Year: 2021

Zach welcomes back return guest Pam Munter (Author, ‘Fading Fame’) to find out if fairy tales can come true and if they can happen to you… even if they have already happened before as they unpack the melodrama and musical marvel that is 1955’s YOUNG AT HEART. Settle in and pull up a chair in…

Zach is joined this week by internet radio broadcaster John Matthews aka Big John (The Glowing Dial with Big John and Steve, The Glowing Dial LIVE) to step through the creaking door with a rather mysterious host for a Radio Revue of INNER SANCTUM MYSTERIES!!! Settle in for a terrifying tale and then relax with…

Zach welcomes back the 3 Time Ballyhoo Champion Adam Jewell (Previous Episodes on ‘Double Indemnity’, ‘The Searchers’, and ‘The Apartment’) for a game of pool as the two dive deep into Robert Rossen’s 1961 classic, ‘The Hustler’. Rack Up your earbuds and get ready as they break into a discussion that see’s the boys diving…

Zach welcomes podcaster and filmmaker Jay Alan Rickard (Dear Rowan, Sit a Spell) to have a closer look at the subtext, text, and over all representation of LGBTQ persons in Golden Age Hollywood with a dive into Nicholas Ray’s ‘Rebel Without A Cause’ and William Wyler’s ‘The Children’s Hour’. Tune in as the two discuss…

Our Wonderful (?) Host, Zach Eastman, takes this week to celebrate the Ballyhoo’s first birthday, reveals what is to come, and treats you to TWO Classic Radio Shows guaranteed to make you laugh till your sides ache featuring Groucho, Fenneman, Harpo, George, and Gracie. Shows Presented “You Bet Your Life” – ‘Secret Word: Radio’ Broadcast:…

This week, on a very special GIGANTIC SIZED episode of the Ballyhoo that may go on for years, Zach is joined by return guests Tyler and “Andrew” (Pop Culture Brews) to shoot elephants in the Ballyhoo’s pajamas… how they got in our pajamas, we dont know. That’s right folks, the topic of the day will…

The Bally-BOO! concludes a month of terror with a trip to the wintry north where some THING has been found in the ice. Zach is joined as this expedition by returning guests Anthony Cubba and Brent Ballard (Poptimistic) where they shall all encounter the terror from beyond the stars found in 1951’s THE THING FROM…

The Bally-BOO! presses on with more talk to make the spine tingle and the nerves unsettled! This week Zach welcomes back Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) to witness the fear and panic struck upon villagers and scientists by one Dr. Jack Griffin with a breakdown of James Whales’ supreme classic, ‘The Invisible Man’! Pull up…

The Bally-BOO! presses on with more terrifying tales unfolding from cinemas past. This week Zach welcomes back Matt Willocks (The Colorado Batcave) for journey among the rugged peaks that crown upon the Borgo Pass to arrive at a double dose of the one and only, DRACULA! Listen to them, podcasters of the night.. what chatter…

The Ballyhoo becomes The Bally-Boo as the show kicks off an entire month of horror chatter. This week, Zach is joined by actress and make up artist Erin Mullane (Gone Daddy Gone, Heavy Hangs the Sky) to piece together the many parts needed to discuss James Whales’ terrifying and hilarious 1935 masterpiece, ‘BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN’.…

Zach welcomes actor, voice artist, and film critic Matthew Merback (The Bipolar Critic) to have a jolly holiday through the wonderful world of Disney as they dive way too deep into the 1964 classic, ‘Mary Poppins’. Join them outside the steps of Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, where they will discover more about the origins…

Zach is joined by actress and stand-up comic Abella Bala (Deadly Illusions, Antlers) to take a journey through the streets of New York City through the eyes of Holly Golightly with a chat about Blake Edward’s perennial 1961 hit, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Grab your croissants and stolen Halloween masks and settle in as the two…

The Ballyhoo returns to Film Breakdowns! This week, Zach welcomes Sterling J. Cook (Filmmaker & CFVA Board Member) as the two take a comedic bicycle ride through the world of Jacques Tati with a look at his 1949 debut feature, ‘Jour de fête’ (The Big Day). Settle in as the boys go international to unlock…

On this very special 39th episode of the Ballyhoo, Zach pays tribute to the man who never aged past 39… Mr. Jack Benny. Settle in this evening for 4 episodes of ‘The Jack Benny Program’, with commentary surrounding the context and stories behind the episodes. You will also be treated to stories about Jack Benny…

This week on the Ballyhoo, The Two Zach(k)’s (Eastman and Beins) bring the legendary Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Entertainment onto the program for an unforgettable discussion. Listen in as the boys listen to Lloyd express his love for folks like Sam Fuller and Preston Sturges, learn about how Mizoguchi Chaplin have influenced choices in his…

Zach is joined this week by podcaster Jamie Dyer (Old Time Review, A Brit Talks Vintage TV, The Hudsons) to take a hilarity fueled dive into old time radio as they unravel an episode of the short lived comedy series, ‘The Mel Blanc Show’. First: Get ready to laugh at the hijinks that ensue when…

Zach welcomes back filmmaker Ryan Francis Johnson (Writer’s Workshop, Such a Nice Car (We Have)) to at long last cover the spiritual sequel to ‘The Bad and the Beautiful’ as they take trip through Vincente Minnelli’s 1962 film, ‘Two Weeks in Another Town’. Buckle up for a wild international filmmaking journey as the boys catch…

Zach is joined this week by Author and Film Historian Pam Munter (Fading Fame: Women of a Certain Age in Hollywood) to unpack the trunks and get ready for a debut on the Vaudeville stage as they dive into Eddie Cantor and his 1944 film, ‘Show Business.’ Listen as the two discuss Pams work in…

Zach is joined by Podcaster extraordinaire Jon Ekstrom (Jon of All Trades) to give proper tribute to the one and only W.C. Fields with a deep dive into 1934’s ‘It’s A Gift’. Pack up the jalopy and watch out for the molasses as the guys get into the origins of how William Claude Dunkenfield became…

Zach is joined by Film Critic and Podcaster Jack Hanley (The Superlatives Podcast, A History of You In 5 Films) to tackle the enduring and ever powerful hand of Charles Laughton as a director as they take a dive into the world of a Mother Goose Nightmare with 1955’s, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (Cue…

Zach welcomes back Podcaster and Musician Cev Moore (Film Guff, Here Lies Amicus, House of Hammer) to help him survive the dread that will unfold from Vorvolaka’s and Quarantine’s with a look at the chilling Val Lewton produced and Mark Robson directed classic, ‘Isle of the Dead’! Pass the Cerebus at the shore to enter…

This week, Zach takes a moment to remember the life of Joan Benny: author, film history lecturer, mother, grandmother, and the daughter of Jack Benny. Broadcast Information: ‘The Jack Benny Program’ Original Airdate 10/15/1950 Starring: Joan Benny Jack Benny Mary Livingstone Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson Dennis Day Joe Kearns Blanche Stewart and yours truly Don Wilson…

This week Zach welcomes back filmmaker and podcaster Henry Jarvis (Reel Nerds Podcast) and he brings along The Arkansas Traveler as the boys dive into Elia Kazan’s prescient and audacious 1957 , ‘A Face in the Crowd’. Tune in to engage in the spiraling madness as the boys learn more about the complicated histories of…

Zach is joined once again by filmmaker John Strelec (‘Antlers: The Web Series’, ‘Gunther’) to engage in a podcast of the Archers as they take a long and thorough look at Powell and Pressburger’s 1946 masterpiece, ‘A Matter of Life and Death’. Listen in as the boys find about the origins of Michael Powell and…

Holy Ballyhoo Batman! That’s right Robin, this week the Ballyhoo will discuss your most daring adventure as Zach sits down with podcast and filmmaker Bradley Haag (Reel Nerds Podcast, ‘Legend of Drunken Brew Master’) to talk about the Pow, Wham, and Zocko 1966 film, ‘Batman: The Movie’. Hop in the Bat-mobile and join our heroes…

Zach is joined by podcasters Anthony Cubba and Brent Ballard (Poptimistic) to take a journey to the end of civilization with a look at 1964’s ‘The Last Man On Earth.’ Travail the abandoned city of Los Angeles (or is it Rome?) with the boys as they slay Vampires with Vincent Price. Along the way, they…

Zach is joined by Author and Filmmaker Olivia Carmel (A How To Guide on Surviving Your First Bee Sting) to unravel the emotional highs and the lows found in Mitchell Leisen’s 1946 picture, ‘To Each His Own’, and the triumph of its star, Olivia de Havilland. Get ready to have all the feelings as the…

Zach is joined by filmmaker and graphic novelist Tony Grosz (El Chupakabra) to have a unique Ballyhoo chat about the demise of Old Time Radio and how it pertains to ‘Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.’ Listen in as the boys go through a brief history of radio’s origins, dig into the world of hard bitten detectives…

And now ladies and gentlemen, we bring you that solemn sphinx of the prairie, that man among men where men are men, JACK BENNY! Thats right, the Ballyhoo goes back to Benny. This time Zach is joined by an old hand on the YBR trail, Mr. Brandon Rose (Filmmaker, ‘When She Showed Up’), to chat…

The Ballyhoo takes a minute to look at where it’s been and where it’s going. A thank you in audio form to the listeners and the guests of the show ths far. With a special song at the end in salute to a prominent Ballyhoo legend. ——– To listen to our wonderful guests on their…

Zach is joined by author Kathy Fuller-Seeley (‘Hollywood in the Neighborhood: Historical Case Studies of Local Moviegoing’, ‘Jack Benny and the Golden Age Of American Radio Comedy’) to undergo a journey through the great depression by way of laughs with Preston Struges’ 1941 masterpiece, ‘Sullivan’s Travels’. Join them as they set out to learn more…

Zach is joined by Podcasters UndeadMatt and KrampusCody (Punk Rock Horror Podcast), who together face the terror of two legendary figures of science fiction and terror with a double bill of Irvin Yeaworth’s ‘The Blob (1958)’and Ishirō Honda’s ‘Gojira (1954)’ (US Title: GODZILLA). Get ready for tales from beyond the stars and beneath the depths…

Zach is joined again by filmmaker Matt Willocks to celebrate their love for Abbott and Costello as they laugh their merry way way through 1942’s ‘Rio Rita’. Get ready for a festival of giggles as the guys share their first encounters with Bud and Lou, discuss the intriguing behind the scenes happenings for them as…

Zach is joined by Filmmaker Marshall Rosales to take a trip through Andre De Toth’s thrilling tale of 3-D terror, ‘House of Wax’. Wander through the museum with us as we learn more about the oft neglected importance of De Toth, speak the history of 3-D and its short shelf life in the 50’s ,…

Zach is joined by podcaster Smokey (Rated H, All The Best Lines) to take a look at cinema’s most legendary sideshow as they dive into Tod Browning’s 1932 horror classic, ‘Freaks’. See the show and stay behind to hear the boys unveil the origins of such a bizarre and controversial film, learn more about the…

On a very special episode, Zach welcomes back Ryan Frost to examine satire amidst wartime in Ernst Lubitsch’s 1942 masterpiece, TO BE OR NOT TO BE. Brace yourselves for an uproarious and thought provoking chat as the boys discuss the importance of the Lubitsch touch, the concerns surrounding the script, marvel at the way the…

Zach is joined by Writer/Director Ryan Francis Johnson (Writer’s Workshop, Such A Nice Car We Have) to witness the rise and fall of Film Producer Jonathan Shields as they break down Vincente Minnelli’s 1952 melodrama, ‘The Bad and The Beautiful’. Settle in as the guys talk about Vincente Minnelli’s history leading up to the film,…

Zach is joined by Filmmaker Aaron Pendergast (Floating Horses, The Blasting Room) to dissect an actual Revue on the Revue as the two dive into 1930’s ‘King of Jazz’. Perk up your ears and listen as the boys discuss the origins and complicated legacy of bandleader Paul Whiteman, scratch their heads at the strange development…

Zach is joined again by Writer and Film Lover Adam Jewell to explore the old west with a close and honest look at John Ford’s 1956 film, ‘The Searchers’. Join them on the dusty trail as the two discuss the troubling tropes surrounding the Westerns of days gone by, wrestle with the legacy of both…

Zach is joined by Cev Moore (Here Lies Amicus, Film Guff) to take a terrifying journey through Hill House as they unravel the mysteries found in Robert Wise’s 1963 chiller, ‘The Haunting’. TREMBLE IN FEAR as the two of them discuss the elegant approach to minimalist horror, SHRIEK as they explore how Wise brings things…