Show Notes – Page 3 – What's in the Basket

08. The Big Combo (1955): Two Bros Chillin’ in a Twin Bed No Feet Apart Cuz They Are Gay

On this week’s episode of What’s in the Basket, we continue our Noirvember series with a discussion of The Big Combo (1955). We cover the ways it functions as an unexpected subversion of the genre, consider Cornel Wilde’s status as one of film noir’s strangest leading men, examine Fante and Mingo’s relationship and the extent to which its ambiguities–or lack thereof–were intentional on the part of the filmmakers, and wonder just what the hell happened to poor Brian Donlevy.

06. The Old Dark House (1932): There Once Was a Young Fellow from Sparta

On this week’s episode of What’s in the Basket, have a potato and join us for our discussion of The Old Dark House (1932). We delve into director James Whale’s reign as Universal’s king of horror, explore the film’s role as progenitor to the genre that took its name, trace the origins of Melvyn Douglas’s mustache, and bask in the poetry of renowned artistic phenom Charles Laughton.

04. Laura (1944): Harry Highpants the Tailor

On this week’s episode of What’s in the Basket, we’re falling in love with a corpse as we discuss Laura (1944). We marvel over the perfect storm of second-choice casting decisions that is the Dana Andrews/Gene Tierney/Clifton Webb trifecta, explore a very Real Housewivesian battle of egos between Otto Preminger and Daryl F. Zanuck, and break it down to the chill groove remix of film noir’s most iconic theme song.

Bonus 02. Two Anthony Mann B-Pictures: My Cousin Knows Someone Who Swallowed a Can Opener

On this week’s bonus episode of What’s in the Basket, we’re heading out to Poverty Row for our research-free discussion of two Republic Pictures programmers from early in the career of director Anthony Mann: Nobody’s Darling (1943) and Strangers in the Night (1944). We jam out to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” with our cool teen friends, bond with mysterious women over the homoerotic poetry of A.E. Housman, and have a few questions about phenobarbital and the physics of falling portraits.

03. The Thing (1982): Is This the Most Hated Movie of All Time? (NOT CLICKBAIT)

https://www.spreaker.com/user/11560790/03-the-thing-1982-is-this-the-most-hated

Show Notes

On this week’s episode of What’s in the Basket, we’re zipping up our parkas for our discussion of The Thing (1982). We marvel over Kurt Russell’s luscious locks, tackle the film’s lack of women and its approach to gender, struggle to comprehend the negative critical response that it received upon release, and learn way, way too much about Candice’s love of puppets.

Bonus 01. Two Constance Bennett Pre-Codes: Oh Please, Dear Little Fat God of Love

https://www.spreaker.com/user/11560790/bonus-01-two-constance-bennett-pre-codes

On this week’s bonus episode of What’s in the Basket, we break into the RKO vault for our research-free discussion of two minor pre-codes starring Constance Bennett: Sin Takes a Holiday (1930) and Lady With a Past (1932). We mourn the tragic but very brave death of our late comrade-in-arms Amelia, Candice accidentally records an entire episode with her laptop mic, and Ben Lyon takes a beating.

02. Pillow Talk (1959): Iron Maiden in a Pillbox Hat

https://www.spreaker.com/user/11560790/02-pillow-talk-1959-iron-maiden-in-a-pil

On this week’s episode of What’s in the Basket, we hop on the party line for our discussion of Pillow Talk (1959). We tackle the significance of Ross Hunter, Doris Day, and Rock Hudson in mid-century popular culture, express our undying love for charismatic powerhouse Tony Randall, and bring up class warfare more times than you might expect.

01. Basket Case (1982): Do You Think Belial Had the Dick?

https://www.spreaker.com/user/11560790/01-basket-case-1982-do-you-think-belial-

On the debut episode of What’s in the Basket, we take a trip to 42nd Street for our discussion of Basket Case (1982). Tiff learns why God invented pop filters, Amelia chows down on some hot dogs, and Candice wants to see Belial shake that nasty thing.