Gilbert and Frank welcome returning guests Dick Cavett and author-producer Robert Bader for a look back at Groucho Marx's memorable appearances on "The Dick Cavett Show" and a look ahead at the new Bader-directed HBO documentary, "Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes." Also, Johnny Carson disses Jerry Lewis, Zeppo misses Chico's wedding, Cary Grant romances Amelia Earhart and Danny Kaye zings the Duchess of Windsor. PLUS: Orson Welles meets the Fuhrer! The lost novel of Truman Capote! The tri...
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 27 min
Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and actress/casting director Eliza Roberts regale Gilbert and Frank with tales from their five decades in Hollywood, including stories about Bob Fosse, Tony Curtis, Rod Steiger, Sterling Hayden, Mickey Rourke and Shelly Winters (to name a few). Also, Roger Corman strikes a deal, Eric shares the screen with the King of Pop, Gilbert praises "The Pope of Greenwich Village" and Eliza appears in "National Lampoon's Animal House." PLUS: "Three Days of the Condor"! Sa...
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Gilbert and Frank welcome comedian and director Howard Storm (accompanied by writer Steve Stoliar) for a funny and fascinating conversation about the glory days of burlesque, the heyday of Jewish gangsters, the challenges of directing Redd Foxx, Don Rickles and Robin Williams and Howard's entertaining new memoir (co-authored by Steve), "The Imperfect Storm." Also, Desi Arnaz saves the day, Raquel Welch acts the diva, Harry Belafonte breaks Jack Rollins' heart and Howard crosses swords with Don A...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 23 min
Gilbert and Frank are once again joined by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Michael H. Weber for a fond look back at some of the unforgettable artists who left us in 2019, including Doris Day, Arte Johnson, Valerie Harper, Rene Auberjonois and Carol Channing. Also in this episode: Diahann Carroll takes a stand, Rip Torn takes on Norman Mailer, Albert Finney turns down "Lawrence of Arabia" and Peggy Lipton pens a Frank Sinatra standard. PLUS: "Defending Your Life"! "The Kid Stays in the Picture"! The...
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Comedian, writer and Emmy-nominated actor Paul Reiser drops by the studio for a funny and intimate conversation about breaking into standup, shooting a (failed) pilot with Gilbert, working with longtime heroes Peter Falk and Alan Arkin and recreating the glory days of "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." Also, Mel Brooks brings wine, George Carlin stays for breakfast, Michael Douglas transforms into Liberace and Jerry Lewis guest-stars on "Mad About You." PLUS: Freddie Roman! The Great Flydini...
Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 27 min
To mark the centennial year of TV legend Ernie Kovacs, Gilbert and Frank welcome historian Josh Mills and Kovacs archivist Ben Model for a look back at the pioneering broadcaster's lasting impact and influence on David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Monty Python and The Kids in the Hall (among others). Also, Billy Wilder comes to dinner, Ernie shoots a pilot with Buster Keaton, Jack Lemmon joins the Nairobi Trio and Josh remembers his mom (and Kovacs' widow), Edie Adams. PLUS: Percy Dovetonsils! "It'...
Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 33 min
Actress and best-selling author Marilu Henner joins Gilbert and Frank for a laugh-filled conversation about the sex appeal of Danny DeVito, the physical comedy of John Ritter, the star power of Burt Reynolds and the "gift" of her unusual (and uncanny) memory. Also, Larry David pens a love letter, Charles Durning teaches ballroom dancing, Gilbert flirts with Princess Leia and Marilu looks back on the films "L.A. Story," "Johnny Dangerously" and "Cannonball Run II." PLUS: Dom DeLuise! The legend o...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr 31 min
Gilbert and Frank welcome Grammy and Emmy-winning singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins for a revealing conversation about the rewards of collaboration, the mystery of the creative process, the challenges of penning songs for movies like "Top Gun" and "Footloose" and his "accidental" partnership with writer-producer Jim Messina. Also, Kenny auditions for "Hair," mimics Bob Dylan (and Tina Turner!) steers clear of the disco era and teams with Richard Marx, Stevie Nicks and Michael McDonald. PLUS: Steal...
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 36 min
Actor-comedian Mario Cantone returns to help Gilbert and Frank usher in the holiday season with a spirited conversation about misleading movie titles, lecherous cartoon characters, politically correct Christmas carols, the genius of Paul Frees (and Frank Loesser) and the 80th anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz." Also: Jack Cassidy teams with Jim Backus, Judy Garland locks horns with Busby Berkeley, Ricardo Montalban serenades Esther Williams and Gilbert gets accosted by Snow White. PLUS: Jan-Micha...
Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 35 min
"Blazing Saddles" screenwriters ANDREW BERGMAN and NORMAN STEINBERG return to the podcast to commemorate the film's 45th anniversary and to regale Gilbert and Frank with behind-the-scenes stories of deleted scenes, writer's room antics, last-minute casting changes and characters who didn't make the cut. Also, Mel Brooks sends up Humphrey Bogart, Cleavon Little replaces James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor puts on a maid's uniform and John Carradine plays "John Carradine." PLUS: "Honeymoon in Vegas"! ...
Dec 16, 2019•1 hr 28 min
Comedian and actor Artie Lange returns to the podcast for an off-the-wall conversation about Twitter outrage, miscast actors, superhero movie overkill, the cinema of Michael Mann and the kindness of Frankie Valli. Also, James Caan cracks a joke, Roger Moore turns on the charm, Jackie Gleason turns down "The French Connection" and Artie recites dialogue from "Elf," "The Sting" and "Smokey and the Bandit." PLUS: The legend of Mr. Baseball! "The Pope of Greenwich Village"! In praise of Walter Matth...
Dec 09, 2019•1 hr 26 min
Oscar-nominated actress-director Marsha Mason joins Gilbert and Frank to talk about the value of character actors, the importance of onscreen chemistry, the true story behind "Bogart Slept Here" and her memories of collaborating with (and living with) the legendary Neil Simon. Also, Peter Falk shares the spotlight, Dustin Hoffman inspires "The Goodbye Girl," Paul Newman introduces Marsha to auto racing and Gilbert sings the theme song from "Cinderella Liberty." PLUS: "Dark Shadows"! "The Cheap D...
Dec 02, 2019•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 288
This week: Gorillas gone wild! "Life with Lucy"! Miss Frances of "Ding Dong School"! Gilbert tangles with Jackie the Joke Man! And Frank thanks the (many) people behind the podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 28, 2019•37 min
Gilbert and Frank talk to celebrated voice actors Bob Bergen (Porky Pig, Tweety, Marvin the Martian) and Rob Paulsen (Pinky, Yakko, Jimmy Neutron) about the loyalty of voice performers, giving back to fans, the generosity of Daws Butler and Casey Kasem and the voices behind Toucan Sam, Charlie the Tuna and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Also, Orson Welles hits the bottle, Mickey Rooney "inspires" Walt Disney, Rob hangs with Rip Taylor (and Jonathan Harris) and 14-year-old Bob cold-calls Mel Blanc. PLUS...
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 287
This week: Celebrating Dick Cavett! Right Said Fred! Billy Barty to the rescue! "The Incredible Melting Man" The Marxes sing "The Monkey Doodle-Do"! And Gilbert guest-stars in "Silk Stalkings"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 21, 2019•42 min
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop joins Gilbert and Frank for an enormously entertaining conversation about secret song origins, Beatles trading cards, the glory days of Top 40, auditioning for Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson and chumming around with Burt Bacharach, John Belushi, Carrie Fisher and Harry Nilsson. Also, Bob Dylan hails a cab, Warren Beatty eats a bowl of chili, Gilbert swipes shampoo from Donald Fagen and Stephen and Linda Ronstadt cover "The Monster Mash." PLUS: Fr...
Nov 18, 2019•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 286
This week: Uncle Junior sings! The generosity of Matthew Broderick! Nutmeg Post trivia! Joey Pants feuds with his family! And the boys remember the irrepressible Bill Macy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 14, 2019•42 min
Gilbert and Frank chat with actor-director Danny Huston ("Wonder Woman," "The Aviator," "Hitchcock") about meeting Orson Welles, directing Robert Mitchum, getting inside the heads of big-screen bad guys and growing up with (and working with) his legendary father, John Huston. Also, Hal Roach cozies up to Mussolini, Katharine Hepburn makes like Eleanor Roosevelt, George Raft turns down the role of a lifetime and Danny reflects on the career of his grandfather, Oscar-winner Walter Huston. PLUS: "T...
Nov 11, 2019•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 285
This week: "Bye Bye Birdie!" The Comedy of Alice Ghostley! The ageless Peter Marshall! And Gil and Frank pay "tribute" to "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 07, 2019•40 min
Screenwriters and producers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski return to the podcast to talk about (among other topics) the 25th anniversary of "Ed Wood," the exuberance of Milos Forman, the bizarro cinema of Rudy Ray Moore and their new Eddie Murphy vehicle, "Dolemite is My Name." Also, Jim Carrey pranks Danny DeVito, Tim Burton befriends Vincent Price, Ray Walston "replaces" Peter Sellers and Scott and Larry remember the late, great Martin Landau. PLUS: Appreciating Robert Morse! The legacy...
Nov 04, 2019•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 284
This week: The monster takes a mate! Bela Lugosi's finest hour! The strange life of Edgar G. Ulmer! And the absurd brilliance of "The Black Cat"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 31, 2019•43 min
For their annual Halloween episode, Gilbert and Frank welcome Emmy and Oscar-winning makeup master Rick Baker for a compelling conversation about horror hosts, gorilla suits, Aurora model kits, "Famous Monsters of Filmland" and the enduring influence of makeup legends Jack Pierce and Dick Smith. Also, Eddie Murphy ups his game, Milicent Patrick gets her due, Rick transforms Martin Landau into Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee dresses up as...Christopher Lee. PLUS: "The Thing with Two Heads"! In pr...
Oct 28, 2019•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 283
This week: Directed by Roger Corman! The music of Billy Goldenberg! The trials of Colin Clive! Boris Karloff goes bowling! And King Tut inspires "The Mummy"! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 24, 2019•42 min
Gilbert and Frank chat with Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Dennis Lambert ("One Tin Soldier," "Nightshift," "Ain't No Woman Like the One I've Got") who talks about working the Catskills as a boy singer, shopping songs in the Brill Building era, producing hit records for the Four Tops and the Righteous Brothers and co-creating the much-maligned Starship hit, "We Built This City." Also, Neil Diamond hawks holiday tunes, Carole King demos "One Fine Day," Gilbert "covers" Glen Campbell and...
Oct 21, 2019•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 282
This week: The flamboyance of Monti Rock! "The "magic" of Uri Geller! Johnny locks horns with "Saturday Night Live"! Mark (finally) lands Doc Severinsen! And Phil discovers the infamous "Jack Frost" sketch! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 17, 2019•45 min
Emmy-winning comedy writer, food lover and raconteur Phil Rosenthal returns to the podcast for an in-depth conversation about New York-style pizza, celebrity PSAs, "non-ethnic" character actors, the cinema of Stanley Kubrick and the emotional resonance of "The Honeymooners." Also, Will Ferrell works the men's room, Peter Boyle turns down "The French Connection," Brad Garrett salutes The Merchant of Venom and Phil breaks bread with Steve Martin and Carl Reiner. PLUS: Nick Apollo Forte! "Ratatouil...
Oct 14, 2019•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 281
This week: "Pink Lady and Jeff"! "Misfits of Science"! The follies of Fred Silverman! The humbling of Jackie Gleason! And the shortest-running sketch show of all time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 10, 2019•40 min
Actor, writer and cinephile Treat Williams stops by the studio to talk about his 45 years in film, his admiration for Frank Capra and William Wyler, his love of old movie theaters and his memories of working with legendary directors Milos Forman, Sergio Leone and Steven Spielberg. Also, Vincent Price disses Alan Thicke, John Belushi auditions for "Hair," Gilbert hangs with Katharine Hepburn and Treat cameos in "The Empire Strikes Back"! PLUS: "The Phantom"! Praising Bob Balaban! The mastery of S...
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 280
This week: "Heartbeeps!" "Polyester" in Odorama! James Bond plays Inspector Clouseau! Paul Raeburn presents the Justice League! And the boys reveal their favorite westerns (and gangster movies)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 03, 2019•41 min
Comedy writer, producer and showrunner Don Reo regales Gilbert and Frank with memorable anecdotes about Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Redd Foxx, Jackie Gleason and Bob Hope and shares behind-the-scenes stories from classic shows like "Rhoda," "Sanford and Son" and "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Also, Groucho takes a phone call, Tom Waits provides inspiration, Robert Altman cuts to the chase and Don joins forces with the legendary Slappy White. PLUS: Phil Spector Week! "The Rifleman" loses his cool...
Sep 30, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 279
