Advertise on podcast: Silver Screen Sleuths

Finishing up Season One of Silver Screen Sleuths, guest Lawerence Allan and host Emily J. Edwards are bringing you a jumbo-length discussion of Shane Black's 2016 cult classic, THE NICE GUYS starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Kim Basinger, Margaret Qualley, and Angourie Rice. Two longtime Angelenos wax poetic about the role of crime in the city of Angels, noir fiction, and the existential dillemias of sitting in traffic. Love Lawrence's take on crime fiction? Find his books online! https://lawrenceallanwrites.com/ Buy DAYDREAM BELIEVER from Shotgun Honey: https://shotgunhoney.com/books/catalog/daydream-believer/ Follow him on social media: https://bsky.app/profile/writelarrywrite.lawrenceallanwrites.com

Colin Harker, author of THE FEAST OF THE INNOCENTS and THORNS, joins us for an early dip into Spooky Season with the 1944 adaptation of Vera Caspary's LAURA, directed by Otto Preminger. Starring the incomparable Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Vincent Price, Judith Anderson, and Clifton Webb, the supernatural story of a police officer falling in love with a murdered woman is only a quarter of the story. At best. Find Colin online: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lordsteerpike.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinharkerauthor/ Books: https://a.co/d/066IR5sO Chapters 00:00 Exploring the Genre Blend10:08 The Influence of Classic Literature19:57 Character Dynamics and Psychological Themes28:59 Exploring Sexuality and Power Dynamics30:01 Gender, Sexuality, and Vulnerability50:54 The Haunting and Supernatural Elements of the Film57:41 Exploring Gothic Elements in Film Noir01:00:05 The Relationship Between Genre and Literary Fiction01:11:21 The Dark Coming of Age in Laura01:20:00 Realistic Handling of Romance in Laura

The incredible Jackie McMahon, author of THE CLOAK AND DAGGER CLUB, joins host Emily J. Edwards to discuss a Robert Altman classic starring almost every great British actor who tread the boards: GOSFORD PARK. The Julian Fellows-penned, Oscar-winning film takes the classic closed-loom, country-mansion mystery and turns it on its head, as the upstairs/downstairs dynamic dissolves when no one really cares that a man met a violent end in his home. Find Jackie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackiereadsandwrites/ Chapters 00:00 Setting the Stage: 1930s London and Gosford Park04:05 Character Interactions and Social Dynamics32:29 Challenges of Classic Detective Novels33:07 Balancing Authenticity and Sensitivity36:29 Representation of Marginalized Groups59:24 Justice and Social Order in Mystery Fiction

The phenomenal, Anthony Award-nominated author Mindy Carlson joins Emily again to discuss THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER, a flawless addition to the world of crime cinema... and puppets. Charles Grodin is the second-best ever human love interest for Miss Piggy (we wax nostalgic about Tim Curry at the top), while Diana Rigg plays the perfect foil to our fuzzy friends. Find Mindy online: https://mindycarlson.com/ Find Mindy's short story AITA: in the anthology Myopic Duplicity: https://a.co/d/0iKvarZU Chapters 00:00 Nostalgia and Humor in the Great Muppet Caper02:23 Tim Curry's Impact and Legacy04:33 The Muppets' Cross-Generational Appeal06:21 Intelligent Writing and Genre Subversion10:34 The Muppets' Subversive and Political Commentary26:13 The Muppets' Influence on Children's Media28:36 The Legacy of Jim Henson and Frank Oz29:22 Miss Piggy: A Symbol of Female Empowerment30:02 Meta Jokes and Visual Humor in Muppet Movies33:25 The Evolution of Villain Characters in Storytelling54:56 Exploring the Art of Mystery Movies57:32 The Impact of Iconic Films on Society58:02 The Significance of Honesty and Integrity01:01:12 The Role of Everyday People in Solving Mysteries01:04:08 The Influence of Classic Movies and the Importance of Reading with Intention

Historical mystery author Olesya Lyuzna joins Silver Screen Sleuths this week to discuss the 1957 Billy Wilder-directed screen adaptation of Agatha Christie's short story and stage play of the same name, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION. Starring Marlene Dietrich and Tyrone Power as the married Leonard and Christine Vole, who stand both together and at odds when Leonard is accused of murdering a wealthy spinster, while real-life married couple Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester play an ill barrister and his nurse, who stand both at odds and together, in their desire to defend both the guilty and innocent. Follow Olesya online on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olesyaisonline/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Series02:54 Exploring the 1920s07:02 Historical Parallels and Reflections11:00 Witness for the Prosecution: Movie Selection17:02 Characterization and Pacing in Witness for the Prosecution21:48 Marlene Dietrich's Commanding Presence23:16 The Psychological Depth of the Movie43:07 The Intriguing Characters and Their Complexity44:20 The Blend of Screwball and Noir Elements #classicfilm #oldhollywood #tyronepower #marlenedietrich #elsalanchester #charleslaughton #oscarnominees #greatperformances #billywilder #noir #screwball #oldmovies #classicmovies #blackandwhite #agathachristie

In this episode, Danny Cherry, Jr., author of THE PIKE BOYS and owner of Big Easy Press, joins me to discuss Rian Johnson's sophomore outing in the KNIVES OUT series, THE GLASS ONION. With a bigger budget and more eyes on his homage to Agatha Christie, Benoit Blanc takes on corruption in out-of-this-world orders of magnitude with a very human price: the lives of innocent people he once considered friends. Follow Danny Online: https://www.instagram.com/deecherrywriter https://books2read.com/thepikeboys/ https://bsky.app/profile/deecherrywriter.bsky.social Chapters 00:00 The Glass Onion: A Sequel Review03:05 Influence of Agatha Christie04:10 Journey to Becoming a Writer05:46 The Role of Sleuth Characters09:55 Character Dynamics and Nuanced Portrayals13:09 Exploring Genre Fiction and Character Archetypes17:01 Evolution of Sleuth Characters23:01 Class Divide and Character Relationships28:48 Class Portrayal in Literature29:28 Personal Experiences as Personal Assistants31:19 The Process of Ghostwriting32:33 The Impact of Deadlines on Writing40:10 The Appeal of Crime Fiction to Journalists and Writers36:13 The Significance of Constraints in Storytelling44:06 Portrayal of Humanity in Crime Fiction53:22 Character Dynamics and Performances in 'Glass Onion' (Knives Out 2)

The incomparable Keith Roysdon joins host Emily J. Edwards after his episode on ZODIAC to discuss another film classic: Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 thriller, REAR WINDOW. We get into the dog days of summer and discussing the impact of this brilliant film, between Jeff's (played by Jimmy Stewart) reliance on being a man behind the camera, Lisa's (played by Grace Kelly) truly adventurous spirit, and Stella's (played by Thelma Ritter) incredible work as the audience stand-in. New York City was a very different place in 1954, and we get into how the vertical "town" of NYC apartment complexes replace the cozy nature of small towns, the politics of fashion and clothing, and what Robert Moses did to ruin the community of NYC. Find Keith Online! https://keithroysdon.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/keithroysdon.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/keithroysdon/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:11 The Magic of the Internet and Movie Memories03:36 The Opulence of Old Movie Houses05:09 Fashion, Joy, and Celebration08:32 Hitchcock's Use of Color and Character Analysis13:07 Thelma Ritter and the Nation of Peeping Toms17:46 Urban vs. Rural Life and Political Reflections25:13 Feminization and Cozy Mystery Analysis26:27 Exploring Gender and Disability27:51 Gender Presentation and Disability in 195428:52 The Role of Surveillance and Enjoyment30:28 Gender Roles and Media Jobs34:07 The Facade of Hypermasculinity36:13 Jealousy and Frustration37:26 Social Dynamics and Class Stratification45:27 Ethnic Representation and Character Names50:59 Raymond Burr's Transformation51:46 Exploring Physicality in Film52:56 Community and Urban Life58:14 The Role of Tools in Journalism01:02:25 Marriage and Gender Dynamics01:06:34 Family Migration and Ghost Show

Few books and films have simultaneously upended the publishing and movie industry the way GONE GIRL did in 2012/2014. Celebrated thriller author, Jaime Lynn Hendricks, joins Emily J. Edwards this week on the podcast to discuss all the ways the story of Amy and Nick disrupted our understanding of happy marriages, suburbia, and what you can do in a domestic thriller. Find Jaime Lynn Hendricks online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimelynnhendricksauthor/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@jaimelynnhendricksauthor Pre-order THE WAY YOU LIE here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Way-You-Lie/Jaime-Lynn-Hendricks/9781613167717 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Discussion01:40 Writing and Publishing Journey03:19 Challenges and Rejections10:33 Cinematic Adaptation24:38 The Cathartic Experience25:11 The Legacy of Gone Girl26:16 The Real-Life Impact33:38 The Ending: Book vs. Movie48:27 The Duality of Good vs. Evil

In this episode, Ellen Byron (the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of the Golden Motel Mysteries, the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and Cajun Country Mysteries), discusses the classic film 'Charade'. The conversation covers the journey of 'Charade' to the screen, the themes of comedy in mystery, the evolution of humor, and the oddly progressive elements of the movie. As always, we hypothesize about re-making the movie today and are left wondering: who would YOU cast in the roles of Reggie Lampert and Peter Joshua? Does any star working today have the chemistry, the dapperness, and the style of Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn? Find Ellen online and pre-order her new books! All Aboard for Murder: https://a.co/d/0cBIeeNHA Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras: https://a.co/d/0aEeIDfDFollow Ellen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Book Discussion02:57 The Journey of 'Charade' to the Screen07:58 Complexity and Themes of 'Charade'18:51 The Plot and Characters of 'Charade'19:53 The Evolution of Humor and Comedy in Mystery23:03 The Impact of 'Charade' and the Integration of A and B Plots34:21 The Importance of Visual Elements in Storytelling37:28 Progressive Themes in 'Charade'38:49 The Unique Setting of 'Charade'39:47 The Difficulty of Casting for a Remake52:07 Chemistry and Elegance in Modern Actors

Mindy Carlson, author of the award-nominated mystery novel HER DYING DAY, joins host Emily J. Edwards to discuss two of the most famous adaptations of Agatha Christie's opus, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. The 1974, Sidney Lumet-directed vehicle starring Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, and Ingrid Bergman was nominated for, and won, countless Oscars. Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh boldly chose to launch his career as Poirot with a remake that was nominated for, uh, slightly less prestigious awards. We get into it in this week's episode! Catch Mindy here: https://mindycarlson.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mindycarlsonauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMindyCarlson

Award-winning author of SHE'S A LAMB!, Meredith Hambrock, joins host Emily J. Edwards for the discussion of our first-ever TV limited series, MARE OF EASTTOWN. The 7-part series, starring Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, Julianne Nicholson, Evan Peters, Guy Pearce, and Caily Spaeny, is a bleak and oftentimes harrowing exploration of life in a struggling small town in eastern Pennsylvania. While never flinching away from poverty, drug addiction, abuse, and sexual assault, the show ultimately has a brilliant ending for its dedicated audience. Find Meredith Hambrock on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meredithhambrockbooks Find her podcast, The Novel Writers, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-novel-writers-podcast/id1895741150

The phenomenal author Katy Watson, author of the Three Dahlias series, is here to discuss the BBC adaptation of SHERLOCK, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. The series expertly portrays the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, and why this enduring partnership can be adapted– and will be adapted– for the rest of time. Love Katy as much as I do? Find her online! On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katywatsonauthor/ Sign up for her newsletter: https://katywatson.co.uk/the-dahlia-diaries/

Cayce Osborne joins host Emily J. Edwards to discuss the 1983 MOTV/Backdoor Pilot, TRAVIS MCGEE starring Sam Elliott! Travis, the brainchild of one of America's best-selling authors, John D. MacDonald, is a "salvage expert" who excels in returning people's lost valuables– for half the cost of what he recovers. In this adaptation of THE EMPTY COPPER SEA, Travis works to recoup the reputation of a friend for a low low price– with a couple of hot babes included? Love SSS? Please leave a review wherever you listen! Find Cayce Online at https://cayceosborne.com/ Watch the movie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b5ei1iA7IJ4?si=GbbYc77xit1Wv6iN Chapters 00:00 Character Description and Background33:26 Characterization and Storyline Issues38:48 Impact on Travis McGee Franchise49:12 Book Adaptation and Understanding of Locale

This week, David Avallone (https://www.patreon.com/cw/DavidAvallone) joins host Emily J. Edwards to discuss pulp fiction, literary adaptations, and the Coen Brothers' early hit, MILLER'S CROSSING. A faithful (but perhaps legally loose) adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's THE GLASS KEY, MILLER'S CROSSING is an audacious crime novel about the love of family– if the only family you're talking about is organized. MILLER'S CROSSING stars Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden, and John Tuturro. Find David Avallone online: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DavidAvallonehttps://www.davidavallonefreelance.com/Home.htmlhttps://bsky.app/profile/davallone.bsky.social

Tony Wirt and host Emily J. Edwards have a delightful conversation about the movie CLUE and its impact on them, including childhood experiences, the art of mystery writing, Tim Curry's performance, rurality and claustrophobia, and humor and grammar jokes. CLUE subverts genre expectations and the "rules" of mystery writing as set up by classic authors such as Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, and Dorothy L. Sayers. It's bot a perfect and imperfect mystery movie! Takeaways Clue's impact on childhood experiencesThe genius of Clue's writing and cast Clue's subversive elements challenge traditional gender dynamics and societal normsThe conversation highlights the importance of fair play and reader expectations in the mystery genre Find guest Tony Wirt online! https://bsky.app/profile/tonywirt.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wirterhttps://www.tonywirt.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Love for Clue06:02 The Genius of Clue13:30 The Essence of Clue and Gothic Horror20:00 Tim Curry's Performance26:43 Humor and Grammar Jokes in Clue32:12 Gender Representation37:17 Snappy Dialogue43:25 Enjoying the Ride