Book Vs. Movie: “Alice’s Restaurant” Arlo Guthrie’s 1967 18-minute Song Vs the 1969 Movie Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” is an 18-minute satirical folk monologue and song that became an anthem for the 1960s counterculture. Officially titled “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” it was released in 1967 on his debut album. The piece tells a true, albeit embellished, story from Thanksgiving 1965 about a littering arrest that prevented Guthrie from being drafted into the Vietnam War. Blending comedy ...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Book Vs. Movie: For Pride Month 1813’s “Pride and Prejudice” Vs. 2022's "Fire Island" June is Pride Month worldwide, and the Margos are excited to celebrate with some of the best LGBTQIA-centric books and movies. One highlight is the 2022 film *Fire Island* , directed by Andrew Ahn and written by Joel Kim Booster. This clever and heartfelt adaptation reimagines Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice* . Set during a weeklong summer vacation on the iconic queer retreat of Fire Island, the story follow...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Book Vs. Movie: Breakfast with Scot The 1999 Novel Vs the 2007 Movie Michael Downing’s 1999 novel Breakfast with Scot and the 2007 film adaptation of the same name both follow the story of a gay couple who unexpectedly become the guardians of a precocious and flamboyant eleven-year-old boy named Scot. But while they share a common setup, the tone, themes, and emotional arcs of the two versions diverge significantly, offering very different takes on gender identity, gay masculinity, and parenting...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Mirror Crack’d The 1962 Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 1980 Movie When Agatha Christie published The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side in 1962, it was a haunting tale of guilt, glamour, and murder set in the seemingly quiet village of St. Mary Mead. Nearly two decades later, Hollywood brought the story to life with an all-star cast in the 1980 film adaptation simply titled The Mirror Crack’d . Heather Badcock at a charity fête hosted by the famous film actress Marina Gregg. The ...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Book Vs. Movie: See How They Run The 1947 Agatha Christie Play (Three Blind Mice) Vs the 2022 Sam Rockwell Film Agatha Christie’ s radio play Three Blind Mice was introduced in 1947 and was the basis for 1952’s The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in theater history. See How They Run (2022) is a clever, stylish murder mystery set in 1950s London. It blends classic whodunit tropes with a witty, self-referential twist. Directed by Tom George , the film follows world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sa...
May 25, 2025•1 hr 22 min
Book Vs Movie: “Harper Valley PTA" The 1968 Song Vs the 1978 Movie (really!) (It's one of our favorite episodes from the past!) The song was written by Tom T. Hall and performed by country singer Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. The story about a “widowed bride” who is slut-shamed by her daughter’s junior high school PTA (Parents Teachers Advisory) and gives a takedown at a meeting that is spectacular in its shade and incisiveness was one of the first feminist anthems and managed to become a number one...
May 19, 2025•56 min
Book Vs. Movie: Death on the Nile The 1937 Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 2022 Kenneth Branagh film. Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile has long been a fan favorite, combining romance, betrayal, and murder aboard a glamorous steamer cruising the Nile River. In 2022, director Kenneth Branagh brought the classic mystery back to the big screen with an all-star cast and a modern flair. But how faithful is this adaptation to the original 1937 novel? Branagh (who returns as Belgian sleuth Hercule Poiro...
May 11, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Book Vs. Movie: Evil Under the Sun The Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 1982 Film Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun (1941) is a masterclass in misdirection and suspense. The 1982 film adaptation, directed by Guy Hamilton and featuring Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot , transforms the story into a glamorous whodunit set in a sun-soaked Mediterranean locale. Both versions center around the murder of actress Arlena Stuart at a resort, with Poirot reluctantly drawn into the investigation, uncovering s...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Book Vs. Movie: Escape to Witch Mountain The 1968 Children’s Sci-Fi Novel Vs the 1975 Disney Classic If you grew up watching Disney movies or browsing old-school sci-fi paperbacks, chances are Escape to Witch Mountain is somewhere in your memory. But did you know the 1975 Disney movie is very different from the 1968 novel it’s based on? Let’s take a look at how Alexander Key’s book compares to its big-screen adaptation. Alexander Key’s Escape to Witch Mountain is a surprisingly serious story for...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Book Vs. Movie: 10 Things I Hate About You The Taming of the Shrew & the 1999 Heath Ledger Film 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew , reimagining the story in a high school setting. In both works, the plot revolves around two sisters—one desirable and another perceived as problematic. In The Taming of the Shrew, the younger, more attractive Bianca cannot marry until her older, strong-willed sister, Katherina, finds a husba...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Asphalt Jungle The W.R. Burnett Novel & the 1950 John Huston Film W.R. Burnett ’s 1949 novel The Asphalt Jungle is a compelling crime story that explores the minds, motivations, and downfalls of professional criminals. Set in a Midwestern city, it offers a multi-perspective narrative that vividly portrays the underworld. John Huston ’s 1950 film adaptation remains faithful to the book while enhancing the story with striking cinematography and strong performances. However,...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Book Vs. Movie: Mamma Mia ABBA Gold Vs. Mamma Mia “Musicals in March!” Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical that features the songs of ABBA , the Swedish pop group composed of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The musical was created by British playwright Catherine Johnson, with music by Andersson and Ulvaeus, and premiered in London's West End in 1999. The show was a massive success, leading to multiple international productions, including a Broadway run from ...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Book Vs. Movie: Billy Elliot The 2000 Film Vs the 2014 Musical Live “Musicals in March!” The Margos continue “Musicals in March” with the film & stage show of Billy Elliot . Both tell the inspiring story of a working-class boy in 1980s northern England who discovers a passion for ballet during the UK miners' strike, but they differ in tone and presentation. The film, directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Lee Hall (based on his play Dancer ), is a gritty drama starring Jamie Bell , featur...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 30 min
Book Vs. Movie: Gypsy The 1957 Memoir Vs. the 1962 Movie “Musicals in March!” The Margos celebrate another “Musicals in March” episode with Gypsy . Gypsy Rose Lee’s 1957 memoir tells her real-life story of growing up in vaudeville and burlesque under the domineering influence of her mother, Rose Hovick . It paints a detailed picture of her childhood alongside her more naturally talented younger sister, June (later June Havoc), and how Gypsy (born Louise Hovick ) eventually became the most famous...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 41 min
Book Vs. Movie: Wicked The 2004 Musical Vs. the 2024 Movie "Musicals in March" The "Wicked" movie is based on Gregory Maguire ’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West; the book (for the play) was written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz . The show had its initial tryout in San Francisco in 2003 before moving to Broadway, where it has enjoyed a successful two-decade run despite receiving mixed reviews. This success is primarily attributed to ...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Piano Lesson The 1987 August Wilson Play Vs. the 2024 Netflix Adaptation August Wilson's *The Piano Lesson*, first staged in 1987 and winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, centers on siblings Berniece and Boy Willie as they clash over a family heirloom—the intricately carved piano symbolizing their ancestors' struggles. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, the play explores themes of heritage, trauma, and the tension between honoring the past and moving forward. The 2024 film adap...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Hate U Give The 2017 Book by Angie Thomas & the 2018 Film The Hate U Give , written by Angie Thomas and adapted into a 2018 film directed by George Tillman Jr. , presents a powerful narrative about race, identity, and activism. While the book and the movie follow the same core story—Starr Carter witnessing the police shooting of her childhood friend Khalil and navigating the aftermath—they differ in several ways. The Margos take a look at both in this episode. Which did w...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Warriors Special Interview With Screenwriter & Author Rob Ryder Plus, a Replay of our 2020 ep! The Margos revisit a special episode dedicated to the cult classic film * The Warriors*, based on Sol Yurick 's book. Directed by Walter Hill and released in 1979, the movie was a hit but faced backlash due to real-life gang violence, leading studios to halt its promotion. It became a staple of 1980s television and is now considered a modern classic for its comic book sensibilit...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 36 min
Book Vs. Movie: Girls Just Want to Have Fun The Cyndi Lauper Hit Vs. the Sarah Jessica Parker Movie The 1985 film *Girls Just Want to Have Fun* is a beloved teen dance comedy inspired by Cyndi Lauper ’s iconic song. The story follows Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker), a dance-loving teen who moves to Chicago with her strict military father. Encouraged by her quirky friend Lynne (Helen Hunt), Janey auditions for the TV show *Dance TV* and teams up with working-class Jeff Malene (Lee Montgomery) ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Book Vs. Movie: Meet John Doe The 1922 Short Story Vs. the 1941 Film Frank Capra ’s 1941 film * Meet John Doe * is often described as “based on a story by Richard Connell and Robert Presnell.” Unlike Connell’s famous short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” the source material for *Meet John Doe* was based on a short story, “A Reputation ,” which appeared in 1922 in Century Magazine. The original work and the final film critique how newspapers—and media moguls—shape public sentiment for their own...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Odd Couple The 1965 Play Vs. the 1968 Film The Margos are feeling very neighborly in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple , which began as a stage play, premiering on Broadway in 1965, and it quickly became one of Simon’s most famous works. The 1968 film adaptation, directed by Gene Saks and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau , brought the story to an even wider audience. Which did the Margos prefer? Listen to find out! In this ep, the Margos discuss: The 1965 play by Neil Simon ...
Jan 13, 2025•51 min
Book Vs. Movie: 84 Charing Cross Road The 1970 Book Vs. the 1987 Film " 84, Charing Cross Road " began as a slim epistolary book by American author Helene Hanff , first published in 1970. The book documents a warm, real-life correspondence between Hanff, an avid reader in New York City, and the antiquarian bookshop Marks & Co. staff at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. It was later adapted into a film in 1987, directed by David Hugh Jones and starring Anne Bancroft as Helene Hanff and Anthony...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Book Vs. Movie: Scrooged The Charles Dickens Classic Vs. the 1988 Film After ten years of producing special holiday episodes in December, the Margos discovered that there are numerous versions of Charles Dickens's *A Christmas Carol*. Everyone from the Fonz to Susan Lucci to Sir Patrick Stewart has portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in some adaptation. So, why not select one version each season to explore and celebrate? This week, we're focusing on the 1988 film *Scrooged*, featuring Bill Murray and Rob...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 40 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Lion in Winter The 1966 Play Vs. the 1968 Film Few stories transcend mediums as powerfully as James Goldman’s *The Lion in Winter* . Whether presented on stage or on screen, this tale of royal power struggles and familial manipulation in 12th-century England captivates audiences with its sharp dialogue, rich character dynamics, and timeless themes. But how do the 1966 play and its 1968 film adaptation compare? Let’s explore the similarities and differences between these two i...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Book Vs. Movie: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas 1971 Children’s Book Vs. the 1977 TV Special Last year, the Margos adapted O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi," so it felt appropriate to revisit the themes of selflessness and family during the holidays by exploring Russell Hoban 's " Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. " This 1971 book inspired the beloved Jim Henson-directed TV special from 1977, which has become a classic for generations. So, between the book and the film, which did the Margos prefer?...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Book Vs. Movie: Holiday The 1928 Play Vs. the 1938 Film The Margos celebrate the holiday season with the classic 1938 film "Holiday," directed by George Cukor and starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Based on the 1928 play by Philip Barry, the story follows an adventure-seeking playboy (played by Grant) who engages in a battle of wits with his fiancée’s sister (played by Hepburn) during the New Year’s holiday in upper-class New York City. So, between the play and the film, which did the Ma...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Book Vs. Movie: Convoy The CW McCall Novelty Song Vs. the Sam Peckinpah (!) Film In the mid-1970s, a unique country song about truckers, CB radios, and the open road captured the imagination of America. It was called "Convoy," and it not only topped the charts but also inspired a Hollywood movie, solidifying its place in pop culture history. Initially a novelty tune, it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The song was written and performed by C.W. McCall, the alter ego of ad man Bill Fries, in c...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Wizard of Oz (Replay in honor of Wicked !) The Margos celebrate the new Wicked movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande with a replay of our beloved episode devoted to L. Frank Baum and The Wizard of Oz . The book presents a vast, detailed Oz with darker undertones, while the movie streamlines the story, focusing on Dorothy’s emotional journey. Baum’s Dorothy is resourceful and independent, whereas Judy Garland’s portrayal adds warmth and vulnerability, emphasizing her ...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse The Charlie Mackesy Children’s Book Vs. the 2022 Apple+ Film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a beautifully illustrated book that explores themes of kindness, resilience, and self-acceptance through the adventures of four unlikely friends. Each character offers unique insights: the curious Boy, the cake-loving Mole, the cautious Fox, and the wise Horse. Through gentle dialogue and expressive artwork, the sto...
Nov 18, 2024•48 min
Book Vs. Movie: Travels with My Aunt The 1969 Graham Greene Novel Vs. the 1972 Maggie Smith Film The Margos pack their suitcases for Graham Greene’s Travels with My Aunt and its 1972 film adaptation. The story of Henry Pulling, a reserved Englishman, whose life changes when his eccentric Aunt Augusta leads him on an adventurous journey across Europe. Greene explores the novel's themes of self-discovery, rebellion, and unconventional relationships with his signature dark humor. Augusta’s vibrant,...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 8 min
