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PODCAST

Behind The Bells Podcast

Robert Nicholas

Merry Monday and welcome to the year round podcast that explores classic Holiday movies and TV specials.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

50:45

The Halloween Tree: Halloween Memories, Ray Bradbury,...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2025/11/12

" The pumpkins on the tree were not mere pumpkins." Sorry for the tardiness of this episode, but Robert is still in the Halloween spirit in November, so let's pull a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror-style delay and explore the classic adaptation of the Ray Bradbury novella, The Halloween Tree Join Robert as he breaks down the 1993 special, how the story dwells in the true meaning of Halloween, how the special almost got made by Chuck Jones in the 1960s, how a Ray Bradbury superfan got it back on track

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54:43

The Haunted Mansion Tribute: Paul Frees, The...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2025/03/17

"I am your host; your Ghost Host" After a needed break, Robert finally returns with a look at the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland. Paul Frees, who played a lot of roles in Frosty the Snowman, was also a major voice at Disney, but many know him as the ghost host of the classic ride. Join Robert as he dwells into the tomb of how the attraction came to be, how the attraction's story showcased a spirited atmosphere, how the other version differ, and he even goes into the adaptations of The

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53:45

Frosty the Snowman Part 1: Thumpity Thump, An...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2024/09/23

"That hat brought Frosty to life. It must be magic!" We're getting into the cooler months, which means snow should be coming soon. This means its time to talk Frosty the Snowman, a Rankin/Bass special that was nostalgic to Robert. It may be more geared to kids, but theres a lot of charm from the special. Learn how songwriter Jack Rollins got his start in his forties in which he wrote a variety of songs including those for Lawrence Welk and Babe Ruth before he got into the holiday buisness. Also

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40:57

Almost Christmas: The Poseidon Adventure

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2024/04/01

"So what resolution should we make for the new year? It's to let God know that you have the guts and the will to do it alone." Now back after a needed hiatus, Robert went on a New Years Cruise for his honeymoon... realizing that it made sense for him to cover the Irwin Allen produced disaster movie, The Poseidon Adventure. Because the ugliest Christmas tree ends up saving lives, this counts as holiday-related. Of course, does this make it an "Almost Christmas" movie? Along with looking into the

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01:11:22

Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/12/27

"Merry After Christmas!" After celebrating a wonderful December with his new wife, Robert has an amazing gift for everyone: A top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies List. It's an episode in the making that was challenging, but he picked the ones embody the most Christmas spirit and connect to his nostalgic past. He'll go from a famliy of Santas to family men trying to give the best Christmas he can to a WWI Christmas truce to those that ask the question "Is there a Santa Claus?". Its time that Robert

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45:13

Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/11/02

"Jumping Jingle Bells!" In honor of Christmas Podcast Day, Robert is stepping into the Delorean to take the time jump to 1991. He does a little deep dive into the Back to the Future animated series and the Christmas episode that was produced, "Dickens of a Christmas". While the Back to the Future trilogy is Robert's all time favorite set of movies, the animated series is a mixed bag... and Dickens of a Christmas is not a better one. There's still a lot to take in from a story about Ebenezer Tannon

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58:20

Elf Part 2: Jon Favreau's Beginnings, Canada for New...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/09/25

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear" It took longer then he thought, but Robert's finally ready to dive back into the world of Elf. Along with continuing the adventures of the writer David Bernenbaum, he also goes into how Jon Favreau went from an actor to stepping behind the camera. Learn how a lot of the script got changed, how Will Ferrell tried to make it racier, how they used a mental asylum to film a majority of the movie, how Jon fought to keep his movie

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33:03

Almost Christmas: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/08/15

"I don't need to see it. I lived it" For Robert's first ever Almost Christmas special, he wanted to pay tribute to the late Paul Reubens by looking at his 80's classic, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. The goal is to take the one moment of Christmas the movie has and see whether it comes close as a Christmas movie. But he also looks at some of his facorite moments from the movie and tells his stories of visiting the locations. Some include the Cabazon Dinosaurs and the Alamo. Robert also looks into Paul

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38:17

Top 10 Christmas Movies for Summer

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/08/02

"And since we've no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!" It's Christmas in July... in August. Better later then never, but Robert wanted to address some of his future plans for new segements including "Almost Christmas" and "Christmas WHAT!?" while saying that Elf Part 2 will be coming Robert also wanted to give you some of his favorite Christmas movies that can be watched in Summer. He's got some blockbusters in store that may involve Batman, some gremlins, detectives, someone with

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01:25:39

Elf (2003) Cozy Fireside Chat: Todd from Christmas...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/06/06

"What's a Christmas-Gram? I want one!" Continuing with the look into Elf, Robert's joined by Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter to talk about the movie... along with some other Christmas movies... along with some other traditions related to Christmas... and having a more laidback conversation. The two os us talk about some of our favorite moments, how the third act is still the most random part of the movie and how much Elf has become both of our personal favorites. We also look into our personal

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49:15

Elf Part 1: Spaghetti Candy, Big Meets Ten...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/05/22

“I like to smile, smiling’s my favorite” Robert is back after a brief hiatus to explore the first major Christmas classic of the new millennium, Elf. Even though he’s gone back and forth on it, Robert does consider Elf a great Christmas movie which works thanks to Will Ferrell’s talent. Learn about how writer David Berenbaum was a movie obsessed Jewish child who also happened to love Christmas movies, how his brother Michael would work with Coppola and the Coen Brothers, how David’s loneliness in LA

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51:41

Top 10 Christmas Elves

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/03/15

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud to hear!" In anticipation for my next deep dive, Robert looks at his personal favorite Christmas elves in various movies and TV specials. While there are plenty of the traditional ones that live at the North Pole and make toys, some of the choices will branch outside the box. We've got techno-savy elves, spy-elves, space alien elves, scary elves and even one set of non-elves. Its an elfing list galore! Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Music

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01:10:00

Violent Night Featuring Totally Rad Christmas!

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2023/01/18

"Video game. Video game. Didn’t Anyone ask for a bat, a sword, or Molotov cocktails?" A new year means a new season of Behind the Bells. Today we're collaborating with Gerry from the Totally Rad Christmas! podcast to talk about last years suprise Christmas hit, Violent Night. The two of us podcasters talk about the movie thats part Die Hard, part The Santa Clause, part Bad Santa and even a little bit part The Ref, as Stranger Thing's Dave Harbour as Santa has to fend off theives as run by John

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58:43

Cozy Fire Chat: Santa's Poet Amy

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/12/21

Merry Teusday Everyone! On our newest cozy fire chat, we've got our first guest from the North Pole. We have Santa's Poet Amy who took time out of her busy schedule to have some fun with Robert. Sit an enjoy as the two talk about Christmas movies, their favorite portrayls of Santa, and of course, get to know Amy. Check out how she became a poet, how the North Pole became her calling and get challenged by Robert to some creative improv poems based on random Christmas topics. Behind the Bells

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53:10

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Part 2: Getting Macy's...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/11/15

"I Believe... it's silly but I believe" The holidays are upon us! And what a better way then finish our dive into Miracle on 34th Street. Now it's time to see how Fox managed to get Macys and Gimbels to agree to use their names for the movie. Learn how the movie's filming of the annual Thanksgiving parade would be the first time a lot of people around the world would see it. Also learn how Maureen O'Hara was forced by contract to do Miracle, how Natalie Wood was already a pro actress at age 8 and

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46:31

10 Overlooked Nostalgic Halloween Songs

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/11/01

"Happy Happy Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Happy Happy Halloween, Silver Shamrock" Happy Halloween... a day late and a Happy Christmas Podcasting Day! Today I'd thought I try something new and currate a different kind of list for some Halloween fun. I decided to look into the past and bring up some new songs for the season. So don't expect your Thrillers, Twilight Zone theme, Monster Mashes or whatever. Today were going from the Halloween series to Scooby Doo to the Muppets and even into the Grim

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48:51

Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Part 1: What is Santa,...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/10/03

"Oh, Christmas Isn't Just A Day, It's A Frame Of Mind... And That's What's Been Changing. That's Why I'm Glad I'm Here, Maybe I Can Do Something About It." I'm back! And I've got an episode that demands the answer to the philosophical question; What is Santa Claus? The original Miracle on 34th Street holds up as a classic for a reason and answers this question. Learn as I go into my personal definition of Faith, Talk about the guy who came up with the idea, Valentine Davies, How he achieved his

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01:21:19

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Cozy Fire Chat: Gerry...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/08/15

Merry Monday everyone! Our next deep dive will cover the classic Miracle on 34th Street from 1947. But before we do, I thought it would be fun to try something new. This is the first cozy fire chat episode in which I'll be discussing the film with fellow podcasters and special guests. We give our thoughts, opinions, favorite, least favorite moments, quotes and whatever comes to mind. It's looser and more free form, though we'll return to our regular format next episode. Consider listening to these

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43:39

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Gone Shopping

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/07/11

"It reminds me of my mother. It's warm all over" (Yes, that was the most Christmas-line I could get from this episode) From the creators of Rugrats comes one show that pushed the furthest it could go with its dark imagry and groosout gags. Aaahh!! Real Monsters is an okay show with a less then steller Christmas in July Episode. Regardless, let's see how the husband/wife team from Klaskey/Csupo and a Soviet born animator teamed to create a series that blended the style of Yellow Submarine with a film

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58:26

Santa Claus the Movie: Part 2: Salkinds Santa, Dudley...

Behind The Bells Podcast ·

2022/06/07

"When you've got a hit like we have, Patch, the people don't wanna wait a whole year, they're dying for a sequel! A sequel. That's it. We'll bring it out on March 25, and we'll call it... Christmas II!" With the Superman series flatening, the Salkinds decide to produce the first major live action Santa Claus movie. Learn how Dudley Moore would become the star... despite not playing Santa and how his spirits were down once he was seeing what he was making. Also, hear how even with an expensive

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