Ticklish Business

Mike White of The Projection Booth Podcast joins Emily and Kristen as they dive into the shadowy world of Richard Nixon and 1976's All the President's Men. The group dives into the dynamic between Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, the movie's relevance to today, and why corduroy might not be the best thing to wear while tracking the story of the century.   Kristen and Emily have books out! You ca...

We're celebrating Sidney Poitier in a performance that should have garnered him an Oscar (but didn't even get a nomination), 1967's In the Heat of the Night. Guest Carla Renata joins Kristen and Emily as they discuss Poitier's performance, the lack of any real interest in this as a mystery, and who should have been kicked out of the nominations to make room for Poitier.   Kristen's written a book...

International Month comes to a close with TCM's Czar of Noir joining us once again to talk about his favorite foreign noir: 1958's Elevator to the Gallows. Along the way he touches on the challenges of being a noir in a different language, Jeanne Moreau's performance, and why it's too good a movie to spoil.   You can buy Eddie's new book Noir Bar by clicking on the link.   Kristen's written a book...

We're going on a vacation this month through the power of cinema. We start in Italy with a look at Federico Fellini's 8 1/2. Samantha, Emily and Kristen discuss whether Guido Anselmi is a terrible human, post-WWII Italy, and why they need to hold a séance.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptations! You can buy it wherever you...

We're going to the Old West this episode with Dana Andrews biographer Carl Rollyson to talk Dana Andrews (should have been Oscar-nominated) performance in 1943's The Ox-Bow Incident. We'll also talk about the film's timeliness and why the Western genre gets a bum rep.   Purchase Hollywood Enigma: Dana Andrews here.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the B...

Kristen is out this week but Samantha and Emily hold down the fort with Miriam Hopkins biographer Allan R. Ellenberger. The trio celebrate the 90th anniversary of the still controversial Story of Temple Drake. Hear about Miriam Hopkins' revolutionary role, the men she almost worked opposite, and why she didn't get an Oscar for this.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But H...

Samantha and Kristen are celebrating Doris Day in May not only with a talk on 1955's Love Me or Leave Me, but with a big announcement: a new member of the Ticklish team! We also discuss Doris Day serious actress, ponder why Cameron Mitchell is so non-descript, and recommend you all watch Storm Warning.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all abou...

Samantha and Kristen braved the wilds of the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival again and are back with a king-sized slate of audio introductions and panels from your favorite stars. Whether you want to relive the festival or had to miss out, we hope you enjoy!   Lineup: Opening Night with Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson Mario Cantone and The Old Maid (1939) Cari Beachamp and No Man of Her O...

Samantha and Kristen relax after TCMFF with a look at a small picture that packed a big punch for Hollywood. The 1953 romantic comedy The Moon is Blue is progressive in its look at gender and sex. It also thumbed its nose at the Motion Picture Production Code. So then why is not currently available on home video?   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Boo...

Lena Horne biographer James Gavin joins the show this week to celebrate actress and singer Lena Horne. We discuss the difficulties of being one of the few Black actresses in Old Hollywood, Horne's magnificent musical career, and her performances in 1943's Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adap...

Kristen is prepping to return to the wilds of the TCM Classic Film Festival, so she has Marion Davies biographer Lara Gabrielle and Ava Gardner Museum member Lora Stocker join her to discuss the festival, their event picks, and why Yentl should play at TCMFF.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptations! You can buy it wherever...

Izzy of Be Kind Rewind is with us to celebrate Ann Miller's centennial and the arrival of Easter. We may be talking about Easter Parade (1948) but there's also time for us to discuss Ann Miller's career, Judy and Fred's lack of chemistry, and why there should be a Peter Lawford biopic.   Kristen's written a book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptation...

We're looking at one of the most contentious Best Picture winners in Oscar history with this week's episode! Michael Schulman, author of Oscar Wars, joins us to discuss the 1952 Oscars and Best Picture Winner The Greatest Show on Earth. We also talk about the circus, sponsored content, and why Buttons the Clown is the best on-screen credit ever.   You can buy Michael's book, Oscar Wars, by clickin...

That's right, our host Kristen Lopez is the guest as we celebrate the upcoming release of her first book, But Have You Read the Book: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films. We're talking about 1939's adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. Along for the ride is Patron Jacob Haller, helping Samantha and Kristen deconstruct the messy world of Catherine and Heathcliff.   Kristen's...

Samantha and Kristen celebrate Valentine's Day honoring the couples that we're sad didn't make it. We spill the tea on the tumultuous relationships of Liz and Dick, Audrey and Bill Holden, and more.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptations! You can pre-order it now before its March 7th release date.   Reviews matter and...

We have a KING-sized episode for you in honor of the 90th anniversary of the movie that kickstarted our love for on-screen spectacle: 1933's King Kong. We're joined by a trio of Merian C. Cooper experts to discuss the many firsts this movie claimed, Cooper's love of the unknown, and Fay Wray's ability to make you love her alongside a giant ape.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM and Running Pr...

We couldn't let the month of January pass without bringing on friend of Ticklish Biz, author Lara Gabrielle, to discuss her new biography on silent film actress Marion Davies. Lara, Samantha and Kristen talked about Davies' last legacy, the films you should see, and whether Marion is an LGBTQ icon.   You can purchase Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies by clicking the link.   Kristen's...

Ticklish Business is back and we're kicking off the new year by celebrating the old. Samantha and Kristen discuss five of the classic films they watched for the first time last year, including discussions of Sidney Poitier, stuff Samantha should have seen, and the sexiness that is Burton and Taylor.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all abo...

Happy Holidays from Ticklish Business! We're off for the holidays so we're pulling from the Patreon vault! Emily and Kristen are back to discuss the first Thin Man sequel (and the only one nominated for an Oscar). After the Thin Man is oft-considered the best Thin Man sequel. We discuss whether that's true, as well as Jimmy Stewart's unique performance, and why Bill Powell and Myrna Loy's off-scre...

It's our last episode of 2022 and we're going out with a bang! Lora Stocker, of the Ava Gardner Museum, sits down with Samantha to talk about the woman once described as "the world's greatest animal." The pair discuss the rumors associated with her, Gardner's famous marriage with Frank Sinatra, and which movies show off her acting talents the best.   We're so happy to have another year in the book...

We're celebrating Lizabeth Scott's centennial and the 75th anniversary of her performance in Dead Reckoning with her biographer Alan K. Rode. Rode joins us again to celebrate Scott's performance and dives deep into why she's not better known.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptations! You can pre-order it now before its M...

Kristen and Samantha fly as duo this episode for a special celebration of Kristen's favorite star, Veronica Lake. The pair talk about rumors, both true and untrue, about her; her acting career; and why she's often ignored alongside other tragic blonde actresses.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM and Running Press called But Have You Read the Book? all about film adaptations! You can pre-order...

The Ticklish team says "Happy birthday, Joel McCrea" by devoting an entire episode to the blonde haired actor who did practically every genre of film. McCrea's grandson, Wyatt, joins us to talk about why McCrea feels so unique in the Old Hollywood world, Joel's long-term marriage to actress Frances Dee, and what Wyatt knows about those Veronica Lake rumors.   Kristen's written a new book for TCM a...

Listen to the first 15 minutes of our Patreon-exclusive bonus episode featuring Marilyn Monroe expert April Vevea who joins Ticklish Business to discuss Andrew Dominik's new Netflix movie, Blonde. April and the team wonder if anyone likes this look at the "real" Marilyn, Ana de Armas' portrayal, and why we keep telling Marilyn stories. Listen to the full episode by heading over to our Patreon chan...

Diana Prince, aka Darcy the Mail Girl from Shudder's The Last Drive-In joins the Ticklish Team as they deconstruct 1936's Dracula's Daughter. How is this Dracula sequel so little known? Is it a groundbreaking film in the landscape of LGBTQ representation? Why didn't Hollywood include it in the Dark Universe lineup? The trio attempt to answer all these questions and more.   Watch Joe Bob's Hallowee...