I know I'm nitpicking but George Kennedy also won an Oscar for Cool Hand Luke, I can imagine them both being offered the same parts though. Another great interview John 👍

I've always wanted to go to this festival!

I'm a little ways through Euro Gothic. Loving it!

Only the sound, really? On KZfaq? Ridiculous a bit.

“When Sister Gertrude takes her morphine…” This is a hilariously informative discussion of a movie I was unaware of, and a welcome introduction to Nicholas Bell. I then watched the Italian language version on Tubi, it was as wild as promised!

About Aschenbach's face make-up: it was a final humiliation, and a clownish corruption of Aschenbach's rarefied, poetic notions of beauty. I could say much more, but this would turn into an essay. I enjoyed listening to this chat - I only wish I could have jumped in and interjected at several points!

John besides the show being great! I just love your intro music, is it existing music or was it commissioned especially? Cheers Ed

The list of actors just from the first episode was amazing. Dennis Farina, Ted Levine, Ray Sharkey, Jon Polito, David Caruso, Andrew Dice Clay, Eric Bogosian, AND Stephen Lang.

Torrello was great in Crime Story. He was a cop for many years before finding acting. I first saw him in Michael Mann's "Manhunter". The first movie about Hannibal Lector.

great show

Love Mike Torrello since I first saw him in Crime story in 86. Crime Story is one of my most fave TV shows of the 80s , ahead of its time. Blew away the other cop tv shows at the time.

Hi John! The link to the books don't seem to work... 😊

This is the WILDEST interview! The man is such a character! An episode for the ages…

My favourite of the trilogy also

I became interested in Peter Bogdanovich's life and career many years ago through the Dorothy Stratten story, but I've only just recently watched Saint Jack. I was impressed by Ben Gazzara's work in it, even if he was, basically, playing himself. He does it well. And I know he said he liked playing the character and found it difficult to leave him when the filming concluded. I didn't want the movie to end myself. In looking more into it, I found that so much had happened regarding that film, even just acquiring the rights to it is a story, and I was very pleased to learn that someone (Ben Slater) had actually researched the making of Saint Jack and written a book about it. I wish you had done that documentary on it that you had contemplated, Ben! Glad to hear you have material you may be putting out in another Saint Jack project, would love to see it. Anyway, I found this interview very engrossing, thanks for uploading. I would so love to hear more, sounded like you were just getting started! BTW, I found this comment on Twitter (X) about Saint Jack that kind of sums up things, in a way, rather well I thought: "Ben Gazzara had such a knack for playing characters that are simultaneously the coolest person in the room and the most pathetic person on the planet."

Haven't seen this, want to as I adore Blow Up, but sadly found The Passenger a godawful pretentious bore, even with the great Jack N.

The Patrick McGilligan episode of this podcast, which was unknown to me appeared in my KZfaq feed the other day. It was a scintillating introduction to this entertaining broadcast! The last few days I have been listening with delight to a cross section of your brilliant conversations. Fascinating subjects covered by accomplished authors are discussed through your breezy erudition and personable manner. I have heard Joseph McBride interviewed about Billy Wilder before, but this was nearly definitive! I have read the book, next time (!) go more in depth on Fedora. Best wishes…

Great podcast on a great filmmaker.

um ... 'sex workers?' ... maybe the word you are looking for is 'whore.'

Socialists slaughter everyone everywhere Equally... " the full power of communists, and their vile methods of " atomization of Society "... Fear at every level. what we're living in today with leftist racist hate groups such BLM , woke < gays For muslims...sheer stupidity of Left wing wacko' (their violence overwhelms them ).. so on and so on... " combine with the Rapid rise in western Standards of living " even the British ".of the time, coming off the war... which of course the bomb changes everything. . brought about the " Brave New World" aspects. Of western indolence... so the Prisoner. " with Pat":) being devout catholic. and Irish, it's all about the Church Laugh, low and droll , but within the structure... Hence the last show.. ending where he tells (the FAR outsider without Context, Millennialism, a vile mental disorder that transcends age groups..) ) Take it easy 'Young Man".. , The Drive into London is always overlooked???... anyway, forgive the run-on Post It note style rambling. walking dog, smoking cigar ..typing "if that's what's it called":)..one handed. BCNU ,Cheers, Allan

Professor Basinger, I loved immensely your book "A Woman's View - How Hollywood Spoke to Women 1930-1960". I decided to read it very slowly since I did not want it to end. It is not only because the subject matter is so interesting for us who love movies, but also, the amount of knowledge you bring about them and the movie starts, besides your wonderfully intelligent sense of humor! Your book is one of my very favorites. I learned to love classic movies from my mom since I was very, very young. Your book became the cherry on top of the cake. Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge with all of us. It was a honor to listen to you here, as well.

TRES Cool

32:44 “I think that _Planet of the Apes_ got it [the Academy Award] for costume, something like that…I think that probably the category didn’t exist yet.” The Academy Award for Best Costume Design _did_ exist in 1968 and had existed since 1949. _Planet of the Apes_ was nominated for that award (while _2001_ was not). _Planet of the Apes_ did _not_ win; the award for best costume design went to Franco Zeffirelli’s _Romeo and Juliet._ _Planet of the Apes_ _did_ get a consolation prize of sorts: an honorary Academy Award for John Chambers for his “outstanding make-up achievement.”

One of my favourite films actually, i usually watch at least once a year. Over the years i've picked up various pics and lobby cards from the film. Unfortunately old Singapore is basically long gone. Denholm Elliott's performance was fantastic! I once was lucky enough to have a brief chat with George Lazenby, i mentioned Bond and his character in The Man From Hong Kong. When i brought up Saint Jack (i said it's one of my favourite films) he ended the chat almost immediately. I think he liked his macho image and Saint Jack didn''t suit that narrative. Thanks for your discussion.

This was a great discussion, thank you.

My love

Vivi tu xme

Indeed- 'LEGEND' would not be an exaggerated. Great stuff.

I'm with Anna; this has to be Bogdanovich's best film imhfo. Not a duff note in the whole symphony. I never got a chance to meet Gazzara- but I did get to hear Seymour Cassel talk about him over coffee and cake one morning in Santa Monica...which felt close enough for rock n roll. I would call the movie a 'sleeper'...but for the fact that it is wide awake in MY household.

Marvelous. Mr Clark is nothing short of a genius- and a national treasure. He may find these superlatives odious- but minutes to midnight & unable to sleep I am past caring. I bought both Making Priscilla, AND The Lavender Bus: How a Hit Movie Was Made and Sold, thinking them to be different books- and being a completist...well, at any rate- I'm not sorry. It is one of those books that is so good, when you see it on the book shop shelf, you WANT to buy it again. Thanks for the interview. Great show.

What a MARVELLOUS interview. What an incredible author. Julia Salamon wrote- quite literally- a book that was candy to read; I'm not going to pry into what extent the devil had a hand in her work. And by 'candy', I don't mean it was a sweet trifle- I mean it was a joy to digest. A sheer unadulterated pleasure. 'Unputdownable', as they say. I read it not long after it came out...and I read it in one sitting. It was one of those books- I would put it in a top 10 list of best books alongside the Twilight Zone trial book and the Heaven's Gate book- to name but two. It must be said though- I LOVE a book (or indeed even a documentary) about a train wreck of a movie. Having said all THAT...let me be clear; I actually don't mind the finished movie. I don't see it as a disgrace at ALL. Now I think about it- I am due for a re-read of the book. Thank you again- both- for such fine work.

Che bello che sei anche adesso che sei più grande ma xme sempre cucù

Very nice ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

Came to view as am interested in buying this book. So much more… Fantastic podcast; learnt a lot re not only the book but all around it, thanks!

Fabulous listen, have all three of the Gothic books, can't wait to get started on them.

Great podcast

After Year of the Dragon, it was all downhill. It's a real shame that Cimino lost his 'nerve'. The Deer Hunter and Heaven's Gate are masterpieces.

Just Curious, Cimino used to get in his car and drive did he ever revisited his filming locations? and did he keep in contact with his actors?

Heavens Gate, despite its MANY flaws (and they are fundamental, serious ones that absolutely undermined the film and turned most moviegoers off) still remains one of the most incredible pieces of work ever released by a Hollywood studio. Very, very few movies even come close to achieving the level of period detail and visual splendor that Cimino's film overflows with. My personal belief, after being a fan of this movie for nearly 40 years, is that, while Cimino certainly didn't intend to bankrupt and basically finish off United Artists, he WAS, in late 1978, definitely aware that the studio was in a precarious position in the industry and NEEDED to hire talented and promising directors to help restore its reputation. In a nutshell, Cimino knew United Artists, because they were so desperate to "get back on top" after the defections of Arthur Krim and company, would be far more willing to grant Cimino the kind of blank check and directorial leeway than the other major Hollywood studios would have.

Half way through your book. I've always loved Cimino films and always felt he could have amounted to more .. but still his films are all beautiful. Thanks for a fantastic biography, it was needed

Read the book in a few days - it’s amazing, get it! Nearly impossible to put down.

What a gem! Thank you!

Thank you for this podcast about a book which is about one of my favourite books and movies! Ben Slater's book is out of print and not available anywhere, not even second-hand. Information for fans who are in Singapore: I hear that Ben will be a guest speaker at Jane Iyer's film evening (see "Jane's Singapore Tours") - date to be confirmed. I am sorry I won't be visiting Singapore when the event takes place, but I'm hoping and waiting for the updated edition of Ben's book, as flagged by the author! The movie is a hidden gem, and probably best appreciated by viewers familiar with Singapore. I'm glad it is becoming better known, and has gained cult status in Singapore, now that it is no longer banned. The book by Paul Theroux is excellent (and I wonder what he thought of the movie).

Great interview!

Thanks for posting!

This is weird. I can hear what the interviewee is saying, but the interviewer's side of the dialogue is muted. Technical glitch?

Just finished the book. Buy it. It's that good. You will get information here that has never been revealed before and includes perspectives that were ignored in the past (yes, I am even including the narratives presented in Final Cut and One Shot: The Making of The Deer Hunter). Dozens of new interviews with his closest collaborators. Even his brothers (yes, he had siblings). Includes several photos that have never been published (even family photos). This will likely be the final word on Cimino's life (not necessarily his movies). Charles Elton has crafted a complex and haunting portrait of a great director. A Must read. The ending is as emotionally powerful as that of The Deer Hunter. Bravo! We miss you Mike!

PЯӨMӨƧM

I'm in the middle of reading this. The Deer Hunter is one of my favorite films, and the portrait here of Cimino is both fascinating and damn sad.

I need to get to read this book. Michael Cimino is an interesting filmmaker I love Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, The Deer Hunter. Heaven's Gate does grow on you. I think Year of the Dragon is underrated especially the shootout finale.