You Remind Me of a Man Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most underrated comedies of the 1940s. Brandon is joined by Lauren Van De Vendel to discuss 1947’s The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Legendary writer, Sidney Sheldon. won that year’s Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The hosts celebrate the many hilarious moments made real b…

Inherit the Wind Front Row Classics is taking a look at Stanley Kramer’s acclaimed production of the classic play Inherit the Wind. Brandon is joined by brothers. Edmund and Gary Entin to discuss a film still relevant today. Edmund and Gary are filmmakers and producers aside from being film buffs. We discuss their personal connection to the piece a…

The Hays Gaze Front Row Classics welcomes entertainment journalist/historian Tara McNamara. Tara is co-hosting this month’s TCM Spotlight, The Hays Gaze, alongside Dave Karger. The weekly series highlights the anniversary and influence of The Hays Code. Tara and Dave will present different film pairings before and after the implementation of censor…

The Wild Bunch Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most groundbreaking films of the late 60s. The Wild Bunch marked the end of an era for the classic American western. Brandon is joined by Jay Hoffman of Front Row Flashbacks to discuss Sam Peckinpah’s violent revisionist take on the Old West. The hosts discuss the legendary cast inclu…

Sign of the Cross Front Row Classics welcomes Ryan Bijan this week. Ryan is founder and host of Cowtown Movie Classics which curates classic films for movie goers in Fort Worth, TX. Brandon and Ryan are discussing Cecil B DeMille’s 1932 pre-code epic film, The Sign of the Cross. The film, starring Fredric March, Claudette Colbert and Charles Laught…

Let’s Get Together Front Row Classics is traveling back to the Disney Studios in the 1960s. Brandon is joined by author, Morgan Matson to discuss 1961’s The Parent Trap. Morgan is a New York Times bestselling novelist, who also happens to be a film buff. Brandon and Morgan celebrate the charm and fun that keeps this movie timeless 6 decades later. …

Gesundheit! We’re taking a look at one of the most suspenseful crime dramas of the 1970s. Brandon is joined by lawyer and journalist, Matt Belenky, to discuss 1974’s The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Brandon and Matt praise the deliberately paced direction by Joseph Sargent. The movie perfectly mixed suspense with quirky comedy thanks to the scri…

Heather on the Hill Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most underrated of MGM’s great output of movie musicals. Brandon is joined by jazz singer Mary-Catherine Pazzano and her husband Dana Harrison to discuss 1954’s Brigadoon. Vincente Minnelli’s adaptation of the classic Lerner & Loewe musical is a mixed bag of highs and lows. Gene …

So Proudly We Hail Front Row Classics is celebrating World War II on film with 1943’s So Proudly We Hail. This movie is one of the finest illustrations of the impact women had on the front lines as opposed to the home front. Jessica Pickens returns to celebrate all aspects of this remarkable film with Brandon. We pay tribute to the amazing cast hea…

Afraid I’ll Shock the Duchess? Front Row Classics welcomes back Madeline Hanson to take a look at two films with much of the same DNA. We’re taking a look at 1932’s Red Dust and its’ 1953 remake Mogambo. Both films feature the King himself, Clark Gable, playing the same role 21 years apart. Brandon and Madeline discuss the chemistry he has with bot…

Forbidden Cocktails Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome author André Darlington. André is the author of the latest book from TCM, “Forbidden Cocktails: Libations Inspired by the World of Pre-Code Hollywood”. The book is packaged handsomely with a sleek layout and gorgeous photos. Brandon and André discuss the history of pre-code films and how…

Ordinary People Front Row Classics is taking a look at the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture this week. Brandon is joined by Spencer Davis to discuss Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. The film, which marked Redford’s directorial debut, was a huge hit despite its very complex subject matter. It very sensitively portrays topics such as mental illnes…

Match me, Sidney! We’re taking a look at one of the most uncompromising, ruthless films of the 1950s this week. 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success is a movie unlike any other. Brandon and Emmett Stanton take a look at the unforgettable performances of Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis as J.J. Hunsecker and Sidney Falco. The acidly poetic screenplay by Erne…

Happy Birthday James Mason! Front Row Classics is celebrating one of the most respected actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. March 15th marks the birthday of James Mason. Brandon is happy to welcome Mason’s grandson, James Duke Mason to the show. Duke is a writer, commentator and advocate. We discuss his experiences living in both LA and Europe a…

Welcome Tinseltown Maddie! Front Row Classics welcomes Madeline Hanson this week. Maddie is a passionate classic film fan with her own social media series called “Tinseltown Maddie”. She looks at the Golden Age of Hollywood with a comedic twist on both Instagram and TikTok. Brandon and Maddie discuss classic film fandom, some favorite movies and pa…

Hooray for Hollywood! Brandon is back from Hollywood! This year’s Turner Classic Movies’ Classic Film Festival proved to be even more memorable than last year’s. Craig McFarland joins Brandon to break down each day of the Fest. From memorable screenings to the WB Studio tour, we’re taking a look back at a jam packed 5 days. FEATURING: Brandon Davis…

There’s A Speed Limit in This State Front Row Classics welcomes historians/writers Alain Silver and James Ursini this week. The two have penned a book celebrating the quintessential film noir, Double Indemnity. “From the Moment they Met it Was Murder: Double Indemnity and Rise of Film Noir” is a valuable resource for fans of this legendary movie. B…

TCM Film Festival Time! Brandon is currently attending the 15th Annual Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. He recently spoke with TCM’s SVP of Programming, Charlie Tabesh. Brandon and Charlie preview the various aspects of this year’s festival and what passholders can look forward to. Be sure to check out Brandon’s daily coverage on the festival o…

Fast Eddie Felson Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of great films of the 1960s. Brandon and Emmett Stanton are discussing The Hustler. Robert Rossen’s character study features one of Paul Newman’s signature performances as Fast Eddie Felson. Brandon and Emmett praise the sharp camera work, screenplay and performances by a great cast inclu…

A Hard Day’s Night Front Row Classics is “working like a dog” this week. We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of A Hard Day’s Night as well as the Beatle’ arrival in America. Brandon is joined by author & film historian, Sloan De Forest. Sloan is a self-proclaimed “Beatle Maniac” and helps to provide great insight into this musical comedy directe…

Once Upon a Dream Front Row Classics is joining forces with Beyond the Mouse this week. We’re celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty. Brandon. Craig and Vanessa are proud to welcome Disney artist and animator, Michael Giaimo. The hosts discuss the elegance and pageantry that covers every frame of Sleeping Bea…

Anna May Wong Front Row Classics welcomes author Katie Gee Salisbury this week. Katie has just penned a wonderful book on one of the 20th century’s greatest pioneers of film, Anna May Wong. “Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong” is a page turning exploration of Wong’s life set against the Jazz Age and early days of Hol…

The Awful Truth Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the greatest romantic screwball comedies of the 1930s. Brandon is joined by Mia Tiffany from Movies with Mia to discuss 1937’s The Awful Truth. Leo McCarey’s film about marriage and infidelity still packs a hilarious and poignant journey for movie goers. Brandon and Mia discuss the fanta…

I Wanna Be Loved By You We’re taking another look at one of the greatest comedies in movie history. Billy Wilder’s Some Like it Hot is celebrating its 65th anniversary and remains a fresh and funny as it was in 1959. Jackson Cooper joins Brandon this week to discuss every memorable moment. We also pay tribute to the incomparable performances of Mar…

Welcome John Fricke Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome renowned Wizard of Oz expert & Judy Garland historian, John Fricke. John has contributed his knowledge and expertise to countless books, documentaries, and home video releases over the decades. He provides insight into why Garland remains a powerful pop culture figure more than fifty year…

Happy 200th! Front Row Classics is celebrating its 200th episode! I’m so very grateful for to you ,the listeners, for continuing to support this labor of love. For our 200th episode, we’re welcoming a very special guest : legendary actress and wildlife activist, Stefanie Powers. Powers grew up in the heyday of Los Angeles and even attended Hollywoo…

50 Oscar Nights Front Row Classics welcome Turner Classic Movies host, Dave Karger, this week. Brandon and Dave are discussing his newest book “50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins”. Dave sat down with 50 past Oscar winners to recount the details of their respective victorious evenings. Some stories are triumphan…

Moon River Front Row Classics is celebrating Valentine’s Day with one of the most popular romantic films to ever come out of Hollywood. Breakfast at Tiffany’s remains one of Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic works. Beyond the Mouse’s Vanessa Ferguson and NPR Illinois’ Bea Bonner join Brandon to discuss all aspects of the movie. The hosts discuss Hepburn…

Ringo Kid. 2024 marks the 85th anniversary of the landmark year of 1939. Often considered the “greatest year in film history”, countless classic films were released within that calendar year. Brandon and Emmett Stanton pay tribute the film that set the standard for the American western film, Stagecoach. John Ford’s masterpiece created many of the k…

Put On a Happy Face. Front Row Classics has “got a lot of livin’ to do” this week. Brandon is joined by Larry Aubrey to pay tribute to 1963’s Bye Bye Birdie. Brandon and Larry discuss this fun and vibrant adaptation of the classis Broadway musical. The two talk the differences between the film and stage versions. Much of the conversation is spent l…

Power of Film. Brandon welcome filmmaker/producer Doug Pray to Front Row Classics. Doug, along with Laura Gabbert, has helmed the six-episode docuseries “The Power of Film”. The series stars UCLA Film Professor, Howard Suber, and shines a spotlight on film’s impact on the human experience. Suber tells us why certain films remain forever ingrained i…

All That Heaven Allows. .Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most poignant melodramas of the 1950s. Brandon is joined by Jackson Cooper to discuss 1955’s All That Heaven Allows. The two pay tribute to the work of director, Douglas Sirk, and his immaculate visual storytelling. We’re also celebrating the performances of Jane Wyman and R…

Hollywood Heyday. Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome back authors/journalists, David Fantle and Tom Johnson. David & Tom regale Brandon with incredible stories from their forty plus years of interviewing Hollywood legends. These stories can be found in their 2018 book, “Hollywood Heyday: 75 Candid Interviews with Golden Age Legends”. We disc…

How to Marry a Millionaire. Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most popular comedies of the 1950s. How to Marry a Millionaire brought together three of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading ladies: Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable. Brandon is happy to welcome Marina Tucker to discuss the movie. Marina (also known as Pene…

We’re In the Money. Happy New Year from Front Row Classics! We’re kicking off the new year in style with something fun and frothy. Our friend Emmett Stanton joins us to celebrate the work of choreographer/director, Busby Berkeley. Brandon and Emmett are taking a look at three films with the Berkeley touch. All three films were, miraculously, releas…

Classic Film Fandom. Front Row Classics welcomes content creator and independent filmmaker, Hey Marianne to the podcast. Brandon is always excited to speak with someone who is engaging young people in watching classic film. The two discuss several topics including introducing classic film to millennials, holiday movies and movie musicals. Much of t…

Shut Your Nasty Little Face. Merry Christmas from Front Row Classics! We’re celebrating the season with a classic holiday farce from Warner Bros. The Man Who Came to Dinner remains one of the greatest adaptations from stage to screen. Ben Burke, from the Hollywood Babylonians, podcast joins Brandon to discuss all of the wacky fun from this 1942 fil…

Archie. Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome actress/producer, Jennifer Grant this week. Jennifer, the daughter of Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon, has co-produced the series Archie for BritBox. The series, starring Jason Isaacs, gives viewers a personal look at the man named Archie Leach. Leach would overcome childhood poverty and abandonment and …

Swinging on a Star. Front Row Classics is taking a look at the Best Picture winner of 1944. Leo McCarey’s Going My Way is a charming film that lifted the spirits of war weary audiences in 1944. IndieWire’s Christian Blauvelt returns to pay tribute to this uplifting film that is perfect holiday viewing. Brandon and Christian discuss the Oscar winnin…

Stormy Weather. Front Row Classics welcomes celebrated author & film historian Donald Bogle. Bea Bonner ,with NPR Illinois’ Community Voices, joins Brandon to discuss Bogle’s new book, “Lena Horne Goddess Reclaimed”. The book tracks Horne’s trailblazing life & career which spanned remarkable triumphs and heartbreaking disappointments. Bogle discuss…

Happy Holidays!. Front Row Classics is taking another look at a holiday staple 1942’s Holiday Inn. This joyous musical is perfect for any time of year. But. it’s especially fitting to view during the Christmas season. Brandon is joined by Kevin Hart and Jacqueline Keysear. Kevin is currently directing a production of Holiday Inn at the Hoogland Cen…

Kitty Feral’s In a Lonely Place. Happy Thanksgiving from Front Row Classics. We’re celebrating Noirvember with the Czar of Noir himself, Eddie Muller. Eddie has penned a new children’s book, “Kid Noir: Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey”. The book is a charming introduction to the world of classics film for younger kids. Brandon and…

Money Isn’t Everything. Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the great film epics, George Stevens’ Giant. This 1956 film still resonates with its themes of family, changing times and race relations. Tristan Tapscott joins Brandon to discuss the legendary production. The two take a look at the fine performances from Elizabeth Taylor, Rock H…

Keep The Home Fires Burning. Front Row Classics is celebrating Veterans Day with one of the greatest home front dramas of Word War II. We’re taking a look at Since You Went Away from 1944. This stellar production from David O. Selznick is a warm and sentimental story of a family’s struggle to keep the home fires burning. Jessica Pickens joins Brand…

Happy Holidays!. We’re closing in on the holiday season, which means it will soon be time to enjoy our favorite Christmas movies once again. Brandon is thrilled to welcome back, author/film historian, Jeremy Arnold. Jeremy recently penned “Christmas in the Movies (Revised & Expanded Edition) : 35 Classics to Celebrate the Season”. The book offers m…

Cat’s Dont Like Me. We’ve got the second film in our Halloween double-feature this week. Brandon and Emmett Stanton discuss one of the most influential films on the horror genre, Cat People. We discuss how this unlikely B movie from producer Val Lewton, set trends that have resonated for years with horror filmmakers. While both Brandon and Emmett a…

Invisible Man. Happy Halloween from Front Row Classics! We’re celebrating the 90th anniversary of James Whale’s The Invisible Man. Brandon is joined by Dominic Cellini this week to pay tribute to this landmark entry in the Universal Monster Movie canon. Alongside the groundbreaking special effects, The Invisible Man marked the American film debut o…

We Love Lucy. Front Row Classics welcomes author Sarah Royal this week. Brandon and Sarah discuss her new book, “A.K.A. Lucy: The Dynamic and Determined Life of Lucille Ball”. This charming and beautiful looking book presents a fresh, modern take on Lucille Ball by focusing on both her place in pop culture and American history. Among many topics, B…

C’Mon Get Happy. Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome authors & film historians, David Fantle and Tom Johnson this week. Our two guests have penned a delightful and well-researched study of an underrated Hollywood musical gem. “C’mon Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock” is a must-read for any classic film fan. The book chronicles the product…

So Many Noble Rulers. Front Row Classics is taking a look at one of the most talked about films of the 20th century. We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of Cleopatra from 1963. Ryan Lootens and Erin McCabe from Front Row Flashbacks are joining Brandon to take a look as this gargantuan epic directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. We take a look at the …