August 31st, 2020
This week Lee is joined by two of the hosts of the fantastic Grindbin Podcast, Mike Wood & Bobby Trippett, to talk about what many consider to be Fritz Lang's last masterpiece, "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" (1933). The hosts dive into the thinly veiled central themes of the film, where Lang throws a harsh critical eye on the corruption of the police and government in his day, and how that can (and did) lead to the rise of fascism, not only back then, but in the present day. Also talked about: the touches of German expressionism in the film; Lang's use of sound and visuals to bridge between scenes and distort what the viewer is experiencing; if "proto-noir" is really a useful term at this point in film history; if Fritz Lang did AIP Beach party films; and so much more. Also, a listener comment is responded to; Lee and Mike talk about what they've watched as of late; and Mike & Bobby get to play a round of The Movie God Game.
"The Testament of Dr. Mabuse" IMDB
Check out The Grindbin Podcast here
Featured Music: "I'm Your Puppet" by James & Bobby Purify & "Total Control" by The Motels.
August 24th, 2020
Lee and Daniel arrive in 1933 to witness the end of civilization as we know it, when the world is destroyed by the forces of nature in the Felix E. Feist-directed disaster movie "Deluge". Much of the conversation revolves around the tense opening of the film and the fantastic special effects the film pulls off on a very modest budget for the time. Then, as the film takes a turn from out in left field, so does the conversation, as we substitute mass destruction for a tale of rampant misogyny in a brave new world where women are rare. Also covered: what Lee has watched as of late.
"Deluge" IMDB
Featured Music: "The Ocean Doesn't Want Me Today" by Tom Waits & "Baby, I'm Yours" by Barbara Lewis.
August 24th, 2020
Lee, Daniel, Kerry and Greg return to give their opinions on the 11th film in the MCU, and the second installment of the Avengers series. In this fast and loose episode, pretty much the full range of opinions are given up in this conversation, as the hosts ponder Hulk and Black Widow almost fucking; Tony Stark yet again creating the main villain; Hawkeye having a family; and just how many people would have really died in the various over-the-top CGI action scenes.
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" IMDB
August 17th, 2020
Lee and Daniel are still locked up in 1932, but after watching "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang", they are planning their daring escape to 1933. Much of the conversation revolves around the true events that led to the book that this film is based upon, and how a post WW1 America has helped shape the oppressive and inhumane conditions in Southern chain gangs and prison in general. Further conversation touches on pre-code fun; proto-noir; and Lee talks about what he's watched as of late. Come break some rocks in the hot sun with the hosts.
"I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang" IMDB
Featured Music: "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke & "Work Song" by Nina Simone.
August 10th, 2020
Although a week late, and slightly foggy in remembering some specific details about the films, Lee and Daniel return to check out some Universal horror from 1932. First up it's the Victor Halperin-directed "White Zombie", starring Bela Lugosi, and then they move on to "The Old Dark House", directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff. Slavery and the true horror of traditional zombies; voodoo drugs; strange facial hair; fancy cinematography out of nowhere; early parody of Gothic horror traditions; and James Whale going full-on with subtext are just a few of the things mentioned in this episode. Also covered: listener comments & what the hosts have watched as of late.
"White Zombie" IMDB
"The Old Dark House" IMDB
Featured Music: "Voodoo Walking" by Mama Rosin with Hipbone Slim & The Kneetremblers; "Zombie Jamboree" by Harry Belafonte; and "Haunted House" by Issac Rother & The Phantoms.
