Thu, Aug 31, 2017
We will discuss Pierre Boulle's infamous novel La Planete des Singes and compare to the 1968 classic 'Planet of the Apes' (script by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson). We will delve into the myths, sociological and political references found within the source material of this Academy Award-winning film. Planet of the Apes would spawn a film franchise, television series, animated series and continued Academy award-winning series that continues to smash box office records today. Our hosts are Joshua Hider, Mandie Harvey, Jon Wilson and Keith Chawgo/
Sat, Sep 30, 2017
We will be covering Thomas Harris bestseller and the Academy Award Winning 'The Silence of the Lambs' directed by Jonathan Demme. The Silence of the Lambs would start a film franchise and bring crime behavioral science to the masses. This is the film that started it all. Although Hannibal Lecter would make an appearance in the book 'Red Dragon' and the film 'Manhunter', he would not become a household name until this Academy Award-winning film. The Literary Licence Podcast discuss Silence of the Lambs with Keith Chawgo, Mandie Harvey and Jon Wilson.
Sat, Oct 14, 2017
We will be discussing the classic Shirley Jackson novel 'The Haunting of Hill House' and the classic 1963 Robert Wise film, 'The Haunting'. We also have an interview with Laurence Jackson Hyman, Shirley Jackson's son, who discusses his mother's career and current productions coming our way in the forthcoming year. We will also be joined by award-winning cartoonist, Rob Kirby. He will be co-hosting with Keith Chawgo and Jon Wilson and discussing 'The Shirley Jackson Project - Comics Inspired by Her Life and Work'. Robert Wise used inspirational camera techniques and angles and ensure that the pictures, tones and silence told the story of this phenomenal motion picture.
Tue, Oct 31, 2017
The Literary License Podcast presents Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize novel The Road with winning film directed by John Hillcoat with a script by Joe Penhall. The Road handled an apocalyptic world with little dialogue and let the pictures and performance tell the story. This deep and haunting tale became a film festival favorite. Joining Keith Chawgo and Jon Wilson is special co-host Cassandra Swan, the author of The Alibi Room an anthology of her work which includes her award-winning poetry.
Thu, Nov 30, 2017
The screenplay of A Christmas Story is based on Jean Shepherd's In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash, three semi-autobiographical posts published in Playboy from 1964 and 1966. Other stories which include Flick's Tongue was told on his WOR Radio Talk Show in 1968. Other stories found within the feature can be found whilst giving talks on his college tour circuit. The Red Ryder BB Gun came out in 1968 and is still available today. Jon and Keith discuss their Christmas memories and discuss the book and the seasonal favorite. We also have an interview with Tripp Whetsell.
Thu, Nov 30, 2017
A hiker's survival skills are put to the test, when he stumbles upon the remains of an old abandoned camp and discovers its long dark secrets. Vincente diSanti will be joining us to discuss his career and his fan film 'Never Hike Alone'. DiSanti is a writer, voice actor, director and actor who has written and directed the 2015 short 'The Red Room', additional dialogue for the 2016 animated film, 'Rock Dog' and his new short 'Don't Hike Alone'. This is a name that we think will make it big and we can't wait to see what he has planned for the future.
Sun, Jan 14, 2018
Henry James novella mixes two genres, the gothic and ghost stories, to make an eerie classic that stays embedded into the subconscious long after you put it down. Due to the original content, scholars have argued about the interpretations found within its pages. Many have argued about the evil hinted at the stories, which leads to its brilliance as its power is in the creating an intimate sense of confusion and suspense. James would rewrite the story numerous times through his life span which would include subtle changes such as changing the children's ages. In 1961, Jack Clayton would bring the story to the screen starring Deborah Kerr, Michael Redgrave and Megs Jenkins . With a script by Truman Capote and John Mortimer, the psychological horror would achieve its effects through lighting, music and direction rather than conventional shocks. Cinematographer, Freddie Francis would employ deep focus in many scenes, as well as bold, minimal lighting. The James classic would be adapted into a Broadway play, a ballet and there is even a prequel called The Newcomer starring Marlon Brando. There has even been countless foreign adaptions and even the basis of the Quentin Collins storyline explored in the classic gothic horror soap opera 'Dark Shadows. Interesting facts about the film is that Kate Bush's The Infant Kiss is inspired by the film and audio tracks were sampled in the cursed tape of the 2002 film, The Ring.
Wed, Jan 31, 2018
The Amityville Horror was a best seller book that advertised itself as a true story which would take the world by the storm to become a media franchise that still lives today. The basic history is that in 1974, Ronald DeFeo killed his family allegedly after hearing voices telling him to murder his family. One year later, George and Kathy Lutz and their three children move into the property where they experienced a haunting which would cause them to leave their house and personal belongs 28 days after moving in. We discuss the DeFeo Murders, the Lutz Family and all things Amityville. We look at the book and film and our feelings of the haunting and the mass media storm that would define true life horror to the pinnacle of what it is today.
Wed, Feb 14, 2018
The Strangers written and directed by Bryan Bertino is tells the perceived safety of pastoral life and explores stranger on stranger violence. Taken its cue from the Manson murders of 1969 and a series of break-ins that occurred in his neighborhood as a child, Bertino filmed a thriller that questions ones safety in their own home. Starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman play the couple whom seem to have stepped out of an Ingmar Bergman film which ultimately branding the film as naturalistic domestic horror. It also gives a nod to undermining the notion that rural America is more dangerous that the suburbs and city living creating a provincial violence within the confines of its setting. The film is loosely based on a true story which takes its nod from the Manson Tate Murders and The Keddie Cabin Murders of 1981. The sequel, The Strangers: Prey at Night will be released in March 2018.
Wed, Feb 28, 2018
The Bad Seed tells the story of Rhoda Penmark, the picture perfect child who harbors a villainous demeanour. The Bad Seed was a best selling book which was turned in to a Broadway sensation earning a Tony Award for Nancy Kelly in the part of Christine Penmark. It was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1955. The film would bring almost the entire Broadway cast to the screen and would garner four Oscar nominations. Examining the theme of nurture over nature, the film and book opens plenty of questions and leaves it to the audience to come up with their own conclusions.
Sat, Mar 31, 2018
The book won the 1935 Inaugural National Book award for most original book. Set in the fictional town of Abalone, Arizona, whose inhabitants epitomize ordinary Americans as they are simultaneously backhandedly celebrated and lovingly pilloried for their emergent reactions to the wonders of magic and of everyday life. The film was script was written by Charles Beaumont which has a stellar cast of character actors and Tony Randall playing seven roles including the title character. The film would receive a special Academy Award for make-up and nomination for special effects. Interesting facts about the film is that the Crystal Ball and Hourglass from the Wizard of Oz makes an appearance in the film along with the two headed turtle which would be featured in The Adams Family for a few episodes.
Mon, Apr 30, 2018
After Peter Benchley became interested in shark attacks and after he learned about the exploits of shark hunter, Frank Mundus in 1965. In 1971, Doubleday commissioned Benchley to write a novel. The hardback would stay on the best seller list for over 44 weeks in 1974. Richard D Zanuk and David Brown would buy the rights before the book was published and hired Steven Spielberg to direct. The film became box office gold in 1975 becoming one of the highest grossing films of all times. It would win three Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Original Film Score and Best Sound.
Mon, Apr 30, 2018
Written in 1971 by Richard Matheson, the book would spawn a film feature and a comic book miniseries with illustrations by Simon Fraser and adapted by Ian Edgington. The film script was written by Richard Matheson and directed by John Hough who was influential in the Hammer Horror films of the 1960/70's. The film was made by American International (famous for the Poe series starring Vincent Price). The film stars Clive Revill, Gloria Hunnicutt, Pamela Franklin and Roddy McDowall. The film upon release was given a lukewarm review from critics but since that time, it is now considered a classic and has made it to top ten all time horror films. Dialogue samplers from the film have been used by Anaal Nathrath, Skinny Puppy and Orbital.
Sat, Jun 30, 2018
Based on a true story of demonic possession in 1949 which Blatty heard about whilst being a student at Georgetown University in 1950. Aspects of the character Father Merrin were based on the British archaeologist Gerald Lankester Harding, who had excavated the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls had been found and whom Blatty had met in Beirut. Blatty has stated that Harding "was the physical model in my mind when I created the character [of Merrin], whose first name, please note, is Lankester." Aspects of the novel were inspired by an exorcism performed by the Jesuit priest, Fr. William S. Bowdern, who formerly taught at both St. Louis University and St. Louis University High School. Recent investigative research by freelance journalist Mark Opsasnick indicates that Blatty's novel was based on an actual 1949 exorcism of a young boy from Cottage City, Maryland, whom Opsasnick refers to using the pseudonyms Robbie Mannheim and Roland Doe. The boy was sent to his relative's home on Roanoke Drive in St. Louis where most of the exorcism took place. Blatty refers to the Loudun possessions and the Louviers possessions throughout the story, mostly when Fr. Karras is researching possession and exorcism to present the case to his superiors. He also has one of his characters tell a brief story about an unnamed fraudulent Spiritualist medium who had studied to be a Jesuit priest. This story can be found in Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research, Vol. 114. 1930, in an article about fraudulent practices by Daniel Dunglas Home. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards winning two for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound Mixing. The film would also win 4 Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay.
Thu, Jun 14, 2018
House of the Devil (2009), Directed, written and edited by Ti West , House of the Devil gives a nod to late 70's/80's horror films. Using 16mm film, giving the film a retro look, the cinematography of the film also reflects the methods used by directors of the time. For instance, West often has the camera zoom in on characters (rather than dolly in as is now common in film), a technique that was often used in horror films of the 1970s and continued to be used into the 1980s. Other stylistic signifiers include opening credits (which became less common in films in the decades after the 1980s) in yellow font accompanied by freeze-frames and the closing credits being played over a still image of the final scene. The plot concerns a young college student who is hired as a babysitter at an isolated house and is soon caught up in bizarre and dangerous events as she fights for her life. The film combines elements of both the slasher film and haunted house subgenres while using the "satanic panic" of the 1980s as a central plot element. The film stars Mary Woronov, Tom Noonan, Jocelin Donahue, Dee Wallace and Greta Gerwig. The Innkeepers (2011), Written, directed and edited by Ti West, The Innkeepers centres around two ghost hunter enthusiasts who are working the final weekend of the Yankee Peddler Inn in Connecticut. A slow burn ghost story that mixes 80's sensibilities with a modern twist. The film stars Sara Paxton, Pat Healey, Lena Dunham and Kelly McGillis. The film is shot in Torrington Connecticut and at the actual Yankee Peddler Inn.
Sat, Jul 14, 2018
The Omen (1976), Directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer, this film would be the top box office winner of 1976 and a huge commercial success. This would also win Jerry Goldsmith's only Oscar for his richly textured soundtrack. The film would bring the world three sequels and an unfavourable remake in 2006. It is now considered a horror classic and has crossed the genre divide as being known as a true film classic and is most top films to watch. It has also won endless awards and considered to be an influential film that brought people back to the church upon its release in 1976. This classic story about a child switched at birth whom maybe the son of Satan getting ready to take back his rightful place in the world. Frailty (2001) Bill Paxton making is directorial debut with a script by Brent Hanley, this psychological thriller won over the critics for its dark portrayal of a father raising his children in the light of god with horrifying results. The film is now considered a cult gem with critics urging people to discover this film which works on many levels. This is considered one of the best horror films to come out in the 2000's. The film will never be equalled and it leaves its audience with food for thought long after the screen goes black. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton and Powers Boothe. It also brings to the screen two amazing young actors Matt O'Leary and Jeremy Sumpter who bring innocence and knowingness to their roles which will stick with you.
Tue, Jul 31, 2018
The first official Rock Opera, Tommy started life as a concept album written by Pete Townsend. Inspired by the teachings of Meher Baba, a spiritual master in India also known as The Avatar. The story centres around a blind, deaf and dumb boy who finds enlightenment playing pinball. Several of the songs such as 'Sally Simpson' were inspired by The Doors concert which ended in violence and John Entswistle would cover the darker themes of bullying and sexual abuse. The album was a smashed though it did not have a clear narrative. In 1972, a concert production went into production as a one off with the London Symphony Orchestra and which would include the vocal talents of Rod Stewart, Graham Bell, Maggie Bell, Sandy Denny, Steve Winwood, Richard Harris, Richie Havens, Merry Clayton and the Who. In 1975, Ken Russell would bring the rock opera to screen which would include Jack Nicholson, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Ann Margaret, Tina Turner, Robert Powell and a host of others would form the main characters. The film would move around and add plot points to add a more cohesive structure to the original concept album. The film would become a box office smash. Ann Margaret would go on to earn an Academy Award nomination for her role as Tommy's mother.
Tue, Aug 14, 2018
Jon Wilson, Vickie Rae and Keith Chawgo will look back over our first season and discuss our seasonal highlights which will include looking back on all our episodes. We will also be discussing exciting news for what is coming your way in Season 2. We will also be looking at our personal highs and lows. This is an episode that you do not want to miss. We would like to thank all our fans and listeners who make this worthwhile. We also would like to thank our special guest co-hosts throughout Season One which include Laurence Hyman Jackson, Vincente diSante, C Derrick Miller, Joshua Hider, Mandie Harvey, Cassandra Swan, Robert Kirby, Matthew V Brockmeyer, Tristan Drue Rogers and John Hunt.