Ep. 215- Forbidden Cocktails-Interview with André Darlington.

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 Prohibition affected the movies. The conversation then turns to the perfect cocktail parings with films such as Footlight Parade, Dracula and The Thin Man.

“Forbidden Cocktails: Libations Inspired by the World of Pre-Code Hollywood” is available from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies wherever books are sold.

André Darlington is the author of Bar Menu and Booze Cruise, among many other food and drink titles, as well as the co-author of Booze & Vinyl, The New Cocktail Hour, and Movie Night Menus. He lives in North Carolina.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Twitter: @FRNCLASSICS
Email: classicsfrn@gmail.com
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Ep. 210-2024 TCM Classic Film Festival Recap

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 and Craig McFarland

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Ep. 200- 200th Episode with Stefanie Powers

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 Hollywood High School. Brandon and Stefanie discuss her decades-long career in film, television and theater. Having worked with luminaries like John Wayne, Tallulah Bankhead, Bing Crosby & Maureen O’Hara, Stefanie has a wealth of perspective on the golden age of show business.

We discuss her starring role in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E in the 60s which made her the first woman to star in an hour long series. We ,of course, also spend time discussing the beloved series, Hart to Hart and her co-star, Robert Wagner.

Stefanie has also dedicated her life to wildlife conservation. She founded the William Holden Wildlife Foundation following the death of her lifelong love, William Holden.

You can find out more about the foundation along with ways to give at whwf.org.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Ep. 171- Interview with Brandon Johnston

Hollywood History.

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome actor and social media personality, Brandon Johnston this week. We discuss his early love of classic film and how it had influenced his life and career. We also take a little time to discuss the current actor & writer’s strike.

The advent of social media has been able to expose younger people to classic movies like never before. But, it has also paved the way for many myths and untruths about the era to spring forward. The two Brandons later discuss the film that probably has created the most myths over the years: The Wizard of Oz.

You can find Brandon Johnston at Hollywood History on Tik Tok. https://linktr.ee/brandonjohnston

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Ep. 158- Warner Bros: 100 Years of Storytelling-Interview with Mark A. Vieira

You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet!

Front Row Classics is pleased to welcome Mark Vieira to the podcast this week. Brandon and Mark discuss his latest book, “Warner Bros: 100 Years of Storytelling”. The book is the official centennial history of arguably the greatest studio in Hollywood’s history. The complete Warner Bros story is chronicled through fascinating stories and glorious photographs from every era. Brandon and Mark discuss the studio’s humble beginnings, it’s Golden Age and struggles through the post-Covid world. They also cover such varied Warner’s films as Casablanca, Batman, Bonnie & Clyde and Confessions of a Nazi Spy.

“Warner Bros: 100 Years of Storytelling” is available wherever books are sold from Running Press.

Mark A. Vieira is a filmmaker, photographer, and writer. He has written seventeen previous books, including Cecil B. DeMille and Forbidden Hollywood. He has lectured at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, UCLA, and USC, and he has appeared in documentaries such as Turner Classic Movies’s Garbo. Vieira resides in Los Angeles.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Ep. 110- Interview with Ben Mankiewicz

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Front Row Classics is thrilled to welcome Turner Classic Movies’ host, Ben Mankiewicz. Ben has been an on-air host for the channel since 2003. Our interview covers his background in both film and politics. You’ll also learn about some of his most memorable interviews during his tenure with TCM. Brandon and Ben also have fun discussing the pros and cons of classic film fandom.

Ben Mankiewicz is the primetime host of Turner Classic Movies. When he made his TCM debut in September 2003, he became only the second host hired in the network’s history.

During his career at TCM, he has introduced thousands of movies on the air. Additionally, he’s become one of the best interviewers in the business, leading thoughtful and entertaining long-form conversations with more than two hundred of the industry’s top talents, including Mel Brooks, Bruce Springsteen, Sophia Loren, Martin Scorsese, Warren Beatty, Ava DuVernay, Annette Bening, Robert Redford, Quentin Tarantino, Jodie Foster, Brad Bird, Faye Dunaway, Lou Gossett, Jr., and Michael Douglas.

Mankiewicz is the host of TCM’s first podcast, The Plot Thickens. Each of the three seasons, I’m Still Peter Bogdanovich, The Devil’s Candy, and Lucy, were met with outstanding reviews and industry awards.

Since 2019, Mankiewicz has served as a contributor to the Peabody and Emmy-winning news magazine, CBS News Sunday Morning, and has hosted the American Society of Cinematographers Awards since 2018.

Prior to TCM, Mankiewicz worked as a reporter and anchor in Charleston, SC, and Miami, FL, twice being named Best Anchor in South Florida by The New Times. Additionally, he contributes to The Young Turks, an online political show he co-founded with Cenk Uygur in 2002.

Mankiewicz moved to Los Angeles nearly 75 years after his grandfather, screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (“Mank” to his all his friends), headed west to work in the movie business. Soon after arriving, Herman cabled his friend Ben Hecht in New York, “There are millions to be grabbed out here and your only competition is idiots. Don’t let this get around.” His grandson is now proudly one of those idiots.

He’s a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Tufts University, and Georgetown Day High School in Washington, DC, the school with the worst mascot in recorded history: the Grasshoppers.

Mankiewicz lives in Santa Monica with his beautiful wife, their beautiful daughter, one perfect dog, and one other dog, who’s available for adoption at any time. Seriously, please take him.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Ep. 92-Interview with Scott Eyman-20th Century Fox

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Front Row Classics welcomes bestselling author, Scott Eyman to the podcast this week. Eyman is one of the premier writers on the subject of classic Hollywood. Brandon sits down to discuss Scott’s newest book, “20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio”. The book covers the entire history of the studio and its founders. The conversation between Brandon and Scott covers the highlights of the studio’s history and the many personalities that gave Fox its unique identity. It’s an informative hour that will surely inspire you to go back and rediscover the 20th Century Fox catalog.

“20th Century-Fox: Darryl F. Zanuck and the Creation of the Modern Film Studio” is available from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies wherever books are sold.

Scott Eyman is an award-winning author of 15 books about the movies, three of which have been New York Times bestsellers. He’s a frequent book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal, Film Comment, and the New York Observer. His books include Hank & Jim: The Fifty-Year Friendship of Henry Fonda and James Stewart; John Wayne: Louis B. Mayer: Lion of Hollywood; and Print the Legend: The Life and Times of John Ford. He lives in West Palm Beach, Florida.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network
Twitter: @FRNCLASSICS
Email: classicsfrn@gmail.com
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Instagram: frontrowclassicspod
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0

Ep. 91-Hollywood Victory-Interview with Christian Blauvelt

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Front Row Classics celebrates Veterans Day with a special interview. Brandon welcomes award-winning journalist, Christian Blauvelt, to discuss the time Hollywood helped win World War II. Blauvelt is the author of the new book, “Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II” . Both Brandon and Christian consider this era of film to be their favorite. The book highlights the movies’ impact on both the battlefield and home front during the war years. The topics highlighted include: stars in the military, entertaining the troops and the surprising inclusion & diversity that permeated the era. The discussion includes a wide variety of films including Casablanca, Mrs. Miniver, The Human Comedy and The Best Years of Our Lives. Blauvelt also discusses the impact of the Hollywood Canteen, which made Hollywood more accessible to the everyday man.

“Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars and Stories of World War II” is available from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies wherever books are sold.

Christian Blauvelt is an entertainment journalist, who serves as the managing editor of leading film and TV industry website IndieWire. He regularly appears on CBS New York to give previews of upcoming films and awards season analysis; has hosted films on Turner Classic Movies; and has presented at South by Southwest and San Diego Comic-Con. Blauvelt is the author of books including Cinematic Cities: New York. He lives in New York City.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis

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Ep. 83- Interview with Natasha Gregson Wagner

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Front Row Classics kicks off September with a very special interview. Brandon and Eric welcome Natasha Gregson Wagner to the Front Row. Natasha is the daughter of Natalie Wood and stepdaughter of Robert Wagner. She has written a beautiful memoir about life with and without her mother called, More than Love: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, Natalie Wood. The interview covers many aspects of the book including: growing up in the spotlight, finding your own voice in life and coming to peace with your own grief. We also take time to celebrate the life and talents of a woman who’s death has often overshadowed her amazing accomplishments. This interview will certainly leave you feeling like you’ve spent time with an old friend.

More than Love is available from Scribner Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster.

Natasha Gregson Wagner has acted in such films as Another Day in Paradise, High Fidelity, Two Girls and a Guy, and David Lynch’s Lost Highway, and in the television shows Ally McBeal, House MD, and Chicago Hope. In 2016, she coauthored a coffee table book titled Natalie Wood: Reflections of a Legendary Life. She is one of the producers of the HBO documentary of her mother’s life: Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind. Wagner lives in Los Angeles with her family (Scribner Books).

FEATURING: Brandon Davis and Eric Flick

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Ep. 53- Classics-Hollywood Stories with Todd Fisher

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To close out the month of September, Front Row Classics brings you a very special interview. Brandon and Eric welcome Todd Fisher to the Front Row. Todd has worn many hats in the entertainment industry: director, producer, cinematographer, CEO and avid collector. He also happens to be Hollywood royalty: brother of Carrie Fisher and son of Debbie Reynolds. In this interview, Todd brings us many funny and touching anecdotes about his sister and mother, along with his own insights into the film industry. Todd talked to us from his own studio in Las Vegas where he was surrounded by movie memorabilia you’re sure to recognize. We have provided a video version of this interview on YouTube as well where you can experience all he had to show us. So please enjoy this fun and lively conversation with Todd Fisher.

FEATURING: Brandon Davis & Eric Flick

Don’t forget to follow/reach us at:

Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network
Twitter: @frontrowreviewz
Email: thefrontrowmoviereviews@gmail.com
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Instagram: frontrownetwork
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Please enjoy this episode of FRONT ROW CLASSICS and as always, we’ll see you in the front row!