Ben Mankiewicz

It's like as long as they're not freaked out, I won't be freaked out.

I learned from the best, Ben Mankiewicz.

Also, I mean, God, we were a perfect pair.

We'd both show up about two minutes and one minute before the show.

I mean, that's a, those are two opposite ends of the piano as far as you go.

It's, it's interesting, you know, and being a, you know, being a TCM, you know, fan and a person, you know, Ben, Ben Mankiewicz, who in, in one of the interviews I've done with him, and he's said it other places too, he thinks 1957 as opposed to '39 is the greatest year in American film.

I've heard, I've heard that too.

I've heard maybe '56 as well.

Because sometimes the cards just don't go your way.

[gentle music] I'm your host, Ben Mankiewicz.

This is season seven of The Plot Thickens, a podcast from Turner Classic Movies.

Each season, we bring you an in-depth story about the movies and the people who make them.

Big thanks to Joseph Gelmis for opening the door, literally, and letting us use your terrific interview with Stanley.

Thomas Avery of Tune Welders composed our theme music.

I'm your host, Ben Mankiewicz.

Thanks for listening.

God, you know you're dropping some great names, and I'm going to go on a couple tangents.

I don't know how much you listen to podcasts, but right now, Ben Mankiewicz from Turner Classic Movies is in the midst of a miniseries podcast about Kubrick.

And it's so good.

And really, we're literally right before Lolita.

Production support from Liz Winter, Allison Fyre, Julie Battone, Emma Morris, Kelly Dillinger, Melissa Terry, Pancho Santiago, and Isabella Ruiz.

Thanks to our legal team, Sean Reneau and Kristin Hassel.

The following TCM staffers, my colleagues, supported the podcast in various important ways, so a thanks to Genevieve McGillicuddy, Mark Winz, Katie Daniels, Susan Besak, Dori Stegman, Matthew Ownby, David Byrne, Diana Bosch, Caroline Wigmore, and Michelle Hite.

Special thanks, as always, to Terry Press.

Thomas Avery of Tune Welders composed our theme music.

I'm your host, Ben Mankiewicz.

Thanks for listening.

See you next time.

Well, it's an honor to have my next guest with me, Alan Sepinwall.

Alan, I had you on to talk about Midnight Run, which is one of our favorite movies with Ben Mankiewicz and Blake Howard a few seasons ago, but I am thrilled to have you back.

How are you?

I'm great.

He was looking closely at the visuals, the camera work, the editing, and I can just picture him sitting there thinking, "Yeah, I can do better." Now he had to prove it.

[pensive music] I'm your host, Ben Mankiewicz.

This is season seven of The Plot Thickens, a podcast from Turner Classic Movies.

Each season, we bring you an in-depth story about the movies and the people who make them.

Big thanks to Joseph Gelmis for opening the door, literally, and letting us use your terrific interview with Stanley.

Thomas Avery of Tune Welders composed our theme music.

I'm your host, Ben Mankiewicz.

Thanks for listening.