Going Hollywood - Movies and Television from the Golden Age to Today
Published by Brad Shreve & Tony Maietta
Arts
TV & Film
Visual Arts
Film History
Will you side with the expert or the enthusiast? Film historian Tony Maietta and movie lover Brad Shreve dive into the best of cinema and TV, from Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s biggest hits. They share insights, debate favorites, and occasionally clash—but always keep it entertaining. They’ll take you behind the scenes and in front of the camera, bringing back your favorite memories along the way.
“She croaked the blues right out of the horn.” So went a famous movie review by-line, and it kills us to admit it, but it’s true. It’s also true that it is by popular demand that we’re tackling it all…the good, the bad, and the filters, because, it’s today ladies and gentlemen! From Warner Bros. in 1974, we’re talking about “Mame”. But we’re going to try to look past the punch lines, and dive into the notorious bomb with a little tenderness and understanding, because the story of how it misfires is more complicated than just “Lucy can’t sing.” We break down the core mismatch of persona that shapes everything, then we widen the lens to the choices around the film. From the direction, to the screenplay, to the editing, to why a cast this loaded ends up feeling oddly muted (with one magnificent exception). We also get into the juicy behind-the-scenes turns that fans love: Bette Davis lobbying for Vera, Madeline Kahn originally cast as Agnes Gooch before being fired, and the way musical “surgery” can strip story motivation and emotional payoff. Along the way we still call out what works, including the opening sequence, the sets, and those moments when the movie accidentally becomes mesmerizing as a guilty pleasure. If you’ve ever argued about a notorious adaptation, or wondered how ambition and timing can derail great material, you’ll have opinions by the end. Subscribe, share the episode with a fellow classic film fan, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
A Girl Like That! "Red Headed Woman" (1932)
"So gentlemen prefer blondes do they?" This famous opening line is delivered with more than a little irony by our leading lady, the lethally funny Lil Andrews, in today’s film: MGM’s 1932 pre-Code classic “ Red Headed Woman” . After all, the woman saying it is cinema’s most celebrated platinum blonde—Jean Harlow—who trades peroxide for provocation and proceeds to set the screen ablaze as a redhead whose morals are negotiable but whose style is impeccable. Marriages go smash, reputations take a nosedive, and even murder gets a crack at the spotlight—all served up with a wink and a wicked little laugh by Harlow in her star-making turn as the gold digger to end all gold diggers. Even in glorious black and white, “ Red Headed Woman” c rackles with the fiery havoc Jean Harlow unleashes—and it is easy to see why the film caused such a stir in 1932. We look at what makes this MGM pre-Code lightning strike so distinctive: its glossy style, wicked humor, and gleeful refusal to punish bad behavior on cue. Along the way, we explore the film’s ties to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Anita Loos, Lil Andrews’ ruthless ambition, its blunt view of sex and power, and the Paris ending that pointedly dodges a tidy moral lesson. We also explore the popularity and prevalence of these morally questionable characters during the depths of the Great Depression, examining why audiences embraced their defiant, anti-establishment attitudes and how the enforcement of the Production Code in 1934 brought their era to an abrupt end. If you love classic film history, pre-Code cinema, and Hollywood’s Golden Age deep dives, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode with a fellow movie lover, and leave us a rating and review so more listeners can find the show. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Reviews, Requests, and No Regrets
It’s our very own “bottle” episode. Sort of… Your movie picks are taking over the show today. A listener voicemail, classic Hollywood wish lists, and a friendly debate over a famous ending all in one relaxed “bottle” hang. Hit play, then tell us what we should cover next? Along the way, we shout out the people who keep “Going Hollywood” lively with smart opinions, strong taste, and the kind of detailed requests that make our watch list impossible to ignore. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
The One Where We Talk About "Friends"
Could we be more excited about this week's episode? We know!! This week, we are hanging out with six of our favorite Gen Xers whose relationship dramas, career travails, sexual exploits and over-caffeinated adventures kept us captivated for a decade. Yes, today we're taking on "Friends". "Friends" is one of those shows everyone “knows” until you actually sit down and rewatch it and realize how much is going on under the laugh track. It's more than comfort TV; it's a sitcom that not only became a defining piece of television history but also a time capsule of pre-internet social life, coffee shop culture, and a very specific kind of aspirational Manhattan normalcy. We talk honestly about the complicated parts, too: the show’s lack of diversity, homophobic punchlines that were common at the time, and recurring body jokes that can make modern viewers wince. Then we zoom in on what still works brilliantly, including multi-camera sitcom timing, live studio audience energy, and how the writing and performances turn simple premises into unforgettable comedy. Along the way, we share development and casting stories, from early working titles to near misses that could’ve changed the entire series. Finally, we break down four standout episodes that show "Friends" at peak form. If you’ve rewatched a dozen times or you’re coming back with fresh eyes, this is a smart, funny, clear-eyed look at why "Friends" still sticks. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a rating and review. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Can’t Stop the Movie! with Special Guest Bruce Vilanch
It seemed like a good idea at the time, but we were wrong. It was a GREAT idea to ask the one and only Bruce Vilanch to help us kick off our new “Can’t Stop the Movie!” summer series with the granddaddies of guilty pleasures, 1980’s disco fiasco “Can’t Stop the Music” and 1977’s “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.” Bruce discussed his hysterically funny memoir “It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time” and why “disastrous” TV specials and misguided variety experiments have a longer afterlife now than they did when they first aired. We unpack how "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour" even happened, what the cast thought they were signing up for, and why the show’s awkwardness is inseparable from the real pressures of 1970s television and celebrity branding. Along the way, Bruce shares surprising context on Robert Reed and the uncomfortable reality of trying to stay employable and private in that era. Then we dive into the ultimate guilty pleasure musical, "Can’t Stop the Music" (1980), the Village People movie produced by Alan Carr. Bruce breaks down the rewrite chaos, the casting carousel that started with Olivia Newton-John, the wild logistics of putting “wholesome” and “macho” in the same frame, and the truly mind-boggling choice of Nancy Walker as director. We also talk disco backlash, box office damage, and why the soundtrack went on to become global party folklore even when the movie cratered. If you love classic TV, Hollywood history, camp musicals, and behind-the-scenes storytelling, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a friend who loves a glorious flop. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review. To get a copy of Bruce’s memoir, "It Seemed Like a Bad Idea At the Time" go to: https://www.amazon.com/Seemed-Like-Bad-Idea-Time/dp/0914091921 To watch “Get Bruce!”(1999) got to https://youtu.be/6ZnU_ZVDmQM?is=bkHdaS6l1tIYcX7d Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Bye Bye Blackbird: “The Maltese Falcon” (1941)
A priceless object. A room full of liars. One detective trying to stay loyal to his own dubious moral code. We’re diving into "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), the Warner Bros classic that turns a hardboiled mystery into the blueprint for film noir, and we’re doing it the way we love best: with story, history, and a few sharp opinions. We talk about why this is one of the rare movie adaptations that barely flinches from its source, and how John Huston’s “shoot the book” approach creates a fast, propulsive thriller that still feels modern. Along the way, we dig into why Humphrey Bogart becomes the definitive Sam Spade, how noir dialogue works like music, why the film’s moral ambiguity is the whole point, and how "the stuff that dreams are made of" is the stuff of nightmares, too. If you love classic Hollywood, detective fiction, or film noir history, this one is a feast. Subscribe, share the show with a fellow movie nerd, and leave us a rating and review so more listeners can find Going Hollywood. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Sissy-fied: “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (1980)
We ain't too dadgum ignorant to recognize that Sissy Spacek's Oscar-winning performance as the "Coal Miner’s Daughter," Loretta Lynn, is one of the most startlingly real transformations any actor has made in film history. Spacek doesn't "act" Loretta Lynn...she becomes the country superstar--from her humbler than humble beginnings as a backwoods mountain girl to the heights of wealth and fame as the big-hearted and big-haired "First Lady of Country Music". It is not only the performance of the year; its a performance for the ages. And lending her support is an equally stellar supporting cast, that sadly, went unrecognized by the Academy when the nominations were announced. Tommy Lee Jones equally transformative turn as Doolittle Lynn, Beverly D’Angelo’s knockout portrayal of Patsy Cline that somehow feels unforgettable even with limited screen time, and a coterie of other players, both actors and non, who help lend the film its aching authenticity. Along the way, we talk about director Michael Apted’s outsider perspective, on-location authenticity, and the little details that make the early Kentucky chapters feel like you’ve stepped into another era. Then we get into the messy stuff that great biopics can’t avoid: myth versus fact, what gets softened or sharpened for Hollywood, and the big structural question of how you end a “still-going” life story without a neat tragedy. We also revisit the stacked 1980 Oscars context and why Spacek managed to dominate such a competitive year. If you love classic Hollywood, music movies, or performance deep-dives, hit play, subscribe, and share the show. After you listen, leave us a review and tell us what scene or song stays with you most. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Vagabond Shoes: "New York, New York" (1977) with Special Guest Brandon Davis
Start spreading the news! I'm flying solo without Brad this week, so I called in film historian Brandon Davis to help me unpack Martin Scorsese’s flawed but brilliant masterpiece from 1977, "New York, New York" starring the one and only Liza Minnelli and Robert DeNiro. We get into why the movie shocks people on first watch: lavish MGM-style sets, painted-backdrop “Technicolor” vibes, and then suddenly two people fighting like it’s a bruising 1970s relationship drama. We talk about Scorsese’s improvisation-heavy process, how that creates both magic and mess, and why Minnelli’s performance is so unexpected when she starts as a tightly controlled big-band singer instead of the full-throttle star persona most people expect. Along the way, we break down the numbers that matter, especially “But The World Goes Round,” the restored “Happy Endings” sequence, and the blockbuster “New York, New York” concert moment that turns the whole film into a showbiz fever dream. Finally, we address the elephant in the room; the odd but undeniable inspiration director Damien Chazelle took from Scorsese's brilliant film failure to create his mega-hit from 2016, "La La Land". If you love classic Hollywood, Scorsese deep cuts, movie musical history, or character-driven storytelling, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a film friend, and leave a review, then tell us your verdict: is “New York, New York” a mess, a masterpiece, or both? Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Celebrating Marilyn: “Something’s Got to Give” (1962)
We are celebrating someone's birthday today on "Going Hollywood" and it is an occasion truly worth marking: Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday on June 1, 2026. And though it may be odd to think of the ultimate movie sex siren as a centenarian, her image as an ever youthful romantic symbol is forever burnished in celluloid. So we feel it's fitting, as we celebrate the life of this screen legend, to take a look at her final, unfinished film; "Something's Got to Give", the 1962 romantic comedy that shut down after a chaotic production and survived only as reconstructed footage. Long maligned as substandard due to Marilyn's alleged anesthetized and pathetic mental state during filming, we discover the exact opposite to be true: she’s funny, focused, playful, and totally winning as a sophisticated light comedienne. It should have been the birth of a "New Marilyn", instead it became the farewell performance of a movie icon. Along the way, we confront the harder context: old Hollywood’s treatment of mental health, the way “difficult” often meant “undiagnosed,” and how Marilyn’s intelligence and business instincts (including her own production company) get erased by the dumb-blonde myth. We end with what happened to the production, the attempted replacement, the lawsuits, the plan to rehire her, and the haunting question of what really happened on the evening of August 4, 1962. If you enjoy classic Hollywood history, Marilyn Monroe, behind-the-scenes filmmaking, or the real story of "Something’s Got to Give", subscribe, share this episode with a movie-loving friend, and leave us a rating and review. What do you think the finished film would have meant for her legacy? To watch the remaining footage of “Something’s Got to Give” on YouTube go to https://youtube.com/watch?v=1-WCdD8uJyg&si=m9wOY6-BuEKHZCH_ Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Race Relations: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967)
People love to dismiss “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” as “dated,” but that word can hide a much harsher truth: much of the discomfort it dramatizes never fully went away. Stanley Kramer’s 1967 classic is still a relevant thesis that dares to ask the question: "But would you want your daughter to marry one?" If that sounds blunt, it is— and that’s why the movie still sparks arguments decades later. In this episode we tackle the social politics behind Kramer's provocative comedy, and the Hollywood history that shaped it. 1967 is a hinge year, with “Old Hollywood” going head-to-head with “New Hollywood”, the Production Code Administration losing its grip, and civil and political unrest shaping what studios would risk. And then, of course, there's the film's emotional center: the final screen outing of Hollywood's most celebrated romantic pair: Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. We dive into Tracy’s emotional final monologue, filmed under the shadow of his illness, and the meta weight it carries opposite Katharine Hepburn. We also dig into the Oscars context, including Hepburn’s Best Actress win, the competition that year, and how the ceremony was reshaped by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. If you love classic films, Oscars history, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, or movies that test our self-image, hit play, then subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find us. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Miss Independence: "That Girl" (ABC, 1966-1971)
"Oh, Donald!" One gurgling little declaration, and a television icon is born. Is it Mary Richards? Is it Maude Findlay? Nope. It's "That Girl"! A sitcom can look light as air and still change what viewers believe is possible. "That Girl", which aired from 1966 to 1971, does exactly that, and rewatching it now makes the impact even clearer. We talk through why Marlo Thomas’s Anne Marie feels so lovable and so important, even if the show doesn’t get name-checked as often as other classics. The big idea is simple: a young woman moves to New York to chase her dream, pays her own bills (at least in an aspirational TV way), dates on her terms, and keeps her identity bigger than her relationship. We dig into the behind-the-scenes story that shaped the tone, from ABC’s early concerns to the surprising pilot changes, plus the push and pull over TV standards around sex, innuendo, and marriage. Marlo’s perspective on “aspiration” becomes the key that unlocks everything, and it also explains why the show’s fashion, apartment, and energy still feel like a blueprint for later hits. If you love classic television, 1960s sitcom history, or feminist pop culture, this is a deep and very fun rabbit hole. If That Girl has been sitting in your memory as a faint rerun, this is your nudge to rediscover it. Subscribe, share this with a fellow classic TV fan, and leave us a rating and review so more people can find the show. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Daughter Dearest: “Mildred Pierce” (1945)
Long before she became notorious for her real life mothering skills, Joan Crawford was famous for her portrayal of a reel life mother; one who had an alarming (one may say unnatural) obsession with her oldest child, and one who would go to any lengths...perhaps even murder...to make her child's dreams come true. Yes, today we're taking on the Big C in her Oscar-winning performance in the noir-tinged soap opera, "Mildred Pierce". We’re diving into the 1945 Warner Bros classic that not only returned Joan Crawford to the top of the A-list, but helped redefine what film noir could look like when the protagonist isn’t a doomed tough guy, the object of desire isn't a curvy blonde, and the lurking menace isn't a gun but a sociopathic daughter. Along the way, we break down what “noir” really means, from the shadows and camera angles to the fatalistic mood that makes kitchens, staircases, and beach houses feel dangerous. We also get into the film’s delicious genre mash-up: part melodrama, part mystery, all emotional warfare. Then we go behind the curtain. We compare the movie to James M. Cain’s novel and the HBO miniseries, and we explain how the Production Code reshaped the plot by demanding punishment and a cleaner moral ledger. We also tell the comeback story that makes this film pure Hollywood mythology, including Michael Curtiz’s initial hesitation and Crawford’s legendary Oscar moment. Plus: Eve Arden, because there is never enough Eve Arden. Listen, share it with a fellow classic film obsessive, and then leave us a rating and review or send a text or voicemail with your take. Are you on Team Mildred, or do you think she creates the monster she can’t stop loving? Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
“The Trip To Bountiful”(1985) with Special Guest Del Shores
"I consider this woman to be the greatest actress in the English language." Thus spoke F. Murray Abraham at the OSCAR podium as he was announcing the winner of the 1985 Best Actress Award. For nearly everyone in the Shrine Auditorium that night, that platitude could only refer to one woman amongst the nominees of Meryl Streep, Ann Bancroft, Whoopi Goldberg and Jessica Lange. It was the final nominee... Geraldine Page. In this very special episode of "Going Hollywood" we are joined by writer- director-producer Del Shores to talk about the singular Miss Page and her Oscar winning performance in the beautiful 1985 film version of Horton Foote's legendary play, "The Trip to Bountiful". We discuss the art of Southern storytelling, the “magic” and subtext Foote packs into every line of dialogue, and the way the film treats family conflict with compassion instead of easy villains. We break down Carrie Watts’ escape from Houston, the small acts of kindness she finds on the road, and the brutal truth waiting at the end of the line: time passes, towns fade, and you still need to see the place that made you. If you’re searching for character driven cinema, classic film analysis, or the best movies about aging and memory, this conversation goes deep. Then we zero in on Geraldine Page, whose performance won the Oscar after a long road of nominations. We talk about what makes her acting so rare: specificity, willpower, humor, and the feeling that she’s living each moment. We even get into the film’s craft, from long unbroken shots to the little continuity glitches that reveal how fully this one in a generation artist disappeared into the character of Carrie Watts in her quest to return home to "Bountiful" . Listen, then subscribe for more Hollywood golden age and classic movie conversations, share the episode with a friend who loves great performances, and leave us a review. What scene from The Trip to Bountiful stays with you the longest? Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Practically Perfect: “Mary Poppins” (1964)
It's that Poppins woman! We kick off our "Best Actress" month by celebrating one of the most magical Oscar winners of all time: Dame Julie Andrews as the practically perfect nanny herself, "Mary Poppins" (1964)! She blows in on the east wind like a well-dressed surprise and promptly takes charge of the Banks household with one raised eyebrow, a carpetbag that definitely did not come from any normal shop and a knack for turning chores into sing-along that makes everyday life sparkle—one spoonful of sugar at a time. But there's more to the classic Disney film than just its sparkling lead actress; we come away stunned by how much craft is packed into every frame: the Sherman Brothers’ songs, the choreography, the matte-painted London skies, the practical effects, the way live action plays convincingly with animation, and of course the one-of-a-kind supporting cast featuring Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Ed Wynn, Rita Shaw, Hermione Baddeley, and friend of the pod (and Brad) the incomparable Glynnis Johns. We also zoom out to the behind-the-scenes power struggle that shaped the final cut, that battles between Walt Disney and author P.L. Travers, and the tension still hangs around the film’s legacy. Finally, we break down the awards context: Julie Andrews’ performance, the "My Fair Lady" rivalry, and the dubbing controversy that helped shift Hollywood’s expectations for movie musicals. It’s comfort viewing, sure, but it’s also a blueprint for how to build “movie magic” with discipline and taste. What more is there to say? Supercalifragilisticexpalidocious! That's what. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Laughter First, “Safety Last!” (1923)
Everyone knows the image. A man dangling precariously from a clock on the side of a skyscraper, only a handgrip away from plunging to the busy streets below. It must be a scene from a terrifying dramatic thriller, right? Wrong! It's a thriller, alright, but it's from one of the most hilarious comedies every made. From 1923, it's Harold Lloyd in "Safety Last!" Long regarded as a masterpiece of silent film comedy, "Safety Last!" features one of the greatest of the greats, the master comedian himself Harold Lloyd, who changed the face of character comedy in ways that can still be felt to this day. In this episode we dig into Lloyd’s place alongside Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and why many fans find Lloyd the most relatable of the “big three" titans of silent film comedy. We also discuss why, after 100 years, his films still influence generations of comic actors, from Lucille Ball to Jack Lemmon, and films from "What's Up, Doc?" to "The Graduate" to the romantic comedies of today. We also break down the film itself and how it was made. The breakneck speed of the comedy, the practical effects and film history behind the climb, including the rooftop perspective trick, the changing downtown LA backgrounds, and the era of real human spider building climbers that inspired the set piece. Then we zoom out to the film’s box office success, its lasting reputation, and what happened to Lloyd when talkies and the Great Depression changed what audiences wanted. If you love classic cinema, Hollywood Golden Age stories, silent film comedy, or practical stunts that still look impossible, hit play and come talk with us. Subscribe, share this with a friend who “doesn’t like silent movies,” and leave a rating and review. What’s the one classic film you think everyone should see at least once? Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Star Entrances: "Stage Door" (1937)
Katharine Hepburn. Ginger Rogers. Lucille Ball. Eve Arden. Ann Miller. Phyllis Kennedy. Constance Collier. Jack Carson. Is this the roster of an awards ceremony in the 1950s? No -- it's the call sheet for our movie today, featuring one of the most stacked line-ups of soon-to-be stars ever gathered on a single soundstage. From RKO in 1937, it's "Stage Door." At first glance, it's Hepburn v Rogers as the main event; two titans of the studio, one on the way up and one fighting to stay. Who will come out champ in the last round? But what really makes "Stage Door" special is the phenomenal cast of up-and-comers lending their support to the stars, each one on the cusp of major stardom of their own. Add to the mix the improvisatory work of director Gregory LaCava, eavesdropping on his actresses’ real conversations and personalities, and crafting a screenplay that crackles with dialogue and repartee that still seems fresh and irreverent after almost 90 years. But it's not a TKO. We talk honestly about the weaker story threads, why Andrea Leeds’s character feels underwritten despite an Oscar nomination, the tonal whiplash of the last third of the film, and why certain romantic casting choices (hello, Adolphe Menjou) strain belief. Still, the movie’s core theme lands: show business is relentless, rejection is constant, and the next hopeful is always ready to walk through the stage door. So, who ends up the victor? The acclaimed upper-class Hepburn? The scrappy upstart Rogers? Or is it the actress who came from behind them and ended up owning the whole studio? You'll have to listen to find out! If you love classic Hollywood, film history, and smart talk about craft, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a rating and review. What’s the one line from a classic film you still quote? Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
A Petrie Dish! Celebrating “The Dick Van Dyke Show”
A classic sitcom can look effortless, but behind the scenes can tell a different story. A failed pilot. A total recast. A “Hail Mary” save from first season cancellation. All true events that happened to one of the benchmarks of classic situation comedy: "The Dick Van Dyke Show" . We follow the legendary sitcom back to its origin story: Carl Reiner’s original pilot, why it didn’t sell, and how Sheldon Leonard helps transform the exact same core idea into one of the most respected comedies in TV history. If you love behind-the-scenes Hollywood history, this is the kind of development tale that explains how hits are really made. From there, we dig into what made the finished series feel different in the early 1960s. We talk about the show’s then-unusual split between the workplace and the Petrie home, the “Kennedy-era” polish, and how the writers’ room characters pull directly from Reiner’s experience on “Your Show Of Shows”. We also dish on Mary Tyler Moore’s path to Laura Petrie, her chemistry with Dick Van Dyke, the tensions with Rose Marie, and of course, the legendary battles over those “Capri” pants that helped redefine what a TV housewife could look like. If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share the episode with a classic TV fan, and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Guess We Picked the Wrong Week to Talk About “Airplane!” (1980)
It’s our third season, and we’ve decided that it’s time to take a more serious approach to appreciating the art of film, film history, and the craft of filmmaking. April Fools! It’s “Airplane!” (1980) An airliner full of passengers gets hit with food poisoning, the crew goes down, and the only hope is a washed-up pilot with a bruised past. That plot sounds like a straight disaster thriller and that’s exactly why “Airplane!” works: it uses a perfectly serious skeleton and then fires jokes at you so fast you barely have time to breathe. We dig into how Zucker, Abrams and Zucker built the movie on the bones of “Zero Hour” (1957), lifting the structure, character names, and even bits of dialogue, then twisting it into one of the most influential spoof comedies ever made. We also talk about the behind-the-scenes choices that matter more than any single gag: a lean budget, a tight shoot, and the decision to cast dramatic heavyweights like Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Peter Graves and Lloyd Bridges. Their deadpan commitment is the engine, turning every absurd line into a straight-faced “emergency,” which makes the humor hit harder. Not every moment lands the same way in 2026, and we don’t dodge that. We get into what still feels timeless, what depends on older pop culture references, and what now plays as uncomfortable, especially the jokes audiences are less willing to laugh off today. Along the way, we trade favorite bits, debate the few sequences that run too long, and zoom out to Airplane’s legacy in film history, including how it sets the template for later parody hits like “The Naked Gun” series . If you love classic comedy, Hollywood behind-the-scenes stories, and film analysis that still feels like hanging out with movie friends, hit follow, share the show, and leave a review wherever you listen. Check out Brad's YouTube channel about life in Spain on Our Chosen Spanish Life . Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
Rob Reiner Remembered: "The Princess Bride" (1987) and "When Harry Met Sally..."(1989)
On December 14, 2025, Hollywood...and the world...lost a true icon. A man who was not only a gifted actor, but a once-in-a-generation filmmaker who was adept at any style, from satire to horror to romantic comedy. We also lost a true humanitarian and, as his alter ego Harry Burns may have said, a real "mensch". We are indeed talking about the one and only, Rob Reiner. So, for our Season Premiere, we wanted to celebrate this gifted filmmaker and great human being by discussing two of his signature films: the genre-defying but so entertaining (at least to Tony) "The Princess Bride" (1987), and what is now considered the grandfather of the late 20th century romantic comedies, "When Harry Met Sally..." (1989). Though it is with sadness that we mourn the loss, we keep things upbeat as we discuss the behind-the-scenes dramas of both films, the brilliant scripts by the legendary William Goldman and Nora Ephron respectively, and the sheer pleasure of entering the two very different--but equally enjoyable--worlds of late 1980s Manhattan and the Renaissance-era Florin ( by way of the Borscht Belt). We hope you will join us as we celebrate this one-of-a-kind artist, discuss these very different, but equally brilliant, works, and share our opinions about the legacy of the late, great Rob Reiner. So, if you want to have what she’s having, you'll join us for the Season Three premiere of "Going Hollywood!” It's INCONCIEVABLE that you won't have a dare-devilishly good time!!! Check out Brad's YouTube channel, Our Chosen Spanish Life . Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
The Real Housewives of 1939: “The Women”
All women, all claws. Jungle Red! Call it “The Real Housewives of New York- 1939 Edition”. For our season two finale, we tackle MGM’s 1939 classic satire “The Women”. From savage one-liners to that wild Technicolor fashion show, we trace how Claire Boothe Luce’s play survived the Production Code, why Anita Loos’ screenplay still stings, and where the movie trades social ambition for a romance-first ending. We are joined by very special guest (and Brad’s husband) Maurice Chevalier and get his singular take on the proceedings. We also get granular on the craft: George Cukor’s propulsive staging and mirror shots, Adrian’s jaw-dropping costumes, Rosalind Russell’s star-turn as the feline Sylvia Fowler, and Joan Crawford’s scene (and husband) stealing performance as Crystal Allen. And of course, there’s the Queen herself—Norma Shearer— at her noblesse-obligiest as the oh-so wronged, ever suffering but pride-fool housewife, Mary. Call it a proto–Real Housewives of 1939 or a couture cage match; either way, it’s irresistible, infuriating, and endlessly quotable. Ah, l’amour l’amour! If classic Hollywood, screwball rhythms, and sharp social autopsies are your thing, you’ll have plenty to love and plenty to argue with. Follow the show, share this episode with a movie lover, and leave a review to help others find us. What’s your verdict: team Mary, Sylvia, or Crystal? "The Women" artwork by AleMogolloArt https://www.redbubble.com/people/AleMogolloArt/shop Text us or Leave a Voice Mail Complete our listener survey: https://form.jotform.com/261937008953060 Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at goinghollywoodpod@gmail.com Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist on Spotify.
