A conversation with writer and photographer Mark Vieira about Hollywood’s Pre-Code era films of 1930-1934. Why did the era begin? and what brought it to such an abrupt end? We look at some of the stars of the period such as Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Norma Shearer, Jean Harlow, and Mae West. As well as some of the movies that defined the period, including but not limited to, The Divorcee, Red-Headed Woman, She Done Him Wrong, and Baby Face. Click on the title Forbidden Hollywood: The Pre-Code Years 1930-1934 to purchase on Amazon or visit his website: markavieira.com

A discussion with Dr. Christopher Ames, the president of Russell Sage College, about his book “Movies About The Movies: Hollywood Reflected”. We focus on two movies from his book - Preston Sturges’ Sullivan’s Travels (1942), and Gene Kelly, and Stanley Donen’s Singin’ In The Rain (1952). We also look at two movies not in his book - Michel Hazanavicius’ black and white, mostly silent Best Picture winner The Artist (2011), and the Coen Bros.’ Hail, Caesar! (2016). What do these movies say about Hollywood? What do these movies say about America? And why are movies about Hollywood and the moviemaking process so popular?

Intimacy coordinator Ann James joins me to discuss the burgeoning field of intimacy coordination. What is it? What’s the history? The training, and what she’s doing to diversify the field.

In this episode, I talk with performance artist Satori Circus, a native Detroiter who has been attracting audiences since 1988. He is now the topic of a new documentary Being Satori Circus. We talk about his over 30-year career as an avant-garde entertainer and what it’s like to be the center of a documentary.

In August of 2019 I met and talked with documentary filmmakers Rick Minnich and Matt Sweetwood in Potsdam, Germany about their current film The Strait Guys, about a plan to build a tunnel under the Bering Strait.

In this episode, I talk with dancer, choreographer, and arts educator Haleem ‘Stringz’ Rasul about his documentary The Jitterbugs: Pioneers of Jit about the creators of a unique Detroit dance style called Jit. The documentary is available on Amazon.

In this episode I talk with vintage clothing aficionado Ramona Dandridge about some of Hollywood’s most iconic looks. Ramona Dandridge owns an online vintage clothing store called Flossy’s Suitcase and her vintage clothing expertise is in high demand. She consults for private clients and has recently joined forces with AirBnB to lead a vintage clothing store tour of Detroit. We will be discussing three of her favorite high fashion films and their relevance in 2019. Movies discussed: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Mahogany, and Harlem Nights.