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, the state of MGM at the time of the film’s production, ponder why normally maligned melodrama works under the deft hand of Minnelli, discuss the real life figures that inspire the characters in the film, point to the ways the film manages to shine a light on the darker parts the Golden Age Hollywood studio system, and how the films themes of show business drama have transcended time into a tough modern question.
But for all the sincerity, there is also the silly as the guys try to pitch some movies to Blumhouse, are visited by the ghost of Hitchcock, hear the frustrations and fears of John Houseman, and try to get Magneto to stop interfering with Digital Filmmaking.
Plus: Martin Scorsese makes his last stand.
To watch Ryan’s films, head on over to https://ryanfrancisjohnson.com/
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