Episodes

  • 12-18-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-18-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 18 2024
    On December 18, 1966, one of the most iconic science fiction films of all time premiered in the United States: "Fantastic Voyage." Directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, and Donald Pleasence, the movie follows a group of scientists who are miniaturized and injected into the body of a comatose scientist to save his life.

    The film was groundbreaking for its time, featuring impressive special effects that brought the inner workings of the human body to life on the big screen. The crew used a combination of practical effects, such as large-scale sets and props, and innovative camera techniques to create the illusion of the miniaturized submarine and its occupants navigating through blood vessels and organs.

    "Fantastic Voyage" also showcased Raquel Welch in one of her most memorable roles as Cora Peterson, a member of the medical team. Her portrayal of the strong, intelligent, and attractive character helped solidify her status as a Hollywood icon and sex symbol of the era.

    The film's success led to numerous adaptations and parodies in popular culture, including an animated series and a novelization by Isaac Asimov. In 1987, a remake titled "Innerspace" was released, starring Dennis Quaid and Martin Short, which took a more comedic approach to the story.

    "Fantastic Voyage" received mixed reviews from critics upon its release but has since become a beloved classic in the science fiction genre. It won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects, cementing its place in cinema history as a visually stunning and imaginative film that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on screen.
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    2 mins
  • 12-17-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-17-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 17 2024
    On December 17, 1969, the film "Hello, Dolly!" premiered in New York City. Directed by Gene Kelly and starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, the film was based on the 1964 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Thornton Wilder's 1955 play "The Matchmaker."

    "Hello, Dolly!" follows the story of Dolly Levi (played by Streisand), a matchmaker who decides to find a match for the wealthy Horace Vandergelder (Matthau) but ultimately falls in love with him herself. The film is known for its lavish production design, colorful costumes, and memorable musical numbers, including the titular song "Hello, Dolly!"

    The film was a commercial success, grossing over $33 million at the box office, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 1969. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its production values, performances, and musical sequences. "Hello, Dolly!" was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three: Best Art Direction, Best Score of a Musical Picture, and Best Sound.

    Barbra Streisand's performance as Dolly Levi was particularly notable, as it marked her first lead role in a film musical. Her rendition of the song "Hello, Dolly!" became a hit single and helped establish her as a major star in the entertainment industry.

    The release of "Hello, Dolly!" on December 17, 1969, was a significant event in cinema history, showcasing the enduring popularity of movie musicals and launching Barbra Streisand's film career. The film remains a beloved classic and a testament to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals.
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    2 mins
  • 12-16-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-16-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 16 2024
    On December 16, 1977, the iconic science fiction film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was released in the United States. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film tells the story of Roy Neary, an everyday blue-collar worker from Indiana who becomes obsessed with UFOs after a close encounter with an unidentified flying object.

    The film was a massive success, grossing over $300 million worldwide and earning eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Spielberg. The film's groundbreaking special effects, which included a massive mothership designed by Douglas Trumbull, set a new standard for science fiction films and helped establish Spielberg as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation.

    One of the most memorable scenes in the film is the climax, in which the mothership lands at Devil's Tower in Wyoming and communicates with the humans through a series of musical tones. The scene, which was shot on location at the real Devil's Tower, has become one of the most iconic in science fiction history and has been parodied and referenced countless times in popular culture.

    "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" also helped to popularize the concept of benevolent aliens in popular culture. Unlike many earlier science fiction films, which often depicted aliens as hostile invaders, Spielberg's film presented a more optimistic view of extraterrestrial life, suggesting that contact with aliens could be a transformative and enlightening experience for humanity.

    The film's legacy continues to this day, with many critics and fans considering it one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. Its influence can be seen in countless subsequent films, from "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" to "Contact" to "Arrival," and its themes of wonder, curiosity, and the search for meaning continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
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    2 mins
  • 12-15-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-15-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 15 2024
    On December 15, 1939, the epic historical romance film "Gone with the Wind" premiered at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The movie, based on Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel of the same name, was directed by Victor Fleming and produced by David O. Selznick.

    The premiere was a grand affair, with the city of Atlanta declaring a three-day holiday to celebrate the event. The movie's stars, including Vivien Leigh (Scarlett O'Hara), Clark Gable (Rhett Butler), and Olivia de Havilland (Melanie Hamilton), attended the premiere, which was also broadcast live on radio.

    "Gone with the Wind" was a massive success, breaking box office records and winning eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), and Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel, who became the first African American to win an Oscar). The film's success was particularly remarkable given its nearly four-hour runtime and controversial subject matter, which included depictions of slavery and the American Civil War.

    The movie's impact on popular culture has been enduring, with iconic quotes like "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" and "After all, tomorrow is another day" still widely recognized today. However, the film has also faced criticism in recent years for its romanticized portrayal of the antebellum South and its stereotypical depictions of African American characters.

    Despite the controversies, "Gone with the Wind" remains a significant milestone in cinema history, renowned for its sweeping storytelling, memorable performances, and technical achievements in filmmaking.
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    2 mins
  • 12-14-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-14-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 14 2024
    On December 14, 2001, the epic fantasy film "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" premiered in theaters worldwide. Directed by Peter Jackson and based on the beloved novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, this groundbreaking movie marked the beginning of a cinematic trilogy that would captivate audiences and revolutionize the fantasy genre.

    The film follows the journey of Frodo Baggins, a young hobbit entrusted with the daunting task of destroying the One Ring, a powerful artifact created by the dark lord Sauron. Alongside a fellowship of humans, elves, dwarves, and his loyal hobbit friends, Frodo embarks on a perilous quest to save Middle-earth from the clutches of evil.

    "The Fellowship of the Ring" boasted an all-star ensemble cast, including Elijah Wood as Frodo, Ian McKellen as the wise wizard Gandalf, Viggo Mortensen as the valiant Aragorn, and Orlando Bloom as the skilled elf archer Legolas. The film's stunning visuals, breathtaking cinematography, and groundbreaking special effects brought Tolkien's rich world to life like never before.

    The movie's release was a massive cultural event, with fans eagerly lining up at theaters to immerse themselves in the enchanting realm of Middle-earth. Critics praised the film for its epic scope, powerful performances, and faithful adaptation of Tolkien's work.

    "The Fellowship of the Ring" was not only a box office success but also a critical darling. The film garnered numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards for its visual effects, makeup, cinematography, and original score. It set the stage for the equally impressive sequels, "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King," cementing the trilogy's status as a cinematic masterpiece.

    The release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" on December 14, 2001, marked a significant moment in film history, as it introduced a new generation to the wonders of Middle-earth and showcased the incredible storytelling power of cinema. Its impact on the fantasy genre and popular culture is still felt to this day, making it a truly unforgettable event in the annals of movie history.
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    2 mins
  • 12-13-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-13-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 13 2024
    On December 13, 2003, one of the most iconic and groundbreaking films in cinema history was released in theaters: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." This epic fantasy adventure, directed by Peter Jackson, was the highly-anticipated conclusion to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, based on the beloved novels by J.R.R. Tolkien.

    The film follows the final battle for Middle-earth as Frodo and Sam reach the end of their journey to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn leads the forces of good against the armies of the dark lord Sauron. With its sweeping cinematography, groundbreaking visual effects, and emotionally powerful performances, "The Return of the King" was a cinematic triumph that left audiences awestruck.

    The film's impact on the film industry cannot be overstated. It won a staggering 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, tying the record for the most wins by a single film. It also set a new standard for epic filmmaking, proving that fantasy stories could be told on a grand scale with serious artistic merit.

    "The Return of the King" was a massive commercial success as well, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and cementing the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one of the most successful film franchises of all time. Its influence can still be felt today, with countless fantasy films and television shows attempting to capture the same sense of scale and wonder that "The Return of the King" achieved so masterfully.

    For fans of cinema, December 13 will always be remembered as the day that "The Return of the King" took the world by storm and forever changed the landscape of epic filmmaking.
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    2 mins
  • 12-12-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-12-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 12 2024
    On December 12, 2003, one of the most iconic and groundbreaking films in cinema history was released: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." This epic fantasy adventure, directed by Peter Jackson, was the highly-anticipated conclusion to the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, based on the beloved novels by J.R.R. Tolkien.

    The film follows the final battle for Middle-earth as Frodo, Sam, and Gollum continue their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and the rest of the fellowship unite the forces of Men, Elves, and Dwarves to face the armies of the Dark Lord Sauron in a climactic confrontation.

    "The Return of the King" was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2003. The movie's groundbreaking visual effects, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances by its ensemble cast were universally praised.

    At the 76th Academy Awards, "The Return of the King" made history by winning all 11 Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Visual Effects. This clean sweep tied the record for the most wins by a single film, previously set by "Ben-Hur" (1959) and "Titanic" (1997).

    The film's success cemented "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy's status as a cinematic masterpiece and set a new benchmark for epic storytelling in cinema. Its impact on the fantasy genre and the film industry as a whole cannot be overstated, as it paved the way for a new era of ambitious, large-scale adaptations of beloved literary works.
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    2 mins
  • 12-11-2024 - on This Moment in Film History

    12-11-2024 - on This Moment in Film History
    Dec 11 2024
    On December 11, 1972, one of the most iconic films in American cinema history was released: "The Godfather." Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel by Mario Puzo, the film chronicles the story of the Corleone crime family, led by the patriarch Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando) and his youngest son, Michael (played by Al Pacino).

    The film's release was a massive success, grossing over $245 million at the box office and receiving critical acclaim for its performances, screenplay, direction, and cinematography. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Puzo and Coppola.

    "The Godfather" is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, known for its iconic performances, memorable quotes ("I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse"), and its exploration of themes such as family, power, loyalty, and the American Dream. The film's influence on popular culture is immeasurable, with countless references, parodies, and homages in films, television shows, and other media.

    The film's success led to two sequels, "The Godfather Part II" (1974) and "The Godfather Part III" (1990), both directed by Coppola. "The Godfather Part II" is considered by many to be one of the rare sequels that surpasses the original, winning six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

    The legacy of "The Godfather" endures to this day, with the film consistently ranking high on lists of the greatest films of all time. Its impact on the gangster genre and filmmaking as a whole is undeniable, cementing its place in cinema history as a true masterpiece.
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    2 mins