Episode 709: Cockfighter (1974)

Special Guest: Kier-la Janisse
Guest Co-Hosts: Heather Drain, Jedidiah Ayres

Heather Drain and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to take a gritty plunge into Monte Hellman's Cockfighter (1974), a controversial and fascinating portrait of obsession and redemption. Warren Oates stars as Frank Mansfield, a man so consumed by his quest to win the cockfighting championship that he’s taken a vow of silence until he claims victory. Set in the underbelly of the American South, this visceral tale pits man against his demons, much like the roosters he trains.

Adapted from Charles Willeford’s novel, Cockfighter pulls no punches in its depiction of the brutal, outlawed sport, which was illegal in 47 states at the time. Film scholar Kier-la Janisse discusses the complex themes of masculinity, pride, and obsession, as well as Hellman’s signature directorial style in her new book, Cockfight: A Fable of Failure.

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Listen to "Episode 709: Cockfighter (1974)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Cockfighter by Charles Willeford
Buy Cockfighter on DVD

Music:
"The Cockfighter" - Ed Kuepper

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Episode 419: Minority Report (2002)

Special Guest: Scott Frank
Guest Co-Hosts: Corinne Luz, Tim Luz

We conclude the second part of our conversation about Philip K. Dick adaptations with a conversation about Minority Report (2002). Believe it or not but this is the first time we’ve directly discussed a film directed by Steven Spielberg on the show! The film stars Tom Cruise as John Anderton, the chief of the country’s first pre-crime division where he and his team arrest people before they commit the crimes prognosticated by a trio of psychics. When the psychics pick him as the perpetrator of an impending murder, Anderton begins to question the validity of the pre-crime system.

Tim and Corinne Luz of the Cinemaspection podcast join Mike to discuss the film. Screenwriter Scott Frank talks about his work on the film as well as his work on The Wolverine, Logan, The Lookout, Hoke, The Queen's Gambit, and more.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 419: Minority Report (2002)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Minority Report on Blu-Ray
Buy Minority Report the TV Show
Buy Minority Report and Other Stories by Philip K. Dick

Music:
"Minority Report" - Los Straightjackets

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The Woman Chaser Soundtrack

With the recently released digital version of Robinson Devor's The Woman Chaser, the original soundtrack had to be replaced due to rights and budget issues. Thanks to Mike's OCD, people can still enjoy the original soundtrack as a compilation.

Song Title	Artist
Bacoa	Les Baxter
Cuban Blues	Chico O'Farrill
Fiesta Time	Chico O'Farrill
The Asphalt Jungle	Miklos Rozsa
Ataypura	Yma Sumac
Mars, The Bringer Of War	Gustav Holst
Lotus Land	Martin Denny
Black Orchid	Cal Tjader
Dance Of The Headhunters	Tito Puente
Macao	Anthony Collins
Lust	Les Baxter and Bas Sheva
Night on Bald Mountain	Leonard Bernstein
Ritual Drum Dance	Tito Puente
The High Priest Of The Aztecs	Les Baxter
Poinciana	Robert Maxwell & His Orchestra
Voodoo Dreams	Les Baxter
Kon-Tiki	Yma Sumac and Orchestra
Slave Girl	Chaino
Ceremonial Feast Dance	Chaino
Autumn In Washington Square	Dave Brubeck
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen	Jimmy Smith

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Or, listen to the soundtrack here:


Links:
Listen to our episode on The Woman Chaser

Episode 62: Miami Blues (1990)

Special Guest: Scott Phillips

Real badge. Real gun. Fake cop. That's Miami Blues in six words but there's so much more than that to this terrific adaptation of Charles Willeford's work by George Armitage. The film stars Fred Ward as Hoke Mosely, a cantankerous Miami detective who's trying to find Freddy Frenger Jr (Alec Baldwin), the killer of a hare krishna.

We're joined in the Projection Booth this week by author Scott Phillips (The Ice Harvest, The Adjustment, The Walkaway, etc) as our special guest co-host.

Links:
Get Miami Blues on DVD
Get The Ice Harvest on DVD
Buy Charles Willeford books
Collecting Charles Willeford by Don Herron
Dennis McMillan's Charles Willeford page
Portrait of the Artist as a Used Car Salesman on Mulholland Books
Madness in the 20th Century by Mike White
Visit Scott Phillips's Official Site
Visit Concorde Free Press for Rut and more.
Buy Fairhaven by Ken Coffman
Read an interview with George Armitage in Film Comment

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 62: Miami Blues (1990)" on Spreaker.

Episode 38: The Woman Chaser (1999)

Special Guests: Robinson Devor, Joe McSpadden & Patrick Warburton
Guest Co-Host: Paul Freitag

Mike and guest commentator Paul Freitag discuss the overlooked and underrated film adaptation of Charles Willeford's psychotic look at the movie industry through the eyes of used car salesman Richard Hudson (a pitch-perfect Patrick Warburton); The Woman Chaser was the toast of the 1999 indie movie scene.

August 2025 Update:
Looks like the rights issues have been settled! You can now order The Woman Chaser on Blu-Ray!

Links:
Visit the official Woman Chaser website
Buy The Woman Chaser by Charles Willeford Psychotronic Netflix Group
Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament
More about Charles Willeford
Buy The Woman Chaser on iTunes
Hear the original Woman Chaser soundtrack

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 38: The Woman Chaser (1999)" on Spreaker.

Soundtrack:


Watch:

The Woman Chaser from Robinson Devor on Vimeo.