Best Nan McNamara Podcasts (2024)

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"FAVORITE CLASSIC FILMS OF THE 1930s" (043) 36:41

35m ago36:41

36:41

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/BENEATH and get on your way to being your best self. EPISODE 43 - “Favorite Classic Films of the 1930s” - 07/08/2024 During the golden era of old Hollywood, each decade brought forth exciting films that helped define the motion picture industry. In a new feature, S…

1
10 Things to Avoid When Writing Your Script From A Script Reader 19:56

19h ago19:56

19:56

Send us a Text Message. We’re baaccck! It is the first week of July 2024, and Sandy and Terry are ready for #hotpodsummer. Did you know that our host and creator of The Writers’ Hangout, Sandy Adomaitis, has a wealth of experience in script development for both television and film? She has worked with some of the industry’s top showrunners, includi…

1
"EVA MARIE SAINT" (042) 41:23

3d ago41:23

41:23

From Beneath The Hollywood Sign is thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor, www.HappyMammoth.com. Use code BENEATH at checkout for 15% off of your entire first order! EPISODE 42 - “Eva Marie Saint: Star of the Month (July)” - 07/01/2024 Blonde, beautiful, sophisticated, and chic, there was no one in Hollywood quite like EVA MARIE SAINT. This versati…

1
“THE DEATH OF THE DREAM FACTORY” (041) 29:28

10d ago29:28

29:28

From Beneath The Hollywood Sign is thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor, www.HappyMammoth.com. Use code BENEATH at checkout for 15% off of your entire first order! EPISODE 41 - “The Death of the Dream Factory” - 06/24/2024 When the early movie studios began to pop up in Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s, the major studio chiefs produced magnif…

1
"OLD HOLLYWOOD'S FORBIDDEN LOVE STORY: LON McCALLISTER & WILLIAM EYTHE" (#040) 33:11

17d ago33:11

33:11

From Beneath The Hollywood Sign is thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor, www.HappyMammoth.com. Use code BENEATH at checkout for 15% off of your entire first order! EPISODE 40 - “Old Hollywood's Forbidden Love Story/ Lon McCallister & William Eythe” - 06/17/2024 As we celebrate gay pride month in June, Nan and Steve bring a special episode about 2…

1
"FATHER KNOWS BEST: CLASSIC CINEMA'S BEST (AND WORST!) DADS" (039) 41:59

24d ago41:59

41:59

From Beneath The Hollywood Sign is thrilled to welcome our newest sponsor, www.HappyMammoth.com. Use code BENEATH at checkout for 15% off of your entire first order! EPISODE 39 - “Father Knows Best: Classic Cinema's Best (and Worst!) Dads” - 06/10/2024 When you stop to think about the great fathers of classic cinema, Atticus Finch, the mild-mannere…

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Screenwriter Stephen Gaghan of 'Traffic' Fame Took Some Rough Turns On The Road To Success 25:07

26d ago25:07

25:07

Send us a Text Message. How do they do it? How do successful writers become successful? They must all lead charmed lives. One imagines a successful writer who works hard, gets up at 4 a.m., goes to the gym, then slides behind the laptop for four hours. Afternoons, they take their doodle around the block of their tony neighborhood, then put in anoth…

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“RUTH ROMAN: STAR OF THE MONTH (JUNE)” (#038) 36:34

1M ago36:34

36:34

EPISODE 38 - “Ruth Roman: Star of the Month (June)” - 06/03/2024 RUTH ROMAN was more than a pretty face; she was a survivor! She survived childhood poverty, the fickle nature of Hollywood, the wrath of Alfred Hitchcock, several marriages, and the sinking of the luxury liner Andrea Doria in 1956. Yes, Roman was a warrior. This week, Roman is our Sta…

1
Rewind - PAGE Awards Judges Reveal How They Evaluate Your Script Ft. Karen Craig and Scott Barkan 32:20

1M ago32:20

32:20

Send us a Text Message. REWIND EPISODE. Join the conversation on how PAGE Awards Judges evaluate your screenplay with Karen Craig and Scott Barkan. Karen Craig is a professional screenwriter and script doctor whose credits include such films as AMERICAN PSYCHO II, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner, and FORBIDDEN SECRETS, starring Kristy Swans…

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"MEMORIAL DAY MOVIES" (#037) 42:50

1M ago42:50

42:50

EPISODE 37 - “Memorial Day Movies” - 05/27/2024 War is Hell. As our nation prepares to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives defending our freedom on Memorial Day, Steve and Nan offer up a special episode where they will discuss a few war-themed films that have resonated with them over the years. Their choices cover everything from the…

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The Mysterious Death Of Thelma Todd Ft. Steve Cubine and Nan McNamara From Beneath The Hollywood Sign 53:48

1M ago53:48

53:48

Send us a Text Message. Our guests are Steve Cubine and Nan McNamara from the hit podcast "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign." Every week, Steve and Nan dive into the magical, mysterious, amusing, and sometimes bizarre tales of Old Hollywood. If you're a fan of the Golden Era of Old Hollywood, "From Beneath The Hollywood Sign" is a podcast you won't …

1
"CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD CLONES: THE REMAKING OF A MOVIE STAR" (#036) 41:08

2M ago41:08

41:08

EPISODE 36 - “Classic Hollywood Clones: The Remaking of a Movie Star” - 05/20/2024 SHOW NOTES: They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. That may not be the case when it came to the star system of old Hollywood. When an actor like CLARK GABLE or GRETA GARBO or ROCK HUDSON emerged as a star, every studio in town tried to capitalize an…

1
All Three Episodes of The Unbelievable True Story of Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy. 42:45

2M ago42:45

42:45

Send us a Text Message. Parts one, two, and three of "The Unbelievable True Story of Elisabeth Finch and Grey's Anatomy." Available now! Rising star and television writer Elizabeth Finch wrote many emotional scripts for Grey's Anatomy, exploring cancer, abortion, and sexual abuse based on her life experiences. In March of 2022, Grey's Anatomy write…

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"THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE COLUMBIA PICTURES’ TORCH LADY AND MGM’s LEO, THE LION" (#035) 37:09

2M ago37:09

37:09

EPISODE 35 - “The Mystery Behind the Columbia Pictures’ Torch Lady and MGM’s Leo, the Lion” - 05/13/2024 Every major Hollywood studio has its recognizable logo. Paramount has its “mountain of stars,” 20th Century Fox has its roving klieg lights, and RKO has its radio towers. But two of the most famous studio logos have to be MGM’s “Leo, the lion” a…

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The Mother Of All Episodes 23:59

2M ago23:59

23:59

Send us a Text Message. Happy Mother's Day! Join Sandy and Terry on today's show as they discuss how mothers are portrayed in movies and explore the idea of screenwriters seeking feedback from the most influential women in their lives—their moms. The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT. Executive Producer Kristin O…

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"MOTHER KNOWS BEST: CLASSIC CINEMA'S BEST (AND WORST!) MOMS" (034) 47:53

2M ago47:53

47:53

In “It’s A Wonderful Life,” BEULAH BONDI played the most loving mother to JAMES STEWART. Ma Bailey is the epitome of sweetness, kindness, and supportiveness so it’s quite shocking when we meet the Ma Bailey who would have existed had George Bailey not been born. She’s cold, bitter, and unkind. It gives Bondi the wonderful opportunity to play two ve…

1
The Broadcast 41 With Professor Carol Stabile 44:49

2M ago44:49

44:49

Send us a Text Message. Our esteemed guest is Professor Carol Stabile, the author of The Broadcast 41, a profound exploration of the experiences of 41 remarkable women. These women, including some of the most prominent figures of their time: Dorothy Parker, Gypsy Rose Lee, Lena Horne, and screenwriter Vera Caspray, challenged the rigid norms of the…

1
“ZACHARY SCOTT: STAR OF THE MONTH (MAY)” (033) 29:28

2M ago29:28

29:28

EPISODE 33 - “Zachary Scott: Star of the Month (May)” - 04/29/2024 Suave, debonaire, and effortlessly charming, ZACHARY SCOTT is best known for his role in MICHAEL CURTIZ's film noir classic Mildred Pierce (1945). As the duplicitous, silver-tongued charmer Monte Beragon, he romances Mildred, played by JOAN CRAWFORD (in her Oscar-winning role), and …

1
Judy Blume's Top Writing Tips To Get You Started And To Keep You Going 19:33

2M ago19:33

19:33

Send us a Text Message. Do you know Judy Blume? She's a fantastic author who has written some of the most beloved childhood novels, such as "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," and "Deenie." Sandy and Terry discuss some of the best writing tips for aspiring writers by Judy Blume, gathered by Literary Hub's Emil…

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"THE MARY ASTOR PURPLE DIARY SCANDAL" (032) 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

EPISODE 32 - “The Mary Astor Purple Diary Scandal” - 04/22/2024 One of the most scandalous trials in early Hollywood history involved actress MARY ASTOR, who had made a name for herself playing virginal ingenues and good girls. Mary, who had kept a diary for most of her life, found her words used as a sensationalized weapon against her in her quest…

1
How The Rinsch Stole $55 Million From Netflix Using Kindhearted Keanu Reeves 30:07

3M ago30:07

30:07

Send us a Text Message. Sandy tells the strange story of Netflix reportedly paying director Carl Rinsch $55 million for a sci-fi series that he failed to complete and spent most of the money on crypto investments, five Rolls Royces, and a $380K watch. Now, Carl Rinsch is demanding an additional payment of $14 million from Netflix. Plus, does Terry …

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“THE TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW.” (031) 35:13

3M ago35:13

35:13

EPISODE 31 - “The Turner Classic Movies Film Festival Preview” - 04/15/2024 From April 18th through the 21st, the 15th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival will be held in Hollywood. Steve and Nan were fortunate enough to be invited to be a part of the media that covers the festival this year. To get everyone in the mood, we have a special episode abou…

1
Rewind -- Behind the Scenes with Kristin Overn the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE Awards 38:14

3M ago38:14

38:14

Send us a Text Message. In this rewind episode, we talk with Kristin Overn, the Founder and Executive Director of the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition. Kristin began her film career as a producer's assistant and script reader at companies like Davis Entertainment, Bonneville Worldwide, and 20th Century Fox. Since then, she has co…

1
“ROBERT WALKER: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S TRAGIC BOY NEXT DOOR” (#030) 39:54

3M ago39:54

39:54

EPISODE 30 - “Robert Walker: Old Hollywood’s Tragic Boy Next Door” - 04/08/2024 No one played sensitive, lost souls quite like ROBERT WALKER. However, he is best known for playing one of the most complicated, psychopaths in film history, Bruno Antony in ALFRED HITCHCOCK’s masterpiece “Strangers On A Train” (1951). His journey from playing sensitive…

1
The Holdovers Accused Of Plagiarism 16:13

3M ago16:13

16:13

Send us a Text Message. Sandy and Terry delve into the latest plagiarism controversy. The Alexander Payne-directed film The Holdovers didn’t win for the Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Oscars, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph did take home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film is highly regarded by critics and audiences alike. In e…

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“JAN STERLING: STAR OF THE MONTH” (029) 31:49

3M ago31:49

31:49

EPISODE 29 - “Jan Sterling: Old Hollywood Star of the Month” - 04/01/2024 Our “Star of the Month” is the fabulous JAN STERLING, who was married to our March “Star of the Month,” PAUL DOUGLAS. Blonde, beautiful, and often deadly on screen, Sterling started in theatre, but made a name for herself portraying tough dames, femme fatales, and sexy seduct…

1
HBO Max's Hard-Hitting Doc 'Quiet On Set' Hits Home About RECESS 29:46

3M ago29:46

29:46

Send us a Text Message. After watching "Quiet On Set," the Max documentary about allegations against producer Dan Schneider, who is accused of creating a toxic work environment on his Nickelodeon shows and engaging in inappropriate behavior, Sandy can't stop thinking about it. It reminds her of the story she shared with you in Episode 86, about her…

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“GOLDEN ERA STARS IN 1970S DISASTER FILMS” (028) 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

EPISODE 28 - “Golden Era Stars in 1970s Disaster Films” - 03/25/2024 Just when many classic films stars thought they were finished in showbiz, a wonderful thing happened — 1970s disaster movies! Producers like IRWIN ALLEN and JENNINGS LANG shepherded in an exciting, over-the-top, new genre that capitalized on our fears. They also smartly cast many …

1
Don’t You Forget About John Hughes 15:31

4M ago15:31

15:31

Send us a Text Message. Sandy and Terry delve into 4 impactful quotes by screenwriter, producer and director, John Hughes. One of the most successful and influential filmmakers in Hollywood history, John has helped launch the careers of Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Macaulay Culkin, Judd Nelson, and John Candy. The PAGE Int…

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“DONA DRAKE: WHAT PRICE FAME” (027) 31:21

4M ago31:21

31:21

EPISODE 27 - “Dona Drake: What Price Fame” - 03/18/2024 Latina star DONA DRAKE, who signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1941, was many things — singer, dancer, actress, bandleader, musician — but one thing she wasn’t, as it turned out, was Latin! While Paramount promoted their new discovery as a spitfire Latina born in Mexico City, Drake w…

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Lucy Walsh Talks About Her New Book Remember Me As Human 35:54

4M ago35:54

35:54

Send us a Text Message. Sandy hangs out with the award-winning actress, musician, and screenwriter Lucy Walsh. When Lucy was seventeen, she was given sixty-three of the love letters her Grandfather Dale wrote her Grandmother Wanda while he was in World War II. A dozen years later, life-changing events compelled Lucy to fly from Los Angeles to tiny …

1
“OSCAR FEVER: A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS” (026) 42:51

4M ago42:51

42:51

EPISODE 26 - “Oscar Fever: A Brief History of the Academy Awards” - 03/10/2024 The winners. The losers. The speeches. The gowns. The glamour. The cringey moments. Nothing toys with a film lovers’ emotions like the pageantry of the Academy Award ceremony…or the Oscars, as it has become known. Somewhere, right now, there are people still arguing over…

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"PAUL DOUGLAS: STAR OF THE MONTH” (25) 26:00

4M ago26:00

26:00

EPISODE 25 - “Paul Douglas: Star of the Month” - 03/04/2024 In a new feature, we are highlighting a “Star of the Month” where we will dive into the life, career, and legacy of a single performer. To kick things off in this episode, we’ll be discussing the great PAUL DOUGLAS. You may not know his name, but you certainly know his face. With his somew…

1
Screenwriting Scam Alert! 16:19

4M ago16:19

16:19

Send us a Text Message. Terry recently received a phone call from a childhood friend who asked for help. The friend, has a friend, who was offered a huge deal for something they had written, and would Terry get him up to speed on "Hollywood" deal making. However, as Terry spoke with the friend, he began to suspect that the whole thing might be a sc…

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"THE HOLLYWOOD STUDIO CLUB: WHERE THE GOOD GIRLS LIVED" (24) 32:33

4M ago32:33

32:33

EPISODE 24 - “The Hollywood Studio Club: Where The Good Girls Lived” - 02/26/2024 During the early days of Hollywood, hordes of young women pilgrimaged West to try to break into the movie business. And like sheep to slaughter, there were just as many men in Hollywood ready to take advantage of these young, inexperienced, and vulnerable young women.…

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Screenwriter Stan Zimmerman Shares Stories From His New Book The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore 45:24

4M ago45:24

45:24

Send us a Text Message. We are thrilled to have a special guest, Stan Zimmerman, who is a renowned film and television writer. He has been nominated for two WGA Awards for Best Comedy Episodic Writing for his work on The Golden Girls and Roseanne. Stan talks about his new book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+girls…

1
"I COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER!" (23) 34:06

5M ago34:06

34:06

EPISODE 23 - “I Coulda Been a Contender: Classic Casting That Almost Happened” - 02/19/2024 It is well documented that the film “Gone With The Wind” started filming before an actress was cast in the lead role of Scarlett O’Hara. Producer DAVID O. SELZNICK made a spectacle out of who would win the coveted role. It became a national obsession. He con…

1
Rewind - Tips To Get You Writing 21:02

5M ago21:02

21:02

Send us a Text Message. One of the biggest challenges for new and seasoned writers is to sit down and start writing their screenplay. It's common for writers to have an excellent idea for a script for months but not put anything down on paper. To make matters worse, they might see a movie trailer that looks exactly like the movie they have in their…

1
"CUPID'S EPIC FAILS" (22) 37:39

5M ago37:39

37:39

EPISODE 22 - “Cupid’s Epic Fails” - 02/12/2024 Cupid has been stirring things up in Hollywood ever since the very first camera rolled. And when he gets it right, we get CLARK GABLE and CAROLE LOMBARD, JOEL McCRAE and FRANCES DEE, and PAUL NEWMAN and JOANNE WOODWARD. But when Cupid gets it wrong…well, let’s just say it ain’t pretty. In this episode,…

1
Why Should Screenwriters Care About Public Domain 20:16

5M ago20:16

20:16

Send us a Text Message. For screenwriters, the Public Domain can be a treasure trove of inspiration and material. Hollywood is obsessed with Intellectual Property (IP) and buying the rights to the latest hit book or graphic novel can be expensive and out of reach for most screenwriters. By tapping into the public domain, screenwriters can find stor…

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"LOVE IS IN THE AIR" (21) 40:31

5M ago40:31

40:31

EPISODE 21 - “Love Is In The Air” - 02/05/2024 Let’s face it, Valentine’s Day can be a mixed bag. Either you’re blissfully in love and the day is a romantic dream, or, you are not in love and part of you wants to stomp all the roses and put the chocolate bon-bons in a sling shot and pummel Cupid. Whatever your head space this Valentine’s Day, Steve…

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The Taylor Swift Writing Mystery Solved 22:35

5M ago22:35

22:35

Send us a Text Message. Did Taylor Swift pen the spy thriller that inspired the new film ARGYLLE? Hang out with Sandy and Terry, who explores how the internet built a conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift secretly wrote the spy thriller ARGYLLE. Matthew Vaughn directs ARGYLLE, which stars Henry Cavill, Ariana DeBose, Bryan Cranston, Dua Lipa, and Bry…

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"GREG BAUTZER: HOLLYWOOD'S LEGAL LOTHARIO" (20) 38:51

5M ago38:51

38:51

EPISODE 20 - “Greg Bautzer: Hollywood’s Legal Lothario” - 01/29/2024 Long before notorious trials like O.J. SIMPSON's made momentary celebrities out of legal eagles like JOHNNIE COCHRAN, ROBERT SHAPIRO and ROBERT KARDASHIAN, there was attorney GREG BAUTZER. From the working class docks of San Pedro, this ambitious Golden Boy with movie-star good lo…

1
The Netflix Blockbuster Scandal 30:03

5M ago30:03

30:03

Send us a Text Message. Adam Joiner, an ordinary man from the Sacramento area of California, managed to secure millions in funding for a movie that his brother Andrew wrote called 'Legends.' The movie blends legendary 19th-century American figures and steampunk Avengers, designed to satisfy the increasing demand for big-budget fantasy-action films.…

1
"FALLEN ANGEL: THE HELEN WALKER STORY" (19) 33:02

6M ago33:02

33:02

EPISODE 19 - “Fallen Angel: The Helen Walker Story” - 01/22/2024 Cast as ALAN LADD’s leading lady in her film debut, Massachusetts-born HELEN WALKER was destined for Hollywood greatness. With her deep voice, coolly blonde good looks, and immense talent, she were perfect for Hollywood of the 1940s. However, her rising star abruptly came crashing to …

1
Tears and Laughter And Crying At Work 31:13

6M ago31:13

31:13

Send us a Text Message. Sandy and Terry are back and ready to take on 2024. However, Terry encountered a problem when both of his computers crashed, and he lost both copies of the Final Draft. Meanwhile, Sandy worked hard over the holidays to set up a writing office but now finds herself in a difficult situation and turns to The Writers' Hangout fo…

1
"THE SCENE STEALERS (MALE)" (18) 32:17

6M ago32:17

32:17

EPISODE 18 - “The Scene Stealers (Male)” - 01/015/2024 Films of Hollywood’s Golden Era are often brightened and made all the better by the fantastic character actors who show up playing fathers, grandfathers, bankers, farmers, chefs, clerks, bosses, and neighbors. The moment you hear the distinctive voice of WALTER BRENNAN, not only do you know it’…

1
Snow White And The Legendary Hollywood Party 29:53

6M ago29:53

29:53

Send us a Text Message. Join us as we rewind and discuss one of the most legendary parties in Hollywood history. After the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney threw a party at the Norconian Resort located in the California Desert to thank his employees. However, the party quickly becomes wild and crazy, and Walt never speaks of …

1
"THE SCENE STEALERS (FEMALE)" (17) 38:12

6M ago38:12

38:12

EPISODE 17 - “The Scene Stealers (Female)” - 01/08/2024 In the film Mildred Pierce (1945), EVE ARDEN manages to steal almost every scene she’s in. And, while talking with JOAN CRAWFORD’s Mildred about her spoiled, bratty daughter, Veda (ANN BLYTH), she even delivers the film’s most iconic line, “Personally, Veda's convinced me that alligators have …

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CHINATOWN: Why A Famous Last Line Almost Never Happen - REWIND 18:25

6M ago18:25

18:25

Send us a Text Message. Join Sandy and Terry as they discuss one of the film's most iconic closing lines - "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown" - from the 1974 movie CHINATOWN. The film was written by Robert Towne and directed by Roman Polanski. It features Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in the lead roles. In this episode, we will discover the fascin…

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