Tag: Lee Gambin

Presentation recording: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR

Those who don’t live in Melbourne have frequently asked me, ‘How can I see the Cinemaniacs‘ presentations if I can’t get to a screening?’. Until recently, I didn’t have an answer. But now, for the price of a Patreon membership, all Cinemaniacs’ presentations since the beginning of 2024 are available for you to enjoy.

You might not be able to recreate the Cathedral-like atmosphere of Melbourne’s The Astor Theatre in your living room, but this is the best way to savour the Cinemaniacs’ flavour of rarely screened films contextualised through introductions by film/cinema specialists of every ilk.

As a carrot-dangler, I’m at liberty to share my own presentation from July 2025: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR (1977) where I was honoured to celebrate Cinemaniacs’ co-founder Lee Gambin‘s birthday and his love for this sensational film. Diane Keaton has never been better.

Below, you can watch the video recording, including the accompanying slideshow. If you like what you see, get thee to Cinemaniacs’ Patreon page pronto and share in the love of classic, under-appreciated cinema.

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That Interview Show: Episode 25

Cinemaniacs’ latest committee member, Julian Meyers, has a YouTube channel where he heroes physical media and interviews people doing filmy things. He’s been running through the Cinemaniacs’ cadre—including John Harrison, Caitlyn Koller, Natali Papak and Lee Gambin— now it’s my turn!

Over a couple of hours, Julian and I sit in the couch in my living room—a location you may recognise from Blu-ray extras on Umbrella releases Long Weekend, Razorback and Dark Age—and bang on about contributing to physical media releases, the local ‘critics’ scene and whatever else took our fancy.

This is not the longest interview I’ve recorded. That honour goes to Bill Ackerman on his Supporting Characters podcast. But it was very relaxed and a lot of fun.

Thanks for the opportunity, Julian ❤️

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Screening: LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR

I’ve been sitting on a draft of this blog post for weeks—not entirely sure how to express myself fully. So now, I’ll defer to the words of the Cinemaniacs team because they nail it….

On 12th July 2025, Cinemaniacs screen LOOKING FOR MR GOODBAR (dir. Richard Brooks, 1977) on the Astor SuperScreen, introduced by Emma Westwood.

“Cinemaniacs founder, Lee Gambin, always wanted to screen GOODBAR, but the screening rights were not available until recently. This is a very special screening for the Cinemaniacs team. We finally get to share this incredible film with our audience, something that Lee always wanted to do. The screening also takes place the day before what would have been Lee’s 46th birthday.

While GOODBAR is anything but upbeat, come and watch this wonderful film that Lee wanted to share with us. Celebrate him, stay healthy and live forever!”

Book your tickets directly with The Astor Theatre. See you there!

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Member: The Society of Australian Cinema Pioneers

Twenty years of service to the film & cinema industry? And to think I’m still working out what I want to be ‘when I grow up’! But seriously, it’s an honour to join the ranks of The Society of Australian Film Pioneers.

Thanks to fellow members Jamie Blanks and Annette Smith for nominating me. Eternal love to the amazing Lee Gambin for giving me the confidence to keep going.

Now for the next 20 years… Must write screenplays… Must write screenplays… Must write screenplays…

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Lee Gambin 1979-2024

My cherished friend and co-conspirator in film, Lee Gambin, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Thursday 23rd May 2024. I am still in disbelief. It has taken me until now to formally acknowledge his death here on my website, on his birthday, 13th July. He would have turned 45.

I am so blessed to have known Lee and to have been drawn into his orbit as a close friend. To have been loved by Lee was a special thing. To have shared in his passions in cinema was a extraordinary privilege, the kind of which very few people get to experience in life. I count myself among the lucky few.

Lee still feels very close. There are countless audio commentaries, podcasts, radio shows, panels and other appearances where we shared the stage together. Gone but still here. I love you, darlst ❤️

Read more about Lee in these beautiful obits from two other dear friends:

In Fangoria by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
At the MQFF by Cerise Howard

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New DVD commentary: SEARCH FOR BEAUTY (1934)

In recording the audio commentary for 1934’s SEARCH FOR BEAUTY with Lee Gambin, I’m pleased to have achieved another first: the oldest film I’ve had the pleasure to reanimate on Blu-ray. And it certainly served us with lashings of fodder to discuss – from overt sexual ogling (from the women!) to bare behinds, a barely legal Ida Lupino, ample lashings of queerness and even fascist regalia!

Get your copy directly from Kino Lorber (or from Cinemaniacs, if you’re in Australia) and get to hear how this pre-code film reflected the momentum of the modern fitness movement, ‘the body beautiful’, and why Buster Crabbe’s ‘pecs’ were hot box office property.

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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’.

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Cinemaniacs’ screening: ALL THAT JAZZ

How blessed I am to have been asked by Lee Gambin and Cinemaniacs to do the pre-screening presentation of ALL THAT JAZZ (1979) on Friday 27th May at ACMI, Melbourne. I make no bones about this being one of my favourite films (ever) and, luckily, the prep for this presentation was completed almost two years ago when I appeared on The Projection Booth to speak about this incredible film.

This will be the first time I’ve seen ALL THAT JAZZ on the big screen so it’s likely I’ll be crying with joy (something I do often when I attend good cinema). Come along and cry 😭 (or dance 👯‍♀️) with me.

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Cut the Protesting: A look at Jesus Christ Superstar and more!

Public appearances have been few and far between during this global pandemic but, with a little bit of luck, I’ll be dusting myself off for another Cinemaniacs joint on 27th August at ACMI, Melbourne, Australia. Here’s a bit about it:

“Launching from a 20-minute video essay detailing various components of Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) by Lee Gambin, fellow critics Emma Westwood and Jarret Gahan will discuss works that caused controversy, sometimes sparking protest, as well as the role of the rock opera through a cinematic lens.”

“From religious themed films that prompted outrage such as The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) and Ken Russell’s The Devils (1971) to Russell’s manic magnificence in his filmic adaptation of The Who’s Tommy (1975), this will be a rollicking panel conversation.”

You can book tix now via ACMI’s website:

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