They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To - Movie Nostalgia

Join Tosin and Sharon as they journey back into the archives of classic cinema to celebrate the iconic films, unmissable tunes, and timeless stories of pre-1980s film history (with a few special exceptions!).

(Please note: Due to music rights issues, the songs played during the live broadcast have been edited out of this podcast version.)

🍿 On Tonight's Reel:

• The Bonafide Classic — Guys and Dolls (1955): We dive into the bustling world of Broadway gamblers, save-a-soul missions, and unforgettable musical numbers. From Marlon Brando's unexpected musical turn as Sky Masterson to Frank Sinatra's charm as Nathan Detroit and Vivian Blaine's hilarious performance as Adelaide, we discuss why this showstopping classic continues to take center stage.

• The Patient’s Choice — The Jolson Story (1946) & Tammy and the Bachelor (1957): Our regular visit to St. Mary’s Hospital features Dan and Dave from the Alverston Ward! Dan takes us back to his earliest cinema memory watching Larry Parks in The Jolson Story, while Dave shares incredible memories from his musical career with The Tornadoes and reminisces about Debbie Reynolds and a young Leslie Nielsen in Tammy and the Bachelor.

• The Hidden Gem — The Student Prince (1954): Sharon introduces us to her Good Friday tradition! We explore this bittersweet, romantic MGM classic about Prince Karl (Edmund Purdom) and the barmaid Kathy (Ann Blyth). Featuring the soaring, powerful vocals of Mario Lanza, this film delivers an unforgettable soundtrack wrapped in a classic tale of love versus duty.

• The Exception to the Rule — Labyrinth (1986): We break the pre-1980s rule for a true cult classic! Directed by Jim Henson and featuring the unmatched David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King alongside a 14-year-old Jennifer Connelly, we journey through the maze, solve mind-bending riddles, avoid the Bog of Eternal Stench, and celebrate the sheer puppet craftsmanship of the Henson Creature Workshop.

Enjoying the show? Don't forget to follow the podcast on Spotify and leave us a rating! What was the first film you ever saw in the cinema? Let us know!

This evening, it all starts on the page and in the bookshop. we pay tribute to those stories that started without thought of a silver screen in mind. When all the Authors had were words and the images those words conjour in your mind. until that is some clever clogs came along and decided to show us all the image that they had in their head when they read the words.That’s right, tonight we’re talking films that started life as books. Welcome to They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To.

This evening’s journey begins on the written page as we pay tribute to the timeless stories that lived in our imaginations long before they ever graced the silver screen. Join your host Tosin Ajayi and co-hosts Shaun Harris and Sharon Bollen as they broadcast from the Alverstone Ward of St. Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight. In this episode, the team dives deep into the art of literary adaptations and the cinematic magic of pre-1980s Hollywood.

• The Big News: The team kicks things off with a lively discussion about The Great British Bake Off's controversial move to Channel 4 and what makes the show a cinematic masterpiece in its own right.

• The Bonafide Classic: We explore the 1971 masterpiece The Go-Between, starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates. Sharon leads a fascinating breakdown of the film’s themes of class, innocence, and betrayal, comparing the adaptation to L.P. Hartley’s original novel.

• Hospital Patient Choice: Tosin sits down with Mick French, a patient in Alverstone Ward, to discuss his first cinematic memories of black-and-white sci-fi serials and his love for the classics of Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy.

• The Hidden Gem: Shaun Harris introduces us to the 1975 thriller The Eiger Sanction. Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, we discuss the film’s stunning location shoots in Monument Valley and the high-stakes tension of the Swiss Alps.

• The Exception to the Rule: Sharon Bollen highlights the 2007 film Atonement as a modern masterpiece that echoes the themes of The Go-Between, focusing on how a child's misinterpretation can change the course of lives forever.

Please note that all music tracks discussed in this episode—including scores by Scott Walker, John Williams, and Charlie Chaplin—have been edited out due to licensing issues.

Host: Tosin AjayiCo-Hosts: Shaun Harris & Sharon BollenLocation: St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight

This evening, we are keeping some illustrious company. I’m talking people who did stuff so momentous that someone threw millions of dollars into a pot to make a film about them, We have an Army General, a Blues Legend, and a civil rights trailblazer. All this and more to come on tonight’s They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To.

In this episode of "They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To," host Tosin Ajayi is joined in the studio by Sharon Bollen and Shaun Harris to explore the fascinating world of biopics (biographical pictures). The team delves into the lives of legendary figures through the lens of classic and modern cinema, sharing personal insights and behind-the-scenes trivia.

The show features a diverse selection of films, from war dramas to civil rights milestones:

• The Patton Legacy: Shaun highlights George C. Scott's masterful portrayal of the controversial general, noting the film's impressive technical achievements despite the lack of period-accurate tanks in 1970.

• The Magic of Julie Andrews: Following Judith’s choice, the team discusses the enduring popularity of The Sound of Music and the vocal clarity of Dame Julie Andrews, even sharing a surprising fact about Maria von Trapp’s brief cameo in the film.

• Billie Holiday’s Struggles: Sharon leads a deep dive into the 1972 film Lady Sings the Blues, praising Diana Ross’s Oscar-nominated performance and how the movie effectively mirrors then-contemporary racial issues through a historical lens.

• Civil Rights and Cinema: The episode concludes with a look at Selma, discussing David Oyelowo's portrayal of Dr. King and the film's powerful depiction of non-violent protest.

Throughout the show, Shaun provides clues to a mystery movie legend who turned down the role of Aragorn in Lord of the Rings and Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction. The mystery actor is eventually revealed as Daniel Day-Lewis.

Note: Please be aware that music tracks discussed during the interviews have been edited out due to licensing issues.

Episode Highlights

Contributor/Role/Film Choice/Subject Matter

Shaun Harris/Studio Guest/Patton (1970)/

The World War II career of General George S. Patton.

Judith/Alverston Ward /Patient/The Sound of Music

A fictionalized account of the Maria von Trapp and the Trapp Family singers.

Sharon Bollen/Studio Guest/Lady Sings the Blues

The life and struggles of jazz icon Billie Holiday.

Studio Team/Collective Choice/Selma (2014)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery.

In our Black and white special, we are being pitched in at the deep end with the crew of the HMS Compass Rose, Plunged into the jungles of Burma (as it was called) with some of her majesty's finest and to roundup our monochrome special, we will look at a Quirky Modern throwback. Welcome to They Don't make 'em Like They Used to.

This episode of "They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To" is a special monochrome-themed journey into the world of black-and-white cinema. Join host Sharon and co-host Shaun as they broadcast from St. Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight, sharing stories of cinematic bravery and artistic throwbacks.

• Bonafide Classic: We dive into the chilling depths of the North Atlantic with the 1953 masterpiece The Cruel Sea. Sharon leads a discussion on this war-era classic, exploring its harrowing portrayal of the Battle of the Atlantic and the impossible moral dilemmas faced by the Royal Navy.

• The Hidden Gem: Shaun introduces us to the 1961 British war drama The Long and the Short and the Tall. Set in the Burmese jungle, this film explores the intense psychological dynamics of a small patrol after capturing a Japanese scout. We also hear behind-the-scenes stories about the legendary clashes between stars Richard Todd, Laurence Harvey, and Richard Harris.

• The Exception to the Rule: On our monochrome roundup, we look at the 2011 modern classic The Artist. Shaun explains why this silent, black-and-white Oscar winner successfully recaptured the magic of Hollywood's Golden Age in a way that wouldn't have worked in color or with modern sound.

• Personal Connections: Host Sharon shares touching family stories of her uncle Jack, a merchant seaman during World War II, and her father, a Regimental Sergeant Major, connecting the bravery seen on screen to real-life service.

Important Note:

Please note that all music tracks discussed in this episode—including scores by George Formby and Ludovic Bource—have been edited out due to licensing issues.

Host: SharonCo-Host: ShaunLocation: St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight

This evening, we tackle a biopic of one of the most famous items of clothing in The Roman Empire, we stumble across two musical cinematic legends that have somehow been hiding their sole collaboration under a rock all these years, and we jump forward in time to tackle a new version of an old romp. Welcome to They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To.

Get ready to go back in time as Tosin and Sharon take you on a journey through cinema's hidden treasures and legendary classics! From the sun-soaked Isle of Wight, they break down films with the precision of a fine-toothed comb. 🎬✨

• The Bone-Fide Classic: A look at the 1953 cinematic spectacle The Robe. Discover the story of a Roman Tribune's obsession with a sacred garment and how it changed cinema history as the first film in CinemaScope.

• The Hidden Gem: Ever heard of Young at Heart (1954)? Dive into this heartwarming tale starring Doris Day and Frank Sinatra as a musical family navigates love, cynicism, and destiny.

• The Modern Masterpiece: A breakdown of Steven Soderbergh's slick 2001 heist hit, Ocean's 11. Learn how star power and a "romp" through Vegas redefined the genre.

⚠️ NOTE: Due to licensing restrictions, the music tracks featured in this broadcast have been edited out.

Whether you're a film buff or just looking for your next movie night inspiration, join the "celluloid archaeologists" for an episode full of wit, history, and a touch of Hollywood magic! 🌟🍿

#SunshineRadio #FilmHistory #TheRobe #YoungAtHeart #Oceans11

This week, It’s Character Heartthrob who can act time, as we go through a family Melodrama with Dean, start a revolution on a Island with Brando, and try and benefit from a war in the Gulf with Clooney, Wahlberg and Cube. Also due to our adopted ward Alverstone, we advance one year in age through the means of song. Welcome to They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To.

This week on They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, the team at Sunshine Radio broadcasts from St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight to explore the grit and grandeur of cinema before 1980.

• The Bonafide Classic: We dive into the 1955 drama East of Eden, the film that catapulted James Dean to stardom as the rebellious Cal Trask. The team discusses the film’s deep undercurrents of tragedy and its thematic parallels to the biblical story of Cain and Abel.

• A Patient’s Choice: We visit Alverstone Ward to speak with Sam, who reminisces about the first film she ever saw in a theater—the beloved musical The Sound of Music.

• The Hidden Gem: This week’s "dragged back into the sunlight" pick is the 1969 film Burn! (originally titled Quemada), starring Marlon Brando as an English mercenary inciting revolution on a Caribbean island.

• The Exception to the Rule: We look at the 1999 war film Three Kings, featuring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube in a heist-style adventure set during the final days of the first Gulf War.

Note: All featured music tracks have been edited out of this digital upload due to licensing restrictions.

Episode Highlights

This week, we take a bit of a stroll through the back end of the 60s, stopping at some point in the 70's. And in another of our inadvertent themes, we look at Rock stars playing at being actors. Welcome to They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To.

This week on They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, the team at Sunshine Radio explores the evolving persona of the rockstar on film, journeying from the gritty streets of 1960s London to the far reaches of a sci-fi future.

• The Bonafide Classic: We dive into the psychedelic 1970 crime drama Performance. The team discusses Mick Jagger's legendary performance as a reclusive rock star and the film's controversial, avant-garde production history.

• The Hidden Gem: We examine the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, a brutal and emotional depiction of a Great Depression-era dance marathon starring Jane Fonda in a career-defining role.

• The Exception to the Rule: Breaking the pre-1980 rule, we look at the 2000 cult classic Pitch Black. The crew explores how this lean, muscular sci-fi thriller launched Vin Diesel’s career and successfully subverted genre stereotypes.

• A Special Patient’s Choice: In a special request for Carl on Alverstone Ward, we discuss the 1975 film Slade in Flame, featuring the band Slade. Carl reminisces about the film’s unvarnished and cynical take on the music industry.

Note: All featured music tracks, including songs by Slade and Mick Jagger, have been edited out of this digital upload due to licensing restrictions.

If you enjoyed these deep dives into cinematic history, what era or genre of classic film would you like to hear us explore in a future episode?

This evening, in honour of the recent anniversary of the Battle of Britain, We have a look at World War two movies through the ages, starting in the obvious place, we go through bonafide classics, Hidden gems and modern throwbacks. We also hear tales of the great Howard Keel from Pam in our pet ward Alverstone . Welcome to They Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To

This week's episode of "They Don't Make Them Like They Used To" commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Britain by exploring World War II cinema across different eras. Hosts Tosin, Sharon, and Sean discuss a variety of films, including:

• The Bone-fide Classic: The Battle of Britain (1969), an expansive look at the strategic air war over Southern England and the individual stories of the pilots involved.

• The Hidden Gem: The Bridge at Remagen (1969), a gritty, action-packed depiction of the Allied effort to capture the last standing bridge across the Rhine in 1945.

• The Exception to the Rule: Red Tails (2015), a high-energy, adventure-focused "Top Gun" style treatment of the Tuskegee Airmen's combat experiences in Italy.

The episode also includes a "Patient Choice" segment from St. Mary's Hospital, where Pam shares memories of seeing the musical Show Boat for the first time and her lifelong love for the work of singer Howard Keel.

Note: Due to licensing restrictions, the music tracks featured in this broadcast have been edited out.