The Front Row Network

  On this episode of Original Broadway Cast, our very own Gus Gordon sits down with the wonderful, Diana Rogers. Diana's credits include Mame. Thénardier in the National Tour and Broadway productions of Les Misérables. Other productions include Menopause the Musical, Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara, Rabbit Hole, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, Nunsense, Sound of Mus...

"Put the blame on Mame, boys". Front Row Classics welcomes Ben Burke of The Hollywood Babylonians podcast. Brandon and Ben discuss Gilda from 1946. This film noir classic cemented Rita Hayworth as one of the true icons of the 1940s. The movie, directed by Charles Vidor, was a rarity that gave depth to femme fatale leading lady. We discuss the incredible love/hate chemistry between Hayworth and Gle...

Welcome back everyone to MCU HQ; your hub for all things Marvel on the Front Row Network on NPR Illinois. Marvel is once again king of the box office as James Gunn's triology finale Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has hit theaters to the tune of $120+ milliion in its opening weekend. As such we've assembled our own rag-tag group to give our spoiler-filled review. This film contains a ton of heart,...

"Life is a Cabaret" this week on Front Row Classics. We're taking a look at 1972's Cabaret as Emmett Stanton returns to discuss Bob Fosse's musical masterpiece. Brandon and Emmett break down the legendary performances of Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey and the rest of the impressive cast. Topics also include:  the inventive musical numbers, the dark themes which are still relevant today and how Cabaret w...

Many past Front Row Classics guests were in attendance at the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival. Two-time guest, George Stevens Jr. was on hand to present his father's 1941 film, Penny Serenade. The film was presented alongside director, Alexander Payne, in a brand new restoration. Brandon got to sit down with Stevens for a short discussion of the film and importance of film preservation.

Brandon is back from Hollywood and ready to recap his time at the Turner Classic Movies' Classic Film Festival. Craig McFarland joins Brandon to recall the memorable experiences and screenings he experienced. Being around so many other classic film devotees, including several Front Row Classics guests, made for one memorable four-day festival.

Brandon is heading to the TCM Classic Film Festival! Earlier this week, he sat down with TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz for a preview of what is to come. Topics include the opening night presentation of Rio Bravo, Warner Brothers' 100th anniversary celebration and some of Ben's favorite aspects of the festival.   Ben Mankiewicz is the primetime host of Turner Classic Movies. When he made his TCM debut in...

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome Scott McGee back to the podcast. Scott is the Senior Director of Original Programming for Turner Classic Movies. Brandon and Scott discuss his journey up the ranks at TCM and the many projects he has been involved with including the TCM Classic Film Festival. The importance of the community surrounding classic film fans is also discussed. McGee also mention...

Starring Rosa Speaker, Tom Brown, Zach Boblitt, and Steve Sykes! Did Larry retain the crown or did one of these four unseat him? 

A big thank you to all of our loyal listeners of Front Row Classics. Brandon is giving us a look at what's ahead for the next couple weeks on the podcast. He also announces an exciting change to win a bundle of digital movies in conjunction with Warner Bros. 100th anniversary.    

Join Front Row Classics for a special bonus episode this week. We're joining forces with Beyond the Mouse to bring you a special conversation with the legendary, Lesley Ann Warren.  From Broadway to movies to TV, Lesley has worked with some of the most influential people of the 20th century. Brett Rutherford joins Brandon as they listen to fascinating stories from this amazing career.

Front Row Classics welcomes author, critic and essayist, Kristen Lopez. Brandon and Kristen discuss her new book, "But Have You Read the Book?: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films". The book is a helpful guide both readers and cinephiles to programs their own book club or film festival. Films covered in the conversation range from Golden Age gems like The Thin Man & Rebecca to more m...

Front Row Classics celebrates the 100th birthday of Warner Brothers with one of the best films to ever come out of the studio. Emmett Stanton and Jay Hoffman join Brandon to discuss 1948's, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The hosts discuss the themes of greed and paranoia beautifully told in John Huston's uncompromising masterpiece. They also pay tribute to the unforgettable performances of Hump...

Front Row Classics celebrates one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all time. We're taking a look at Martin Scorsese's 1980 film, Raging Bull. Brandon is joined by Noah Henry and Guilty Pleasure's Lou Hare. The three hosts discuss the career defining performance of Robert DeNiro as real-life boxer, Jake LaMotta. They also pay tribute to Scorsese's approach of subverting all expectations o...

Front Row Classics celebrates the teaming of Rock Hudson and Doris Day in their signature romantic comedy, Pillow Talk. Brandon is joined by Erin McCabe from Front Row Flashbacks this week. The two hosts discuss the undeniable chemistry between the two leads along with the quirky supporting cast. They also touch upon the gender politics that permeate throughout the film. Topics also include the un...

In the latest episode of #OriginalBroadwayCast , Gus Gordon welcomes Broadway mainstay Jason Graae   Jason starred in the Broadway productions of A Grand Night For Singing, Stardust , Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? , and Falsettos . His Off- Broadway credits include Forever Plaid, Olympus on My Mind, Snoopy, Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination- Best Actor in a Music...

It's one of our favorite annual traditions here at the Network! The Oscars Forum returns in 2023 where our personalities are breaking down the Best Picture nominated films! Hear from Ryan, Jay, Brandon, Steve and Larry as they discuss the first half of this year's films: Avatar 2, The Banshees of Inisherin, Triangle of Sadness, The Fabelmans & Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.   Featuring: Ryan...

Today on the podcast we're checking in on the state of the Oscars Race as we barrell towards the big night in one week's time. The major guilds have bestowed their awards and now all that's left are the top prizes. So our resident Oscar crazies Ryan and Jeremy are here to break down where all the categories stand and where you should place your bets come Oscar Sunday!   Featuring: Ryan Lootens and...

This week in a special episode for Beyond the Mouse, we dive into our experiences at Fan Expo Portland. Episode includes some clips from panels with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Matthew Lewis and Lea Thompson. Featuring: Craig McFarland and Jeremy Goeckner JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/BeyondTheMouse __________________________________________ Named one of the top 50 Disney Podca...

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome back celebrated author and historian, Joseph McBride. Brandon and Joe discuss his recent critical study of the career of Billy Wilder. "Billy Wilder: Dancing on the Edge" is a comprehensive look at the filmography of one of Hollywood's most celebrated writer/directors. Brandon and Joe discuss Wilder's origins along with some of his most famous and not-so-fa...

All the way back in 2019 Craig and Jeremy (you know, the guys in charge and the ones with the wildly popular Ted Lasso show) approached Larry to do a show. Something different. Something new. Larry devised a useless debate show. So, the first episode was ready to be recorded in March of 2020...and, well, you know. But here it is! The show as it was always meant to be! Joined by comedians Rebecca J...

It's awards season once again and that means the patented and unrivaled complete coverage from the Front Row Network! In this episode resident Oscars master Ryan Lootens leads a discussion with fellow gold statue nerds Jeremy & Erin to talk about the major nominations and what to expect as the season moves on from the biggest contenders. Join us to get a leg up on your Oscar pools this March! FEAT...

Welcome back to the Pod Cast of Us. Episode 6 of  The Last of Us   deepens our understanding of our main characters and raises the stakes for not only them but a whole new set of characters. Joel and Ellie continue their trek West but Joel is having a crisis of confidence that is starting to manifest in panic attacks. Against all odds, they find Joel's brother Tommy in the secluded and thriving to...

Front Row Classics welcomes attorney, Jason Isralowitz this week. Brandon and Jason discuss his latest book, "Nothing to Fear: Alfred Hitchcock and The Wrong Men" The book tells the story of one of Hitchcock's most unusual films and the real-life case of wrongful conviction that inspired it. Isralowitz chronicles the arrest of jazz musician Christopher "Manny" Balestrero for two robberies he did n...

Front Row Classics says "Bonjour, Paris!" as we celebrate 1957's Funny Face. Brandon is joined this week by Brett Rutherford and Vanessa Ferguson from Beyond the Mouse. The trio discuss Stanley Donen's classic musical, which features the only pairing of Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn. The hosts discuss their favorite musical numbers and pay tribute to the talented artists who brought this film to...