Published by Film Stories
Join Adrian Smith and Rod Barnett as they explore a wide range of Italian genres, one filone at a time. Follow us here: https://linktr.ee/wild_wild_podcast A proud part of the Film Stories Podcast Network: www.filmstories.co.uk
Listen on Apple PodcastsDouble targets can only mean double trouble for Rod and Adrian! Come with them back to the jungles of Vietnam/ the Phillippines for some exciting action and hair-raising helicopter business. Miles O'Keefe plays Bob Ross, a man on a mission to save his son and kick some commies off a cliff, with only his special skills, lightning reflexes and sparkling wit to keep him alive. This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever had to jump from the roof of an embassy building to escape some bad guys. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We always knew he would be back, and this time he is - back! Yes, he may have had his hands brutally mangled twenty years ago, but after a long convalescence, some quality time with the woman he loves and a period as a novitiate in a local monastery, it's time for Django to dig up his machine gun and get back to what he does best. The only official Django sequel, Django Strikes Again sees Franco Nero head down river in a film that is more Rambo meets Fitzcarraldo than it is a spaghetti western, and Rod and Adrian are here for it. This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever made friends with a Scottish Lepidopterist in a top hat. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Archaeology is a dangerous business, as we discover the hard way in this latest episode where we are taken deep into the catacombs underneath Rome. Donald Pleasence's Professor Lasky leads a well-funded but under-staffed dig to find a two thousand-year-old tomb which may or may not be evil. It is evil, and something nebulous is unleashed with the power to do whatever the special effects budget will allow. How can it be stopped? This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever been attacked by a demon wind whilst down a tunnel. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Slave auctions, lavish orgies and gladiatorial combat at the dinner table; no, it's not the Tory Party Conference, it's American adult film director Chuck Vincent's straight-to-video Pompeii-set Warror Queen, starring Donald Pleasence, Sybil Danning and David Brandon. Pleasence is having fun, Danning looks thoroughly bored and Brandon is doing his best, so will Warrior Queen live up to the expectations set by the fabulous VHS cover art? This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy (and the Philippines). We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever had to flee from a molten lava flow. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We've all been bored at a family wedding before, but it's unlikely that we've decided to leave early and head off to Vietnam to rescue some guys who got left behind, with nothing but some misplaced courage and a few guns that a French priest kept in his vestry. In this episode Wild, Wild Podcast goes back into the jungle to try and decipher Donald Pleasence's dodgy accent, whilst coming to terms with the fact that Adrian has never seen Rambo. This season is dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy (and the Philippines). We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever been near an exploding helicopter. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
An ill wind is blowing in the Swiss Alps, and it's going to take the combined might of a psychic teenager, a Scotsman in a wheelchair and a chimpanzee called Inga to do something about it - if they can hear themselves think over Iron Maiden being played at full blast. Rod and Adrian are tackling the maestro Dario Argento for the first time, but thankfully it's one of his more restrained efforts to make it easier. Donald Pleasence naturally gets plenty of air time, but also discussed is the continued ineptitude of the Italian/ Swiss police, what to do with several million unwanted flies and why you would try to escape in a boat when there's a perfectly good road right there to run down. It's a new season, dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever been attacked by a chimp.You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When the gods delivered a golden mask to the Aztec people on a mountain plateau thousands of years ago, little did they know that one day a man in black leather would steal it, and it would be up to an unsuspecting American paleontologist working at the Natural History Museum in London to stop him, calling upon his inate super powers to do so. Becuase he is the PUMAMAN! He can fly! He can teleport! He can rip cars open with his bare hands! He can stop bullets! Oh wat, he can't do that - if he gets shot he will die. Seems a bit of an oversight when they were figuring out what powers to give him. So with the help of an Aztec High Priest and the daughter of the Dutch Ambassador, he will have to push himself to his very limits to stop the evil Donald Pleasence. Will he succeeed? Will Pumaman be such a box office smash that it will launch a whole series of Pumaman films? Tune in to find out. It's a new season, dedicated to that great quiet man of British cinema, Donald Pleasence, who spent a great deal of time in the 1980s in Italy. Clearly making Pumaman didn't put him off entirely. So join Rod and Adrian as they begin to explore some of these films, both the good and the bad. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Donald Pleasence films from this period, or if you have ever been thrown out of a high window by a tall Mexican. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this final episode of our Women in Italian Cinema mini-season, we focus on the unsung hero of Filmirage, Donatella Donati. She worked for many years with Joe D'Amato as a producer, production manager, screenwriter, script girl, and even set design on occasion. The most high-profile film she produced was StageFright, which also served as Michele Soavi's directorial debut after he had worked for Filmirage for several years. So join Adrian and Rod as they discuss vital issues like why doesn't Donati have her own Wikipedia page? Is that really George Eastman under the owl head? And why did Quest for the Mighty Sword (Joe D'Amato, 1990) almost kill Filmirage? We would love to hear from you about your favourite Italian female filmmakers, or your favourite Filmirage films. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a dystopian Milan, a failed revolution has left the Fascists in charge and the streets littered with dead rebels. Antigone (Britt Ekland) seems to be the only sane person left, determined to defy the authorities and her parents to retreive the body of her brother and give him a proper burial. When she meets a mysterious man who has great hair but speaks an unknown language (played by Pierre Clementi), their destinies in this strange tyrannical world become entwined. Oh, and also her boyfriend is Tomas Milian. In this episode we are exploring the early work of the important and often controversial director Liliana Cavani, and although we have not started a cannibal film mini-season (as has been frequently requested by some listeners), this is still a fascinating and important piece of work which was neglected at the time but is hopefully becoming reappraised, at least by us. Join us for some serious discussion about the impact Cavani's early television documentary work had on her subsequent cinema career, the often unsung but heroic work of background extras, and whether or not that really is Britt Ekland running naked through the streets of Milan. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Italian female filmmakers, or your recommendations for other late 1960s revolutionary films. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Italian star Rita Pavone is a mischevious schoolgirl with a confusing crush on her sleepy music teacher, who is living a double-life as a singer in a beat band. Can she stop pranking him long enough to make it as a new ye-ye pop sensation whilst navigating the exclusive private school life and these new romantic feelings? And sing loads of songs as she goes along? After a brief break we are back with a new mini-season focusing on female filmmakers in Italian cinema. In this episode Adrian tricks Rod into watching a musical, directed by one of Italy's most commercially successful female directors of all time, Lina Wertmüller. Will Rod ever forgive him? Will the podcast ever be the same again? Tune in to find out. We would love to hear from you about your favourite Italian female filmmakers, or if you are a fan of Rita Pavone and her brand of powerhouse 1960s pop. You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Rod and Adrian as they agonise over how to rank the films from the Rapiers and Ruffles season. Will they agree, or will there be rapiers at dawn? If you have been watching along throughout the season, do contact us and let us know which have been your favourites. The podcast is also open to suggestions for future seasons! You can get in touch with us, follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They seek him there, they seek him there, they seek the mysterious masked hero everywhere - but they will never find him thanks to his cunning use of a luxurious moustache! We've reached the final film in our Rapiers and Ruffles season, and the good news is that you can find Zorro in the Court of England on YouTube with excellent English subtitles, if you need them. You can get in touch with us (and we would especially love to hear which flms you've enjoyed this season), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wild, Wild Podcast have jumped forwards in time from the safe, family-friendly adventures of the early 1960s to the hedonistic, anything goes year of 1969 to meet Zenabel, sometimes known as "The Naked General." Here we reach almost the end of our Rapiers and Ruffles season, and also perhaps Rod's tether, with this Italian sex comedy from the director of House at the Edge of the Park, Phantom of Death and Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What is Zorro doing in Spain, thousands of miles away from home? Why are they called the Three Musketeers when there's actually four of them? Why does the King of Spain sound like he was voiced by Paul Frees? Some of these questions may or may not get answered in this thrilling installment of Wild, Wild Podcast! You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Who is that mysterious masked hero? Sarge? No. Rosemary, the telephone operator? No. Penry, the mild-mannered janitor? Could be! Then again, it could also be Robin Hood, so don't be too sure. Join us once again as we huddle together inside the nearest large castle for protection against the plague whilst doing our best to unmask the eponymous hero. We also discuss Weird Worcester, the UK's newest and best Italian-themed festival where Adrian had the time of his life as a disappointing Italian translator. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's adventure on land and on sea as we chart a course to Devil's Island! It's the time of the French Revolution and tempers are running high, quite literally, as we visit those poor female prisoners of Devil's Island, who are forced to pan for gold by day in the hot South American sun, and then entertain the prison guards in improvised brothels by night. If only there was a dashing young captain who could come and save them? And perhaps punch a crocodile whilst he's at it? We are now halfway through our Rapiers & Ruffles season now, so hitch up your skirts and wade into the croc-infested waters in search of cinematic gold with us, your piratical hosts Rod Barnett and Adrian Smith. If you want to watch the film (and you should) you can find it on YouTube. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grab your carnival mask, strap on your rapier and jump into a passing gondola, so that you can travel with us through 17th century Venezia, where evil schemes are afoot, pious nuns need rescuing from wicked pirates, and strong men swing big choppers with abandon. The Executioner of Venice is another fine example of the Rapiers & Ruffles sub-genre of Italian costume adventure films, and a great-quality copy can be found in English on YouTube. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Wild, Wild Podcast is back from the commentary track-induced wilderness to talk about another fine film in our Rapiers and Ruffles season. This time we're in France as we go on a non-canonical adventure with D'Artagnan and Porthos, two of the legendary Musketeers. No one knows where the other two are. If you want to watch the film (and you should) you can find it on YouTube. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this special episode Adrian talks with publisher and writer Thorsten Benzel about his magazine Creepy Images and his new books Giallo Movie Posters, as volume 2 has just been published. They also discuss Thorsten's other book projects and his love of poster collecting. To find out more or to order copies of his books go to the Creepy Images website. Wild, Wild Podcast will be back soon with the next episode in our Rapiers and Ruffles season. In the meantime if you want to get in touch with us or buy one of our T-shirts (new designs now available!) use the links in our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Has the man you love ever killed your father and stolen your pirate ship? Have you ever seduced a Spanish governor to gain access to his private dungeons? Have you ever dug for buried treasure whilst under attack from your enemies? If so, you might not want to listen to this week's episode. But if all that sounds kind of fun, then join Adrian and Rod for the latest episodes in our new season Rapiers and Ruffles, as we set off across the Seven Seas with Tiger and his red-headed daughter Consuela looking for adventure. If you want to play along at home you can find a version of Tiger of the Seven Seas on YouTube but be warned, it's badly cropped. You can get in touch with us (we love hearing from you!), follow us on social media, buy our merch, and all that stuff, through our Linktree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices