Episode 738: On the Beach (1959)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jonathan Melville, Maurice Bursztynski

Co-hosts Maurice Bursztynski and Jonathan Melville join Mike to take on a Patreon request from listener John Atom -- Nevil Shute’s On the Beach. They dive into both the 1959 Stanley Kramer film and the 2000 TV mini-series directed by Russell Mulcahy. Set in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, the story centers on a U.S. submarine that finds refuge in Melbourne, Australia, where residents face the grim reality that the fallout is heading their way.

The episode explores the emotional depth and existential dread of both adaptations, from the restrained melancholy of Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner to the more modern approach with Armand Assante and Rachel Ward. With perspectives shaped by different eras, the hosts unpack how each version captures the quiet devastation of waiting for the end.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 738: On the Beach (1959)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy On the Beach by Nevil Shute
Buy On The Beach (1959) on Blu-Ray
Buy On The Beach (2000) on DVD
Buy Hamish Macbeth: The Making of a BBC TV Classic by Jonathan Melville

Music:
"Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" - Ultravox
"Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce" - John Meillon

Watch:

Episode 401: F/X Murder by Illusion (1986)

Special Guests: Robert Mandel, Alan Ormsby, Cliff DeYoung
Guest Co-Hosts: Adam Schartoff, Jedidiah Ayres

Robert Mandel's F/X (1986) (AKA FX: Murder by Illusion) is the story of Rollie Taylor (Bryan Brown), a movie special effects man who is hired by two government agents (Cliff DeYoung & Mason Adams) to stage the public assassination of a mob boss (Jerry Orbach) who’s turned state's evidence. What better way to keep the mob off the tail than by “killing him”? But things don’t turn out as easy as that.

Jedidiah Ayres and Adam Schartoff join Mike to discuss F/X, its sequel, and the spin-off TV series.

Interviews on this episode include director Robert Mandel, writer Alan Ormsby and actor Cliff DeYoung.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 401: F/X (1986)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy F/X on Blu-Ray
Buy F/X2 on Blu-Ray
Buy F/X The Series on DVD
Hear more Adam Schartoff on Filmwax Radio
Keep up with Jedidiah Ayres at Hardboiled Wonderland

Music:
"Bust the Bust" - Bill Conti
"The Bombs" - Bill Conti
"Just an Illusion" - Imagination

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