Advertise on podcast: Behind The Bells Podcast

" The pumpkins on the tree were not mere pumpkins." Sorry for the tardiness of this episode, but Robert is still in the Halloween spirit in November, so let's pull a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror-style delay and explore the classic adaptation of the Ray Bradbury novella, The Halloween Tree Join Robert as he breaks down the 1993 special, how the story dwells in the true meaning of Halloween, how the special almost got made by Chuck Jones in the 1960s, how a Ray Bradbury superfan got it back on track and how Disneyland would eventully instal thier own Halloween tree. Music by Purple Planet and Musicloops Website Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*

"I am your host; your Ghost Host" After a needed break, Robert finally returns with a look at the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland. Paul Frees, who played a lot of roles in Frosty the Snowman, was also a major voice at Disney, but many know him as the ghost host of the classic ride. Join Robert as he dwells into the tomb of how the attraction came to be, how the attraction's story showcased a spirited atmosphere, how the other version differ, and he even goes into the adaptations of The Haunted Mansion. This includes the 2003, 2023, and the Muppets Haunted Mansion special from Disney+. Music by Purple Planet and Musicloops Website Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"That hat brought Frosty to life. It must be magic!" We're getting into the cooler months, which means snow should be coming soon. This means its time to talk Frosty the Snowman, a Rankin/Bass special that was nostalgic to Robert. It may be more geared to kids, but theres a lot of charm from the special. Learn how songwriter Jack Rollins got his start in his forties in which he wrote a variety of songs including those for Lawrence Welk and Babe Ruth before he got into the holiday buisness. Also learn how Gene Autry repeated with Frosty the year after he sung Rudolph and how Jimmy Durante's style would suite him to put out his own cover of Frosty.  Music credited to Purple Planet & Musicloops Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"So what resolution should we make for the new year? It's to let God know that you have the guts and the will to do it alone." Now back after a needed hiatus, Robert went on a New Years Cruise for his honeymoon... realizing that it made sense for him to cover the Irwin Allen produced disaster movie, The Poseidon Adventure. Because the ugliest Christmas tree ends up saving lives, this counts as holiday-related. Of course, does this make it an "Almost Christmas" movie? Along with looking into the history of disaster movies and how Irwin Allen found the story, Robert also goes into his Honeymoon, comparing how cruising has changed since 1972, when The Poseidon Adventure was released.  Music credit goes to Purple Planet and Incompetech Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out this week's Podcast shoutout, Christmas Creeps *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"Merry After Christmas!" After celebrating a wonderful December with his new wife, Robert has an amazing gift for everyone: A top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies List. It's an episode in the making that was challenging, but he picked the ones embody the most Christmas spirit and connect to his nostalgic past.  He'll go from a famliy of Santas to family men trying to give the best Christmas he can to a WWI Christmas truce to those that ask the question "Is there a Santa Claus?". Its time that Robert counts down his absolute favorites. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"Jumping Jingle Bells!" In honor of Christmas Podcast Day, Robert is stepping into the Delorean to take the time jump to 1991. He does a little deep dive into the Back to the Future animated series and the Christmas episode that was produced, "Dickens of a Christmas". While the Back to the Future trilogy is Robert's all time favorite set of movies, the animated series is a mixed bag... and Dickens of a Christmas is not a better one. There's still a lot to take in from a story about Ebenezer Tannon getting a visit from a ghostly Marty on a hoverboard, Doc recusing his boys Jules and Verne from a Sykes-like figure, and taking the Delorean to Victorian England. Robert also explores the cartoon's history and how the same team from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures were tasked with briging another time travel series to life. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear" It took longer then he thought, but Robert's finally ready to dive back into the world of Elf. Along with continuing the adventures of the writer David Bernenbaum, he also goes into how Jon Favreau went from an actor to stepping behind the camera. Learn how a lot of the script got changed, how Will Ferrell tried to make it racier, how they used a mental asylum to film a majority of the movie, how Jon fought to keep his movie family friendly and how it would bat out ofther family movies like the Looney Tunes and The Cat in the Hat. He also goes into why Elf has remained timeless. Facebook Instagram Patreon

"I don't need to see it. I lived it" For Robert's first ever Almost Christmas special, he wanted to pay tribute to the late Paul Reubens by looking at his 80's classic, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. The goal is to take the one moment of Christmas the movie has and see whether it comes close as a Christmas movie. But he also looks at some of his facorite moments from the movie and tells his stories of visiting the locations. Some include the Cabazon Dinosaurs and the Alamo. Robert also looks into Paul Reubens background, he he created Pee-Wee Herman and how the movie came to be. Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Musicloops and Gumroad Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out this weeks Podcast Shoutout, Lit for Christmas *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*

"And since we've no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!" It's Christmas in July... in August. Better later then never, but Robert wanted to address some of his future plans for new segements including "Almost Christmas" and "Christmas WHAT!?" while saying that Elf Part 2 will be coming Robert also wanted to give you some of his favorite Christmas movies that can be watched in Summer. He's got some blockbusters in store that may involve Batman, some gremlins, detectives, someone with Scissors and an Ice Cream Bunny. If you need to get cool... jump in the pool. But if you still wanna cool down more, watch some of these Christmas movies. Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Musicloops and GumRoad Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out this weeks Podcast Shoutout, Totally Rad Christmas! *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"What's a Christmas-Gram? I want one!" Continuing with the look into Elf, Robert's joined by Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter to talk about the movie... along with some other Christmas movies... along with some other traditions related to Christmas... and having a more laidback conversation. The two os us talk about some of our favorite moments, how the third act is still the most random part of the movie and how much Elf has become both of our personal favorites. We also look into our personal favorite elves, some of our other Christmas classics and why the movie has had the impact it does with the public. Does Elf already have the same cult status as A Christmas Story or has it passed beyond that? Find out before Robert returns with the 2nd part of the Elf deep dive Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out Christmas Clatter and all the fun that Todd puts out Christmas Clatter *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"I like to smile, smiling's my favorite" Robert is back after a brief hiatus to explore the first major Christmas classic of the new millennium, Elf. Even though he's gone back and forth on it, Robert does consider Elf a great Christmas movie which works thanks to Will Ferrell's talent. Learn about how writer David Berenbaum was a movie obsessed Jewish child who also happened to love Christmas movies, how his brother Michael would work with Coppola and the Coen Brothers, how David's loneliness in LA inspired him to write Elf and how the script nearly became both Jim Carey and Chris Farley vehicles. Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud to hear!" In anticipation for my next deep dive, Robert looks at his personal favorite Christmas elves in various movies and TV specials. While there are plenty of the traditional ones that live at the North Pole and make toys, some of the choices will branch outside the box. We've got techno-savy elves, spy-elves, space alien elves, scary elves and even one set of non-elves. Its an elfing list galore! Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Music Loops, Jungle Punks, GumRoad and Keys of Moon Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*  

"Video game. Video game. Didn't Anyone ask for a bat, a sword, or Molotov cocktails?" A new year means a new season of Behind the Bells. Today we're collaborating with Gerry from the Totally Rad Christmas! podcast to talk about last years suprise Christmas hit, Violent Night.  The two of us podcasters talk about the movie thats part Die Hard, part The Santa Clause, part Bad Santa and even a little bit part The Ref, as Stranger Thing's Dave Harbour as Santa has to fend off theives as run by John Leguizamo and save Christmas. We really liked the movie and have a lot of fun talking about our favorite moments, favorite kills, speculate on who could play Mrs. Claus, and we even spitball our own casting had Violent Night been made in the 80s. Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out Totally Rad Christmas! as well! Totally Rad Christmas! 

Merry Teusday Everyone! On our newest cozy fire chat, we've got our first guest from the North Pole. We have Santa's Poet Amy who took time out of her busy schedule to have some fun with Robert. Sit an enjoy as the two talk about Christmas movies, their favorite portrayls of Santa, and of course, get to know Amy. Check out how she became a poet, how the North Pole became her calling and get challenged by Robert to some creative improv poems based on random Christmas topics.  Behind the Bells Facebook Behind the Bells Instagram Behind the Bells Patreon Santa's Poet Amy Website Santa's Poet Amy Facebook  Santa's Poet Amy Instagram  Santa's Poet Amy Youtube

"I Believe... it's silly but I believe" The holidays are upon us! And what a better way then finish our dive into Miracle on 34th Street. Now it's time to see how Fox managed to get Macys and Gimbels to agree to use their names for the movie. Learn how the movie's filming of the annual Thanksgiving parade would be the first time a lot of people around the world would see it. Also learn how Maureen O'Hara was forced by contract to do Miracle, how Natalie Wood was already a pro actress at age 8 and Edmund Gwen was so perfect for the part that many of the children actors believed he was Santa. We also look into how Fox insisted on a Summer release... and it's strategy would make it a bit hit. Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops.com Facebook Instagram Patreon