Classic Movie Musts

In this episode we're doing a retrospective on the western genre, which combines 3 older episodes of Classic Movie Musts, in order to explore an evolution within the genre. This retrospective looks back at our episodes on Stagecoach (1939), The Ox-Bow Incident (1943), and The Wild Bunch (1969). Timestamps: Retrospective explanation: 1:26 Stagecoach Opening: 2:40 Stagecoach Feature Presentation: 6:57 Stagecoach Buzz from the Backlot: 17:07 The Ox-Bow Incident Opening: 21:18 The Ox-Bow Incident Feature Presentation: 28:04 The Ox-Bow Incident Buzz from the Backlot: 42:08 The Wild Bunch Opening: 45:00 The Wild Bunch Feature Presentation: 51:31 The Wild Bunch Buzz from the Backlot: 58:40 Ending Credits: 1:04:45

In this episode we welcome Mark A. Viera, author of Forbidden Hollywood: When Sin Ruled The Movies, to discuss The Scarlet Empress (1934), directed by Joseph von Sternberg and starring Marlene Dietrich, a pre-code masterpiece that pushed the boundaries of sexual acceptability in Hollywood films. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:59 Feature Presentation: 3:35 Ending Credits: 52:21

In this episode, we finalize our look at the films of 1938 with a spectacular period drama that was one of the riskiest films of the year: Marie Antoinette (1938), starring Norma Shearer. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 2:08 Feature Presentation: 6:32 1938 Conclusion: 29:52 Ending Credits: 34:32

In this episode we discuss our third film of 1938 and the Motion Pictures Greatest Year campaign meant to restore faith in Hollywood films with Boys Town (1938), starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 2:05 Feature Presentation: 6:18 Ending Credits: 27:35

In this episode we continue our look at the films of 1938 and the Motion Pictures Greatest Year campaign that hoped to save Hollywood.  Here we have Michael Curtiz's Four Daughters (1938), starring Claude Rains, Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale Page, Jeffrey Lynn, and John Garfield. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 2:02 Feature Presentation: 5:31 Ending Credits: 28:07

In this episode we kick of a four episode look at the films of 1938 and the crisis that plagued Hollywood at that time.  We start off with Frank Capra's You Can't Take It With You (1938), starring Lionel Barrymore, Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, and Edward Arnold.   Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:55 Feature Presentation: 6:13 Ending Credits: 27:04

In this episode, we discuss Stanley Kubrick's rhythmic and subversive filmmaking style in his anti-war classic, Paths of Glory (1957), starring Kirk Douglas. 

In this episode we welcome back Raquel Stecher to the show to discuss F.W. Murnau's Sunrise (1927), starring George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor, and dig deep into what makes this film such a masterpiece of visual storytelling.   Sunrise is currently #82 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 2:08 Feature Presentation: 6:06 Final Credits: 51:56

In this episode, as picked by our Patreon community, we're discussing John Carpenter's The Thing (1982), starring Kurt Russell.     Timestamps: Opening Credits: 2:22 Feature Presentation: 6:57 Buzz from the Backlot: 21:49 Final Credits: 25:59

In this episode we're joined again by Ted Walch to discuss Roman Polanski's neo-noir mystery, Chinatown (1974), starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. Chinatown is currently #21 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:36 Feature Presentation: 6:53 End Credits: 54:34

In this episode we welcome screenwriter, professor, and podcaster Aaron Tracy to the show to discuss Sidney Lumet's 12 Angry Men (1957), starring Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. Check out Aaron's podcast: To Live and Dialogue in LA. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:38 Feature Presentation: 8:30 Ending Credits:1:01:28

In this episode we're joined by Victoria Riskin, daughter of Fay Wray and Robert Riskin, and author of a new book titled after her parents.  Max and Victoria discuss one of her father's most inspiring and cautionary films, Meet John Doe (1941), starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. Buy Victoria Riskin's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Fay-Wray-Robert-Riskin-Hollywood/dp/1524747289 Or at any fine bookseller! Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:43 Feature Presentation: 5:56 End Credits: 47:50

In this episode we discuss, as picked by our Patreon community, Robert Altman's sprawling character drama, Nashville (1975). Starring Henry Gibson, Ronee Blakely, Shelley Duvall, Keith Carradine, Lily Tomlin and many more. Nashville is currently #59 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.

In this episode, Max is joined by Ryan L. Terry from R.L. Terry's Reel View Film Blog to discuss Ridley Scott's sci-fi/horror masterpiece, Alien (1979), starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, and Ian Holm. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:54 Feature Presentation: 7:35 End Credits: 54:26

In this episode we discuss the final day of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival and three fantastic films: Holiday (1938), The Killers (1964), The Godfather: Part II (1974).  Tune-in tomorrow for our regularly scheduled programming and a deep dive into Ridley Scott's Alien (1979), and next week Robert Altman's Nashville (1975).

In this episode we recap three wonderful films from Day 3 of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival: Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), and Star Wars (1977).  Join us tomorrow for our final episode discussing the TCM Film Festival.

In this episode we discuss Day 2 of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival and breakdown four fantastic films: My Favorite Wife (1940), Vanity Street (1932), Open Secret (1948), and Winchester '73 (1950). Join us tomorrow for our festival Day 3 Episode.

In this episode we discuss the opening day of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival and the two films we watched: Dark Passage (1947) and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947).  Tune-in tomorrow for our festival day 2 episode!

Myke Emal from the CineMusts podcast joins us this week to discuss Steven Spielberg's adventure classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).  Join us as we discuss the film the kicked off the Indiana Jones franchise and what the film does cinematically to stand the test of time. Raiders of the Lost Ark is currently #66 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. Timestamps: Opening Credits: 1:44 Feature Presentation: 8:07 Ending Credits: 1:15:33

This is a special announcement episode to layout our special coverage of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival (TCMFF).  We'll be producing daily episodes from April 15-18 covering all the movies we watched at the festival.  Listen to hear which films we'll be watching and discussing!  Also, take advantage of our April Patreon promotion: all current patrons and anyone who joins in April gets a handwritten, custom Classic Movie Musts postcard in the mail. Read more about our TCMFF coverage at patreon.com/classicmoviemusts