Fetch the Smelling Salts

Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh

Fetch the Smelling Salts explores period dramas from every time period and culture around the world. Hosts Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh offer deep discussions about historical films and TV series, analysing everything from storytelling and performances to costume design and historical accuracy. Whether you're obsessed with Regency romance, Victorian mysteries, or international historical cinema, this podcast celebrates the art of period drama across all eras and cultures. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark!

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21 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 2 min
English

Episodes 21

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S8 · E1
Thursday · 1 hr 3 min
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984 Movie)
Hold onto your heart, dame, because we’re leaping from an airplane into 1935 India with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Is this the most racist period drama we’ve ever covered? Yes. But Kim and Alice are swinging in to deliver you some glowing stones of truth about the goddess Kali, the supposed Thuggee Cult, and of course vampire bats. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S7 · E5
August 27 · 1 hr 19 min
The Fainting Couch: The Odyssey (2026 Movie)
A man! A war! A horse! A podcast! After several weeks adrift Alice and husband/audio producer Keith ended up on the mythical island of Ireland, where they went to the cinema. In this Fainting Couch episode we’re comparing Odysseuses (do you prefer sinewy-sad or hopping psychopath?), working out who broke Zeus’ law the hardest, and whacking bits of bronze together. Kim and Alice will be reunited on 10 September for the start of a new season! https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n14/emily-wilson/an-uncomplicated-man https://open.substack.com/pub/flintdelsol/p/actually-nolan-is-kind-of-making? If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S7 · E4
July 17 · 1 hr 3 min
Ever After (1998 Movie)
It’s time to scuttle away from your problems, as we cover the ultimate sleepover movie, Ever After. Whilst Leonardo da Vinci does all our DIY, Kim and Alice have great news for fans of historical edicts, and less good news about the real Prince Henry’s love life. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S7 · E3
July 2 · 1 hr
Markova: Comfort Gay (2000 Movie)
It’s a trigger warning episode, as we’re dealing with historical sexual violence in the Filipino drama, Markova: Comfort Gay. Wake up you gay fossils, it’s time to meet the ultimate strut instructor as we learn about community, identity and resilience in wartime Manila. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S7 · E2
June 18 · 1 hr 1 min
Robin Hood (1973 Movie)
Oo de lally, golly what a day it is for fans of the 1973 animated Disney classic, Robin Hood. Kim and Alice discuss folk tale origins, medieval royalty and the verrrrry intimate relationship between Prince John and Sir Hiss. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle / Helen Hamilton Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S7 · E1
June 4 · 1 hr 3 min
Anna and the King (1999 movie)
Time to get out your widest hoop skirt, we’re off to Thailand! To kick off Season 7, Kim and Alice are discussing the real monarchs, colonial politics, and white elephants in the 1999 film Anna and the King. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S6 · E5
April 16 · 1 hr 19 min
Sandokan (2025 Series)
Do you hear the unearthly chorus singing our names? That’s right, this week Kim and Alice are covering the linguistically diverse pirate drama, Sandokan. We’re stalking through the jungle with our lonely island tiger, celebrating immovable eyeliner and mediocre female protagonists. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S6 · E4
April 2 · 49 min
I Capture the Castle (2003 Movie)
We're wrapping ourselves in bear and monkey furs this week, as Kim and Alice cover listener suggestion, I Capture the Castle. As Bill Nighy gets consumed by moss, we're talking about American kissing etiquette and how we too can get a 2-year rent forgiveness for a giant country house. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S6 · E3
March 19 · 51 min
The Fainting Couch: All Creatures Great and Small (2020, S1 E4)
Coming through, it’s Tricki Woo! For the 2nd year in a row we’re taking part in Podcasthon, this year with partner charity Guide Dogs UK. We’re chatting All Creatures Great and Small, all service dogs cute and cuter, and of course a bull with érèctile disfunction. You can support Guide Dogs UK here: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/life-changers/ Not in the UK? You can still support your local guide dog or service dog charity! If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S6 · E2
March 5 · 55 min
Persepolis (2007 Movie)
Well this might be a bit above our pay grade, but as fate would have it, this week Kim and Alice are covering the animated classic, Persepolis. It’s as much a coming of age tale as it is a unique look into life during the Iranian revolution, and a truly gorgeous and heartbreaking film. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S6 · E1
February 19 · 1 hr 6 min
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015 Movie)
Hope you all sent your Victorian Valentines because we’re back with a new season, and this week Kim and Alice review proposal-a-thon, Far from the Madding Crowd. It’s every girl’s dream (cucumbers and a piano) mixed with every girl’s nightmare (swordplay cringe) and a great reason to talk about sheep baths. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E7
Dec 19, 2025 · 52 min
Christmas at Downton Abbey (Season 2, Episode 9, 2011)
Happy 12th of January everyone! As a (sort of) Christmas treat, Kim and Alice are re-visiting Christmas at Downton Abbey. We cover snow proposals, murder trials, and a Ouija board channelling beautiful messages that will be roundly ignored. All this and exactly one Christmas tree! Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E6
Dec 11, 2025 · 17 min
The Fainting Couch: Frankenstein (2025 Movie)
Kim and Alice's hot take on Guillermo del Toro's 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E5
Dec 4, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005 Movie)
We’re off to Hollywood Japan this week as Kim and Alice re-discover the 2005 hit movie, Memoirs of a Geisha. We reveal the real-life betrayal at the heart of the story, examine the insidious mix of fact with Western fantasy and clarify that you really can just leave the kimono factory if you want to. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E4
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
The Secret of Roan Inish (1994 Movie)
It's bring your husband to work day, and while Kim's away Alice is joined by FtSS's own sound engineer Keith Nagle. We're talking found family (seals), thatched cottage interior design masters (junior edition), and why everyone in Ireland is sleeping on this delightful and charming film. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E3
Nov 6, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
M Butterfly (1993 Movie)
There are many questions and MANY SPOILERS this week as Kim and Alice puzzle their way through ‘90s drama, M Butterfly. We’re probing some intimate international relations and discovering there’s nowhere to run inside a van. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E2
Oct 23, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994 Movie)
We’re getting Spookstorical this week as Kim and Alice assemble a murderous flashmob for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s the classic tale of the world’s least curious scientist, his sibling marriage and the frogs / friends reanimated along the way. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E1
Oct 9, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
The Greatest Showman (2017 Movie)
You too can be an a**hole if you just dream big! Kim and Alice kick off Season 5 with The Greatest Showman, a musical about wives supporting vague dreams, fish-monkey rental and the upside-down triangle known as Zac Efron. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle / Helen Hamilton Producer: Helen Hamilton Sources https://priceonomics.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-circus-freakshows/ https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/greatest-show-earth-freak-shows-pt-barnum-tom-thumb/ https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2019/5/6/19th-century-britain-and-the-rise-of-the-freak-show-industry https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2022/06/dr-john-jacob-woolf-victorian-freak-show/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freak_show If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E6
Aug 21, 2025 · 56 min
Throne of Blood (1957 Movie)
Kim and Alice discuss the intense, spooky and downright wonderful Macbeth adaptation; Throne of Blood. Enjoy this Kurasawa classic with us and remember, as you’re warming up your sake in a baby bottle warmer, that we’re all just skeletons waiting for our dust mound. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 · E5
Aug 6, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Ed Wood (1994 Movie)
It’s time for a trash man to make a trash movie - this week Kim and Alice are talking about the Tim Burton-directed biopic, Ed Wood. Discover why the cast of Step Up need to get into some sarcophagi, be amazed by the too good to be true accuracy and enjoy Kim’s palpable hatred of the man behind it all. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Give £5, £10 or £20 now and help CALM in their fight against suicide: https://www.justgiving.com/page/podomedy-stay-tuned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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