Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue
Laughs and Lessons from Hollywood’s Golden Age
Latest Episodes
Zach welcomes back Sterling Cook (Filmmaker & Ballyhoo Corespondent, ‘Tour de Tati’) for part 1 of a journey through the same old story played again and again as they unpack films trying to capture the essence of Casablanca with a closer look at TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (1944) & MACAO (1952)
Tune in to learn about the making of these films, the similar ingridients to Casablanca they hold, and whether or not they can capture that same serendipitous magic from Rick’s Cafe.
To Hear Sterling and Zach extrapolate Jacques Tati on the ‘Tour de Tati’series , please visit YBR PRESENTS at https://anchor.fm/ybrpresents . Subscribe and Enjoy!
and follow the journey of Sterling & Matt Cassani’s upcoming project, ‘Pleasure Chest’ on
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pleasurechestmovie?igsh=cWo2d3c3MzY4MWc1
and
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pleasurechestmovie?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Rashmi & Zach take a trip to Germany on their Noir odyssey where the Cain ‘Postman’ story of doomed love reaches the new millennium as the duo unpack Christian Petzoldt’s 2008 noir-ish thriller, JERICHOW
Tune in to learn how Petzold’s grasp on the film carries flourish of Noir learned while weaving together a version that finds a new path on an old story
This week Zach welcomes back filmmaker and pod-pal Brad Haag (Reel Nerds Podcast) for a trip through many locations over three years with the legendary Orson Welles’ and his 1951 independent film epic, OTHELLO.
Join the duo as they unpack the production of Othello and it’s many ups and downs all while bringing into conversation the many ways Welles’ methodology or production inspire the modern trends of DIY filmmaking, what lessons can be learned from his triumphs and failings, and how the film stands as a piece of entertainment in spite of the uphill battle to get it made.
Be sure to listen to Brad each week on REEL NERDS PODCAST
https://reelnerdspodcast.com
and watch his plethora of amazing short films at his website:
https://www.nebulusvisions.com
and be sure to visit THE BUG THEATER, host of today’s recording and the site of fabulous shows all nestled in a cozy historic landmark of the arts community in Denver
go to https://www.bugtheatre.org/ to find shows and events to delight your days!
This week Zach is joined by author & screenwriter Samuel Garza Bernstein to chat about the subject of LGBTQIA+ creatives in the Golden Age of Hollywood and the impact of two of his subject, Roddy McDowell & Cesar Romero.
Join them as the two talk at length about the importance of these stories being brought to the front, how actors and directors navigated their sexual preference in in thee Old Hollywood system, how the content of film managed queer coded material before the production code, and finally shoot the breeze with candid chat about film from the credits of Romero and Roddy.
Be sure to pick up Sam’s two books discussed in today’s episode!
Cesar Romero: The Joker is Wild- https://a.co/d/07bgFnPl
Roddy McDowell: An Actors Life- https://a.co/d/062q36Vr
and visit Samuels website to learn more about his prior and upcoming projects!— samuelgarzabernstein.com
and give him a follow on social media!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuel.bernstein.31/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samgbernstein/
Rashmi and Zach continue with the ‘Doomed Lovers’ theme of Noir with a trip to Italy for a look at another adaptation of ‘Postman Always Rings Twice’ as they unpack Luchino Visconti’s 1943 film, OSSESSIONE!
Tune in today to learn more about this Visconti debut, what it does from a Noir & Melodrama angle to stand out, and how the film was almost lost entirely!
The Grant-A-Thon Has Arrived!
Join Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) & I as we get CARY-d away in unveiling our Top Ten Cary Grant Performances in Grant-A- Thon!
Will someone like Only Angels Have Wings more than Bringing Up Baby? Will Mr. Lucky make the cut? And who lives the Hitchcock collabs more?
Tune in to find out all that and more!
Plus: A Sneak Peak At Our Next Top Ten Special!
Listen to Ryan each and every week on REEL NERDS PODCAST
Website: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-nerds-podcast/id442184939
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NMZkh3WRDuIgIGuFRraEV
and Follow the Reel Nerds on Social
Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelnerds
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNerdsPodcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelnerds/?hl=en
Rashmi & Zach begin their next Noir Unit, Doomed Lovers, with a journey back to 1946 for the all-time Noir classic, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE!
Tune in today to learn more about the stories long journey to the screen, how its rich characterizations sets the tone for Noir romance to come, and how it affected the film world at large!
Zach welcomes back Lara Gabrielle (Author/Historian, ‘Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies) for a chat surrounding a Pre-Code Marion Davies film buried for decades until recently as they unpack the laughs & heart in the 1931 film IT’S A WISE CHILD.
Hop into one of Mr. Cohen’s cars and live the screwball life at a mile a second as the duo catch up with Marions life following her sound debut, walk through the plot and the ways it showcases Davies’ range as an actor, fawn over the supporting players from Marie Prevost to James Gleason, unravel the story of why the film remained unseen for decades until the recent Warner Archive Blu-Ray release, and finally ponder over the ways the film shines a light on Davies’ talents and gives her a long overdue spotlight.
PLUS: Another Jack Benny/Marion Davies connection!
Be sure to pick up your copy of Lara’s book CAPTAIN OF HER SOUL: THE LIFE OF MARION DAVIES
Website: https://mariondaviesbook.com/
Amazon Link:https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Her-Soul-Marion-Davies/dp/0520384202
or look for the book at your local bookstore!
You can hear Lara talk more about Marion Davies on our previous episode covering ‘The Hollywood Revue of 1929’ here: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-132-the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-or-marion-davies-the-mystery-of-the-phantom-screen/
And be sure to follow Lara on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads by searching the handle @backlotsfilm
Zach welcomes back Paul Kovit (Director/Editor, ‘No Soap Radio’ ) on a marathon in Metropolis as they dive into the classic Superhero TV series, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN!
Get ready to take flight with the guys as they unpack the origins of the show, demystify the casting of its cast & how they felt being part of the show, marvel at special effect & stunt snafus & successes, break down 5 episodes of the show that stand out in the first two seasons, & then finally mull over the many ways Reeves’ outing as Superman stands tall in the legacy of Superman & Superhero television at large.
PLUS: Find out exactly how Zach sounds at the mention of terrible studio chiefs.
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Check out Paul’s amazing work at NO SOAP RADIO
Website: https://nosoapradioplayers.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@nosoapradiorecreations?si=U8ee4YMPuXK3iXw0
This week Zach is joined by author & film journalist Kristen Lopez to dive into a subject matter oft neglected in film discourse as they chat about her new book ‘Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies’
Join them as they discuss how the book came to be, examine a slate of Golden Age Hollywood films and how they handle dramatizing disabled stories & finding space for disabled creatives, analyze the pitfalls that can befall films and filmmakers with lack of disabled participation, and settle upon how these stories and images are vital talking points to both engage in proper film literacy & understanding the disabled community.
To Buy POPCORN DISABILITIES, head over to
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Disabilities-Disabled-Representation-Movies/dp/149308633
Barnes and Nobles:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/popcorn-disabilities-kristen-lopez/1147523323
Or at Bloomsbury Publishing: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/popcorn-disabilities-9781493086344/
To follow Kristen’s journalism endeavors, check out and consider signing up at THE FILM MAVEN
Kitten Sale for Yearly Subscription: https://thefilmmaven.com/kitten-sale (Ends at the end of May)
You can also check out Kristens Film Podcast, Ticklish Business wherever you get your podcasts
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ticklish-business/id1129352801
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2v9YsVqLuXnwAoXSlIAAVc
You can also support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TicklishBiz
And follow her many adventures on Social Media!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88?igsh=MWh1OTQ4ODRwbGswbg==
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kristenlopez88?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==