Ticklish Business

Flower Drum Song star Nancy Kwan sits down with Ticklish Business in anticipation of her new autobiography! Nancy talks about being discovered young, what her costars were like, and more. We also talk about the joys of actor James Shigeta. Buy The World of Nancy Kwan now. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Danny David Floyd Gates McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Jacob Haller Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Reyna-Moya James Bridget M. Hester Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Harry Holland Jamie Carter Karen Yoder Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Richard Silver Rosa

TCM's "Czar of Noir" Eddie Muller joins us once again to discuss the women of his latest book Dark City Dames: The Women Who Defined Film Noir. Eddie chats about interviewing some of the most iconic film noir women and how his new book seeks to tell their stories more fully. You can pre-order Dark City Dames: The Women Who Defined Film Noir before it's April 8th publication by clicking the link. And if you're in Los Angeles you can purchase tickets to Noir City Hollywood now.

Your eyes don't deceive you! Ticklish Business is back, kinda. Kristen sits down with author Mayukh Sen to talk all about Merle Oberon, the subject of Sen's latest book, Love, Queenie: Merle Oberon, Hollywood's First South Asian Star. Sen breaks down the stereotypes about Oberon he wanted to dispel and how she was able to rise above Hollywood racism. We appreciate everyone continuing to support us, as either a Patron or listener. Emily and I are working on doing the show monthly for now as we finish up our books. So definitely be on the lookout for some TCMFF goodness come April.

Kristen and Emily return with Front Row Classics podcast host Brandon Davis to celebrate the release of Wicked by looking at the film that started it all: 1939's The Wizard of Oz. The trio discuss Judy Garland's casting, the economics of Oz, and various rumors. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's All Hallows Eve and we're closing out spooky season with a legendary Halloween treat. Director and Shining historian Lee Unkrich joins Kristen to discuss Stanley Kubrick's 1980 adaptation of The Shining. The pair discuss the nature of adaptation, Shelley Duvall's performance (RIP), and why it still holds up today. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Halloween inches ever closer much like the centipede? earwig? that dominates William Castle's 1959 horror film The Tingler. Emily and Kristen discuss Bill Castle and his gimmicks, Vincent Price, and why Warren Chapin might be the worst doctor character ever. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Emily and Kristen may be a week later than usual but spooky season kicks off with a bang as the duo talk George Romero's 1968 feature Night of the Living Dead! And along for the ride is acclaimed cinematographer Levie Isaaks. Levie, watching this for the first time (!), discusses the film's impact, what Tobe Hooper took for Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a new episode! Kristen and Emily are back celebrating the release of the Christopher Reeve doc Super/Man with a discussion of the 1978 film that made Reeve a star. And joining us is legendary comic artist Jon Bogdanove. We talk about why this superhero movie is different than others, Valerie Perrine stealing the show, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Helena Pickup Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

It's Kristen's birthday which means she's picking the movie! Things take a turn for the historical with special guest Ann Foster of the Vulgar History podcast to discuss 1969's Anne of the Thousand Days. We discuss Hollywood's love of historical episodes in the late-1960s, Richard Burton bringing the cringe, and why Anne Boleyn is still a woman we love no matter how many Tudor adaptations there are. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa

Director Laurent Bouzereau accepted the challenge telling Faye Dunaway's story to the world. Faye is the result and it is such an insightful exploration into an actress who remains misunderstood (and iconic) to this day! Ticklish Business was fortunate to interview Bouzereau and discuss working with Dunaway, comparisons between this doc and Bouzereau's one on Natalie Wood, and more. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

This was initially intended to be a bonus episode but with Emily and I navigating various personal things we've decided to make this an official episode and it's a good one! Director Nanette Burstein joins us to discuss her new feature, Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes. We discuss Elizabeth Taylor's fame, the rumors that continue to swirl about her, and what she might hold in common with Robert Evans! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls BadGuyRants Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Joseph Kayla Ewing Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Emily Frederichs Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

Our vacation around the world of classic film comes to a close, but what an episode to celebrate with. Kristen is out this week but Emily and Samantha are back in the saddle to talk about Jacques Demy's fabulous French musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The pair discuss Catherine Deneuve, French fashion and that bittersweet ending. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne J Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

It's not every day you talk to Martin Scorsese's editor AND the wife of Michael Powell, Thelma Schoonmaker. But Emily and I did as part of the release of the new documentary Made in England: The Movies of Powell and Pressburger. Schoonmaker and director David Hinton sat down with us to discuss what makes Powell and Pressburger iconic directors, Thelma's work with Scorsese, and more! (This might be the highlight of our year.) Made in England is in theaters now! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne J Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

Emily and Kristen move from Germany to Algeria by way of the 1966 Italian/Algerian co-production: The Battle of Algiers. We talk about Italian neo-realism, untested actors, and how war, sadly, never ages. We promise things will be peppier next episode! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne J Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya David Baxter Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Paul Rosa Tammy Sara Folger

For a second year we're taking a vacation via classic film with International Month and we're starting in Germany! Looking for a silent German pre-Code? We've got you covered with a look at Louise Brooks in Pandora's Box. Hear how Lulu shook up cinema, both domestically and abroad. We also talk about the film's frank depiction of sex work and other salacious topics. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa

Ticklish Business celebrates the release of Alonso Duralde's new book Hollywood Pride by discussing classic filmdom and those were LGBTQIA, including William Haines and the stories about Cary Grant. Buy Hollywood Pride! This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa

It's the 50th anniversary of Chinatown and we're celebrating with a discussion about it as well as our favorite LA noirs. And to help us discuss all things Los Angeles we have....Chicago Sun Times critic Richard Roeper! Richard, Kristen and Emily discuss the film's use of LA, why Faye Dunaway is magic, and some of the other movies that make us love the city of Angels. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark Shawn Goodreau A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa

What happens when the It Girl of the 2020s name checks the It girl of the 1920s in her new song? You get this episode. Inspired by Taylor Swift's song, Emily and Kristen sit down with Clara Bow biographer David Stenn to talk about why Bow remains such an icon. We talk about the feminism of the 1920s, debunk some rumors, and grouse about why Babylon shouldn't have used her as inspiration. Buy Clara Bow: Runnin' Wild here. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa

Britney and Ashley of the podcast Black Girl Film Club join Kristen and Emily this episode to celebrate the anniversary of Foxy Brown. The group celebrates all things Pam Grier, from her being a role model to young Black women, to being an overall badass. Listen to Black Girl Film Club on all podcast apps. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Andrea Basora Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa

This year's TCM Classic Film Festival has come and gone but we're bringing it back to you whether you were there or there in spirit. Introductions from North By Northwest, Gidget and Them! are included. Head over to our Patreon to hear more festival audio, including Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta talking Pulp Fiction, Jodie Foster and Steven Spielberg. This episode was created thanks to our Patrons: Ali Moore Amy Hart Danny David Floyd Donna Hill Gates Jacob Haller Jonathan Watkins Krista Painter McF Rachel Clark A Button Called Smalls Chris McKay Debbi Lynne Jeffrey Kayla Ewing Nicholas Montano Peter Blitstein Peter Bryant Peter Dawson Susannah Burger Andrea Basora Brittany Brock Cat Cooper Daniel Tafoya Diana Madden Emily Edwards Harry Holland Lucy Soles Nick Weerts Rosa