The Projection Booth podcast: THE NIGHT PORTER

THE NIGHT PORTER (dir. Liliana Cavani, 1974) is one of those films that is well-known. But for all the wrong reasons, and not for good reason either. This means it’s often languishing at the bottom of ‘to watch’ lists when it should be promoted to the top.

Not only is it a marvel to see Dirk Bogarde and Charlotte Rampling at the top of their game here, but it is a extremely touching, rawly human love story – surprisingly so, and uncomfortably so for many, which sadly means a remarkable piece of cinema is simply dismissed as exploitation.

To take on the self-appointed task of defending THE NIGHT PORTER on The Projection Booth with Mike White and Kat Ellinger was challenging and, although I don’t usually listen back to my podcast appearances, this is one where I decided to replay snippets and see if I rose to that challenge. I was pleased by what I heard, and even more pleased to hear Kat’s insights (she is definitely one of the best commentators on classic cinema working today).

So, why not have a listen yourself? With a little bit of luck, we might help you see THE NIGHT PORTER through fresh eyes and ‘get under its skin’.

September 11, 2022 0

MEN on That Reminds Me Of podcast

Joining Alex von Hofmann and Kym Logan on their That Reminds Me Of podcast recently was a reunion of sorts, given Kym and I worked together in a former life. So, it’s little wonder that we spent 1.5 hours discussing the ins & outs of the film MEN and other assorted film banter.

I didn’t realise I was going to appear on camera as part of this recording, which gives our chat a decidedly relaxed quality. A blessing, maybe? I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

And as an added ‘bonus’, there’s an extra 30 minutes of me banging on about me, which you can watch right here…

July 30, 2022 0

See Hear podcast: SUMMER OF SOUL (Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)

People often pigeonhole me as a horror commentator but my interests are wide and varied, so it was particularly thrilling for me to step into the shoes of a bass-playing, young Emma to speak for an hour or so about the multi-award-winning documentary on the Harlem Cultural Festival of ’69, SUMMER OF SOUL (2021). The invitation to do so was extended to me by Maurice and Bernie from See Hear Podcast.

What’s possibly more exceptionally notable is that I have appeared on Episode 95 of this podcast, which – yes – is only five episodes shy of 100, and a remarkable milestone in terms of the labour-versus-financial return of these podcast endeavours. Throw them your cash, I say!

Listen to our podcast and watch this wonderful documentary.

March 22, 2022 0

The Projection Booth’s Special Report: SECONDS

Both Jez and I have been involved in Mike White’s The Projection Booth podcast in the past (and I have an appearance slated for next year – to be announced!) so we were thrilled when he approached us to record a Special Report on our book, SECONDS.

Mike gave us the opportunity to talk through the inception of our project, the process of co-writing and the appeal of writing about a generally maligned film in an interview that inches towards an hour in duration. It’s a deep-dive interview into our deep-dive book.

We hope you like it…

November 9, 2021 0

Cult Movies Podcast: The Nutty Professor (1963) & Forbidden Planet (1956)

There’s nothing I love more than appearing on the Cult Movies Podcast with Anthony King. So, imagine my surprise upon the realisation that I had forgotten to promote my appearance back in April when we chatted about THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (1963)? I should be ashamed of myself!

Not only can you listen to Anthony and I dive into all things Jerry Lewis with that previous episode but you can now hear us go deep on a sci-fi classic, FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956), and explain why it’s one of the more influential films ever made.

*Yes, it’s Robby the Robot’s film debut (right)*

These are long podcasts but I’m sure you’ll get a kick out of them if you’re willing to run the marathon. We also present our three individual selections for ‘companion viewing’, as well as discussing the feature film.

October 21, 2021 0

The Projection Booth podcast: ALL THAT JAZZ

I’ve just ticked another item off my career bucket list: appear on an episode of The Projection Booth

Not only do I get my mind blown by my co-hosts David Kittredge and the mighty Mike White (who is the driving force behind the podcast) in the discussion but I also speak about one of the greatest films of all-time (it’s a big statement but I stand by it), Bob Fosse’s ALL THAT JAZZ (1979).

As Mike describes it, “It’s definitely not an autobiographical picture about a choreographer-slash-director (Roy Scheider) who’s working on his previous film about a groundbreaking stand-up comedian (Cliff Gorman) while rehearsing his next Broadway sensation. It’s definitely not about Fosse facing down the specter of mortality and expressing it the best way he knows how.”

The podcast also includes interviews with editor Alan Heim, actress Deborah Geffner and Keith Gordon.

It’s showtime, folks! *jazz hands*

August 22, 2020 1

The Locust Files podcast

It’s always a privilege to talk about cinema, and never more of a privilege than to speak about it with my incredible friend, Lee Gambin, who knows more about cinema than ANYONE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD (it’s a bold statement but one that I feel is fairly close to being accurate).

Lee asked me to join him for an episode of his new podcast series for Diabolique Magazine – The Locust Files – where he has already interviewed Craig Martin, Jarret Gahan, Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Sally Christie, Bryan Norton, Jenni Olson and John Harrison. I step up to talk about THE FLY (of course), as well as my newer projects (SECONDS and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN), and a whole lot of other nonsense.

As it tends to happen with Lee, the conversation went off in a number of weird and wonderful directions. You can listen to it right here…

July 1, 2020 0

Hell is for Hyphenates: Martin Scorsese

A monthly podcast since 2010, Hi4H is momentarily hanging up the hyphenates. How long they’ll be on hiatus, we don’t know – or even if they’ll return – but Lee and Rochelle have signed off with a humdinger of a finale, the career of Martin Scorsese.

Past guests and hosts (including my current Plato’s Cave co-host, Paul Anthony Nelson), have gathered together to contribute their various thoughts on Scorsese and his voluminous oeuvre. I make an appearance (having previous tackled Roman Polanski on Hell is for Hyphenates) where I talk about experiencing Goodfellas andCape Fear for the first time as an impressionable, young lass.

Congratulations to Rochelle and Lee for not just surviving but excelling at their commitment to fully survey cinematic auteurs as chosen by their special guests each month. I, for one, have loved being on the show.

May 5, 2019 0

The Projection Booth’s Special Report: THE FLY

What an honour it is to be interviewed by Mike White about THE FLY for inclusion in his incredible The Projection Booth podcast!

For anyone who may be a debutante when it comes to The Projection Booth, Mike does a deep-dive dissection of cinema that, just like my book, looks at one film per episode then examines it with a panel of co-hosts (Mike being the constant). Often, this culminates in podcasts over two hours long – 3.5 hours in the case of this one.

Mike has two of the most insightful voices in today’s cinema commentary landscape, Samm Deighan and Bill Ackerman, as his co-hosts for the Special Report on THE FLY. And I step up separately to be interviewed about my book, as does Stuart Cornfeld who is the producer of THE FLY and a champion of the film.

This is a podcast that never fails to deliver to the discerning film fan. Get into it.

March 20, 2019 0