Book Vs. Movie: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (replay) The 1964 Ian Fleming Novel Vs. the 1968 Classic Movie Book vs. Movie: Chitty Chitty Bang BangThe Margos explore Ian Fleming 's only children's story, " Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ," published in October 1964, shortly after his death at 56. Written for his son Caspar, the story features characters inspired by Fleming's children and their friends, set against the backdrop of 1920s aero-engine racing carts. The tale follows Commander Caractacus Pott and...
Nov 04, 2024•55 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Night of the Hunter The 1953 Novel Vs. the 1955 Classic Movie Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel *The Night of the Hunter* a nd its 1955 film adaptation by Charles Laughton offer haunting interpretations of a sinister preacher, Harry Powell, and two children fleeing him. The novel delves deeper into Powell's twisted morality and religious fanaticism. At the same time, the film, featuring Robert Mitchum, presents him as a symbolic figure of evil with striking visual elements, including ...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Fly The 1957 Short Story Vs. the 1986 Movie The Margos feature The Fly this month with special guest Patrick Bromley , who hosts the excellent F This Movie podcast. The 1957 short story and the 1986 film share the core premise of a scientist merging with a fly during a teleportation experiment, but they have different approaches. George Langelaan's story focuses on the emotional and ethical fallout, depicting science as perilous when unchecked. David Cronenberg's adaptation e...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Book Vs. Movie: Dolores Claiborne 1992 Novel Vs. the 1995 Movie The Margos delve back to the Stephen King well (pun intended!) with Dolores Claiborne , a gripping narrative of survival, domestic abuse, and hidden truths. Originally penned in 1992 and later brought to life on the silver screen in 1995, this story has held audiences spellbound in its literary and cinematic forms. Yet, as with many adaptations, the movie takes its path, offering a fresh perspective on the tale. The differences betw...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still The 1940 Short Story Vs. the 1951 Adaptation The Day the Earth Stood Still is a classic sci-fi story. The iconic 1951 film was based on Harry Bates’ short story "Farewell to the Master. " Both versions share a similar premise—an alien visitor and his robot arrive on Earth, but they diverge significantly in tone and message. In Bates' 1940 story, Klaatu and his robot Gnut arrive on Earth, but Klaatu is quickly killed. The focus then shifts to Gnut, wh...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Book Vs. Movie: All Quiet On the Western Front The 1928 German Classic Novel Vs. the 2024 Netflix Adaptation The Margos conclude "Banned Books Month" with Erich Maria Remarque ’s 1928 novel " All Quiet on the Western Front ," a profound anti-war masterpiece that captures the emotional and psychological devastation of World War I from the perspective of young German soldiers. The 2022 film adaptation , directed by Edward Berger , reimagines the story for modern audiences, using intense visuals an...
Sep 30, 2024•58 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Replay ep for Dame Maggie Smith 1934-2024) The Margos celebrate September with a series of “Back to School” episodes, starting with the 1961 classic The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark . Brodie is a popular teacher at a girls' school in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1931. Each year she picks a group of students to be an elite part of the “Brodie set”--under her tutelage learning mostly about the arts & beauty (and not science!)Brodie is sing...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr
Book Vs. Movie: Where the Wild Things Are The 1963 Classic Children’s Book Vs. the 2009 Adaptation Maurice Sendak ’ s Where the Wild Things Are has captured readers' hearts for decades, telling a timeless story of childhood, imagination, and emotional growth. When director Spike Jonze adapted it into a full-length film in 2009, audiences were treated to a visually stunning and emotionally complex retelling of the classic. Despite its beloved status, the book is often banned, prompting questions ...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Book Vs. Movie: 1984 The 1949 Classic Novel Vs. the 1984 Adaptation The Margos continue their look at “Banned Books’ in September with the novel 1984 , which is set in a dystopian world dominated by a totalitarian regime that enforces complete obedience and constant surveillance. The protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth, altering historical records to fit the Party's narrative. He questions the Party's authority despite outward compliance and secretly documents his dissent....
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Book Vs. Movie: Peyton Place The 1956 Novel Vs. the 1957 Movie Peyton Place by Grace Metalious , published in 1956, became one of the most controversial books of its time due to its exploration of taboo topics like adultery, incest, and moral hypocrisy in a small New England town. The explicit content led to the book being banned in several cities and states across the U.S. Despite the controversy, the novel became a bestseller. It inspired a successful 1957 film and a long-running TV series fro...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Book Vs. Movie: To Kill a Mockingbird The 1960 Novel Vs. the 1962 Movie The 1962 film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird , directed by Robert Mulligan , is a powerful retelling of Harper Lee 's classic novel. The story follows Atticus Finch , played by Gregory Peck in an Oscar-winning performance, as he defends Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1930s Alabama. The film is seen through the eyes of Atticus's young daughter, Scout (Mary Badham), and...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 55 min
Book Vs. Movie: Now, Voyager The 1941 Novel Vs. the 1942 Movie Olive Higgins Prouty's 1941 novel Now, Voyager was later adapted into a 1942 film starring Bette Davis . This powerful story follows Charlotte Vale, a repressed woman controlled by her domineering mother. After a breakdown, Charlotte undergoes a transformative journey, finding independence and love with a married man, Jerry Durrance. Bette Davis delivers a memorable performance in the film, capturing Charlotte’s transformation. The i...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Book Vs. Movie: Charlotte’s Web The 1952 Novel Vs the 1973 Movie "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White is a classic children's novel that tells the heartwarming story of Wilbur, a pig, and his unlikely friendship with Charlotte, a wise and caring spider. Through Charlotte's clever web-spinning, she helps save Wilbur from being slaughtered, highlighting themes of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life. The 1973 animated movie adaptation stays faithful to the book's narrative and themes, capturing t...
Aug 19, 2024•58 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Bling Ring The Vanity Fair Article Vs.The 2013 Sofia Coppola Movie "The Bling Ring" is a 2013 film written and directed by Sofia Coppola and is based on the true story of a group of teenagers known as the Bling Ring, who used the internet to track celebrities' whereabouts to rob their homes. The screenplay is based on Nancy Jo Sales' 2010 Vanity Fair article "The Suspects Wore Louboutins. "The film follows a group of fame-obsessed teenagers in Los Angeles who track celebritie...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Book Vs. Movie: Born Yesterday The 1946 Play Vs.The 1950 Movie " Born Yesterday " (based on the 1946 play by Garson Kanin ) is a sharp critique of corruption and a celebration of personal growth. It explores the transformative power of education and delves into themes of ethics and integrity. Even after over seven decades, its themes of empowerment, integrity, and social critique remain relevant, making it a timeless classic. George Cukor directed the 1950 film, which featured an electrifying pe...
Aug 05, 2024•54 min
Book Vs. Movie: 3:10 to Yuma The 1953 Elmore Leonard Short Story Vs.The 2007 Movie " 3:10 to Yuma " (2007) is a Western film directed by James Mangold , based on a short story by Elmore Leonard . It is a remake of the 1957 film of the same name. Here are some key details: The story is set in the late 19th century. It follows Dan Evans ( Christian Bale ), a struggling rancher and Civil War veteran who volunteers to escort the captured outlaw Ben Wade ( Russell Crowe ) to the town of Contention, w...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Most Dangerous Game The 1924 Short Story Vs.The 1932 Movie "The Most Dangerous Game" is a short story by Richard Connell, published in 1924. It follows Sanger Rainsford, a big-game hunter who ends up on an isolated Caribbean island. There, he meets General Zaroff, a hunter who has grown bored with traditional games and now hunts humans. Zaroff gives Rainsford a choice: be hunted or join in the hunt. Rainsford refuses and becomes Zaroff's next target. Rainsford uses his wits a...
Jul 22, 2024•40 min
Book Vs. Movie: Suddenly, Last Summer The 1958 Play Vs.The 1959 Movie Suddenly Last Summer is a 1959 film based on the play by Tennessee Williams , adapted for the screen by Gore Vidal and Williams himself. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , the film stars Elizabeth Taylor , Katharine Hepburn , and Montgomery Clift . The plot revolves around a wealthy widow, Mrs. Violet Venable (played by Hepburn), who seeks to lobotomize her niece, Catherine Holly (played by Taylor), to prevent her from reveali...
Jul 15, 2024•56 min
Book Vs. Movie: Seconds The 1964 Book Vs. The 1966 Movie The Margos are set to permanently change our lives with " Seconds," a 1966 American science fiction drama directed by John Frankenheimer. The film is based on David Ely's 1963 novel of the same name and stars Rock Hudson in a bravura performance. The plot centers around Arthur Hamilton, a middle-aged banker allowed to start a new life through a mysterious organization that offers a radical and experimental procedure to create a "second" id...
Jul 08, 2024•44 min
Book Vs. Movie: Brats The 2021 Memoir Vs. The 2024 Hulu Documentary "Brat: An '80s Story" i s a memoir by Andrew McCarthy , published in 2021. In this book, McCarthy, an actor best known for his roles in iconic '80s films like " St. Elmo's Fire " and " Pretty in Pink, " reflects on his experiences as part of the so-called "Brat Pack," a group of young actors who rose to fame during that decade. McCarthy shares his journey through Hollywood, his struggles with fame, and his personal growth over t...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Book Vs. Movie: Tales of the City The 1978 Book Vs. The 1993 Limited Series The Margos are celebrating Pride Month with one of the most beloved books and adaptations of the last 50 years. Armistead Maupin's captivating series, Tales of the City , is set in vibrant San Francisco. Initially a newspaper serial in the Pacific Sun and the San Francisco Chronicle, this collection of novels was adapted into a beloved 1993 miniseries focusing on events from the first book. Celebrated for its authentic r...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Book Vs. Movie: Don’t Look Now The Daphne DuMaurier Short Story Vs. the Nicolas Roeg Film RIP Donald Sutherland! (1935-2024) Due to the passing of actor extraordinaire Donald Sutherland, we are replaying our "Don't Look Now" episode. This week, let's talk about Daphe DuMaurier's short story "Don't Look Now," published in 1971 and adapted into a film by director Nicolas Roeg. The story follows a couple, John and Laura, as they cope with the loss of their daughter while on vacation in Venice. They...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr
Book Vs. Movie: Hit Man The 2001 Texas Monthly Article Vs. The 2024 Richard Linklater Film "Hit Man" is a 2024 romantic action comedy directed by Richard Linklater and co-written by Glen Powell , who also stars in the film. The story is loosely based on a true-life article by Skip Hollandsworth . The film follows Gary Johnson, a philosophy professor in New Orleans who moonlights as a police contractor, posing as a hitman to catch people looking to hire killers. You can read the Texas Magazine ar...
Jun 17, 2024•48 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Paper Chase The 1971 Book vs. The 1973 Film In the episode, the Margos discuss the 1971 novel " The Paper Chase " by John Jay Osbourn Jr. and compare it to the 1973 film directed by James Bridges . The story follows James Hart (played by Timothy Bottoms), a first-year law student at Harvard who faces challenges when he clashes with the formidable contracts professor Charles W. Kingsfield Jr. (played by John Houseman). Despite the difficulties, James perseveres and even starts...
Jun 10, 2024•53 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Bridges of Madison County The 1992 Book vs. The 1995 Film The Margos explore chick-lit and romance in this episode! "The Bridges of Madison County" is a romantic drama that revolves around a short but passionate love affair between Francesca Johnson, a lonely Italian-American housewife, and Robert Kincaid, a wandering National Geographic photographer. The book was written by Robert James Waller , and the film was directed by Clint Eastwood . Which did we (the Margos) prefer? ...
Jun 03, 2024•59 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Hound of the Baskervilles The 1902 Book vs. The 2012 BBC One Production The Margos are concluding “Mysteries in May” with one of the greatest mystery writers of all time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , and his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes . The Hound of the Baskervilles is the third of the four crime novels serialized in The Strand Magazine from August 1901 to April 1902. It follows Holmes and Watson as they investigate the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound of superna...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Book Vs. Movie: Arsenic and Old Lace The 1941 Play vs. The 1944 Movie " Arsenic and Old Lace " is a classic American play by Joseph Kesselring . It's a dark comedy about the Brewster family, particularly two elderly sisters, Abby and Martha Brewster, who have a penchant for charity and kindness. However, their generosity takes a macabre turn when it's revealed that they've been poisoning lonely old men with arsenic-laced elderberry wine as an act of "charity."The play is filled with absurd situa...
May 20, 2024•59 min
Book Vs. Movie: Memento The Short Story vs. The Movie The Margos continue our theme “Mysteries in May” with Memento , the 2000 film directed by Christopher Nolan based on the short story Memento Mori by his brother Jonathan Nolan, which was printed in Esquire magazine in March 2001. Years after the original film's events, Leonard Shelby, still haunted by his fragmented memories, is approached by Natalie, a woman claiming to hold vital information about his past. Reluctantly, Leonard agrees to me...
May 13, 2024•48 min
Book Vs. Movie: Death on the Nile The1937 Novel Vs. the 1978 Movie F or “Mysteries in May,” the Margos start with the queen of the genre, Agatha Christie , and her 1937 novel Death on the Nile , which was adapted into a film in 1978. It features her famous detective, Hercule Poirot , and is set aboard a luxurious Nile steamer. The plot revolves around the Belgian detective embroiled in a murder mystery while on a luxurious cruise down the Nile River. The story begins with a group of wealthy pass...
May 05, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Book Vs. Movie: The Natural The 1952 Novel Vs. the 1984 Movie " The Natura l" by Bernard Malamud and its 1984 movie adaptation directed by Barry Levinson offers different experiences despite sharing the same storyline. The book delves deeper into the psychological aspects of the protagonist and explores themes of fate, ambition, and the corrupting influence of success. The film focuses more on the romantic and mythic elements of the narrative and simplifies certain plotlines and characters. Howe...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 8 min
