Episode 220 begins our look at truly classic comedy, with the first of two films from the silent era and one of the founding comedic actors in all of film history, Charlie Chaplin, and his 1925 film "The Gold Rush!" The film follows Chaplin's iconic little Tramp character as he travels to the Yukon to try and find his fortune. He becomes lost and wanders into a cabin that is currently inhabited by the villainous Black Larsen (Tom Murray), and soon after by another explorer of the tundra, Big Jim (Mack Swain). Eventually, after some hijinks in the cabin, Chaplin's self-described "little fellow" finds his way to a mining town. There he spots Georgia, a dance hall girl, and is immediately smitten. Trying to find a way to woo her, the Tramp offers to make dinner for her and her friends on New Year's Eve. The film winds its way to a happy ending, despite the trials and tribulations endured by the Tramp. The trio also delve into the reasons this film is considered a classic, and why Chaplin is an important part of the history of American cinema!

Episode 219 is also the result of a listener request! Tom Barclay asked us to check out "12 Angry Men" (which we talked about in our last episode) and we picked an equally-amazing film to pair it with, from 1962, "To Kill a Mockingbird!" Based on the Pulitzer-winning novel by Harper Lee, this film recalls three summers (and a bit more) in the life of young Scout Finch (Mary Badham), her brother Jem (Phillip Alford), and their friend Dill Harris (John Megna). Their father, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck, in probably his best role ever) is asked by Judge Taylor (Paul Fix) to take on the task of representing an African-American man named Tom Robinson (played by the incredible Brock Peters) who is accused of beating and raping a young girl in the South of the 1930s. But, cast against this story, is the children's fascination with their supposedly violent and captive neighbor Boo Radley (Robert Duvall in his first credited film role). As the summers pass, the stories are told, eventually culminating in an ending that blends both storylines together. Another example of just what American Cinema can be at its finest! Plus, the Geeks and G.I.T. reveal what classic comedian will be the focus of their next two reviews!
Episode 218 comes to you via a listener request! Tom Barclay told us he "would love to hear a '12 Angry Men' episode (my new fave classic film)." Well, ask and ye shall receive! Directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet, and written by Reginald Rose, this is a certified American classic! The film focuses almost solely on 12 men in the jury room, deciding the fate of an 18-year-old boy accused of murder. If convicted, he will be executed. At the beginning, there are 11 for conviction and just one juror who has "reasonable doubt." As the film unwinds, so does the evidence and testimony from the trial as the 12 try to determine what the right thing to do actually is! Starring Martin Balsam (Juror 1), John Fiedler (Juror 2), Lee J. Cobb (Juror 3), E.G. Marshall (Juror 4), Jack Klugman (Juror 5), Edward Binns (Juror 6), Jack Warden (Juror 7), Henry Fonda (Juror 8), Joseph Sweeney (Juror 9), Ed Begley (Juror 10), George Voscovec (Juror 11), and Robert Webber (Juror 12). An absolutely top-notch example of just what film can be, and a not-to-be-missed treasure of American cinema!
Episode 217 is the second review in our pairing of Carl Reiner films. Reiner passed away on June 29th, 2020, but he was, and will always be remembered as, one of the best comedians in the history of media in the United States. This time, we move ahead to 1987 for Reiner's directorial take on the high school comedy genre, one that shows a deeper affection for its characters than almost any of its contemporaries. The story follows gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon in an unusual comedic role) who gets drafted to teach remedial English in summer school by his nasty Vice Principal Phil Gills (Robin Thomas). And were it not for the help of AP History teacher Robin Bishop (Kirstie Alley in her first Hollywood film role), he'd have no chance of succeeding and securing tenure! Add to this a cast of amazing supporting actors like Patrick Labyorteaux, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Gary Riley, Kelly Jo Minter, Ken Olandt, Shawnee Smith, Richard Steven Horvitz, Fabiana Udenio, and the incredibly funny Dean Cameron, and you have an absolutely watchable (and re-watchable) comedy that leaves you feeling happy and satisfied! Plus, the trio divulge what listener request they're fulfilling for their next pairing!

