Front Row Classics: A Hollywood Golden Age Podcast

So Proudly We Hail

Front Row Classics is celebrating World War II on film with 1943’s So Proudly We Hail. This movie is one of the finest illustrations of the impact women had on the front lines as opposed to the home front. Jessica Pickens returns to celebrate all aspects of this remarkable film with Brandon. We pay tribute to the amazing cast headed by Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goddard and Veronica Lake. The remarkable screenplay and realistic depictions of war are also discussed.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Jessica Pickens

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Afraid I’ll Shock the Duchess?

Front Row Classics welcomes back Madeline Hanson to take a look at two films with much of the same DNA. We’re taking a look at 1932’s Red Dust and its’ 1953 remake Mogambo. Both films feature the King himself, Clark Gable, playing the same role 21 years apart. Brandon and Madeline discuss the chemistry he has with both Jean Harlow and Ava Gardner respectively. We also discuss the differences in both films regarding the production code.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Forbidden Cocktails

Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome author André Darlington. André is the author of the latest book from TCM, “Forbidden Cocktails: Libations Inspired by the World of Pre-Code Hollywood”. The book is packaged handsomely with a sleek layout and gorgeous photos. Brandon and André discuss the history of pre-code films and how Prohibition affected the movies. The conversation then turns to the perfect cocktail parings with films such as Footlight Parade, Dracula and The Thin Man.

“Forbidden Cocktails: Libations Inspired by the World of Pre-Code Hollywood” is available from Running Press and Turner Clas...

Ordinary People

Front Row Classics is taking a look at the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture this week. Brandon is joined by Spencer Davis to discuss Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. The film, which marked Redford’s directorial debut, was a huge hit despite its very complex subject matter. It very sensitively portrays topics such as mental illness , grief and family dysfunction. Brandon and Spencer highlight the remarkable performances of Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Judd Hirsch and the and Oscar-winning performance by Timothy Hutton. The movie is often remembered as the film that “beat Raging Bull for Be...

Match me, Sidney!

We’re taking a look at one of the most uncompromising, ruthless films of the 1950s this week. 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success is a movie unlike any other. Brandon and Emmett Stanton take a look at the unforgettable performances of Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis as J.J. Hunsecker and Sidney Falco. The acidly poetic screenplay by Ernest Lehman and Clifford Odets remains one of the wittiest ever seen on celluloid. The conversation also praises the direction by Alexander McKendrick, cinematography by James Wong Howe and score by Elmer Bernstein.

FEATURING: Bran...

Happy Birthday James Mason!

Front Row Classics is celebrating one of the most respected actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. March 15th marks the birthday of James Mason. Brandon is happy to welcome Mason’s grandson, James Duke Mason to the show. Duke is a writer, commentator and advocate. We discuss his experiences living in both LA and Europe as well as his life in both show business and politics. Brandon and Duke also pay tribute to many of his grandfather’s best performances. The best James Mason impersonators are also discussed. 

FEATURING: Brandon Davis...

Welcome Tinseltown Maddie!

Front Row Classics welcomes Madeline Hanson this week. Maddie is a passionate classic film fan with her own social media series called “Tinseltown Maddie”. She looks at the Golden Age of Hollywood with a comedic twist on both Instagram and TikTok. Brandon and Maddie discuss classic film fandom, some favorite movies and pay tribute to the likes of Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Ava Gardner. They also recap and compare notes on this year’s TCM Film Festival.

You can find more about Maddie at https://tinseltownmaddie.com/

FEATURING: Brandon Davis<...

Hooray for Hollywood!

Brandon is back from Hollywood! This year’s Turner Classic Movies’ Classic Film Festival proved to be even more memorable than last year’s. Craig McFarland joins Brandon to break down each day of the Fest. From memorable screenings to the WB Studio tour, we’re taking a look back at a jam packed 5 days.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Craig McFarland

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Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
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Email: classicsfrn@gmail.com
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There’s A Speed Limit in This State

Front Row Classics welcomes historians/writers Alain Silver and James Ursini this week. The two have penned a book celebrating the quintessential film noir, Double Indemnity. “From the Moment they Met it Was Murder: Double Indemnity and Rise of Film Noir” is a valuable resource for fans of this legendary movie. Brandon and the two authors discuss the origin and impact of the film on the noir genre. They also celebrate the performances of Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward G Robinson. 

“From the Moment they Met it Was Mu...

TCM Film Festival Time!

Brandon is currently attending the 15th Annual Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. He recently spoke with TCM’s SVP of Programming, Charlie Tabesh. Brandon and Charlie preview the various aspects of this year’s festival and what passholders can look forward to. Be sure to check out Brandon’s daily coverage on the festival on Front Row Classics’ Facebook and Instagram pages this weekend.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: https://linktr.ee/FrontRowClassics
Twitter: @FRNCLASSICS
Email: classicsfrn@gmail.com
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