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Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly. Gotta be a musical, right? Actually, it’s a film noir, whose connection to Christmas is limited at best. So much misdirection, and I haven’t even told you the plot. Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard.

Tracy and Hepburn do “battle of the sexes” and help Judy Holiday launch her film career. There’s a random Cole Porter song, and T & H are adorable. George Cukor directs a great script. Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.

Billy Wilder tells the story of a man’s (Ray Milland) alcoholic weekend, and the lies he tells to family and friends about his drinking. Surprisingly gritty and emotional for the era, and photography that heightens the mood. Also, Jane Wyman, Philip Terry, and Frank Faylen again. Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.

Another tale of evangelicals who use their charisma to con the faithful. Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones and a cast of 50s heavies are all on hand. Based on Sinclair Lewis’ (Dodsworth) story. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard and Nathan Alderman.

he team behind our previous Spooky Season entry CAT PEOPLE — producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur — return with the Jane Eyre-inspired tale of a naive nurse summoned to a tropical island to care for a rich nepo baby’s ailing wife. But the patient’s malady may have a sinister, supernatural source. Get ready for an atmospheric, antiracist spookshow that’s a lot smarter than you’d think, subverting cheap voodoo-movie stereotypes in cool and surprising ways. Ah woe! Ah me! Shame and sorrow for the family! With guest host, Nathan Alderman. Nathan Alderman with Shelly Brisbin, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard.

Each season has its quota of film noir. So here we go. “A former boxer turned taxi driver earns the scorn of his nagging wife and gets mixed up with jewel thieves.” It’s a B picture with fun performances, one of my favorite things. Meet John Payne, Evelyn Keyes and Brad Dexter, a non-superstar lineup that nonetheless pops off the screen. Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy podcast. Bette Davis in her most iconic role, attempts to fend off the usurping Anne Baxter. The drama plays out in the New York theatre. There’s a witty script and a delightful supporting cast, along with many legends about how this film came together. Come and feast with us around the camp fire. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Here is one of the greatest ensembles of the classic era - or any era, for that matter. Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucile Ball, Ann Miller, Eve Arden (and cat), Gail Patrick, Andrea Leads. Constance Collier, all sharing a theatrical boarding house in New York, and struggling to become big stars. Kate says something about calla lilies, and also snipes with Ginger. It’s so much fun! Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

If you can quote from “Casablanca” or “Gone with the Wind,” you can probably quote from “Now Voyager.” Or you could, with a little reminder. “Don’t let’s ask for the moon, when we have the stars.” And the Paul Henreid/Bette Davis cigarette-lighting move is here, too. Tis a stone cold classic of the romantic, weepy canon. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

We bring Stanwyck Summer (but not the LTS season) to a close with a draft-ish episode. Each panelist has brought us a Barbara Stanwyck film - one we haven’t talked about before on the show. Somehow, there are a number of cats. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should her husband (Burt Lancaster) be plotting her death? Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Stanwyck Summer continues with a “noir tragedy.” She finds herself involved with Kirk Douglas (his film debut), Van Heflin and Lizbeth Scott. Did Missy kill her very mean aunt, many years ago? Let’s find out, shall we? Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga.

Barbara Stanwyck (Lorna) in a boxing movie? OK, sure. But you’ll also see the film that began her lifelong friendship with William Holden. Bill (Joe) is a violinist who wants to try his hand at boxing. Because there’s money in that. Stanwyck’s Lorna is the girl who loves him. What price must Joe pay to become a success? Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga.

We begin Stanwyck Summer with one of her most iconic films, and greatest performances. Stella Dallas is pure melodrama, so sudsy that the name was taken by a radio soap opera. Stella is a working-class woman with a daughter she wants to give all the things she never had. Will she succeed? Will her daughter be grateful? Tune in tomorrow! Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard.

This George Stevens (best director Oscar) epic looms large. It’s a classic “roadshow” film of the 1950s, complete with West Texas vistas, Technicolor, big stars like Rock (Hudson), Liz (Taylor) and Jimmy (Dean), but no intermission, even though it’s three hours long! It also looms large in the history of the Texas towns (Marfa and Valentine) where it was filmed. I’ve grown up with stories of people tangentially touched by the production, and there are songs that celebrate, or sometimes give the side eye to, the whole thing. Shelly Brisbin with Laura Rice, Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr and Randy Dotinga.