1950s – What's in the Basket

Bonus 08. The Prowler (1951): Sorry for Everything

On this week’s bonus episode of What’s in the Basket, we’re peeping in on the Van Heflin-Evelyn Keyes film noir The Prowler (1951). We discuss big ol’ foreheads, Dalton Trumbo’s handling of female characters, ghost towns, sarsaparilla, and Heflin’s presence in the films of Van Johnson (hint: he isn’t in them).

Bonus 05. Bachelor Mother (1939) and Bundle of Joy (1956): That’s a Trauma for Another Episode

On this week’s bonus episode of What’s in the Basket, we head down to the foundling home for a research-free look at two lighthearted holiday takes on child abandonment: Ginger Rogers in Bachelor Mother (1939) and Debbie Reynolds in Bundle of Joy (1956). We explain why David Niven so handily defeats Eddie Fisher in the battle of the Merlin party boys, lay out our arguments for why children shouldn’t be allowed in Hollywood, and offer Douglas Fairbanks Jr. some posthumous family therapy.

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.

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.