Cinema Sounds & Secrets

Damn Yankees (1958), Oklahoma (1955), and Chicago (2002). This week, Janet, John, (and Pen) explore three groundbreaking Broadway musicals to movies with a song in their hearts; One gave birth to the modern musical, another launched the greatest choreographer ever into the stratosphere and the other is the longest running musical ever on Broadway!  To learn more about this episode and others, visi...

Encore! Today we're revisiting our tribute episode for Norman Lear– a truly incredible screenwriter and producer who created or developed over 100 shows including All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, and Good Times.

He's always singin' and dancing... in the rain!

Welcome to another Saturday Matinee With Friends episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) sit down for a discussion with American media executive David Madden! After graduating from Harvard, Madden took part in theater before exploring the film industry and eventually becoming president of Fox Television Studios and executive at Paramount Pictures. A few of his legendary production credits includ...

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) discuss the life and career of an incredible American film director, producer, and actor. Once called "The Pope of Pop Cinema" and "The King of Cult" this massive talent also assisted in jumpstarting many careers of the actors and directors we know and love… It's Roger Corman! While he was an innovator and...

In this week's tribute, Janet, John, (and Pen) celebrate the life and career of a truly legendary artist, director, and filmmaker. He turned suburbia, teen angst, and small town life into objects of horror, admiration, and pity. Genius, artist, and madman… It's David Lynch! While Lynch had little interest in schoolwork growing up, a love for painting brought him to the School of the Museum of Fine...

The Outsiders (1983), Ferris Bueller's Day Off  (1986), and Say Anything (1989). This week, Janet, John (and Pen) take a look at three films that explore the lives of teenagers and angst in the 80s with very different tones and intentions. Whether the story explores a teen in the perfect urban home with mom, dad, and kid sister, a real loner with a dream, or only finding solace with a gang of othe...

In this week's tribute episode, Janet, John, (and Pen) explore the life of one of Britain's most acclaimed stage and screen stars. The second of only four actresses to have won two Golden Globes in the same year and made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004… it's Joan Plowright. With a career spanning over six decades, she received accolades including an Olivier Award, a Tony Award and nominations...

In this week's tribute episode, Janet, John, (and Pen) celebrate the life and career of an American actress with "Hollywood in her DNA," known for her comedic roles in film and television in the 1970s and 1980s. A true courageous and magical talent.. Teri Garr! Born in Los Angeles to a theatrical multi-hyphenate father and Radio City Rockette mother, Garr was trained in ballet and would go on to a...

In this week's tribute episode, Janet, John, (and Pen) discuss the life and career of a wonderful American comedian and actor who came to prominence in 1960 and is known for his deadpan delivery style... Bob Newhart. Starting out by engaging in humorous telephone conversations with a friend in which he improvised characters to alleviate boredom at his office job, the actor would go on to receive t...

Bonnie & Clyde (1967) and Heaven Can Wait (1978). This week, Janet, John (and Pen) discuss two masterpieces from a legendarily great actor/director/producer. Warren Beatty's groundbreaking movies rocked the film industry in 1967 with unflinching violence and amazing folk scores that would later become Oscar-winning favorites.  To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema...

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) highlight one of the most honored American screenwriters in motion picture history… Bo Goldman! Called the "the screenwriter's screenwriter" Goldman received two Academy Awards for his screenplays of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Melvin and Howard (1980), two Golden Globe Awards, two Writers G...

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) delve into the life and career of American record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter, and bandleader… the incomparable Quincy Jones. Born Quincy Delight Jones Jr. on March 14, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, this gifted musician discovered a love for the piano at age 11 and would go on to win 2...

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) delve into the amazing career of an actor whose film, stage, and television career spanned nearly seven decades… Gena Rowlands! From growing up in Madison, Wisconsin to attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Rowlands was a true star from the Golden Age of Hollywood and a pioneer...

Happy/Merry Valentine's Day from Janet, John, and Pendleton!

The More the Merrier (1943) & Annie Hall (1977). This week, Janet, John, (and Pen) revisit the LOVE Episode… Two classic romantic comedy-dramas from two great directors thirty years apart, both get to the heart of the bumpy road to love; one taking place in Washington D.C. in WW II where a person would find it hard to find a place to rest his head – let alone the perfect mate, the other happens in...

Happy/Merry Valentine's Day from Janet, John, and Pendleton!

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) explore the life and career of a true humanist and good soul, a character-driven director with a brilliant eye, and gorgeously framed films… Jonathan Demme! The five-time Academy Award winner was born in New York in 1944 and is known for films like The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Something Wild (1986), Ph...

Welcome to another Cinema Sounds & Secrets Tribute episode! This week Janet, John, (and Pen) discuss influential American country songwriter, singer, actor, and outlaw country movement figure Kris Kristofferson! His debut album Kristofferson (1970) introduced us to iconic songs and he eventually fell into movie stardom with legendary roles like Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), A Star Is Born...

The Birdcage (1996) & Victor Victoria (1982). This week, Janet, John (and Pen) explore two go-to movies for when you need a good laugh. With inspired performances from Robin Williams, James Garner, Diane Weist, and Julie Andrews, this episode proves that great comedy takes great writing and brilliant performances. To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema Sounds & Secr...

This week, in Part Two of Saturday Matinee with Friends, Janet and John continue their talk with Mike Newell at home in London to discuss his life, films, and some amazing revelations. 

In this special two-part Saturday Matinee with Friends, Janet and John visit Mike Newell at home in London to discuss his life, films, and some amazing revelations. 

Encore! Encore! This winter break, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Last but certainly not least, a very special mini-sode. To find out more about this and past episodes' movies, including trivia and other fun facts, visit our official Cinema Sounds and Secrets website.  

Happiest of holidays from Cinema Sounds & Secrets. In 2025, keep moviegoing alive and support your local cinema (says Pendleton)!