The Extras

Send us Fan Mail Writer/producer and television historian Herbie J Pilato joins the podcast to discuss his love of classic TV and his extras on the new Blu-ray release of THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN: THE COMPLETE SERIES. Pilato’s extensive list of critically-acclaimed, media tie-in books includes THE BIONIC BOOK, MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY, TWITCH UPON A STAR: THE BEWITCHED LIFE AND CAREER OF...

Send us Fan Mail Judy Garland fans and experts George Feltenstein from Warner Bros and author John Fricke join the podcast for a celebration of Judy's centennial. Together they share insights from their careers writing books, producing documentaries, and releasing Judy's films on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 4K.  And then we dive into a discussion of "The Wizard of Oz" and...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros George Feltenstein brings a special guest to discuss the June 2022 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive.  John Fricke is the foremost authority on Judy Garland and he brings his insights and stories into a lively, fun-filled discussion of these three black and white Judy Garland films available now for the first time on Blu-ray.  First up is the glamourous 1941 mus...

Send us Fan Mail Tim Lucas, award-winning author, novelist, film critic, and frequent contributor to home entertainment extras, joins the podcast to discuss his work on the Kino Lorber 4K releases of the "Man With No Name" Trilogy, "Touch of Evil," and "Silence of the Lambs."   We also discuss his screenplay and novelization of "The Man With Kaleidoscope Eyes.&qu...

Send us Fan Mail Archivist James Mockoski and editor Robert Shafer of American Zoetrope join the podcast to talk about the restoration of “The Godfather” trilogy for the 50th Anniversary 4K release.  We discuss the importance of the 2007 restoration led by Robert Harris as the starting point for this latest restoration.  And they provide insights into the working relationship with Paramount Studio...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the Spring 2022 releases from the Warner Archive.  We kick  off the discussion with the March Blu-ray release of “Captains of the Clouds” (1941) starring James Cagney, Brenda Marshall, Dennis Morgan, and directed by Michael Curtiz.   Beautifully restored in Technicolor, this film has never looked so good. Next George detail...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is one of a series looking back at some highlights from the 2021 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive. Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the September 2021 Blu-ray releases of four films and one TV series, providing information on the preservation and restoration of the films and insights into the storylines and production.  The current TV...

Send us Fan Mail Scott McGee,   senior director of Original Productions at Turner Classic Movies, joins the podcast to discuss his new book "Danger on the Silver Screen: 50 Films Celebrating Cinema's Greatest Stunts."  We start with the earliest stunts of silent film stars Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Mix, Yakima Canutt, and Buster Keaton before highlighting the chariot race in "Ben...

Send us Fan Mail Alan K. Rode, author of “Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film,” joins the podcast to discuss the re-opening of film festivals after several years of closures due to the pandemic.  We start with a discussion of his work with the Film Noir Foundation and the Noir City Hollywood festival taking place April 15-17, 2022 at the Hollywood Legion Theatre.  Alan previews each of the eight films...

Send us Fan Mail Dave Strohmaier, Director of Film Restorations for Cinerama,  and his collaborator Tom March provide a detailed background on the epic restoration of the 1962 Cinerama classic.  And the Warner Archives’ George Feltenstein details the history behind the release and the two-disk special edition blu-ray filled with extras. We start with a review of how Dave’s interest in restoring th...

Send us Fan Mail Emmy nominated documentary producer, author, and speaker Steven C. Smith joins the podcast to discuss his book MUSIC BY MAX STEINER: THE EPIC LIFE OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL COMPOSER. During his illustrious career, composer Max Steiner scored over 300 films and was nominated for 24 Academy Awards.  We explore Steiner’s career highlights starting with the groundbreaking King K...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is one of a series looking back at some highlights from the 2021 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive. Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the August 2021 Blu-ray releases of three films, providing information on the preservation and restoration of the films and insights into the storylines and production.  First is the 1986 whacky comedy, &q...

Send us Fan Mail Hollywood has a rich legacy of memorable picture cars.  And one of the most beloved on television in the last decade is “Baby,” the midnight black 1967 Chevy Impala made famous by the Winchester Brothers - Sam and Dean, in the hit TV show "Supernatural." For 15 seasons, Jeff Budnick was the Picture Car Coordinator for "Supernatural," and his job was to ensure “...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein and Hong Kong Cinema expert and Warner Bros archivist Jeff Briggs join the podcast to discuss Hong Kong Cinema and the Golden Harvest library of films owned by Warner Bros.   Jeff Briggs provides a brief history of Hong Kong Cinema, starting with the Shaw Brothers and then the development of Golden Harvest in the 1970s and 1980s.  George Fe...

Send us Fan Mail On January 6th, 2022 the film community lost two titans of cinema, director/film historian Peter Bogdanovich and actor/director Sidney Poitier.  Recently film historian Constantine Nasr interviewed Peter Bogdanovich for a special feature for the Blu-ray release of Preston Sturges's film, “The Great Moment,” along with Tom Sturges, the son of the director.  It may have been on...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the February 2022 releases from the Warner Archive.   The month kicks off with the February 8th Blu-ray release of “Gold Diggers of 1933” starring Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Aline Macmahon, Ruby Keeler, Warren Williams, and directed by Mervyn Leroy.   On February 15th, the immensely popular 1948 Technicolor version of “The...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is one of a series looking back at some highlights from the 2021 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive. Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the July 2021 Blu-ray releases of three films and one TV series, providing information on the preservation and restoration of the films and insights into the storylines and production.  First is the contro...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is one of a series looking back at some highlights from the 2021 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive. Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the May 2021 Blu-ray releases of four films, providing information on the preservation and restoration of the films and insights into the storylines and production.  First is the 1939 classic film, "T...

Send us Fan Mail This is part 2 of 2 with Warner Bros executive and film historian George Feltenstein and Alan K. Rode, author of “Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film.”  In this episode, George and Alan broaden their discussion of the 1938 classic gangster film “Angels With Dirty Faces” with an entertaining look at the Warner Bros studio during the 1930’s and 40’s, including the Warner Club, the unique...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Archive executive George Feltenstein takes us through the first releases of 2022.  On January the 18th, the Blu-ray release of “Song of the Thin Man” starring William Powell and Myrna Loy, completes the last installment of the “Thin Man” series.  Also releasing that day are the DVDs of the popular television series, “Riverdale” Season 5 and “Animal Kingdom” Season 5.  On Ja...

Send us Fan Mail This podcast is one of a series looking back at some highlights from the 2021 Blu-ray releases from the Warner Archive. Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein takes us through the June 2021 Blu-ray release of the 1946 classic film, "Zeigfeld Follies."  Starring an ensemble cast of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Esther Williams, Lucille Bremer, Fa...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein reviews the last Warner Archive release of 2021, the 1952 historical epic “Ivanhoe.”  Starring Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, and George Sanders, this beloved romantic saga has been restored to all of its original technicolor glory. In addition, George describes the technicolor process and the work that the Warner Archive h...

Send us Fan Mail Former Warner Bros Entertainment Senior Vice President of Creative Content Paul Hemstreet joins the podcast to talk about the 1999 film, The Matrix, and its historic DVD release and the impact that release had on the Home Entertainment market and the development of DVD extras.   One of the first Warner Home Video employees tasked with producing DVD extras, Paul has great insight i...

Send us Fan Mail Warner Bros executive George Feltenstein and animation historian Jerry Beck take us on a nostalgic walk down memory lane as they talk about early theatrical Christmas animation and the development of the first Christmas holiday television specials.   The discussion begins with Jerry providing a brief review of early animated Christmas films.  Then they start the discussion of tele...

Send us Fan Mail In part 1 of 2, Warner Bros executive and film historian George Feltenstein joins with Alan K. Rode, author of “Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film,” for a lively discussion of the 1938 classic gangster film ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES.  George gives background on the restoration process to bring the film to Blu-ray and explains why he was so adamant about releasing the film before the end...