Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue

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By: Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue

Laughs and Lessons from Hollywood’s Golden Age

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Ep. 189: Six Years Later- A Reflection on the Podcasts Anniversary & Two Radio Treasures
Today at 4:32 PM

This week Zach takes a minute to thank listeners & guests for 6 years of podcasting, reflect on whats been done so far, preview things to come, & then presents two radio treasures featuring Jack Benny & Humphrey Bogart


Ep. 188: The Bad Seed (1956) or 'We Need To Talk About Rhoda' (Special Guest: Zack Beins)
10/31/2026

The month of horror concludes as Zach welcomes back podcaster & pod-pal Zack Beins (Talkin' Troma) to unpack the sinister crimes of cinema's greatest tap dancing sociopath Rhoda Penmark as they unpack the 1956 shocker, THE BAD SEED!

Tune in for a light and heavy conversation surrounding the films making, its profound impact, the camp value it has to offer, and how the film has shaped the cinema landscape we see today!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUxMeEKADhO-vHJOnhh2c_w
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talkin-troma-with-zack-beins/id1561181245
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com...


Ep. 187: The DOCTOR X Double Bill, Part II- The Return of Doctor X (1939)
10/23/2026

The BallyBOO's  Doctor X journey concludes as Zach & guest Robert Stroude (Pod Pal/ Blogger, 'My Year With Mickey') become entangled in a major journalistic scoop featuring danger, scientific wonder, and... Humphrey Bogart as a VAMPIRE. It's all those wonders & maybe some more as the duo unpacks the 1939 horror flick, THE RETURN OF DOCTOR X!

Join the boys as they look through the intriguing production history of the film, learn more about how director Vincent Sherman approached his directorial debut with selections from his memoir, dive into a dense but speedy plot, discuss the viability of Bogie in H...


Ep. 186: The DOCTOR X Double Bill, Part I - Doctor X (1932)
10/18/2026

The BallyBOO continues as Zach welcomes back Rob Stroude (Blogger & Pod Pal, 'My Year With Mickey') for a Doctor X Double feature kicking off with Michael Curtiz's 1932 Two Strip Technicolor Terror, DOCTOR X!

Grab your Moon Killer Synthetic Flesh gloves and get ready for madness as the boys unpack the intriguing stories surrounding the films production, marvel at the Two Strip Technicolor process, sift through a very modern & grittier horror film than most of its contemporaries, and finally settle upon how this film has shaped the worlf of cinema & horror that we see today.

PLUS...


Ep. 185: Mark of the Vampire (1935) or 'Browning Goes Basic' (Special Guest: Erin Mullane)
10/09/2026

The BallyBOO has returned and it's dedicated to the horrors found in Warner Archive BluRays!

This week's episode has Zach welcoming back artist and pod-pal Erin Mullane (Velvet Void Creations) to solve a murder mystery involving vampires in just one hour with the help of a hypnotist as the duo dives into Tod Browning's 1935 horror classic, MARK OF THE VAMPIRE!

Join them through the cobwebs and possums on the MGM lot as they walk through the history of the production, learn more from actress Caroll Borland about how many neat tricks were devised for the...


Ep. 184: Holiday (1938) or ‘Ayre-Heads’
09/25/2026

Zach welcomes back film blogger Zoë Kaperonis (The Film Around the Corner)to unpack the emotional baggage of the Seaton family as the duo tackle George Cukor's 1938 comedy melodrama, HOLIDAY!

Pull up a chair and pour a drink for yourself & a stuffed giraffe as they learn more about the life of George Cukor, argue in defense of his directing style & brilliance, wrestle with the approach to the material and how it triumphs over its 1930 counterpart, get lost in Lew Ayres' sad eyes, and then finally settle upon the legacy of the film and its impact on us t...


Ep. 183: Some Like It Hot (1959) or 'Nobody's Perfect' (Special Guest: Jon Ekstrom)
09/18/2026

Zach welcome welcome welcomes back Jon Ekstrom (Podcaster, ‘Off The Clock with Jon Eks’) for a trip to the Seminole Ritz in Florida where the booze is bootleg, the sexual freedom is abound, and the music is hot as the duo unpacks Billy Wilder’s groundbreaking 1959 classic, ‘SOME LIKE IT HOT’

Follows along with the duo as they unpack the intriguing production history of the film, reckon with the behavior of Billy Wilder to Marilyn Monroe during production, revel in a script so funny and so FAR FAR FAR ahead it’s time, find appreciation in a final line...


Ep. 182: All Through The Night (1942) or 'Operation: Cheesecake'
09/14/2026

Zach and return guest Rob Stroude (Ballyhoo Correspondent) were on the town and waiting for a cheesecake from Miller's Bakery that never arrived, which leads them on a merry Nazi-Punching chase through New York as the duo unpacks the 1942 Gangster WWII Comedy, ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT!

Prepare yourselves for a deep dive into this hybrid genre gem as the boys unpack the production hostory of the film, navigate the wacky but beautiful plot moment by moment, marvel at the comedy chops of Bogart & Co., marvel at the number of Hollywood legends stuffed into the film, and then...


Ep. 181: Casablanca-esque Vol. 2- Background To Danger (1943), The Conspirators (1944) & Passage To Marseille (1944) (Special Guest: Sterling Cook)
09/04/2026

Zach & Sterling Cook (Filmmaker & Ballyhoo Corespondent, 'Tour de Tati') return for PART 2 of their massive conversation unpacking the films that try to capture cinema magic off the back of Casablanca with a closer look at Background To Danger (1943), The Conspirators (1944) & Passage To Marseille (1944)

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...


Ep. 180: Casablanca-esque Vol. 1- To Have & Have Not (1944) & Macao (1952)(Special Guest: Sterling Cook)
08/28/2026

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...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XVIII: Jerichow (2008)
08/21/2026

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


Ep. 179: Othello (1951) or 'The Bard and The Boy Wonder Part II' (Special Guest: Brad Haag)
08/14/2026

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 l...


Ep. 178: The Two C(a)esars: A Chat with Samuel Garza Bernstein About LGBTQIA+ in Golden Age Hollywood
08/07/2026

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...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XVII: Ossessione (1943)
07/24/2026

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!


Ep. 177: Grant-A-Thon – A Cary Grant Top 10 Special (with Special Guest: Ryan Frost)
07/03/2026

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...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XVI: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
06/26/2026

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!


Ep. 176: It's A Wise Child (1931) or 'Marion Davies & The Mystery of the Pre-Code Pregnancy' (with Special Guest: Lara Gabrielle)
06/19/2026

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...


Ep. 175: YBR TV- Adventures of Superman (1952 - 1958) or ‘Maybe I’m A Superman’
06/06/2026

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: F...


Ep. 174: The Sign of the Film Maven- An Chat with Kristen Lopez about 'Popcorn Disabilities'
05/29/2026

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 eng...


Ep. 173: Pardon Us (1931) or ‘Another Fine F***ing Mess’
05/15/2026

Zach welcomes back Robert Stroude (Ballyhoo Correspondent/ Blogger, ‘My Year With Mickey) to review the parole request of Laurel & Hardy as they break in and break down their very first feature film, the 1931 comedy PARDON US.   Join the duo as they examine the odd route the Boys & Hal roach took to expand the group from shorts to feature films, unpack the way the film both has feature strength & where the film feels needlessly stretched out, wrestle with the films far too long (like way too f***ing long)  sequence involving blackface, and finally settle upon the way the film influenced both...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XV: Only The River Flows (2023)
05/08/2026

The police unit of Noir Mondial reaches its conclusion with a trip to China where Moonlight Sonata is set to the atmosphere of crime in the 90's with the 2023 Wei Shujun crime film, ONLY THE RIVER FLOWS.   Tune in tomorrow as Rashmi & I dive deep into this compelling & trippy tale of murder against the backdrop of a changing landscape in China, and how it uses Noir elements & principles to drive that home.


Ep. 172: Laurel & Hardy Vol. 3- Hombres internacionales de la comedia
05/01/2026

A discussion surrounding the International Versions of Laurel & Hardy Shorts where Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy performed in different languages before the process of dubbing became a more used technique of film export


Noir Mondial- Ch. XIII: Memories of Murder (2003)
04/17/2026

The Police Unit on Noir Mondial finds itself sifting through the history and pain therein of a notorious killer through the eyes acclaimed director Bong Joon-Ho as Rashmi & Zach unpack his 2003 crime masterpiece, MEMORIES OF MURDER. Tune in tomorrow to hear us examine the ways Director Bong manages to utilize Film Noir tropes and expand upon them to create this true crime classic.


Ep. 171: One Two Three (1961) or 'Coca-Cola Presents- The Testament of Billy Wilder'
04/10/2026

Zach welcomes back historian and writer Craig Shemin (Sam & Friends: The Story of Jim Henson's First Television Show) for a trip to post-war Germany where neither East or West Berlin can contain the Madness and Mayhem of Billy Wilder's 1961 Comedy Classic, 'ONE TWO THREE' Join the duo as the unpack the history surrounding the films production, take a stab at deconstructing Wilders approaches on everything from humanism to capitalism to communism, ponder over this being James Cagney's penultimate motion picture, and settle upon the ways the film has influenced the cinema of today.   If You are in New York and w...


Ep. 170: It's All True (1942 & 1993) or 'It's STILL All True'
03/28/2026

Zach welcomes back podcaster, historian, & film lover Jack Hanley (Blindspotting: A Film Discovery Podcast) to the show where the two will journey to South America in search of the many truths captured  by Orson Welles & his camera in 1942 as they unpack his incompleted 1942 film IT'S ALL TRUE and the 1993 documentary/re-assembly of the found footage... named... IT'S ALL TRUE.   Settle in for a unique chat as the duo unpack the context surrounding Welles' reasons for being in South America, learn more about the Brazillian government during the 40's and how it's filmic desires were subverted by Welles and his teams de...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XIII: Infernal Affairs (2002)
03/19/2026

Rashmi and Zach are returning to Hong Kong to figure out who the informants are as they unpack the 2002 crime classic from Andrew Lau Wai-keung & Alan Mak, INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Tune into today to hear how the tropes of noir & Hong Kong cinema are utilized and in many cases evolved from as they dive deep into this astounding title of International Cinema


Ep. 169: YBRTV- See It Now (1954) or ‘Murrow V. McCarthy: Dawn Of Good Night and Good Luck’
03/04/2026

Zach welcomes back podcast pal and comedian Hope Sears (All The Classics) get lost in the sound of Edward R. Murrow's responsible voice to tune into his innovative news program See It Now & learn more about how the program took on Senator Joseph McCarthy   Follow along as they sift through the learning and assembly of filmmaking tactics and expertise that changed the game for newscasting, dig further into the controversy Murrow & Co. faced in tackling McCarthy, and listen as they try to learn what Murrow taught us and still can teach us as consumers of news and what the business i...


Ep. 168: Tod Browning & Lon Chaney Double Bill- The Unholy Three (1925) & The Unknown (1927)
02/16/2026

Zach ventures to the Dark Carnival of cinema that was the collaboration of  Tod Browning & Lon Chaney as  he and guests Sterling Cook (Tour de Tati) and filmmaker Jake Algier (Writer/Actor/Performer, Doctor Tenn) unpack THE UNHOLY THREE (1925) and THE UNKNOWN (1927)   Join the trio as they learn a bit more about the formation of the collaboration, unpack production stories that range from the heartfelt to the absolute craziest, and settle upon how this combo managed to create films that not only work today but also influenced the works of others as the history of cinema has progressed.   Be sure to f...


Ep. 167: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) or 'Monster: The Tootie Smith Story'
02/03/2026

Zach welcomes back actor & artist Erin Mullane (Velvet Void Creations) on a Trolley trip to 5135 Kensington Avenue, where they'll deep dive into Vincent Minelli's 1944 classic, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS.   Follow the duo along as they sift through the long journey of Sally Benson's book to the silver screen, marvel at the several drafts from book to script & the changes that ensued, wrestle with both the tragedy and triumph of Judy Garland, relive the hert and humor of the films plot and music, try to figure out how closely Tootie Smith is related to other horror film villains, and then f...


Noir Mondial- Ch. XII: Insomnia (1997)
01/09/2026

Rashmi & Zach return after a long absence to continue their Noir Journey alongside special guest Stephen Palmer (Podcaster, ‘Asian Cinema Film Club’). The trio take the Police Noir unit all the way to Norway as they unpack the nihilist daytime noir from Erik Skjoldbjærg, INSOMNIA Tune in today to hear them analyze and assess the many ways the film has not only utilized noir influences, but also manages to achieve the original intent of Film Noir’s from the golden age of Hollywood.   —   Be Sure to check out Stephen on his show, Asian Cinema Film Club Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/u...


Ep. 166: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) or 'New York v. Kris Kringle: Dawn of Santa'
12/21/2025

Zach is joined by pod pal Rob Stroude ( Ballyhoo Correspondent & Blogger, ‘My Year With Micky’) to witness the Greatest Trial in Holiday History as they dive deep into the 1947 George Seaton Masterpiece, MIRACLE ON 34th STREET!   Follow this intriguing case with fervency as the duo sift through the origins of the story, unpack the ambitious and audacious production stories, marvel at the delicate genre balance the film performs, gush about Edmund Gwenn, and finally settle upon the many ways Miracle on 34th Street has stood the test of time as a Christmas movie and as just an all around good movie...


Ep. 165: Tarzan The Ape Man (1932) or 'Gabbin' 'Bout Greystoke'
12/06/2025

Zach welcomes back Ken Sowder (Ballyhoo Contributor, 'The History of High Adventure) on an expedition through the  jungle where upon they will encounter its mighty monarch as they dive deep into the 1932 Pre-Code adventure classic, TARZAN THE APE MAN !   Join the duo as they unpack the history of the Tarzan character in literature & film, sift through the travails of production, explore and comb through the plot in meticulous detail, reckon with the unseemly treatment of people & animals both on and off screen, become impressed where the film manages to subvert expectation to its benefit, and then finally settle upon the ma...


Ep. 164: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) or 'Everything's Coming Up Millhauser'
11/22/2025

The BallyBOO concludes as Zach welcomes actor & musician Spencer Kane (X-Presidents) on the show to unpack the crates at McDougal’s House of Horrors and get caught up in the chaos that ensues as they chat about the 1948 comedy chiller, ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN!   Get ready to laugh & scream as the duo sift through the production stories, become aghast at the original treatment for the film, laugh along through a detailed plot breakdown, and finally discuss the many ways the film has influenced the world of Horror and Comedy to this day!   PLUS: Seriously guys, the original treatment is freakin nuts...


Ep. 163: YBRTV- It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) or 'All's Quiet On The Suburban Front'
11/07/2025

The BallyBOO continues as Zach welcomes back podcaster & Peanuts fan Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) abord the show for the greatest animated Halloween special that's also a harrowing WWI drama, 'It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' Huddle together in the pumpkin patch as the duo sift through the making of the special, shudder in fright over the short sightedness of TV executives, thrill in the exciting origins of Peanuts staples from the Great Pumpkin to the WWI Flying Ace, excevate the many layers of comedy and warmth in a mere 30 minute span, and then finally settle upon the many ways...


Ep. 162: The Walking Dead (1936) or 'The Resurrection of Dopey'
10/30/2025

The BallyBOO continues as Zach welcomes back podcast pal Robert Stroude (Blogger/Laurel & Hardy Correspondent) to probe the hidden mysteries of a man brought back from death to bear judgement among the living as they unpack Michael Curtiz's 1936 Horror  film, THE WALKING DEAD. SHUDDER in terror as they dare to unpack the production stories surrounding the film! SHIVER in your seats at the many strange choices made in early drafts of the script! SCREAM for your life as they unpack a 60 minute film in meticulous detail! and finally ESCAPE from the chilling chatter as they settle upon the ways The W...


Ep. 161: Dead of Night (1945) or 'The Ealing Earbuds, Vol. III'
10/21/2025

The BallyBOO arrives better late than never as Zach welcomes back podcast pals Amy Cornell & Smokey ( House of Hammer, All The Best Lines) for an uncommonly terrifying time at Ealing Studios as they unpack their 1945 horror anthology, DEAD OF NIGHT! BEWARE as you dive in with them unpacking each story with meticulous detail, SHUDDER as they unravel the stories behind the scenes, SHRIEK at the trio's own choices for favorite segments, and TREMBLE at the many ways the film's impact has lingered down the dark corridors of horror cinema to this very day. PLUS: Amy unveils the greatest impression of...


Ep. 160: Hue & Cry (1947) or 'The Ealing Earbuds, Vol. II'
10/12/2025

Zach welcomes aboard podcaster & educator Michael Boyce (Geek4 Podcast) onto the program for a historical analysis of the  Battle of Ballard's Wharf  as they unpack Charles Crichton's 1947 triumph for Ealing Studio's , HUE & CRY! Once you hear the words "Operation Seagull", prepare to join the duo on the Blood & Thunder Boys battleground where they unpack the origins of Ealing Studio, learn from how the creative team at Ealing were able to conjure such a fantastical story, marvel at the stock character actors used in unique ways, ponder over how the post-war conditions of Britain lend to the film's aesthetics as well as...


Ep. 159: China (1943) or 'The History of High Adventure Part II'
09/30/2025

Zach welcomes back Ballyhoo contributors Matt Willocks (Pulp Cinematic Universe) & Ken Sowder for another thrilling chapter in the journey through the history of the high adventure genre as they unpack the gripping 1943 John Farrow wartime film, CHINA.   Grab your adventure hat and join the trio as they unpack the historical context surrounding China's history during WWII, dive deep into the films plot and how it balances thrilling action with gripping drama, marvel at production stories surrounding the film and the talents that brought it to screen, reckon with the films forward thought & simultaneous backward thinking in portrayal of Asian characters, a...


Noir Mondia- Ch. XI: Diva (1981)
09/18/2025

Rashmi & Zach continue their Police Noir unit with a stop in France and a time jump to 1981 where they unpack the grittiest crime story involving media piracy and bread buttering, Jean-Jacques Beineix's DIVA Tune into to hear the duo unpack how Beineix weaves old trick of noir under a color fueled new spirit that pushes the limits of noir even further than the golden age!


Ep. 158: Laurel & Hardy Vol. 2- Another Fine Fest
08/25/2025

Zach welcomes back Pod Pal Robert Stroude for another round of Laurel & Hardy shorts with their on going film festival, ANOTHER FINE FEST. Tune in for more production stories surrounding the making of these comedy classics, exploration into the sub-topic of Laurel & Hardy remaking silent efforts for the dawn of sound, and where all of these films rank for ourselves and the fandom at large. PLUS: Does Robert Bloch owe Stan Laurel royalties?     Shorts in Order of Discussion: The Battle of the Century (1927): https://youtu.be/LpYw8h1Y0TU?si=iahjsPHg_rINx1Yo Big Business (1929): https://youtu.be/TtMP9377Ku...