Episode 811: The Outfit (1973)

Guest Co-Hosts: Gary Phillips, Jedidiah Ayres

Donald Westlake — writing as Richard Stark — said only one movie made from a Parker novel "got the feeling right." That's John Flynn's The Outfit (1973), starring Robert Duvall as Earl Macklin, out of prison to find his brother murdered by the mob over a bank job. Rather than run, Macklin runs at them, hitting every vulnerable Outfit operation until they pay. Joe Don Baker and Karen Black co-star alongside a murderer's row of noir faces: Robert Ryan, Marie Windsor, Jane Greer, Timothy Carey, and Elisha Cook Jr.

Jedidiah Ayres and Gary Phillips join Mike to dig into Westlake's dual-track career, the Parker adaptations from Point Blank to Play Dirty, Flynn's flat-and-mean style, and the film's year-long crawl across America courtesy of MGM's "smiling cobra" James Aubrey. Released in celebration of Arrow Video's new Limited Edition Blu-ray — featuring a commentary track by Mike and Jedidiah.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 811: The Outfit (1973)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy The Oufit on Blu-Ray
Visit the Parker website

Music:
"Finale" - Jerry Fielding

Watch:

Episode 802: Dark of the Sun (1968)

Guest Co-Hosts: Andrew Nette, Jedidiah Ayres

Mike welcomes Andrew Nette and Jedidiah Ayres back to dissect Dark of the Sun (1968), a brutal, kinetic men‑on‑a‑mission film whose pulp thrills sit atop a surprisingly rich political and historical foundation. The trio digs into the movie’s Cold War backdrop, its depiction of the Congo Crisis, and the real mercenaries who inspired characters like Curry and the sadistic Henlein — from “Mad” Mike Hoare to Siegfried “Congo” Müller, whose Iron Cross‑wearing exploits echo through the film. They explore Jack Cardiff’s muscular direction, the film’s obsession with logistics, its uneasy colonial gaze, and how Rod Taylor and Jim Brown anchor a story that veers from heist film to war movie to moral reckoning.

Chainsaws, trains, diamonds, and geopolitics collide in one of the wildest action films of the 1960s.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 802: Dark of the Sun (1968)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Dark of the Sun on Blu-Ray
Buy Dark of the Sun by Wilbur Smith

Music:
"Main Title" - Jacques Loussier

Watch:

Episode 746: The Brave (1997)

Special Guest: Paul McCudden, Charles Evans Jr.
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Spencer Parsons

The Projection Booth continues its spotlight on rare and elusive cinema with The Brave (1997), Johnny Depp’s feature directorial debut and a film shrouded in mystery since its limited release. Adapted by screenwriter Paul McCuddin from a novel by Fletch author Gregory McDonald, The Brave tells the harrowing story of Rafael, a Native American man who agrees to sacrifice himself in a snuff film to provide for his impoverished family.

Joining Mike to dissect this bleak, emotionally charged drama are returning co-hosts Spencer Parsons and Jedidiah Ayres, along with special guests screenwriter Paul McCudden and producer Charles Evans Jr. They discuss the film’s challenging adaptation process, its Cannes debut, and the complicated legacy that followed. We dive deep into The Brave's haunting themes, and controversial reception.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 746: The Brave (1997)" on Spreaker.

Bonus: Charles Evans Jr Interview:

Listen to "Bonus Interview: Charles Evans Jr." on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy The Brave on Blu-Ray (Verify Region)
Buy The Brave by Gregory McDonald

Music:
Songs from Avenue B by Iggy Pop

Watch:

Episode 735: Blood and Diamonds (1977)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Ryan Luis Rodriguez

The Projection Booth’s Patreon Picks series charges ahead with Blood and Diamonds (1977), a gritty crime saga from Fernando Di Leo. Claudio Cassinelli stars as Guido Mauri, a man fresh out of prison and ready to settle old scores in a world where loyalty is a fleeting illusion. As Guido cuts a ruthless path through former allies, betrayal and bloodshed go hand in hand.

Host Mike White is joined by crime fiction aficionado Jedidiah Ayres and podcast favorite Ryan Luis Rodriguez to dissect this pulpy revenge tale, discussing Di Leo’s signature style, the film’s place in the Eurocrime pantheon, and why Blood and Diamonds deserves a closer look.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 735: Blood and Diamonds (1977)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Eurocrime on DVD
Buy Blood and Diamonds on Blu-Ray

Music:
"Shock Me" - Original Soundtrack

Watch:

Episode 717: Angel Face (1952)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Lexi Van Dyke

#Noirvember 2024 shines a spotlight on Otto Preminger's Angel Face (1952), a twisted tale of obsession and betrayal. Robert Mitchum stars as Frank Jessup, an ambulance driver entangled with the wealthy Tremayne family. Torn between the dangerously alluring Diane Tremayne (Jean Simmons) and his steadfast girlfriend Mary (Mona Freeman), Frank is drawn into a deadly web of manipulation and deceit.

Jedidiah Ayers and Lexi Van Dyke join Mike to discuss this gripping exploration of desire and duplicity.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 717: Angel Face (1952)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Angel Face on Blu-Ray

Music:
"Angel Face" - The Bobby Fuller Four

Watch:

Episode 671: 3:10 to Yuma (1957)

Special Guests: C. Courtney Joyner, Gregg Sutter
Guest Co-Hosts: Rob St. Mary, Jedidiah Ayres

Western Month continues with a look at Delmer Daves's 3:10 to Yuma. Released in 1957, the film tells the tale of two men, outlaw Ben Wade (Glenn Ford) and innocent bystander Dan Evans (Van Heflin). Their fates are intertwined after Dan witnesses Ben and his outfit robbing a stagecoach.

Jedidiah Ayres and Rob St. Mary join Mike to discuss the 1957 film and 2007 remake which are both based on a short story by Elmore "Dutch" Leonard. Mike spoke with filmmaker and author C. Courtney Joyner and Leonard's long-time researcher Gregg Sutter about the dozens of other films based on Leonard's work.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episod 671: 3:10 to Yuma (1957)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy 3:10 to Yuma (1957) on Blu-Ray
Buy 3:10 to Yuma (2007) on Blu-Ray
Buy 3:10 to Yuma by Elmore Leonard

Music:
"Chinese Democracy" - Marco Beltrami
"The 3:10 to Yuma" - Frankie Lane

Watch:

Episode 656: The Big Fix (1978)

Special Guests: Jeremy Kagan, Roger L. Simon
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Andrew Nette

Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to look at Jeremy Kagan's The Big Fix. Released in 1978, the film stars Richard Dreyfuss as Moses Wine, a radical in the '60s who’s now a down-on-his-luck detective who gets put on a case that takes him back to his old stomping grounds.

Author of the Moses Wine books (and so much more), Roger L. Simon joins us to discuss writing the film while Kagan talks about his career.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 656: The Big Fix (1978)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Read more about Moses Wine
Learn more about the The near Death and Life of Jeremy Kagan
Learn about Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8

Music:
Original Soundtrack - Bill Conti

Watch:

CONSPIRACY The Trial of the Chicago 8 from Jeremy Kagan on Vimeo.

Episode 651: The Keep (1983)

Special Guests: Hawk Koch, F. Paul Wilson, Ivo Ritzer
Guest Co-Hosts: John Walker, Jedidiah Ayres

Jedidiah Ayres and John Walker join Mike to look at Michael Mann's moody supernatural film The Keep. Released in 1983, the film is a real who’s who of actors including Jürgen Prochnow as a German captain, Gabriel Byrne as a Nazi SS Major, Ian McKellan as a disabled scholar, and Scott Glenn as an ancient being on the side of light. All of them eventually make their way to the titular Keep deep in the Romanian Carpathians.

Also joining us are Professor Ivo Ritzer who discusses his essay about The Keep and Manhunter in The Philosophy of Michael Mann, producer Hawk Koch, and the author of The Keep, F. Paul Wilson.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 651: The Keep (1983)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy The Keep on DVD
Buy The Keep by F. Paul Wilson
Buy Magic Time: My Life in Hollywood by Hawk Koch

Music:
Original Soundtrack - Tangerine Dream

Watch:

Episode 597: Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Tim Luz

Noirvember 2022 continues with a look at David Robert Mitchell’s Under the Silver Lake. Released in 2018, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Sam, a slacker who’s about to be kicked out of his apartment and lose his car. He becomes entranced by a neighbor at his apartment complex who disappears, setting Sam on a path filled with dog killers, pop music, and secret codes.

Jedidiah Ayres and Tim Luz join Mike to crack the codes and enjoy this entry into Slacker Noir.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 597: Under the Silver Lake (2018)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Under the Silver Lake on Blu-Ray
Read Secret Codes in Under The Silver Lake by Paul's Perambulations

Music:
"Turning Teeth" - Jesus & The Brides of Dracula

Watch:

Special Report: Lost Highway (1997)

Special Guest: Barry Gifford
Guest Co-Hosts: Bill Ackerman, Jedidiah Ayres

We conclude #Noirvember 2021 with a special episode about David Lynch's Lost Highway (1997). Written by Lynch and Barry Gifford, it’s the story of Fred Madison (Bill Pullman), a musician who has trouble trusting his wife, Renee (Patricia Arquette). When they begin to get anonymous deliveries of VHS tapes, the pair are plunged into an underworld of mystery...

Jedidiah Ayres and Bill Ackerman join Mike to discuss the film and this phase of David Lynch’s career.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Special Report: Lost Highway (1997)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Lost Highway on Blu-Ray
Buy the Lost Highway screenplay
Learn more about Barry Gifford and Roy's World
Listen to Tim Lucas's omitted commentary track

Music:
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" - Barry Adams
"Rammstein" - Rammstein

Watch:

ROY'S WORLD official trailer #1 from Rob Christopher on Vimeo.

Episode 546: Point Blank (1967)

Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Andrew Nette

Noirvember 2021 continues with a look at John Boorman's Point Blank. Released in 1967, the film was based on the 1962 novel by Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark. The film stars Lee Marvin as Walker, a man who was betrayed by his wife and his best friend. Now he’s back, seemingly from the dead, and goes on a quest to kill his friend and get back the money he feels he’s owed.

Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to discuss The Hunter, Point Blank, and the many cuts of Brian Helgeland's Payback.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 546: Point Blank (1967)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Point Blank on Blu-Ray
Buy Payback: Straight Up on Blu-Ray
Buy The Hunter by Richard Stark
Buy The Hunter by Richard Stark and Darwyn Cooke
Buy Hard Sentences: Crime Fiction Inspired by Alcatraz
Visit The Violent World of Parker website
Read The Four and a Half Worlds of Parker by Mike White

Music:
"End Title" - Johnny Mandel

Watch:

Episode 505: White Sands (1992)

Special Guest: Daniel Pyne
Guest Co-Hosts: Andrew Nette, Jedidiah Ayres

Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to look at the 1992 neo-noir film from director Roger Donaldson, White Sands. The film stars Willem Dafoe as Ray Dolezal, a small town Sheriff who tries to solve the murder of a man in his jurisdiction by assuming the dead man’s identity and getting embroiled in a world of arms dealing,

We speak to the film's screenwriter, Daniel Pyne (The Hard Way, The Sum of All Fears, Where's Marlowe?) about the film's journey from page to screen.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 505: White Sands (1992)" on Spreaker.

Bonus Interview: Roger Donaldson

Listen to "Bonus Interview; Roger Donaldson" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy White Sands on Blu-Ray
Buy The Passenger on Blu-Ray

Music:
"The Passenger" - Siouxsie & The Banshees

Watch:

Episode 495: To Live & Die in L.A. (1985)

Special Guests: Willem Dafoe, M. Scott Smith
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Andrew Nette

#Noirvember2020 concludes with a look at William Friedkin's To Live & Die in L.A. (1984). The film pits Treasury agent William Petersen as Richard Chance against Willem Dafoe as artist and forger Rick Masters. Based on the novel of the same name by Gerald Petievich, it’s an unexpected cat and mouse story bathed in the harsh light of Los Angeles.

Jedidiah Ayres and Andrew Nette join Mike to discuss the film, Boiling Point, Wang Chung, and more.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 495: To Live & Die in L.A. (1985)" on Spreaker.

Bonus: More from M. Scott Smith

Listen to "Episode 495: To Live & Die in L.A. Bonus Interview" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy To Live & Die in L.A. on Blu-Ray
Buy To Live & Die in L.A. by Gerald Petievich
Read Wallace Stroby's interview with Gerald Petievich
Read ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’: The Intelligent, Authentic Thriller as One of the Highlights of Friedkin’s Career from Cinephilia and Beyond
Visit the Billy Petersen fansite

Music:
"The Red Stare" - Wang Chung
"City of Angels" - Wang Chung
"To Live & Die in L.A." - Wang Chung

Watch:

Episode 493: Ride the Pink Horse (1947)

Special Guest: Sarah Weinman
Guest Co-Hosts: Carol Borden, Jedidiah Ayres

Noirvember 2020 continues with a look at Robert Montgomery's Ride the Pink Horse (1947). Adapted from the novel of the same name by Dorothy B. Hughes, the film also stars Montgomery as Lucky Gagin, a man who comes to the small town of San Pablo, New Mexico during their annual fiesta...

Jedidiah Ayres and Carol Borden join Mike to discuss the various adaptations of Ride the Pink Horse. Sarah Weinman talks about Dorothy B. Hughes's career.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 493: Ride the Pink Horse (1947)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Ride the Pink Horse on Blu-Ray
Buy Ride the Pink Horse by Dorothy B. Hughes
Read Folk Horror Noir? at the Cultural Gutter
Buy Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit & Obsession by Sarah Weinman
Buy Peckerwood by Jedidiah Ayres
Buy The Hanged Man on DVD
Visit the Andrea King website

Music:
"Silly Rat Pink Mr. Horse" - Chenard Walcker
"Ride the Wild Pink Horse" - Wild Pink Horse

Watch:

Episode 463: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Special Guest: Shane Black
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Andrew Nette

Released in 2005, Shane Black's Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars Robert Downey Jr. as Harry Lockhart, a two-bit thief who lucks his way into a Hollywood audition which puts him on a very crooked path of playing a detective along with Val Kilmer as Gay Perry. The film pays homage to pulp detectives of old by way of the slick writing style of Black in his directing debut.

Andrew Nette and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to talk about Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Nice Guys, and more.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 463: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang on Blu-Ray
Buy The Nice Guys on Blu-Ray
Buy The Nice Guys novelization by Charles Ardai
Read more about Ike, Mike, & Mustard

Music:
"Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" - Akira Tana with Annie Sellick

Watch:

Episode 446: Millennium (1989)

Guest Co-Hosts: Chris Bricklemyer, Jedidiah Ayres

Sci-Fi December rolls along with a look at 1989’s Millennium. Directed by Michael Anderson and written by John Varley, the film stars Kris Kristofferson as an airline disaster investigator who stumbles onto something unexpected at the site of a mid-air collision. It will lead him into a tangled web of time-traveling shenanigans and a relationship with Louise Baltimore (Cheryl Ladd).

Chris Bricklemyer and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to discuss the film, time travel, and creepy robots.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 446: Millennium (1989)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Millennium on Blu-Ray
Buy Millennium by John Varley

Music:
"Traveler in Time" - Uriah Heep

Watch:

Episode 437: Wolfen (1981)

Special Guests: Whitley Strieber, Rupert Hitzig, John D. Hancock, Craig Safan
Guest Co-Hosts: Stephen Graham Jones, Jedidiah Ayres

#Shocktober2019 continues with a look at the 1981 movie from director Michael Wadliegh, Wolfen. Based loosely on the 1978 book by Whitley Strieber, the film stars Albert Finney as Dewey Wilson, a world weary New York City cop who is assigned the macabre murder of real estate mogul Peter Vanderveer. Initially thought to be a terrorist plot, Wilson is assigned a psychologist, Neff (Diane Venora), to aid in his pursuit. They soon learn that they’re facing something much more sinister... and much older...

Stephen Graham Jones and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to talk about this film. Interviews include author Whitley Strieber, producer Rupert Hitzig, director John D. Hancock, and composer Craig Safan.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 437: Wolfen (1981)" on Spreaker.

Bonus Interview w/Stew Buck:

Listen to "Special Report: Stew Buck on Uncovering Wolfen" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Wolfen on Blu-Ray
Buy The Wolfen by Whitley Strieber
Buy Hancock on Hancock by Michael Doyle
Buy Wolfen (The Unusued Score by Craig Safan
Buy Wolfen by James Horner
Buy Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones
Read Sculptures of wolves mauling tourist appear in New York City parks

Music:
Scores by Craig Safan and James Horner
"Bark at the Moon" - Ozzy Osbourne
"The Killing Moon" - Echo & The Bunnymen
"Smuggler's Waltz / Bronx Lullaby" - Tom Waits
"South Bronx" - KRS-One

Watch:

Episode 418: Total Recall (1990)

Special Guest: Gary L. Goldman
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Rob St. Mary

We’re kicking off back to back discussions of Philip K. Dick adaptations with a look at 1990's Total Recall. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, the film spent years in turnaround until Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached and got the thing made. It's the story of a common construction worker who dreams of life on Mars. When he learns of a procedure that can implant memories of being on Mars, things get a little complicated.

Rob St. Mary and Jedidiah Ayres join Mike to discuss the complicated road which Total Recall took to get to the silver screen as well as the wretched Len Wiseman remake and the strange television spin-off. Screenwriter Gary Goldman reveals how he helped shape the film to make it the success it ultimately became.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 418: Total Recall (1990)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Buy Total Recall on Blu-Ray
Buy We Can Remember It for you Wholesale and Other Classic Stories by Philip K. Dick
Listen to our episode on The Fly
Listen to our episode on Blade Runner
Listen to our episode on Big Trouble in Little China

Music:
Original Score - Jerry Goldsmith
"Total Recall: The Musical (Mountains of Mars" - Jon and Al

Watch:

Episode 414: Outland (1981)

Special Guest: James B. Sikking
Guest Co-Hosts: Jedidiah Ayres, Josh Hadley

Peter Hyams’s Outland (1981) plays like a Western in space with Sean Connery as Marshall W.T. O’Neil, the head lawman at a rough and tumble mining colony where a mysterious series of deaths puts him at odds with the powers that be including his own Deputy (James B. Sikking) and the colony's head honcho (Peter Boyle).

Jedidiah Ayres and Josh Hadley join Mike to discuss Peter Hyams's filmography, High Noon, and more.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Episode 414: Outland (1981)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Read OUTLAND: Peter Hyams’ Sci-Fi Murder Mystery Western For The Ages by Roxanne Benjamin
Read Outland: The Press Kit
Buy Outland by Alan Dean Foster
Buy High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic by Gary Frankel

Music:
Original Score - Jerry Goldsmith
"High Moon" - Star One

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

Watch: