You're Missing Out: A National Film Registry Podcast

• Touch of Evil (1958) w/ Ryan Luis Rodriguez

  “He was some kind of a man. What does it matter what you say about people?” – Touch of Evil (1958)This week, we’re crossing into the shadowy borderlands of noir with special guest Ryan Luis Rodriguez to unpack Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil. From its legendary opening tracking shot to Welles’ haunting turn as the corrupt Hank Quinlan, the film stands as a dark, complex swan song to the classic noir era.Together, we explore the film’s bold visual language, its controversial casting choices, and the fascinating story behind the restored cut that finally honored Welles’ original vision. Touch of Evil isn’t just a masterwork of style—it’s a film that continues to challenge how we think about authority, morality, and the boundaries we draw. Episode Notes:Touch of Evil (1958) was directed by Orson Welles and stars Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Welles himselfSelected to the National Film Registry in 1993Famous for:A 3+ minute opening tracking shot widely regarded as one of the best in cinemaWelles’ portrayal of the morally bankrupt Captain Hank QuinlanA studio-meddled post-production process that was later corrected by a 1998 restoration using Welles’ notesDiscussion topics include:The film’s place at the end of the classic noir eraInnovations in camera movement, sound design, and lightingHow Touch of Evil navigates race, identity, and law enforcement on the U.S.–Mexico borderThe legacy of the restored version and its impact on Welles’ reputationFeaturing special guest:Ryan Luis Rodriguez, film podcaster and host of The Coolness Chronicles and Reels of Justice Follow the Show:TwitterInstagramWebsite Music by Mike Natale

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• An American in Paris (1951) w/ Arlene Hellerman

  “’S Wonderful! ’S Marvelous!” – An American in Paris (1951)This week, we step into the dreamlike Technicolor world of An American in Paris with special guest Arlene Hellerman. A Publications Associate for Broadway Licensing Global, Arlene brings a multifaceted perspective shaped by a career spanning theatre, film, television, broadcast news, and print journalism.Together, we explore how Vincente Minnelli’s 1951 musical turned Gershwin’s music and Gene Kelly’s choreography into a lavish cinematic spectacle—culminating in one of the most ambitious ballet sequences in film history.An American in Paris (1951) was directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Gene Kelly and Leslie CaronSelected to the National Film Registry in 1993Known for:Its 17-minute ballet finale inspired by French impressionist artA seamless blend of Gershwin’s music with vivid choreography and designWinning six Academy Awards, including Best PictureDiscussion topics include:The film’s legacy in shaping the movie musicalIts stylized depiction of postwar ParisThe interplay between fine art and popular culture in Minnelli’s visionFeaturing special guest:Arlene Hellerman, Publications Associate for Broadway Licensing Global, whose career spans theatre, film, TV, broadcast news, and print journalism Follow the Show:TwitterInstagramWebsite Music by Mike Natale

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• A Brief History of Betty Boop: From the Inkwell to the Musical

  Boop-Oop-a-Doop! In this special bonus episode, we present A Brief History of Betty Boop: From the Inkwell to the Musical. We begin with the story of Fleischer Studios—the groundbreaking animation house behind Betty Boop, Popeye, and Koko the Clown—and trace how their surreal, adult-oriented cartoons challenged the norms of early animation and stood in stark contrast to Disney’s wholesome image.In the second half, we turn our attention to Boop: The Musical, the new Broadway-bound show reimagining Betty for a modern audience. From pre-Code symbol to pop culture icon, we explore how Betty’s spirit survives onstage and what it means to bring her back in 2025. A bonus episode tracing Betty Boop’s evolution from 1930s animation to the Broadway stageFirst HalfThe founding and influence of Fleischer StudiosBetty Boop’s origins and status as a pre-Code symbolUse of rotoscoping, music, and surrealism in Fleischer cartoonsThe studio’s decline and its cultural afterlifeSecond HalfOverview of Boop: The Musical and its creative teamHow the stage production updates Betty for new generationsThe challenges of adapting vintage animation for live theaterReflections on the enduring appeal of Betty Boop  Follow the Show:TwitterInstagramWebsite Music by Mike Natale

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• The Cheat (1915) w/ Jae Kim

  “You are mine—body and soul!” – The Cheat (1915)This week, we’re traveling back to 1915 with returning guests Amanda Rush and Jae Kim for a deep dive into Cecil B. DeMille’s The Cheat. A landmark of early American cinema, The Cheat helped shape visual storytelling through its pioneering use of lighting, editing, and narrative tension. But alongside its technical innovation lies a deeply troubling legacy—particularly in its portrayal of race and power.Amanda and Jae help us unpack the film’s lasting influence, Sessue Hayakawa’s complex role in Hollywood history, and how The Cheat fits into the broader conversation about preserving films that reflect both the artistry and the prejudices of their time.• The Cheat (1915) was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and stars Fannie Ward and Sessue Hayakawa• Selected to the National Film Registry in 1993• Celebrated for its dramatic lighting, narrative structure, and early use of cross-cutting• Discussion topics include:• The visual legacy of The Cheat• Sessue Hayakawa’s breakthrough role and its cultural implications• Representations of race and gender in early Hollywood• The importance of preserving films that capture both cinematic milestones and historical biases Follow the Show:TwitterInstagramWebsite Music by Mike Natale

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• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) w/ Ben Hosley

  “Which one of you nuts has got any guts?” – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)This week, we check into the ward with special guest Ben Hosley, producer of Blank Check with Griffin and David, to take on Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. One of only three films to sweep the “Big Five” Oscars, this anti-establishment classic remains a cultural touchstone. We dive into Jack Nicholson’s electric performance, Louise Fletcher’s chilling turn as Nurse Ratched, and how the film captures the shifting American psyche of the 1970s.New audio episodes drop every Monday at 12am EST, with video premieres on YouTube the same day at 12pm EST. Follow the Show:TwitterInstagramWebsite Music by Mike Natale

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