Tag: Lee Gambin

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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Tonight, on a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious

Lee Gambin has outdone himself with this spectacular book on the phenomenon that was the ‘Very Special Episode’, where American television sitcoms would explore more serious subject matter. It’s a niche topic but maybe not as niche as you would expect, given Lee’s book tops 525 pages… and there’s another volume to come!

In this first volume, a huge array of Very Special Writers (as Lee calls them), analyse Very Special Episodes from the years between 1956 and 1985. The arsenal of writers Lee has assembled is formidable, many of whom I’m proud to call my friends, and who all come together to create a Very Special Book unlike anything published to date.

I’m also proud to be of one of the many contributors, with three essays on what I think is a particularly special television sitcom, Good Times. It might feel uncomfortable for some to see a white Australian girl writing about a very culturally black American series but, that’s the thing about art and artists, they build bridges between culturally disperse groups and enable us to walk in the shoes of others. That’s what Good Times did for me, and I am grateful for the tolerance and understanding it taught me as a little girl.

Tonight on a Very Special Episode: When TV Sitcoms Sometimes Got Serious is available at all the usual outlets and I really do urge you to buy it.

You can also listen to Lee talk about the book on the Radio Labyrinth podcast or watch it on YouTube instead, if that’s your flavour.

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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…

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Introducing the BRIDE party

Despite a minor COVID-19 setback (i.e. postponement of my trip to LA), the BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN book is making excellent progress. It’s mutated into something, I would argue, is even better and more beautiful than my initial ambition: a compendium of essays from a murder of curated writers, with myself acting as the editor.

I’m pleased to make a first announcement of contributors who have agreed to etch their words in blood and dance naked under the full moon – Sally Christie, Lee Gambin, Dan Golding, Jon Towlson and Stephen A. Russell. Each writer has nominated a specific topic/theme of BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN on which they wish to focus.

Stay tuned for more news, as I’ll be revealing topics and further contributors as the project evolves. In the meantime…

Matrimonially yours,
Emma 🕸

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Primal Screen and satanic cinema

Over the holiday break, while Plato’s Cave was on hiatus, I was asked by my good friend, Sally Christie, to join her and another good friend, Lee Gambin, (and his stunning dog, Buddy) on her special summer show on Triple R, Caught in a Celluloid Jam.

Sally used Caught in a Celluloid Jam as a forum to present some of her favourite topics/genres of cinema. The episode in which Lee and I participated focused specifically on satanic cinema. And what a hoot it was! I strongly suggest you take a listen and hear us rabbit on about approximately 20 films of the devilish kind.

But something else happened over summer… Plato’s Cave has changed!

Now under the name Primal Screen at 7pm Mondays on Triple R, Plato’s Cave gets a same-same-but-different reworking, which includes a new lineup of weekly co-hosts: Paul Anthony Nelson, Sally Christie and Flick Ford.

Old faithfuls, Cerise Howard and myself, will be making the occasional appearance as guests but, in 2020, everything’s getting a makeover, including the show intro, which sounds something like this…

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THE CHICKEN CHRONICLES: New DVD audio commentary

I’m pleased to be working with my partner-in-film, Lee Gambin, once again on a new blu-ray audio commentary for Kino Lorber – Francis Simon’s THE CHICKEN CHRONICLES from 1977, starring Steve Guttenberg in his debut role.

THE CHICKEN CHRONICLES joins a growing list of DVD audio commentaries that I’ve completed in recent years. So I decided it was worth dedicating a page on my website to these commentaries to give them the love they deserve. Take a look here…

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MIDAS RUN: New DVD audio commentary

Lee Gambin and I have been privileged to record a DVD audio commentary for Kino Lorber’s new Blu-ray release of Alf Kjellin’s comedy heist caper, MIDAS RUN (1968),

As we’ve come to expect from Kino Lorber, this is a pristine release, a brand new HD master created from a 4K scan of the original negative.

Lee and I had SO MUCH fun putting this down on tape, especially given the quality of the cast – Richard Crenna, Anne Heywood, Fred Astaire, Ralph Richardson, Cesar Romero and more. We could have talked for hours!

MIDAS RUN is released on 21st May 2019.

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17th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards

I have super exciting news – I’ve been nominated for a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Commentary with my creative brother, Lee Gambin, for our DVD commentary on William Castle’s STRAIT-JACKET, which appears on Indicator’s Vol. 2 release of William Castle films. Such news deserves an exclamation mark!

This is my first time being nominated, and a huge honour, especially given the esteemed competition in the same category (Kim Newman, Tim Lucas, Bill Ackerman, Samm Deighan, Kat Ellinger, Amanda Reyes, etc). My head is spinning like Linda Blair’s, to say the least.

Given these awards are decided on popular vote, I’d love it if you’d support me with yours. All you have to do is send an email to taraco@aol.com before 20th April 2019, and specify your Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards votes:

BEST COMMENTARY:
Lee Gambin, Emma Westwood: STRAIT-JACKET (Indicator)

If you feel like providing even further support, please also vote for the box set in which our STRAIT-JACKET commentary appears:

BEST BOX SET:
WILLIAM CASTLE AT COLUMBIA: Volume One, Two: Tingler, 13 Ghosts, Homicidal, Mr. Sardonicus; Zotz!; 13 Frightened Girls; Old Dark House; Strait-Jacket (Indicator)

And Cinemaniacs’ glorious book on Scarecrows in which I have written two pieces on JEEPERS CREEPERS:

BOOK OF THE YEAR:
IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN: Scarecrows in Film and TV, edited by Lee Gambin (Cinemaniacs, softcover, 242 pages, $21.50). Essays that go far beyond Oz.

~ Thanking you, Emma

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