Front Row Classics: A Hollywood Golden Age Podcast

Goodbye, Mr. Washington Front Row Classics is celebrating one of the finest films in the legendary careers of Bob Hope and Lucille Ball: The Facts of Life (1960). Brandon and Emmett Stanton take a closer look at this witty and sophisticated comedy, directed and co-written by Melvin Frank alongside his longtime collaborator, Norman Panama. The film offers a … Continue reading Ep. 349- The Fac...

Midnight Front Row Classics is shining a spotlight on one of the most underrated gems of Hollywood’s golden year, 1939. Brandon is joined by writer and podcaster Emily Edwards to discuss Midnight, the sparkling romantic comedy directed by Mitchell Leisen. Featuring a razor-sharp script by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, the film delivers wit, charm, … Continue reading Ep. 348- Midnight &#...

Dr. Sam Front Row Classics sits down with actor and filmmaker Raji Ahsan. Raji recently wrote an upcoming short film entitled Dr. Sam. He and Brandon chat about the origins of the film and how he came about casting both Lucie Arnaz and Alec Baldwin in the film. The two also discuss Raji’s background in … Continue reading Ep. 347- Interview with Raji Ahsan →

Born Yesterday Front Row Classics celebrates Judy Holliday’s Oscar winning performance in 1950’s Born Yesterday. Brandon and Peter Martin take a look at one of greatest stage to screen translations of a play in film history. The two discuss Holliday’s legendary characterization of Billie Dawn. The performances of William Holden and Broderick Crawford are also … Continue rea...

Confessions of a Nazi Spy Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of most audacious films of the 1930s. Brandon is joined by Christian Blauvelt from IndieWire to take a look at 1939’s Confessions of a Nazi Spy. The two discuss the bravery of Warner Brothers to take a stand against Nazi Germany … Continue reading Ep. 345- Confessions of a Nazi Spy →

Welcome Melody Thomas Scott! Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome Melody Thomas Scott to the show. Melody has delighted audiences at Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless since 1979.  She and Brandon sit down to discuss he lengthy acting career which began when she was three. They discuss her work in films … Continue reading Ep. 344- Sitting Down with Melody Thomas Scott &#859...

Celebrating the Duke Front Row Classics is happy to welcome Anita Swift to the show. Anita is the oldest granddaughter of John Wayne. She sits down with Brandon to chat about her grandfather’s legacy, share personal stories and give insight into the icon we all know as “The Duke”. Brandon and Anita also spend time … Continue reading Ep. 343- A Conversation on John Wayne wit...

Marion Davies Front Row Classics welcomes author & historian, Lara Gabrielle to celebrate the life of Marion Davies. Lara’s book, “Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies”, is a meticulously researched biography detailing Davies’ trailblazing life. Brandon and Lara mention the many misconceptions of Davies’ life & career. They also chat about Davies &#8...

Welcome, Martin Turnbull! Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome author Martin Turnbull to the show for the first time. Martin is an accomplished scribe who has written several series of historical fiction novels set during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Brandon and Martin discuss his origins as a classic film lover and segue into … Continue reading Ep. 341- Chatting World War II Hollywood w...

Attica, Attica! Front Row Classics is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dog Day Afternoon. Brandon welcomes back Matt Duffy to take a look at this landmark crime drama from the legendary Sidney Lumet. The two take a look at the Oscar nominated performance from Al Pacino in one of his signature roles. The performances of … Continue reading Ep. 340-Dog Day Afternoon →

Hands Across the Table Front Row Classics welcomes back author & historian Olympia Kiriakou to discuss another gem from Carole Lombard’s filmography. Brandon and Olympia are taking a look at Hands Across the Table from 1935. The two discuss the romantic chemistry between Lombard and Fred MacMurray. The sleek direction from the underrated Mitchell Leisen … Continue reading Ep. 339-...

Summer Under the Stars Turner Classics Movies is celebrating its’ yearly Summer Under the Stars festival this August. Brandon is thrilled to welcome back actor/comedian, Mario Cantone to the show. Mario is co-hosting every Wednesday night with Ben Mankiewicz this August. His stint premieres tonight at 8pm est/7pm cst with Judy Garland. Mario and Ben … Continue reading Ep. 338- Summer U...

Lydia Front Row Classics welcomes back author Mayukh Sen to celebrate Merle Oberon. Brandon and Mayukh are taking a look at one of Merle’s greatest screen performances. 1941’s Lydia provided Merle with a perfect vehicle to showcasing her talent & beauty. The two celebrate the incredible camera work and pace from director Julien Duvivier. We … Continue reading Ep. 337- Lydia &...

Alice Adams Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the earliest triumphs of Katherine Hepburn’s career. Brandon and Peter Martin are taking a look at 1935’s Alice Adams. The hosts chat about the screenplay adapted from the Booth Tarkington novel. We also discuss the direction by George Stevens in one of his … Continue reading Ep. 336-Alice Adams →

Joyeux Noel Brandon welcomes back, friend of the podcast, Jeremy Arnold to celebrate Christmas in July. Jeremy is the author of “Christmas in the Movies: 35 Classics to Celebrate the Season” and is highlighting two lesser known gems. We start of with We’re No Angels from 1955 which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Brandon and … Continue reading Ep. 335- Christmas in Jul...

Summer Movies The summer heat is raging and Front Row Classics is taking a look at some of our favorite summer movies. Brandon is joined by Jessica Pickens, an unabashed fan of summer, to count down their top 5 favorite classic films to watch in summer. Our picks run the gamut of stars from Frankie … Continue reading Ep. 334- Top 5 Summer Movies →

A Guy Named Joe Front Row Classics welcomes back, friend of the podcast, Morgan Matson to take a look at 1943’s A Guy Named Joe. This romantic, WW2 melodrama still packs an emotional punch due to the performances of Spencer Tracy, Irene Dunne and Van Johnson. Brandon and Morgan discuss the MGM gloss along with … Continue reading Ep. 333- A Guy Named Joe →

Pretty Woman Front Row Classics is stepping into the 1990s to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Pretty Woman. Brandon and April Clemmer are discussing the classic film connections that permeate throughout the classic Garry Marshall comedy. They also pay tribute to the performances of Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo and the final screen appearance … Continue reading Ep. 332- Pret...

Celebrating Hattie Front Row Classics welcomes Kevin John Goff to the podcast. Kevin is the great-grand-nephew of Hattie McDaniel and Executive Director of the Hattie McDaniel Estate. Brandon and Kevin discusses Hattie’s journey through show business and road to Hollywood. The two discuss the many barriers she broke and her astonishing perseverance. Kevin also discusses … Continue read...

Cleopatra Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back Turner Classics Movies’ host, Ben Mankiewicz. Brandon and Ben are chatting about the new season of the TCM podcast, The Plot Thickens. This season focuses on the storied production of 1963’s Cleopatra. Ben’s great-uncle, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, helmed the mammoth production and had to navigate through … Continue reading...

Let Me Entertain You Front Row Classics is taking a look at the 1962 film adaptation of Gypsy. Brandon is joined by Jordan Rinkenberger and Kimmy Schofield to discuss the film. Jordan is the director of the upcoming production by Champaign Urbana Drama Makers in Champaign, IL. Kimmy will be tackling the legendary role of … Continue reading Ep. 329- Gypsy →

The Odd Couple Front Row Classics welcomes Andrew Corns of The Revisionist’s Almanac podcast. Andrew’s show takes a unique look at past Oscar races where he and his guests re-vote to see how those ceremonies may have gone in the present day. This week, he is taking a bit of a break from his serious … Continue reading Ep. 328- The Odd Couple →

O’ What a Beautiful Mornin’ Front Row Classics is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. Brandon is joined by three guests who are currently involved in the Springfield Muni’s production opening this weekend. We welcome Assistant Director, Jacob Pahde along with Curley & Laurey themselves, Nathan Moss and … Cont...

Pile Out, you Tramps! Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most daring films of the early 1950s. Brandon is joined by Larry Aubrey to discuss Caged from 1950. They discuss how Caged is the grandmother of all “women-in-prison” movies. Brandon and Larry also celebrate the Oscar nominated performances of Eleanor … Continue reading Ep. 326- Caged →

The Garland Legacy Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome Vanessa O’Neil to the podcast. Vanessa is the granddaughter of Judy Garland and daughter of, recent podcast guest, Lorna Luft. Brandon and Vanessa discuss what it means to carry the Garland Legacy and how she recently decided to pick up the mantle. The two also … Continue reading Ep. 325- A Conversation with Vanessa O&#8...