Ticklish Business

For a second year we're taking a vacation via classic film with International Month and we're starting in Germany! Looking for a silent German pre-Code? We've got you covered with a look at Louise Brooks in Pandora's Box. Hear how Lulu shook up cinema, both domestically and abroad. We also talk about the film's frank depiction of sex work and other salacious topics. This episode was created thanks...

Ticklish Business celebrates the release of Alonso Duralde's new book Hollywood Pride by discussing classic filmdom and those were LGBTQIA, including William Haines and the stories about Cary Grant. Buy Hollywood Pride! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A...

It's the 50th anniversary of Chinatown and we're celebrating with a discussion about it as well as our favorite LA noirs. And to help us discuss all things Los Angeles we have....Chicago Sun Times critic Richard Roeper! Richard, Kristen and Emily discuss the film's use of LA, why Faye Dunaway is magic, and some of the other movies that make us love the city of Angels. This episode was created than...

What happens when the It Girl of the 2020s name checks the It girl of the 1920s in her new song? You get this episode. Inspired by Taylor Swift's song, Emily and Kristen sit down with Clara Bow biographer David Stenn to talk about why Bow remains such an icon. We talk about the feminism of the 1920s, debunk some rumors, and grouse about why Babylon shouldn't have used her as inspiration. Buy Clara...

Britney and Ashley of the podcast Black Girl Film Club join Kristen and Emily this episode to celebrate the anniversary of Foxy Brown. The group celebrates all things Pam Grier, from her being a role model to young Black women, to being an overall badass. Listen to Black Girl Film Club on all podcast apps. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna H...

This year's TCM Classic Film Festival has come and gone but we're bringing it back to you whether you were there or there in spirit. Introductions from North By Northwest, Gidget and Them! are included. Head over to our Patreon to hear more festival audio, including Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta talking Pulp Fiction, Jodie Foster and Steven Spielberg. This episode was created thanks to our P...

It's TCM Classic Film Festival time once again and we're back with a special bonus episode highlighting all our picks. Author Lara Gabrielle joins us as does Ava Gardner expert Lora Stocker to break down the questions we have about this year's festival (what does "corporate daddy" Warner Bros. Discovery have in store?) and the movies we aren't gonna miss. PROGRAMMING NOTE: In light of the festival...

It was a hard day's night getting this episode together after our guest backed out last minute. Thankfully, Emily is back and we're celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Beatles' cinematic debut in A Hard Day's Night. We talk about the Fab Four turned actors, the way this movie tried to sell a soundtrack, and far too many connections to Spice World. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons...

We're celebrating the dueling centennials of Marlon Brando and Tennessee Williams with a look at their most enduring collaboration: 1951's A Streetcar Named Desire. Historian and author Foster Hirsch joins us to break down the film's complicated subject matter, Marlon Brando's Method acting, the gender and class politics and everyone's old friend, the Blacklist. Buy Foster's book Hollywood and the...

Marilyn Monroe writer Elisa Jordan joins Kristen to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Some Like It Hot. The pair discuss Marilyn Monroe's career during this film, whether Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis could pass as women, and how the movie's connections with the LGBTQ community.   This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonat...

Love Month comes to a close with Marion Davies biographer and Olivia de Havilland expert Lara Gabrielle joining us once again to talk about 1949's The Heiress. We discuss its adaptation origins, why Livvie de Havilland was not feeling this movie, and why Montgomery Clift is so damn hot.   This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Andrew Hoppe Danny David Floyd Donna Hill G...

Paul Newman biographer Shawn Levy is here to help us celebrate the month of love with a look at the 1958 film The Long Hot Summer. Levy explains the enduring love story of Paul and Joanne Woodward, why this movie isn't better known, and why we should all ready Shelley Winters' autobiography.   Buy Shawn's books here.   This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Andrew Hoppe...

It's the first new episode of the year and you know what that means? Kristen and Emily are looking back at the classic films they discovered in 2023. We talk about great fashions, movies we loved thanks to this podcast, and what movies almost made our lists.   Share your new discovers of 2023 with us and you can hear them on the next episode!   This episode created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore...

There are a few James Dean biopics but we decided to look at the most famous version of his life, TNT's 2001 biopic starring a pre-fame (and problems) James Franco. Kristen and Emily deconstruct the Dean mythos, why he holds a lot of commonalities with Marilyn Monroe, and how this movie was originally planned to star Leonardo DiCaprio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode you can hear our interview with Gary Cooper's daughter, Maria Cooper Janis, as well as author Bruce Boyer, authors of Gary Cooper: Enduring Style. We're hard at work on 2024 and will return January 31st with all new episodes!   This episode created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Andrew Hoppe Christine Mier Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jon...

Happy New Year! We're sharing our favorite episode of our new series, But Have You Read... looking at that timeless tale of a young girl and the grown man who keeps a woman in his attic. Yep, we're looking at the two versions of Jane Eyre.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our last episode of 2023 celebrates the centennial of the Walt Disney Company and it's very first movie, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And to help us discuss the movie initially deemed "Walt's Folly," we have Disney/animation expert, Drew Taylor. Drew lays out why the movie remains a work of art today and why we're all worried about next year's live-action remake.   We thank everyone for...

Samantha, Drea and Kristen are reunited to discuss a movie Samantha recommended to all of us, 1943's Cry 'Havoc.' The trio discuss war movies with women and why this ensemble film is different. And Samantha shares a special announcement.   Listen to Ticklish Business on the new Tod Browning set newly released by Criterion! You can order it here.   This episode created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Mo...

Kristen and Emily celebrate the late great Piper Laurie with a discussion of the 1961 pool movie The Hustler. The pair look at why Laurie said this was her breakout role and Kristen quotes liberally (and hilariously) from Laurie's autobiography.   Listen to Ticklish Business on the new Tod Browning set newly released by Criterion! You can order it here.   This episode created thanks to our Patrons...

Barbra Streisand's memoirs may be 962 pages long but Kristen and Emily keep things brisk talking about Barbra's big debut in 1968's Funny Girl. Author Talia Lavin joins the pair to discuss Barbra's career, the movie's look at femininity, and why we all love Omar Sharif. Also, Kristen breaks down why Funny Lady sucks.   You can buy Talia's book Culture Warlords here.   Listen to Ticklish Business o...

The Ticklish trio is reunited for this year's Halloween episode and you picked the movie! We go to the Universal monster movie that started it all: 1931's Dracula. And we have Dracula historian David J. Skal joining us! David and the trio discuss the divisive Tod Browning movie, whether Bela Lugosi is hot and what Dracula movie was our first entry into the franchise.   You can buy David's book on...

Author Sloan De Forest and Patron Ali Moore join Samantha and Emily this week to celebrate Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and 1950's All About Eve. The group talks about the film's depictions of women and who from the movie deserved an Oscar.   Check out Sloan's latest book here.   Kristen and Emily have books out! You can buy them wherever you buy books. Reviews matter and you can help us out by giving...

It's Warner Bros. centennial and we're doing not only their most famous film but probably one of the most famous classic films ever: 1942's Casablanca. The Warner Bros. author Chris Yogerst joins us, alongside Patron Andrew Hoppe, to discuss the film's legacy alongside Warner Bros. and whether it's a noir film.   Buy Chris' book The Warner Bros.   Kristen and Emily have books out! You can buy them...

It's Samantha's birthday and we're celebrating it in High Society! Yes, we discuss this 1956 remake of The Philadelphia Story and it's not as straightforward as you think. The trio break down the age differences, whether Bing and Frank work, and whether Grace Kelly should have an Oscar nomination.   Kristen and Emily have books out! You can buy them wherever you buy books. Reviews matter and you c...

It's Kristen choice for her birthday and she's settled on the underseen 1947 Peter Lawford musical, Good News. And like all things Lawford-related things get a little weird. Thankfully, Kristen and Emily are joined by a musical expert, showrunner Cinco Paul. He breaks down why the movie isn't better known and why it's musical numbers work in spite of the plot.   Kristen and Emily have books out! Y...