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In December of 2024 we received a message from a fellow academic in Scotland! Hugh O'Donnell wrote us and suggested we take a look at two Scottish dramas, both from acclaimed director Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty! First up, the story of 15-year-old Liam (Martin Compston) in 2002's "Sweet Sixteen!" Liam, his grandfather Rab (Tommy McKae), and his mother's boyfriend Stan (Gary McCormack), are headed to visit her in prison. Liam is counting the days until she's released, but Stan expect Liam to pass her drugs and he refuses to do so. He is beaten by Rab and Stan on the way home and kicked out of his house. He ends up moving in with his sister Chantelle (Annmarie Fulton), who tells Liam he can stay as long as he watches his infant nephew Calum. Liam desperately wants to get his mother away from Stan once she's released, and comes up with a plan to purchase a caravan (a trailer like you'd find in a US trailer park) that's on the water, away from the city. He and his best friend Pinball (William Ruane) steal Stan's stash and go into business for themselves. Unfortunately for them, that's when things start to spin out of control, and Liam's dream for his mother falls into jeopardy. This film catapulted Martin Compston into stardom on both the BBC and Amazon Prime!

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The second film in our pairing of plays young Chad once participated in during high school brings to light life in a small town at the turn of the 20th century. Directed by Sam Wood and based on a Thornton Wilder play, 1940's "Our Town" follows life in a fictional American town called "Grover's Corners" in New Hampshire. The story begins in 1901 and introduces the audience to several residents, including brother and sister George (William Holden) and Rebecca (Ruth Tobey), and next-door neighbor Emily (Martha Scott). We learn fairly quickly of the growing connection between George and Emily as they both grapple with impending adulthood. The story then moves to 1904, when George and Emily are preparing for their wedding. We're treated to a flashback to when both were juniors in high school, and how they actually admitted their feelings to one another... in a roundabout way. The ceremony concludes, although both express some reservations, and we experience a jump in time again. It is now nine years later, and we are informed of many of the people who are buried in the town cemetery, along with some of their histories. The scene then shifts to Emily, who is dying while pregnant with her second child. We experience a vision of Emily's where she is able to talk to those long-dead and re-experience past events in her life as she struggles with whether to let go and give in to death or fight for life a bit longer! Also starring Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Guy Kibbee, Fay Bainter, and Frank Craven! Plus, the gents reveal which two Scottish films, as per a listener suggestion, will make up the next pairing!

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This pairing feature films of theatrical plays that, once upon a time, included Chad among their casts, back when he was in high school. First up, it's a story of clashing cultures and classes! Directed by Hollywood legend Frank Capra, the story introduces us to Anthony Kirby (Edward Arnold) who is on the cusp of the deal of a lifetime. There's just one small impediment: A single household that refuses to sell. The family that owns it, the Vanderhofs, is led by its patriarch Martin (Lionel Barrymore), is filled with unique and bizarre personalities, including candy-maker and budding ballerina, Essie Carmichael (Ann Miller), her very Russian instructor Kolenkhov (Mischa Auer), Essie husband Ed (Dub Taylor), and a young secretary named Alice Sycamore (Jean Arthur). Things get even more complicated when Anthony's son Tony (James Stewart) falls in love with Alice, who is working for him. When the two families finally meet, it's chaos and mayhem all around, with everyone winding up in jail together, and life-lessons being learned along the way! Also starring Spring Byington, Samuel S. Hinds, Donald Meek, Mary Forbes, and Eddie "Rochester' Anderson!

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Our second film in this pairing is another sci-fi classic based on a story by a legendary author! In 1990's "Total Recall," based on a story by Philip K. Dick and directed by Paul Verhoeven, we are introduced to Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker with a beautiful wife, Lori (Sharon Stone). Doug has a problem with a series of nightmares all showing him to be on Mars, fighting for his life, and alongside a sultry brunette. After Lori shuts down his idea of going to Mars, he decides to investigate a business he's seen advertised on TV called "Rekall." The company offers the option of implanting memories of vacations people have neither the time nor the income to afford, giving them the experience without actually having gained it. Doug chooses a deluxe Mars trip, complete with an added package that will give him the memory of a secret agent on assignment there as well. Unfortunately, something goes wrong in the process and Doug wakes up before the procedure has begun, claiming to be someone else. After his "wife" turns on him, and one of his co-workers tries to kill him, he travels to Mars and discovers that much of what he though was true about himself may not be. Or could there be yet another option as well? The ending of the film is something of a debate amongst fans, and the hosts will be discussing it as well! Also starring Michael Ironside, Ronny Cox, and Rachel Ticotin! Plus, they reveal what two films, movies of plays that Chad was once a cast member for, will make up the next pairing!

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