The Reel Woman

In this episode author, Jessica Raney and I discuss the quality and long-lasting influence of two classics of the Universal horror series. We look at 1933’s The Invisible Man and 1941’s The Wolf Man. Pick up the Halloween issue of Stitched magazine to read Jessica Raney’s article and short story.

A conversation with writer and photographer Mark Vieira about Hollywood’s Pre-Code era films of 1930-1934. Why did the era begin? and what brought it to such an abrupt end? We look at some of the stars of the period such as Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Norma Shearer, Jean Harlow, and Mae West. As well as some of the movies that defined the period, including but not limited to, The Divorcee, Red-Headed Woman, She Done Him Wrong, and Baby Face. Click on the title Forbidden Hollywood: The Pre-Code Years 1930-1934 to purchase on Amazon or visit his website: markavieira.com

A discussion with Dr. Christopher Ames, the president of Russell Sage College, about his book “Movies About The Movies: Hollywood Reflected”. We focus on two movies from his book - Preston Sturges’ Sullivan’s Travels (1942), and Gene Kelly, and Stanley Donen’s Singin’ In The Rain (1952). We also look at two movies not in his book - Michel Hazanavicius’ black and white, mostly silent Best Picture winner The Artist (2011), and the Coen Bros.’ Hail, Caesar! (2016). What do these movies say about Hollywood? What do these movies say about America? And why are movies about Hollywood and the moviemaking process so popular?

Intimacy coordinator Ann James joins me to discuss the burgeoning field of intimacy coordination. What is it? What’s the history? The training, and what she’s doing to diversify the field.

Her podcast is:

Intimacy Choreography in Conversation

Find Ann on IG: @intimacycoordinatorsofcolor

Michael Niederman and Daniel McCoy, the hosts of Whiskey Flicks Live, join me to talk about three cult films that have a basis in Greek Mythology. Films discussed are The Warriors (1979), Xanadu (1980), and Clash of the Titans (1981). We get into the hair, the outfits, and the music. We try to figure out what subway The Warriors use to get back to Coney Island and of course the magic and charm of Gene Kelly. Follow my guests on IG @whisky-flicks-live and join their FB group Whisky Flicks Live!

My guest for this episode is author Jessica Raney. We enter the world of serial killers this week as we discuss the book and film adaptation of both The Collector and Silence of the Lambs.

Jessica’s latest release, Rack and Ruin is the final book in her Appalachian-Supernatural-Noir series. Her other works include a zombie Apocalypse adventure, These Violent Delights, and two collections of short stories, Oddballs and Dreadful Pennies. She has also co-written a collection of short, dark fiction, Tales from the Den: Volume I.  Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click titles to purchase on Amazon.

Author John Oller and I discuss the life and career of screen legend Jean Arthur. We look at her work with directors Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, and George Stevens.

From 1970 to 1972, Anne Perryman, my mother, traveled through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. She was a freelance journalist and she joins me — to discuss the 1984 film The Killing Fields — about real-life journalists and photographers (some of whom she knew) in Cambodia from 1973 to 1979. Anne shares stories and a unique insight into the film.

Former high-school film teacher (and my cousin) Nate Duell and I discuss the 1937 Fritz Lang film You Only Live Once starring Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sydney. We explore its place in film history as an influential forerunner to the Film Noir genre and style.

After a longer than expected hiatus, The Reel Woman is back with the always lovely Dr. Victoria Amador. Victoria has returned to talk about the biography she has written about the great Classic Hollywood actress Dame Olivia de Havilland. Click the title to purchase Victoria’s book Olivia de Haviland: Lady Triumphant from Amazon.