July 24 · 2 hr 8 min
YB
TV & Film
Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue
Yesteryear Ballyhoo Revue
Laughs and Lessons from Hollywood’s Golden Age
- 209 episodes
- Updated July 24
- Explicit
Episodes209
- YBJuly 3 · 3 hr 39 min
Ep. 177: Grant-A-Thon – A Cary Grant Top 10 Special (with Special Guest: Ryan Frost)
The Grant-A-Thon Has Arrived! Join Ryan Frost (Reel Nerds Podcast) & I as we get CARY-d away in unveiling our Top Ten Cary Grant Performances in Grant-A- Thon! Will someone like Only Angels Have Wings more than Bringing Up Baby? Will Mr. Lucky make the cut? And who lives the Hitchcock collabs more? Tune in to find out all that and more! Plus: A Sneak Peak At Our Next Top Ten Special! Listen to Ryan each and every week on REEL NERDS PODCAST Website: https://reelnerdspodcast.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-nerds-podcast/id442184939 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NMZkh3WRDuIgIGuFRraEV and Follow the Reel Nerds on Social Twitter: https://twitter.com/reelnerds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReelNerdsPodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelnerds/?hl=en
- YBJune 26 · 2 hr 19 min
Noir Mondial- Ch. XVI: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
Rashmi & Zach begin their next Noir Unit, Doomed Lovers, with a journey back to 1946 for the all-time Noir classic, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE! Tune in today to learn more about the stories long journey to the screen, how its rich characterizations sets the tone for Noir romance to come, and how it affected the film world at large!
- YBJune 19 · 1 hr 38 min
Ep. 176: It’s A Wise Child (1931) or ‘Marion Davies & The Mystery of the Pre-Code Pregnancy’ (with Special Guest: Lara Gabrielle)
Zach welcomes back Lara Gabrielle (Author/Historian, ‘Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies) for a chat surrounding a Pre-Code Marion Davies film buried for decades until recently as they unpack the laughs & heart in the 1931 film IT’S A WISE CHILD. Hop into one of Mr. Cohen’s cars and live the screwball life at a mile a second as the duo catch up with Marions life following her sound debut, walk through the plot and the ways it showcases Davies’ range as an actor, fawn over the supporting players from Marie Prevost to James Gleason, unravel the story of why the film remained unseen for decades until the recent Warner Archive Blu-Ray release, and finally ponder over the ways the film shines a light on Davies’ talents and gives her a long overdue spotlight. PLUS: Another Jack Benny/Marion Davies connection! Be sure to pick up your copy of Lara’s book CAPTAIN OF HER SOUL: THE LIFE OF MARION DAVIES Website: https://mariondaviesbook.com/ Amazon Link:https://www.amazon.com/Captain-Her-Soul-Marion-Davies/dp/0520384202 or look for the book at your local bookstore! You can hear Lara talk more about Marion Davies on our previous episode covering ‘The Hollywood Revue of 1929’ here: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/ep-132-the-hollywood-revue-of-1929-or-marion-davies-the-mystery-of-the-phantom-screen/ And be sure to follow Lara on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads by searching the handle @backlotsfilm
- YBJune 6 · 2 hr 23 min
Ep. 175: YBR TV- Adventures of Superman (1952 – 1958) or ‘Maybe I’m A Superman’
Zach welcomes back Paul Kovit (Director/Editor, ‘No Soap Radio’ ) on a marathon in Metropolis as they dive into the classic Superhero TV series, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN! Get ready to take flight with the guys as they unpack the origins of the show, demystify the casting of its cast & how they felt being part of the show, marvel at special effect & stunt snafus & successes, break down 5 episodes of the show that stand out in the first two seasons, & then finally mull over the many ways Reeves’ outing as Superman stands tall in the legacy of Superman & Superhero television at large. PLUS: Find out exactly how Zach sounds at the mention of terrible studio chiefs. ———- Check out Paul’s amazing work at NO SOAP RADIO Website: https://nosoapradioplayers.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@nosoapradiorecreations?si=U8ee4YMPuXK3iXw0
- YBMay 29 · 1 hr 43 min
Ep. 174: The Sign of the Film Maven- A Chat with Kristen Lopez about ‘Popcorn Disabilities’
This week Zach is joined by author & film journalist Kristen Lopez to dive into a subject matter oft neglected in film discourse as they chat about her new book ‘Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies’ Join them as they discuss how the book came to be, examine a slate of Golden Age Hollywood films and how they handle dramatizing disabled stories & finding space for disabled creatives, analyze the pitfalls that can befall films and filmmakers with lack of disabled participation, and settle upon how these stories and images are vital talking points to both engage in proper film literacy & understanding the disabled community. To Buy POPCORN DISABILITIES, head over to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Disabilities-Disabled-Representation-Movies/dp/149308633 Barnes and Nobles:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/popcorn-disabilities-kristen-lopez/1147523323 Or at Bloomsbury Publishing: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/popcorn-disabilities-9781493086344/ To follow Kristen’s journalism endeavors, check out and consider signing up at THE FILM MAVEN https://thefilmmaven.com/ Kitten Sale for Yearly Subscription: https://thefilmmaven.com/kitten-sale (Ends at the end of May) You can also check out Kristens Film Podcast, Ticklish Business wherever you get your podcasts Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ticklish-business/id1129352801 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2v9YsVqLuXnwAoXSlIAAVc You can also support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TicklishBiz And follow her many adventures on Social Media! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenlopez88?igsh=MWh1OTQ4ODRwbGswbg== Threads: https://www.threads.com/@kristenlopez88?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/kristenklopez.bsky.social
- YBMay 15 · 2 hr 1 min
Ep. 173: Pardon Us (1931) or ‘Another Fine F***ing Mess’
Zach welcomes back Robert Stroude (Ballyhoo Correspondent/ Blogger, ‘My Year With Mickey) to review the parole request of Laurel & Hardy as they break in and break down their very first feature film, the 1931 comedy PARDON US. Join the duo as they examine the odd route the Boys & Hal roach took to expand the group from shorts to feature films, unpack the way the film both has feature strength & where the film feels needlessly stretched out, wrestle with the films far too long (like way too f***ing long) sequence involving blackface, and finally settle upon the way the film influenced both the careers of the Boys and what the film has to say about taking any short IP and expanding it into a feature film. The film discussed today, ‘Pardon Us (1931), can be viewed on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlNOOQtRmmA Be sure to follow Rob’s adventure covering all the Mickey Mouse theatrical shorts with his brand new Substack, ‘My Year With Mickey’ : https://myyearwithmickey.substack.com/p/my-year-with-mickey His latest post marking his return can be read here: https://myyearwithmickey.substack.com/p/more-like-2-years
- YBMay 8 · 2 hr 21 min
Noir Mondial- Ch. XV: Only The River Flows (2023)
The police unit of Noir Mondial reaches its conclusion with a trip to China where Moonlight Sonata is set to the atmosphere of crime in the 90’s with the 2023 Wei Shujun crime film, ONLY THE RIVER FLOWS. Tune in tomorrow as Rashmi & I dive deep into this compelling & trippy tale of murder against the backdrop of a changing landscape in China, and how it uses Noir elements & principles to drive that home.
- YBMay 1 · 2 hr 6 min
Ep. 172: Laurel & Hardy Vol. 3- Hombres internacionales de la comedia
A discussion surrounding the International Versions of Laurel & Hardy Shorts where Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy performed in different languages before the process of dubbing became a more used technique of film export
- YBApril 17 · 3 hr 14 min
Noir Mondial- Ch. XIV: Memories of Murder (2003)
The Police Unit on Noir Mondial finds itself sifting through the history and pain therein of a notorious killer through the eyes acclaimed director Bong Joon-Ho as Rashmi & Zach unpack his 2003 crime masterpiece, MEMORIES OF MURDER. Tune in tomorrow to hear us examine the ways Director Bong manages to utilize Film Noir tropes and expand upon them to create this true crime classic.
- YBApril 10 · 2 hr 30 min
Ep. 171: One Two Three (1961) or ‘Coca-Cola Presents- The Testament of Billy Wilder’
Zach welcomes back historian and writer Craig Shemin (Sam & Friends: The Story of Jim Henson’s First Television Show) for a trip to post-war Germany where neither East or West Berlin can contain the Madness and Mayhem of Billy Wilder’s 1961 Comedy Classic, ‘ONE TWO THREE’ Join the duo as the unpack the history surrounding the films production, take a stab at deconstructing Wilders approaches on everything from humanism to capitalism to communism, ponder over this being James Cagney’s penultimate motion picture, and settle upon the ways the film has influenced the cinema of today. If You are in New York and want to laugh along with Craig and the Marx Brothers Council, join them April 12th at the Museum of the Moving Image for a screening of ‘Horse Feathers’ followed by a live podcast! Tickets at https://movingimage.org/event/horse-feathers/ Be sure to pick up a copy of Craig’s books on the history of Sam & Friends for a deeper look into its history. Sam and Friends: The History- https://www.bearmanormedia.com/products/sam-and-friends-the-story-of-jim-henson-s-first-television-show-hardback?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=6d26e85f2&pr_rec_pid=7098182500386&pr_ref_pid=10048318570798&pr_seq=uniform Sam and Friends: The Script Book- https://www.bearmanormedia.com/products/the-sam-and-friends-script-book?_pos=3&_sid=c8df6b30d&_ss=r&variant=51040633487662 Visit https://www.samandfriendsbook.com for ways to purchase & how to get even more swag from your book purchase! And be sure to follow Craig’s talents as a writer by watching his two original Jack Benny scripts as performed by NO SOAP RADIO ( https://nosoapradioplayers.com ) Watch Here- “This is Your Life, Jack Benny” : https://youtu.be/vSQAHnpTg1E?si=9lE-Q19oHwKZY_ex ” Jack Visits the Apollo 11 Launch” : https://youtu.be/Xytm4gByVUw?si=jZV6KRk1IG4RebdF ——
- YBMarch 28 · 2 hr 4 min
Ep. 170: It’s All True (1942 & 1993) or ‘It’s STILL All True’
Zach welcomes back podcaster, historian, & film lover Jack Hanley (Blindspotting: A Film Discovery Podcast) to the show where the two will journey to South America in search of the many truths captured by Orson Welles & his camera in 1942 as they unpack his incompleted 1942 film IT’S ALL TRUE and the 1993 documentary/re-assembly of the found footage… named… IT’S ALL TRUE. Settle in for a unique chat as the duo unpack the context surrounding Welles’ reasons for being in South America, learn more about the Brazillian government during the 40’s and how it’s filmic desires were subverted by Welles and his teams decision to capture inequalities over stylistic travelogue, trace the journey of the footage from historic dustbin to resurrection, and finally settle upon the ways this lost masterpiece works as both lost art and political statement by Orson. PLUS: Was Orson the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond? No, but its fun to think he was. Production & Research Notes can Be Accessed On Our Website Here: https://ballyhoorevuepodcast.com/research-page/ The film ‘It’s All True’ can be rented or purchased in the following places Amazon Prime Rental: https://www.amazon.com/Its-All-True-Orson-Welles/dp/B009SI99V6 Apple Rental: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/its-all-true/umc.cmc.1t4tyd8icb7wmoweufzsyftm9 DVD (Through Amazon): https://a.co/d/05jb5K3A Be sure to check out Jack’s Amazing Podcast Work! Blindspotting: A Film Discovery Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blindspotting-a-film-discovery-podcast/id1587516521 They Did It: A Conspiracy Podcast- https://www.audible.com/pd/They-Did-It-A-Conspiracy-Podcast-Podcast/B09VCV6LH3 The Superlatives- https://thesuperlativesfilmpodcast.podbean.com/ And follow the journey of both Jack and Zach and their work with the Reel Weird Horror Collective! https://www.facebook.com/people/Reel-Weird-Horror-Collective/61567604516749/ https://reel-weird-horror-awards.ghost.io/
- YBMarch 19 · 2 hr 47 min
Noir Mondial- Ch. XIII: Infernal Affairs (2002)
Rashmi and Zach are returning to Hong Kong to figure out who the informants are as they unpack the 2002 crime classic from Andrew Lau Wai-keung & Alan Mak, INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Tune into today to hear how the tropes of noir & Hong Kong cinema are utilized and in many cases evolved from as they dive deep into this astounding title of International Cinema
- YBMarch 4 · 2 hr 59 min
Ep. 169: YBRTV- See It Now (1954) or ‘Murrow V. McCarthy: Dawn Of Good Night and Good Luck’
Zach welcomes back podcast pal and comedian Hope Sears (All The Classics) get lost in the sound of Edward R. Murrow’s responsible voice to tune into his innovative news program See It Now & learn more about how the program took on Senator Joseph McCarthy Follow along as they sift through the learning and assembly of filmmaking tactics and expertise that changed the game for newscasting, dig further into the controversy Murrow & Co. faced in tackling McCarthy, and listen as they try to learn what Murrow taught us and still can teach us as consumers of news and what the business itself has become. Be sure to Follow Hope and her adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truetravelsofhope/?hl=en and Threads: https://www.threads.com/@truetravelsofhope and Tune in to her Podcast, ALL THE CLASSICS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-of-the-classics/id1398191571
- YBFebruary 16 · 1 hr 56 min
Ep. 168: Tod Browning & Lon Chaney Double Bill- The Unholy Three (1925) & The Unknown (1927)
Zach ventures to the Dark Carnival of cinema that was the collaboration of Tod Browning & Lon Chaney as he and guests Sterling Cook (Tour de Tati) and filmmaker Jake Algier (Writer/Actor/Performer, Doctor Tenn) unpack THE UNHOLY THREE (1925) and THE UNKNOWN (1927) Join the trio as they learn a bit more about the formation of the collaboration, unpack production stories that range from the heartfelt to the absolute craziest, and settle upon how this combo managed to create films that not only work today but also influenced the works of others as the history of cinema has progressed. Be sure to follow Jake and her filmmaking journey on Instagram & Threads Insta: https://www.instagram.com/horrormoviejake/?hl=en Threads: https://www.threads.com/@horrormoviejake?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== To Hear Sterling and Zach extrapolate Jacques Tati on the ‘Tour de Tati’series , please visit YBR PRESENTS at https://anchor.fm/ybrpresents . Subscribe and Enjoy! and follow the journey of Sterling & Matt Cassani’s upcoming project, ‘Pleasure Chest’ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pleasurechestmovie?igsh=cWo2d3c3MzY4MWc1 and Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pleasurechestmovie?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- YBFebruary 3 · 3 hr 1 min
Ep. 167: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) or ‘Monster: The Tootie Smith Story’
Zach welcomes back actor & artist Erin Mullane (Velvet Void Creations) on a Trolley trip to 5135 Kensington Avenue, where they’ll deep dive into Vincent Minelli’s 1944 classic, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Follow the duo along as they sift through the long journey of Sally Benson’s book to the silver screen, marvel at the several drafts from book to script & the changes that ensued, wrestle with both the tragedy and triumph of Judy Garland, relive the hert and humor of the films plot and music, try to figure out how closely Tootie Smith is related to other horror film villains, and then finally settle upon the many ways the film has influenced the world of film to this day. PLUS: You better believe we found a way to connect Meet Me in St. Louis to Halloween III: Season of the Witch Be sure to follow Erin and her journey through acting and filmmaking on social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinmullaneofficial/ and be sure to follow and support Erin’s fabric art and craft work by visiting her at VELVET VOID CREATIONS using her Linktree https://linktr.ee/velvetvoidcreatoins
- YBJanuary 9 · 2 hr 33 min
Noir Mondial- Ch. XII: Insomnia (1997)
Rashmi & Zach return after a long absence to continue their Noir Journey alongside special guest Stephen Palmer (Podcaster, ‘Asian Cinema Film Club’). The trio take the Police Noir unit all the way to Norway as they unpack the nihilist daytime noir from Erik Skjoldbjærg, INSOMNIA Tune in today to hear them analyze and assess the many ways the film has not only utilized noir influences, but also manages to achieve the original intent of Film Noir’s from the golden age of Hollywood. — Be Sure to check out Stephen on his show, Asian Cinema Film Club Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asian-cinema-film-club/id1282298451 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Hwrz5bRNe76r7pevQ2b9i?si=zSqnGjn7SOi_c04KkcxsTA Website: https://asiancinemafilmclub.wordpress.com And Follow Them On Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAiYJsHXr/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asiancinemafilmclub?igsh=MTZ3Y21hNnN4MWl4Mg== Threads: https://www.threads.com/@asiancinemafilmclub?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- YBDec 21, 2025 · 2 hr 59 min
Ep. 166: Miracle on 34th Street (1947) or ‘New York v. Kris Kringle: Dawn of Santa’
Zach is joined by pod pal Rob Stroude ( Ballyhoo Correspondent & Blogger, ‘My Year With Micky’) to witness the Greatest Trial in Holiday History as they dive deep into the 1947 George Seaton Masterpiece, MIRACLE ON 34th STREET! Follow this intriguing case with fervency as the duo sift through the origins of the story, unpack the ambitious and audacious production stories, marvel at the delicate genre balance the film performs, gush about Edmund Gwenn, and finally settle upon the many ways Miracle on 34th Street has stood the test of time as a Christmas movie and as just an all around good movie period. Be sure to follow Rob’s adventure covering all the Mickey Mouse theatrical shorts with his brand new Substack, ‘My Year With Mickey’ : https://myyearwithmickey.substack.com/p/my-year-with-mickey
- YBDec 6, 2025 · 3 hr 25 min
Ep. 165: Tarzan The Ape Man (1932) or ‘Gabbin’ ‘Bout Greystoke’
Zach welcomes back Ken Sowder (Ballyhoo Contributor, ‘The History of High Adventure) on an expedition through the jungle where upon they will encounter its mighty monarch as they dive deep into the 1932 Pre-Code adventure classic, TARZAN THE APE MAN ! Join the duo as they unpack the history of the Tarzan character in literature & film, sift through the travails of production, explore and comb through the plot in meticulous detail, reckon with the unseemly treatment of people & animals both on and off screen, become impressed where the film manages to subvert expectation to its benefit, and then finally settle upon the many ways in which the film & character have influenced the world of film to this day. Plus: Was Brendan Fraser robbed of an Oscar for George Of The Jungle? YES HE WAS.
- YBNov 22, 2025 · 2 hr 13 min
Ep. 164: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) or ‘Everything’s Coming Up Millhauser’
The BallyBOO concludes as Zach welcomes actor & musician Spencer Kane (X-Presidents) on the show to unpack the crates at McDougal’s House of Horrors and get caught up in the chaos that ensues as they chat about the 1948 comedy chiller, ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN! Get ready to laugh & scream as the duo sift through the production stories, become aghast at the original treatment for the film, laugh along through a detailed plot breakdown, and finally discuss the many ways the film has influenced the world of Horror and Comedy to this day! PLUS: Seriously guys, the original treatment is freakin nuts. Be sure to Follow Spencer’s adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_denver_kane?igsh=OXplMTAwZmx3YWRv And Check Out his Band, X-Presidents https://www.x-presidents.band