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The Sublime to the Bizarre – Cop Land, Ray Liotta, & The Conqueror Welcome to another packed episode of the Stinking Pause podcast! This week, Scott is serving up a cinematic double bill guaranteed to give you severe tonal whiplash, pairing a gritty '90s neo-noir triumph with one of the most notoriously misguided epics in Hollywood history. First up, Scott is joined by Antony to take a trip across the George Washington Bridge to Garrison, New Jersey, for James Mangold's stellar 1997 crime drama, Cop Land. While Sylvester Stallone rightfully earned acclaim for shedding his action-hero bravado (and packing on the pounds) to play a subdued, half-deaf sheriff, we are also shining a massive spotlight on the late, great Ray Liotta. As the twitchy, unpredictable Gary "Figgsy" Figgis, Liotta is an absolute live wire. He brings a chaotic, untethered energy—a frantic storm of paranoia, regret, and cocaine—that elevates the entire film. We'll break down his brilliant performance and why he remains one of the finest actors of his generation. Then, take all that grounded, gritty realism, throw it in a blender, and hit puree. For our second feature, we travel back to 1956 for The Conqueror. Yes, folks, this is the infamous film where the Duke himself, John Wayne, attempts to play 12th-century Mongolian emperor Genghis Khan. We dive deep into the spectacular miscasting, the clunky dialogue, and the bizarre, tragic legacy of a movie shot in the Utah desert directly downwind from an active nuclear testing site. It's a journey from the very best of tense, character-driven drama to radioactive Hollywood hubris. Grab a coffee and a doughnut, stick your headphones on, and join us for a truly wild ride. This and all previous episodes are available wherever you download your podcasts and at https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause   Follow us on Twitter/X: @stinkingpause   #StinkingPause #Podcast #MoviePodcast #CopLand #RayLiotta #JamesMangold #SylvesterStallone #90sCinema #CrimeDrama #NeoNoir #TheConqueror #JohnWayne #GenghisKhan #HollywoodHistory #ClassicHollywood #50sMovies #FilmReview #DoubleFeature #Cinephile

Murder, Manuscripts and Miniature Mayhem This time on Stinking Pause, we're entering the dangerous world of theatre, thrillers and people who really should know better than to keep decorative weapons around the house. Our main review is Deathtrap from 1982, Sidney Lumet's twisty, slippery adaptation of Ira Levin's hugely successful stage play. Michael Caine stars as Sidney Bruhl, a once-celebrated playwright whose career has gone a bit quiet — never a healthy condition in a thriller. Into his life comes Christopher Reeve as Clifford Anderson, a talented young writer with a manuscript that may be just a little too good for everyone's safety. Add Dyan Cannon, a house full of suspicious props, and enough double-crossing to make a theatre critic nervous, and you have a film that knows exactly how to pull the rug, then check whether there's another rug underneath. In the middle of the show, we spend some time with Ira Levin, the master plotter behind Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, The Boys from Brazil and, of course, Deathtrap. Levin had a wonderful knack for taking ordinary homes, marriages, neighbours and polite conversations, then quietly making them feel deeply unsafe. And then, because we have standards and enjoy lowering them, Celluloid Stinkers takes us back to 1938 for The Terror of Tiny Town, the all-little-people musical western that remains one of Hollywood's strangest "somebody definitely approved this" moments. Thrills, twists, questionable judgement and a western that probably needed a second meeting — what more could you want?   This and all previous episodes are available wherever you download your podcasts and at https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause   Follow us on Twitter/X: @stinkingpause   #StinkingPause #Deathtrap #IraLevin #MichaelCaine #ChristopherReeve #SidneyLumet #TheTerrorOfTinyTown #CelluloidStinkers #FilmPodcast #CultCinema

Welcome to Bundanyabba. The beer is cold, the welcome is warm, and leaving may prove surprisingly difficult. This time on Stinking Pause, Scott, Paul and Charlie are joined by Maurice in Melbourne and Kerry in America for a trip into the heat, dust and rapidly collapsing good intentions of Ted Kotcheff's extraordinary 1971 drama Wake in Fright. Gary Bond stars as John Grant, a young schoolteacher who becomes stranded in the remote Australian mining town of Bundanyabba after missing his train. All he needs to do is survive one night and continue his journey the following morning. Unfortunately, this simple plan fails to account for gambling, endless glasses of beer and the local determination to ensure that no visitor remains sober enough to remember where the railway station is. What follows is a brutal and increasingly nightmarish descent into violence, humiliation and male camaraderie at its most aggressively hospitable. Bleak, unsettling and occasionally very funny in ways that leave you feeling slightly guilty, Wake in Fright remains one of Australian cinema's most powerful and unforgettable films. Between the two halves of our review, we celebrate the life and career of Donald Pleasence, the wonderfully distinctive British actor whose performance as the cheerfully dishevelled Doc Tydon gives the film much of its uneasy fascination. Pleasence could suggest menace, vulnerability and imminent psychological collapse with little more than a glance and a carefully raised eyebrow. Then, having spent quite enough time contemplating isolation, alcohol and the fragile veneer of civilisation, we move on to our latest Celluloid Stinker. The Thing with Two Heads stars Ray Milland and Roosevelt Grier as two men forced to share one body following a medical experiment that should probably have been stopped during the planning meeting. One great film, one remarkable actor, two heads and enough questionable decision-making to fill several hospital negligence forms. It can only be Stinking Pause.   This and previous episodes available at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause as well as your podcatcher of choice.   You can follow us on Twitter @stinkingpause Send your thoughts and your feedback to [email protected]   #WakeInFright #DonaldPleasence #TheThingWithTwoHeads #AustralianCinema #CultCinema #ClassicFilm #BadMovies #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #StinkingPause   Coming soon....our next episode:

Episode 207 - The Fisher King (1991), Terry Gilliam, Flesh Gordon (1974) A quest for redemption, a salute to cinematic stubbornness, and a Sex Ray pointed directly at good taste.   In this episode of Stinking Pause, Scott and Antony head into the gloriously strange, tender and occasionally unhinged world of The Fisher King, Terry Gilliam's 1991 tale of guilt, grief, romance, fantasy and Robin Williams doing the sort of work that reminds you he could break your heart as easily as make you laugh. Jeff Bridges is on beautifully rumpled form too, as a man trying to crawl back from the wreckage of his own ego, which is always good podcast territory, especially when medieval visions start wandering through modern New York.     The episode also takes a lovingly chaotic wander through the career of Terry Gilliam, from the cut-out lunacy of Monty Python to the battle-scarred brilliance of Brazil, Time Bandits, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Twelve Monkeys and the almost biblically cursed journey of The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Floods, studio rows, injuries, lost productions, legal wrangles, and still he kept tilting at windmills.     And then, because this is Stinking Pause and standards must be lowered before the credits roll, the Celluloid Stinker is Flesh Gordon, the 1974 adult sci-fi parody that somehow combines a Sex Ray, planet Porno, deeply questionable character names and genuinely impressive special effects.    A heartfelt, funny and slightly filthy episode about imagination, obsession, redemption and the noble art of watching things you probably should not admit to watching.   This and previous episodes available at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause as well as your podcatcher of choice.   You can follow us on Twitter @stinkingpause Send your thoughts and your feedback to [email protected]   #StinkingPause #TheFisherKing #TerryGilliam #RobinWilliams #JeffBridges #FilmPodcast #CultCinema #FleshGordon #MoviePodcast #CelluloidStinkers   Coming soon - our next episode:

"They're saying Sonny Hayes isn't a has-been. He's a never-was." The Stinking Pause Podcast - reviewing movies since 2013. Some good...some not so good.   In the latest episode of The Stinking Pause Podcast, we buckle up for a slightly unhinged trip through speed, spectacle and sheer cinematic nonsense. First up, we dive into F1: The Movie, a modern racing picture built on big-screen gloss, high-stakes drama and the sort of intense thousand-yard stares that suggest the next corner may decide the fate of civilisation. Joining the conversation is Paul, a man whose taste in films remains as selective and unpredictable as ever, though this time we may just have found a subject close enough to his heart to keep the grumbling to a manageable level. From there, we take a wider look at Hollywood's long love affair with motor racing movies, from the swagger and danger of the classic era to the polished pressure-cooker world of more modern racing dramas. It's a lively run through the films that turned fast cars, fragile egos and split-second decisions into some of cinema's most reliable crowd-pleasers. And then, because no episode of The Stinking Pause Podcast would be complete without a sharp turn into deeply questionable territory, we head into Celluloid Stinkers country with The Wild Women of Wongo. It's bizarre, baffling and exactly the sort of film that leaves you wondering who thought any of it was a good idea. Fast cars, old Hollywood, Paul being Paul, and one gloriously ropey slice of nonsense. In other words, business as usual.   This and previous episodes available at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause as well as your podcatcher of choice.   You can follow us on Twitter @stinkingpause Send your thoughts and your feedback to [email protected]   Coming soon - our next episode: The Fisher King (1991)

"What you say, Paper Champion? I'm gonna beat you like a dog, a dog, you hear me!"   The Stinking Pause Podcast - reviewing movies since 2013. Some good...some not so good.   We are back with a bit of a revamp for this episode. Rocky III - Scott is joined by Antony from the Film Gold podcast to chat aboout Stallone, Hulk Hogan and Clubber Lang The Balboa Legacy - in which Scott takes a look at the history of the greatest sporting movie franchise in history 1982 - One of the finest years in Hollywood. Not only Rocky III, but The Thing, Blade Runner, Poltergeist, Tron, The Wrath of Khan, Tootsie and many more. Celluloid Stinkers - a new series looking at some of the best worst movies of all time. And what better place to start than the legendary Plan Nine from Outer Space? Reel Britannia Recommends - Scott is joined by his friends and co hosts of the Reel Britannia podcast with their pick of the best movies coming up on Talking Pictures TV - the nation's favourite archive TV and movie channel. All this, plus a few words from Mr David Niven!   This and previous episodes available at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/stinkingpause as well as your podcatcher of choice.   You can follow us on Twitter @stinkingpause Send your thoughts and your feedback to [email protected]   Coming soon - our next episode: F1 - The Movie (2025)

Episode 204 - Southern Comfort (1981) "I got news for you. He's nuts. I mean really f****n' nuts." Join Scott and Antony as as they take a deep dive into Walter Hill's 1981 atmospheric survival thriller, Southern Comfort. Often hailed as a gripping allegory for the Vietnam War set against the claustrophobic backdrop of the Louisiana bayou, this gritty masterpiece remains a masterclass in escalating tension and primal paranoia. Set in the winter of 1973, the film follows a squad of Louisiana Army National Guardsmen embarking on a routine weekend training exercise in the deep swamp. Armed mostly with blanks and an overwhelming sense of unearned arrogance, these part-time soldiers view the treacherous environment as little more than a playground. However, their weekend excursion quickly spirals into a nightmare when they "borrow" a few canoes belonging to the local Cajun trappers. A foolish decision by one guardsman to fire blank rounds at the returning locals triggers a deadly misunderstanding. The Cajuns return fire with live ammunition, instantly killing the squad leader and plunging the remaining men into a desperate fight for survival. Lost, disorganized, and surrounded by an environment they do not understand, the guardsmen find themselves hunted by a phantom enemy. The swamp itself becomes a character—an inescapable, misty labyrinth that strips away their military discipline and civilized facades. As the men are picked off one by one, internal fractures, paranoia, and sheer terror tear the squad apart from the inside out. Join us as we dissect every muddy, tension-soaked layer of Southern Comfort. From Ry Cooder's haunting slide-guitar score to the stellar performances of Keith Carradine and Powers Boothe, we explore the film's themes of American hubris, the horrors of guerrilla warfare, and the dark instinct to survive.

Episode 203 - U Turn (1997) "You like Patsy Cline? I just love her. I wonder how come she don't put out no more new records." Get ready for a sun-drenched, fast-paced adventure in Oliver Stone's "U-Turn," a story that proves even the worst luck can lead to the opportunity of a lifetime! The film introduces us to Bobby (Sean Penn), a man on a mission, cruising through the spectacular Arizona desert in his classic red Mustang. When his car decides it's time for an unscheduled pit stop, Bobby finds himself in the charming, one-of-a-kind town of Superior. Far from a boring delay, this "breakdown" is actually the start of an exciting new chapter, plunging him headfirst into a world of colourful characters and high-stakes opportunities. Superior isn't just any town; it's a vibrant hub of unique personalities! Bobby quickly meets the town's most dynamic and passionate couple: the captivating and resourceful Grace (Jennifer Lopez) and her powerful, take-charge husband, Jake (Nick Nolte). This exciting pair immediately sees something special in Bobby, a go-getter who can make things happen. In fact, Bobby is so impressive that he's immediately flooded with life-changing job offers! First, the enterprising Jake pulls him aside and offers him a very lucrative "contract" to help solve a major problem in his life: his wife, Grace. Then, in a thrilling twist, the equally ambitious Grace makes Bobby an even better offer to help her solve her biggest problem: her husband, Jake! Bobby, a man with a knack for negotiation, suddenly finds himself the most in-demand problem-solver in town, perfectly positioned to play the field and secure the best possible deal. His adventure is a high-energy romp through this quirky oasis. He has memorable encounters with a hilariously eccentric and passionate local mechanic (Billy Bob Thornton), who is dedicated to taking his time and doing the job right. He also meets a spirited young couple, Jenny (Claire Danes) and TNT (Joaquin Phoenix), who are just bursting with youthful energy and jealousy, adding even more fun to the mix! "U-Turn" is a brilliantly twisty ride where alliances shift like the desert sands. Bobby masterfully navigates this exciting game of wits, weighing his options and making bold, decisive moves. The film races toward a truly definitive climax where all the complicated storylines are tied up in a neat, conclusive bow. In a final, thrilling showdown, Bobby, Grace, and Jake all find permanent solutions to their problems. "U-Turn" is a dazzling, action-packed story that will leave you breathless, proving that sometimes, a wrong turn is the best way to get exactly where you need to go!   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause   email: [email protected]   Thanks for listening!

Episode 202 - California Split (1974) "Goddamnit, lady, you don't throw oranges on an escalator!" Get ready for one of the most zesty, freewheeling, and flat-out entertaining buddy films ever made! Robert Altman's 1974 gem, California Split, isn't just a movie; it's an experience. Forget a tight, pre-planned plot. Instead, imagine you're a fly on the wall, dropped right into the hazy, electrifying, and slightly chaotic world of two compulsive gamblers who are in it for the sheer, unadulterated thrill of the action. The film kicks off when two men, Bill (George Segal) and Charlie (Elliott Gould), meet by chance at a smoky, low-stakes California poker room. Bill is a magazine writer, a seemingly "straight" guy who just can't resist the siren call of a bet. Charlie, on the other hand, is a force of nature—a fast-talking, charming, and goofy whirlwind of a man who seems to live entirely in the moment, surviving on his wits and an unshakeable belief in the next hot tip. Their meeting is pure 70s gold. After being (falsely) accused of colluding at the table, they get roughed up and robbed in the parking lot. But instead of being a downer, this bizarre, hilarious incident bonds them instantly. Charlie, brushing off the mugging, just grins and tells Bill, "You're a winner!" And with that, one of cinema's most magnetic and chaotic friendships is born. What follows is a brilliant, meandering tour of the Golden State's gambling underbelly. These two are inseparable, a perfect odd couple plunging headfirst into every bet they can find. They hit the racetrack, shouting at the horses with infectious glee. They shoot pool, they play more poker, they'll even bet on an exhibition basketball game—it doesn't matter what the game is, only that there's action. Charlie is the ultimate enabler, a guy who can turn a simple trip to the bar into a high-stakes adventure, and Bill is all too happy to be pulled along for the ride. The film captures the feeling of gambling better than almost any other. It's not about the grim consequences; it's about the buzz, the camaraderie, the secret language shared between those who "get it." It's about the high of the chase and the electric-shock feeling of pure, unadulterated possibility. Of course, living on the edge eventually raises the stakes. Bill finds himself in a deep hole with his hard-nosed bookie. But in the world of California Split, this isn't a moment for despair—it's a call to action! It's the catalyst for the ultimate "go-for-broke" plan. Bill decides to cash in his straight life, selling his car and possessions to build one giant bankroll. The plan? To leave the small-time L.A. scene behind and head to the mecca: Reno. The final act in Reno is what it's all been building toward. Bill and Charlie, now with a serious pile of cash, hit the casino floors ready for the big time. Bill, powered by a mix of desperation and adrenaline, enters a high-stakes poker game, sitting down with real-life legends (including the iconic Amarillo Slim, playing himself). This is Bill's moment. He's in the zone, playing with a focus and fire we haven't seen before. And Charlie is right there with him, the ultimate hype man, beaming from the sidelines and betting on his new best friend. The tension is incredible, the chips are flying, and Bill starts to go on an unstoppable hot streak. The piles in front of him grow higher and higher as he takes down pot after pot. It's the kind of run every gambler dreams of... What happens when a man who can't stop finally starts to win? You'll have to watch to find out. California Split isn't really about the final score; it's about the intoxicating journey, the magic of a perfect, crazy friendship, and the absolute joy of riding the wave. This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause   email: [email protected]   Thanks for listening!

Episode 201 - All Night Long (1962) "Me? Oh, I belong to that new minority group: white American jazz musicians. They're going to hold a mass meeting in a phone booth." Get ready to step into the coolest party of 1962. Basil Dearden's All Night Long is a cinematic powder keg, a film that brilliantly transplants Shakespeare's classic tragedy Othello into the vibrant, smoke-filled world of the London jazz scene, and it does so with an electrifying pulse that never lets up. This isn't just a drama; it's a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime jam session, featuring knockout performances from real-life jazz giants like Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, and Johnny Dankworth. The result is a stunningly stylish and suspenseful ride that swings to its own dynamic rhythm. The story unfolds over the course of a single, spectacular evening. Wealthy music enthusiast Rod Hamilton (a wonderfully suave Richard Attenborough) is hosting an anniversary party for the golden couple of the jazz world: the supremely talented bandleader and pianist Aurelius Rex (Paul Harris) and his beautiful wife, Delia Lane (Marti Stevens), a celebrated singer who has happily retired from the stage for a life with her husband. The setting is a chic, converted warehouse on the Thames, buzzing with the energy of musicians, friends, and the infectious sound of bebop. The champagne is flowing, the music is hot, and love is in the air. For Rex and Delia, it's a perfect celebration of their first year together. But lurking in the shadows of this joyous occasion is the ambitious and conniving drummer, Johnny Cousin (a riveting Patrick McGoohan). Johnny has big plans to launch his own band, but his financial backing hinges on one crucial element: persuading Delia to be his lead singer. When Delia, devoted to Rex and her new life, politely turns him down, Johnny's ambition curdles into a venomous plot. If he can't get her to join him, he'll destroy the very foundation of her happiness. With a wicked grin and a drummer's sense of timing, he sets out to poison Rex's mind, spinning a devious web of lies to convince the bandleader that Delia is having an affair with their trusted friend and saxophonist, Cass Michaels (Keith Michell). What follows is a masterclass in tension, made all the more thrilling by the incredible musical backdrop. As the party roars on, with Mingus plucking his bass and Brubeck commanding the piano, Johnny moves through the crowd like a phantom, orchestrating his symphony of destruction. He slyly gets Cass to smoke a "drugged" cigarette, loosens his tongue, and then, in a stroke of cunning genius, uses a reel-to-reel tape recorder to capture and manipulate conversations. He masterfully edits the tape to create a false, damning narrative of Delia and Cass's "love affair." McGoohan is absolutely electric as the scheming Johnny, his intense eyes darting around the room, always a step ahead, turning a joyous celebration into his personal playground of chaos. The music acts as the film's heartbeat, with each sensational performance escalating the drama until it reaches a fever pitch. When Rex finally hears the doctored tape, his love and trust shatter, leading to a raw and explosive confrontation that silences the entire party. But just when it seems tragedy is inevitable, Johnny's web of deceit is heroically untangled by his own long-suffering wife. The truth comes crashing down, and Johnny's grand ambitions are left in ashes. In a powerful final scene, he is left alone, frantically beating his drums in a furious, solitary solo. The party is over, but for Rex and Delia, there's a glimmer of hope as they walk out into the dawn, their bond tested but ultimately not broken, ready to pick up the pieces. All Night Long is a triumph—a sharp, exhilarating fusion of high drama and spectacular music that remains an absolute knockout. This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause email: [email protected] Thanks for listening Scott, Paul, and Charlie

Episode 200 - Jurassic Park (1993) "Look... We can discuss sexism in survival situations when I get back" Get ready for an adventure 65 million years in the making! Steven Spielberg's 1993 masterpiece, Jurassic Park, welcomes you to an extraordinary theme park where dinosaurs roam the earth once more. Eccentric billionaire John Hammond has the brilliant idea to bring these prehistoric giants back to life for a spectacle unlike any other. He invites a team of experts, including paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, and the ever-charismatic chaotician Dr. Ian Malcolm, to endorse his creation. What begins as a tour filled with wide-eyed wonder at the sight of majestic Brachiosauruses and adorable baby raptors quickly turns into a heart-pounding fight for survival. When a tropical storm and corporate espionage lead to a massive power failure, the park's most fearsome predators, including the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex and cunning Velociraptors, are unleashed. With its groundbreaking special effects that still astound today and an iconic, soaring score by John Williams, Jurassic Park is a thrilling and unforgettable cinematic adventure that will leave you breathless and believing that "life finds a way." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause email: [email protected] Thanks for listening Scott, Paul, and Charlie

The Stinking Pause Podcast - chatting about movies since 2013. Some good...some not so good. Episode 199 - Breakfast At Tiffanys (1961) "I don't think I've ever drunk champagne before breakfast before. With breakfast on several occasions, but never before." Few films sparkle quite like Breakfast at Tiffany's. From its opening moments, the 1961 classic wraps you in a world of glamour, wit, and irresistible charm. We first meet the inimitable Holly Golightly, played with dazzling perfection by Audrey Hepburn, as she enjoys a pastry and coffee while gazing into the windows of Tiffany & Co. on a quiet New York morning. Dressed in her iconic black gown, pearls, and oversized sunglasses, she is the very picture of effortless elegance and hopeful dreaming. Holly is a delightful whirlwind of a woman, a country girl who has completely reinvented herself as a sophisticated, if wonderfully chaotic, Manhattan socialite. She lives in a stylishly sparse apartment with a nameless cat simply called "Cat," throws the most fabulous and crowded parties, and has a charmingly nonchalant view on life. She's on the hunt for a wealthy, older husband to finally settle down with, but her real talent is for living in the moment, chasing away "the mean reds" (her term for anxiety) with a trip to her beloved Tiffany's, where nothing bad can ever happen. Her life takes a lovely turn when a handsome writer, Paul Varjak (George Peppard), moves into her building. He is intrigued and completely captivated by his eccentric, beautiful neighbor. What follows is not just a romance, but the story of a wonderful, life-changing friendship. They embark on whimsical adventures across the city, from visiting the library to a hilarious and heartwarming trip to a five-and-dime store. Paul sees the real Holly beneath the glamorous surface—a vulnerable, sweet, and slightly lost girl looking for a place to belong. The film is a visual feast, filled with stunning fashion, gorgeous shots of 1960s New York, and unforgettable scenes. Who could forget Holly perched on her fire escape, strumming "Moon River" on her guitar, her voice filled with a gentle longing? Or the wildly energetic party scene that brings the whole neighborhood to life? It all culminates in a wonderfully romantic finale in the pouring rain, where Holly must finally choose between the life she thinks she wants and the love that has been right in front of her all along. Breakfast at Tiffany's is a cinematic treasure, a joyful and stylish fairytale for grown-ups. It's a sparkling reminder that true happiness isn't found in diamonds, but in finding someone who loves you for exactly who you are, crazy cat and all.   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause email: [email protected] Thanks for listening Scott, Paul, and Charlie

The Stinking Pause Podcast - bringing you classic movies since 2013...some good, some not so good. This week, Antony joins Scott to take a look at an underseen gem from 1974 The Gambler (1974) Step into the high-octane world of Axel Freed, a brilliant literature professor who lives for the ultimate thrill! By day, he inspires students; by night, he chases the electrifying rush of high-stakes gambling. When a losing streak leaves him in deep trouble with loan sharks, Axel sees it not as a disaster, but as the ultimate intellectual challenge. He masterfully navigates his crisis, securing the money he needs, but the siren call of one last, colossal bet is impossible to resist. In a pulse-pounding finale, he risks it all on a single college basketball game, embracing the pure, intoxicating feeling of putting everything on the line. "The Gambler" is a fascinating character study wrapped in the exhilarating tension of a high-stakes thriller, celebrating a man who truly feels alive only when he's betting it all. "Listen to me. I'm in a position to tell you something... If you take a forty-four-thousand-dollar-a-year job, which is the absolute most you're ever going to make, you are a chicken. Your life is going to be chicken. Chicken food, chicken house, chicken car. I am not a chicken. I'm a gambler. I am a gambler." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause   email: [email protected]   Thanks for listening!

The Stinking Pause Podcast - bringing you classic movies since 2013...some good, some not so good. This week,Antony joins Scott to take a look at a classic screwball comedy from the golden age of Hollywood Get ready for a riotous romantic comedy! A houseful of quirky professors find their dusty encyclopedia project turned upside down by the arrival of Sugarpuss O'Shea, a dazzling nightclub singer with the mob on her tail. She brings a crash course in modern slang, a whole lot of fun, and an unexpected romance that's pure dynamite! Anthony is the host of Film Gold, Life And Life Only and Glass Onion: On John Lennon   Ball Of Fire (1941) Get ready for a joyous explosion of wit and romance in "Ball of Fire," a golden-age comedy that sizzles with irresistible charm. Deep within a dusty New York townhouse, eight delightfully eccentric and elderly professors have spent years sealed off from the world. Their monumental task? To compile a definitive encyclopedia of all human knowledge. Led by the endearingly shy grammarian, Professor Bertram Potts, these brilliant minds know everything about history, science, and the arts, but are blissfully ignorant of modern life, especially its colourful slang. Their perfectly ordered, book-lined world is about to be turned gloriously upside down. When Potts realises his article on slang is woefully outdated, he bravely ventures into the city, seeking a real-world expert. What he finds is Katherine "Sugarpuss" O'Shea, a vivacious nightclub singer and a walking, talking dictionary of the latest lingo. Sugarpuss is a whirlwind of energy and sass, but she's also in a tight spot. Her gangster boyfriend, the notorious Joe Lilac, is wanted by the authorities, and she needs a place to lie low to avoid testifying against him. Seeing the professors' home as the perfect hideout, she crashes their academic sanctuary, promising to be their muse for modern vocabulary. The result is a hilarious and heartwarming clash of cultures. Sugarpuss introduces the bewildered but fascinated professors to the joys of the conga, the art of the "yum yum," and a vibrant new way of looking at life. Their quiet home, once filled with the rustle of paper, now echoes with jazz music and laughter. As the academics fall over themselves to learn from their dazzling new houseguest, the smitten Professor Potts finds himself falling deeply in love. Beneath her tough exterior, Sugarpuss is captivated by his genuine kindness and intellect, a world away from the dangerous life she knows with Joe Lilac. But the real world can't be kept at bay forever. When Lilac's mobsters show up with a plan to force Sugarpuss into marriage to silence her for good, it seems the professors are hopelessly outmatched. But don't underestimate the power of a brilliant mind! In a thrilling and ingenious climax, Potts and his brainy comrades use their academic knowledge of physics, history, and strategy to outwit the gangsters in a showdown for the ages. "Ball of Fire" is a triumphant celebration of love, proving that opposites don't just attract—they create a dazzling, unforgettable spark. "Sugarpuss, uh, before you go, would you... would you, eh, yum me just once more?"   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause   email: [email protected]   Thanks for listening!

The Stinking Pause Podcast – bringing you classic movie reviews since 2013 - some good...some not so good. This week join Scott, Paul and Charlie for a tale of a bungled diamond heist leading to a chaotic, hilarious web of double-crosses. Seduction, stammering, and stolen fish ensnare a stuffy lawyer in a madcap Anglo-American culture clash for the loot. A Fish Called Wanda (1988) "A Fish Called Wanda" is a delightfully chaotic and hilariously upbeat caper that brilliantly blends British wit with American brashness. The story ignites when a mismatched gang of jewel thieves – the cunning Wanda Gershwitz (Jamie Lee Curtis), her dangerously dim-witted "brother" Otto (Kevin Kline), the animal-loving, stuttering Ken Pile (Michael Palin), and the brains of the operation, George Thomason (Tom Georgeson) – successfully pull off a major diamond heist. However, the trust among thieves is, predictably, non-existent. Wanda and Otto immediately betray George, landing him in jail, but not before he cunningly hides the loot. Enter the quintessential, repressed English barrister, Archie Leach (John Cleese). Wanda sets her sights on seducing Archie, believing he can lead her to the hidden diamonds. What follows is a whirlwind of outrageous situations, escalating absurdities, and laugh-out-loud moments. Kevin Kline's Oscar-winning performance as the pseudo-intellectual, pathologically jealous Otto is a comedic tour-de-force, delivering iconic lines and unforgettable physical comedy. Michael Palin is equally brilliant as the tortured Ken, whose attempts to eliminate a key witness (an elderly dog lover) go catastrophically and hilariously wrong, usually involving the unfortunate demise of her beloved pooches. Jamie Lee Curtis shines as the smart, manipulative Wanda, effortlessly wrapping everyone around her little finger. John Cleese is perfect as the flustered Archie, whose stiff upper lip gradually crumbles under Wanda's charms and the sheer madness of the unfolding events, leading to some of the film's most memorable and uproarious scenes. "A Fish Called Wanda" is a masterclass in comedic timing and ensemble performance. Its relentless pace, witty dialogue, and a genuine sense of fun make it an enduring and infectiously cheerful cinematic treat that leaves audiences roaring with laughter. "You pompous, stuck-up, snot-nosed, English, giant, twerp, scumbag, f**k-face, d******d, a*****e." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause email: [email protected] Thanks for listening Scott, Paul, and Charlie