The Front Row Network

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 celebrated. We also discuss the amazing body of work...

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 when it was not popular to do so. They also discuss the film's documentary feel thanks to director, Anatole Litvak. The lead per...

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 like Marnie, The Shootist and The Beguiled. Melody also reminisces about her memories of luminaries such as Joh...

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 discussing one of the Duke's greatest films, Rio Bravo and conclude by discussing the work and impact of...

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 paving the way for comediennes from Carole Lombard & Lu...

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 a chat about Hollywood during World War II. They also mention Martin's latest "Hollywood Home...

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 John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon and James Broderick are also celebrated. Brando...

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 is also praised.

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 will also celebrate James Cagney, Shirley MacLaine and Joan Crawford on...

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 also honor the supporting cast including Joseph Cotten, George...

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 earlier efforts.

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 Jeremy, then, discuss the 20th anniversary of Joyeux Noel from 2005.  "Christmas...

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 & Annette to James Cagney to Sandra Dee and Elvis.   

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 Victor Fleming's well-paced direction.

The Front Row Network welcomes the Midwest Wrestling Coalition to the show. Brandon sits down with booker/promoter Shane Walters to preview their upcoming show this Saturday, July 26th. The show is entitled "Wrestling Like It's 1989". Brandon and Shane discuss the details of the show and how it will be a throwback to old school wrestling. We, then welcome MWC World Coalition Champion, Mario Pardua...

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 of Ralph Bellamy. The two also pine about the lost...

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 the many projects he's involved with keeping t...

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 one of the most stressful shoots in Hollywood histor...

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 Louise in this production. The three discuss the film adaptation and how it compares to the stage...

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 Oscar fare discussing a comedy classics with Brandon. The hosts are discussing 1968's The Odd Couple. Brandon and A...

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 Padhe along with Curley & Laurey themselves, Nathan Moss and Brooke Seacrist. We discuss their feelings on the show and how they'...

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 Parker and Hope Emerson. Caged is one of the highlights in the career of director John Cromwell wh...

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 chat about what it means to be the descendant of a legendary family member.

Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most celebrated biopics in history. Brandon is, once again, joined by Peter Martin to discuss 1980's Coal Miner's Daughter. We discuss the Oscar winning performance of Sissy Spacek at the legendary Loretta Lynn. Brandon and Peter also pay tribute to the performances by Tommy Lee Jones and Beverly D'Angelo. The discussion also turns to the amazing d...

Back by popular demand, Brandon is one again joined by Ben Burke, Emmett Stanton and Matt Duffy to discuss all things Classics film. The four play classic film games, discuss guilty pleasures and talk performances they wish could be recast. It's another episode of outrageous fun with three of the Front Row's most popular regulars.