits into the cast and crew's overall filmography. 

Be sure to check out and support these anti-racist organizations:

--The Black Film Allegiance (a media-focused non-profit dedicated to amplifying Black voices through supporting Black filmmakers and ensuring that diversity is represented on-screen)

--Color of Change (the largest online racial justice organization focused on mobilizing the masses to end practices and systems that unfairly hold Black people back)

--The Audre Lorde Project (a non-profit focused on supporting and providing resources for Black queer and trans youth)

Also subscribe to New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Also, follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

Instagram: @new_plaza_cinema

Twitter: @NewPlazaCinema

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With Valentine's Day right around the corner, film historian Max Alvarez and cinematography expert Dan Cahill talk about the groundbreaking musical score and behind the scenes production scoop behind the classic 1962 François Truffaut romance film Jules and Jim–the first foreign film we’ve ever covered on the podcast. 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Also, follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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On this wonderful episode of the New Plaza Cinema Podcast, Emmy-nominated documentarian and author (Music by Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood's Most Influential Composer, A Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Hermann) Steven C. Smith  joins resident curator Gary Palmucci, film historian Max Alvarez, and cinematography expert Dan Cahill in discussing the otherworldly elements of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)--from its iconic Bernard Hermann score to how it diverges from other Hollywood films in regard to its adherence to the sci-fi genre and its incredibly relevant anti-war message.

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

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In light of Casablanca (1942) reaching its 80th anniversary milestone, resident film curator Gary Palmucci and film historian Max Alvarez joined cinematography expert Dan Cahill and esteemed film noir scholar and preservationist Alan K. Rode (Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film, Charles McGraw: Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy) in discussing the insider producer-director drama, casting scoop, and carefully orchestrated narrative behind the highly influential Bogart-Bergman classic. 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Also, follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about New Plaza Cinema! You can also support our mission to keep foreign and independent cinema alive on anchor.fm.

In paying homage to classic New York street scenes, resident film curator Gary Palmucci and film historian Max Alvarez join esteemed author Richard Barrios (A Song in the Dark: The Birth of the Musical Film, Screened Out: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall, andWest Side Story: The Jets, the Sharks, and the Making of a Classic) and cinematography expert Dan Cahill in discussing the dramatic production lore and intriguing casting process behind one of the most iconic film musicals: West Side Story (1961). 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Also, follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about New Plaza Cinema! You can also support our mission to keep foreign and independent cinema alive on anchor.fm.

In light of Martin Scorsese's 80th birthday, resident film curator Gary Palmucci and cinematography expert Dan Cahill join esteemed film historian Max Alvarez in discussing the history and cultural impact surrounding arguably one of the most prophetic films in recent memory surrounding America's growing obsession with fame and celebrity culture--Scorsese's 1982 underrated classic The King of Comedy. 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

What film would you like us to cover next on the New Plaza Cinema Podcast? Be sure to cast your vote here, would love to hear from everyone!

Also, follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about New Plaza Cinema! You can also support our mission to keep foreign and independent cinema alive on anchor.fm. 

In the latter half of New Plaza Cinema Podcast's fascinating Paris Blues discussion, Wayne Winborne and Melissa Newman are joined by Nicole Flender (who’s father Harold Flender wrote the original novel) and Suzanne Kay (Diahann Carroll’s daughter) to discuss the narrative differences between the novel and the film and dissect how both works address the racial dynamics present within the 1960s jazz community and beyond. 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

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Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about New Plaza Cinema! You can also support our mission to keep foreign and independent cinema alive on anchor.fm.

On the first ever two-parter episode of the New Plaza Cinema Podcast, film historian Max Alvarez and film curator Gary Palmucci moderate a fascinating discussion on Paris Blues between the Executive Director of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University Wayne Winborne and esteemed artist and jazz enthusiast Melissa Newman--the daughter of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Be sure to tune in as we delve into the lore and insider production scoop behind this 1961 underrated gem composed by Duke Ellington--and starring Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Joanne Woodward, and Diahann Carroll. 

Be sure to subscribe the New Plaza Cinema wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the full, unedited conversation here!

Follow New Plaza Cinema for more updates--by cinephiles, for cinephiles--on:

Instagram: @new_plaza_cinema

Twitter: @NewPlazaCinema

Facebook: New Plaza Cinema

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Check out our website and subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about New Plaza Cinema! You can also support our mission to keep foreign and independent cinema alive on anchor.fm.