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PODCAST

Lions, Towers & Shields

A celebration of films from the classic Hollywood era. Shelly Brisbin leads a merry band through recaps and reviews of great old movies from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

50:39

80: Weapons-Grade Winsome

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/08/17

Fair warning: this recap of a Preston Sturges film from 1937 also features Barbie content. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

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31:25

79: Stock Your Noir Bar

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/08/10

Shelly talks with the “czar of noir” about his new book, his favorite films noir and what’s happening at Turner Classic Movies. Shelly Brisbin with Eddie Muller.

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41:31

78: Subversive on so Many Levels

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/08/03

Who would dare comment on the inherently propagandistic aspects of the war effort, right in the middle of World War II? That would be Preston Sturges. A soldier is discharged from the Army because he has hay fever, but is declared a war hero when he returns to his hometown. Eddie Bracken and Ella Raines (last seen on LTS in Phantom Lady) are your stars. Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

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42:57

77: A Film Noir and a Dessert Topping

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/07/27

The Summer of Sturges continues with a movie that’s not in a class with The Lady Eve. But we still need to talk about it. World-renown conductor Rex Harrison suspects his much younger wife (Linda Darnell) of cheating on him, and he dreams up three different ways to punish her for it. Shelly Brisbin with Erika Ensign, David J. Loehr and Randy Dotinga.

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1:05:56

76: A Trunk Full of Dinner Jackets

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/07/20

We begin the summer of (Preston) Sturgess celebration with a true classic. Director and stars were at their best here, and it’s a treat to watch LTS’ favorite dame work her magic on Henry Fonda. I have four more Sturgess offerings coming up, but this one is hard to beat. Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard and Annette Wierstra.

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1:16:15

75: Paul is the Cat

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/07/13

Audrey Hepburn is iconic as Holly Gollighty. Is there more to say? Of course. That’s why we have a podcast. Shelly Brisbin with Erika Ensign and Annette Wierstra.

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1:09:33

74: I Would Watch A Whole Movie About Greenberg

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/04/14

The Lubitsch Touch applied to Nazi occupation? You bet. Carole Lombard and Jack Benny star as members of an acting troupe in Poland, scrambling after the Nazis arrive. It’s funny and serious all at once, with great performances. The film was released two months after Lombard died in a plane crash, and would have earned good will, had the subject matter not been a rough go for Americans of the time. Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Dr. Drang.

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1:21:55

73: Manly Seamanship

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/04/08

We return to Huston (John) and Bogart, but there’s also Lauren Bacall, Claire Trevor (Oscar winner for this), Edward G. Robinson and more. The cast is trapped together in a Florida hotel, awaiting a hurricane. It’s a film noir, so there are secrets and gun play, plus the eventual storm to contend with. And a boat. Shelly Brisbin with Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang, Lisa Schmeiser and David J. Loehr.

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54:07

72: He's Got Acreage

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/03/30

Here’s a movie from Douglas Sirk’s high period. We’ve only talked about Sirk in the context of “Lured,” a movie I think is underrated, but one that looks nothing like this splashy 50s melodrama. This one stars Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson. And I get to talk about Agnes Moorehead. So, bonus! Can a lonely widow find love with a tree farmer? Stay tuned. We also mention Todd Haynes’ excellent 2002 remake (you read that right!), “Far from Heaven” with Julianne Moore. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline

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1:00:37

71: She Killed a Man in Reno

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/03/23

“A fascinating crumminess.” That’s how Pauline Kael described Joseph Lewis’ “Gun Crazy,” a noir whose cast you probably won’t know, but whose visual style and essential seediness are compelling. It’s a story about two people with a mutual obsession with guns, but it’s told with sensitivity and a focus on their relationship. Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

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1:00:06

70: Things Just Keep Happening and Nothing Makes Sense

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/03/16

Suggested by Lisa Schmeiser: If you liked “The Apartment” or “Mad Men,” welcome back to mid-century NYC office culture. We’re on Madison Avenue, inside the cutthroat world of publishing. Our guides are Hope Lange, Stephen Boyd, Suzy Parker, Martha Hyer, Diane Baker, Brian Ahenre and Miss Joan Crawford. Jean Negulesco handles direction. Shelly Brisbin with Lisa Schmeiser, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

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1:17:47

69: The Billionaire's Vaudeville

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/03/10

Ethel Merman in her heyday. What more do you need to know? Merman didn’t make a lot of movies, so here’s a glimpse at what theatre audiences saw during her long Broadway career. Also along for the Irving Berlin musical are Donald O’Connor, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray and Mitzi Gaynor. And, um, who’s that other blonde person? Marilyn Monroe is here, too. Thanks to my panelists, Matthew and David for suggesting it.

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47:37

68: Laird Cregar Hulks Out

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2023/03/02

It’s a dark, moody thriller set in a London square. See Linda Darnell change her image, at the tender age of 22; see Laird Cregar take his shot at being a leading man.

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1:23:53

67: Gene Kelly's Butt

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/12/29

Another year draws to a close, and so many classic movies remain undiscussed on Lions, Towers & Shields. But many of your regular panelists have feelings, as well as recommendations for the future. So I invited them to share them in a themed draft episode. NOTE: LTS will return in March 2023. We'll cover at least 21 films next year, but the episodes will be spaced out over three, seven-episode seasons to give our panelists (and your host) time to rest and reflect on all the classic film goodness

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44:44

66: I'm Not Just Your Preston Sturges, I'm Your Indiana

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/12/14

Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray team up, not to kill for insurance money, but to share a sweet but unlikely holiday road trip. It’s the last movie Preston Sturges wrote before he turned fully to directing. Happy holidays from your friends at Lions, Towers & Shields.

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1:17:07

65: This Is Not Jessica Fletcher

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/12/01

The John Frankenheimer classic tells you all you need to know about Angela Lansbury’s talent. And it’s a crackerjack political thriller, too.

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54:01

64: Justice for Bill

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/11/17

The Clock is Judy Garland’s first dramatic role. She’s teamed with Robert Walker, who’s a soldier on leave when they meet in New York City. It’s a little bit Affair to Remember, and a little bit On the Town. Really sweet, well-acted romantic film. Directed by Garland’s soon-to-be husband Vincente Minnelli.

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57:20

63: It's All About The Last 12 Minutes

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/11/03

Keeper of the Flame is a drama about the dangers of fascism, set early in WWII and directed by George Cukor, the man who made Gaslight, but was better known for comedies and “women’s” films. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star in the far better of their two dramatic pairings. Be warned, we talk about politics, both old and new. And, um, Texas history?

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56:15

62: Shelly's Own String of Murders

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/10/20

Britain’s Ealing Studios is best known for its comedies, including The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob, and Kind Hearts And Coronets. But this 1945 precursor to those famously funny films deals more with chills than chuckles. Four directors tag-team to adapt a mix of original and classic tales, including one based on a story by H.G. Wells. It’s the rare horror anthology whose framing story is as creepily compelling as its individual tales of terror, building to a memorably hair-raising climax

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0:37

61: Big Theremin Energy and an Implied Train

Lions, Towers & Shields ·

2022/10/06

We celebrate the life of Marsha Hunt, who passed away at age 104, last month. She appeared in “Raw Deal” with Dennis O’Keefe and Claire Trevor. It’s a late 40s film noir with wonderful cinematography by John Alton.

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100 results

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