500 Films: A Journey Through Genre Cinema

Episode 018: Vanishing Point (1971, Richard C. Sarafian)

Frisco in three days is his goal,
But too many uppers take their toll,
He’ll do it in four,
With his foot to the floor,
Cheered on by DJ Super Soul.

*

500 FILMS: A JOURNEY THROUGH GENRE CINEMA is a new podcast taking a spoiler-filled behind-the-scenes look at movies from the 1950s to the 1990s. Season one is now available. Come along on the journey!

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

1971: The Films From Cinema’s Greatest Year – Robert Sellers (2023, The History Press)
Built For Speed: A Look Back At Vanishing Point – documentary

Episode 017: The Apartment (1960, Billy Wilder)

Of his bosses Baxter should beware,
As his apartment doesn’t compare,
He’ll lend out his place,
So he can save face,
For a seedy evening affair.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

On Sunset Boulevard: The Life And Times Of Billy Wilder – Ed Sikov (1998, Hyperion)
Double Solitaire: The Films Of Charles Brackett And Billy Wilder – Donald Brackett (2024, Applause)
Billy Wilder: Dancing On The Edge – Joseph McBride (2021, Scorpio Books)
Billy And Me: Why I Love The Apartment– Cameron Crowe (1999, The Guardian)
American Prince: My Autobiography – Tony Curtis (2008, Harmony Books)
Nobody’s Perfect: Billy Wilder – A Personal Biography – Charlotte Chandler (2002, Simon & Schuster)

Episode 016: Rashomon (1950, Akira Kurosawa)

Sometimes facts can be a bit flaky,
Who killed who is all a big maybe,
The truth will out,
Leaving no doubt,
Ending with Three Men and a Baby.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

Akira Kurosawa: Interviews – Bert Cardullo (2008, University Press Of Mississippi)
Kurosawa’s Rashomon – Paul Anderer (2016, Pegasus)

Episode 015: Miami Blues (1990, George Armitage)

Here comes Frederick J. Frenger,
Whose love for Susie does linger,
His plans might prevail,
But Hank’s on his tail,
All because of a broken finger.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

Miami Blues – Charles Willeford (1984, St. Martin’s Press)
Willeford – Don Herron (1997, Denis McMillan Publications)

Episode 014: The Empire Strikes Back (1980, Irvin Kershner)

The rebel struggle is fraternal,
Han’s love for Leia is eternal,
Luke visits Yoda,
And in a strange coda,
Finds out something paternal.

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

Further Reading

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls – Peter Biskind (Bloomsbury, 1998)
What Have We Here?: Portraits Of A Life – Billy Dee Williams (2024, Hodder & Stoughton)
The Empire Strikes Back – The Art Of The Score (2019, podcast)
Harrison Ford: A Biography – Robert Sellers (1993, Robert Hale Limited)
I Am C-3PO: The Inside Story – Anthony Daniels (2019, Dorling Kindersley)

Episode 013: Get Carter (1971, Mike Hodges)

Here comes Jack Carter on the train,
To avenge his brother who’s been slain,
When he’s in a fight,
He doesn’t sound right,
Because he’s played by Michael Caine.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

Getting Carter: Ted Lewis And The Birth Of Brit Noir – Nick Triplow (2017, No Exit Press)
1971: The Films From Cinema’s Greatest Year – Robert Sellers (2023, The History Press)
The Notorious North East Underworld Murder That Inspired A Classic Gangster Film – David Morton (ChronicleLive, 2013)
Jack’s Return Home – Ted Lewis (1970, Michael Joseph)
Get Carter: The British Film Guide 6 – Steve Chibnall (2003, I.B. Tauris)
Michael Caine: ‘You’re A Big Man…’ – The Performances That Made The Icon – Matthew Field (2003, Chrysalis Books)
Don’t Look Back, You’ll Trip Over: My Guide To Life – Michael Caine (2024, Hodder & Stoughton)

Episode 012: Peeping Tom (1960, Michael Powell)

Here’s an idea that I might float,
Have you heard of a killer of note,
Mark is rather shy,
As he looks you in the eye,
And then he’ll stab you in the throat.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

A Life In Movies: An Autobiography – Michael Powell (1986, Heinemann
Million Dollar Movie – Michael Powell (1992, Heinemann)
Death Lines: Walking London’s Horror History – Lauren Jane Barnett (2023, Strange Attractor Press)
BBFC Case Study: Peeping Tom
Peeping Tom: Inside The Restoration Of Michael Powell’s Shocking Serial Killer Drama – Philip Concannon (2023)
Psychological Profile Of A Criminal Offender: Richard Ramirez – Joseph L. Martell & Joey Martell (2021)

Episode 011: Sunset Boulevard (1950, Billy Wilder)

Joe Gillis is broke but he’s no fool,
On screenplays he takes Norma to school,
Her monkey has died,
With Max by her side,
And Joe ends up floating in a pool.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

On Sunset Boulevard: The Life And Times Of Billy Wilder – Ed Sikov (1998, Hyperion)
Double Solitaire: The Films Of Charles Brackett And Billy Wilder – Donald Brackett (2024, Applause)
A Porn Star Is Born – Amy Schumer

Corrections

The destructive Californian wildfires mentioned in this episode took place in January 2025, not January 2024.

Episode 010: The Hunt For Red October (1990, John McTiernan)

Sean’s accent is mighty silly,
Out of the sub, things get chilly,
Jack Ryan has checked,
If Sean will defect,
Give me one ping only, Vasily.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

The Hunt For Red October Audio Commentary – John McTiernan (2003)
Beneath The Surface: The Making Of The Hunt For Red October – featurette documentary (2003)
Nevertheless: A Memoir – Alec Baldwin (2017, HarperCollins)
Sir Sean Connery 1930-2020: The Definitive Biography – John Parker (2005, John Blake Publishing)

Episode 009: Cruising (1980, William Friedkin)

Undercover, seeking a tryst,
Steve wants to be next on the list,
A killer’s on the loose,
Who he has to seduce,
But he’s in deep up to his wrist.

🎧 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/500-films-a-journey-through-genre-cinema/id1809685360

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0n3RHHUyqkLMC4IXbMzV1o?si=J-9aKeoJSimHQfHwCcHOXg

Further Reading

What Rough Beast…(The Cruising Expanded Soundtrack LP Liner Notes) – William Friedkin (2018, Waxwork Records)
Searching For the Truth About the Actual Murderer in The Exorcist – Matt Miller (2018, Esquire Magazine)
Life On The Wire: The Life And Art Of Al Pacino – Andrew Yule (1991, Donald I. Fine)
William Friedkin Pens Tribute to Jerry Weintraub: “He Played the Game Better Than Anyone” – William Friedkin (2015, The Hollywood Reporter)
The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir – William Friedkin (2013, HarperCollins)