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The Plot Thickens

TCM
Cleopatra
Elizabeth Taylor
Richard Burton
Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Hollywood
20th Century Fox
Rex Harrison
Ruben Mamoulian
Pinewood Studios
Walter Wanger
Joe Mankiewicz
Julius Caesar
Academy Awards
Herman Mankiewicz
Citizen Kane
Rome
Turner Classic Movies
John Ford
Henry Fonda
Cinecitta

Our sixth season is Cleopatra, a six-episode series about one of the most expensive and infamous movies ever made. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Cleopatra should have been a smash. Instead, it was a shoot plagued by medical emergencies, climate disasters, nervous breakdowns, and the most scandalous love affair to ever hit a movie set. Join host Ben Mankiewicz as h... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes71Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film HistoryTV & Film

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Latest Episodes

Ben Mankiewicz received hundreds of voicemails about Cleopatra, and now he's answering them! Well, as many of them as he can. In this special bonus episode, Ben weighs in on the six-hour cut of Cleopatra, what Richard Burton thought of the movie, Jud... more

We’re doing our first-ever Q&A bonus episode, and we want your questions! Call 404-885-0013 to leave a voicemail for Ben. You can ask about Cleopatra, Ben's great-uncle Joe Mankiewicz or the stars of the movie. Remember to tell us your first name and... more

The fate of 20th Century Fox hangs in the balance as Cleopatra premieres. Critics and audiences weigh in, Elizabeth and Richard face momentous life decisions, and Joe sinks into a deep depression.  For years to come, Joe and the Mankiewicz family rec... more

Joe’s body reaches its breaking point, and he’s forced to film the last few scenes from a wheelchair.  But when production wraps, Fox installs a new studio head, Darryl F. Zanuck, who undercuts Joe’s authority and takes over the edit of Cleopatra.  S... more

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Host

Ben Mankiewicz
Host who navigates the history of filmmaking and personal anecdotes through storytelling, with a focus on family connections to the film industry.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.1k ratings
  • Loved the perspective

    The Legend was fantastic. I grew up watching westerns with my Dad. I still watch when the are on so much of the perspectives are multi dimentional, the stories are timeless.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dlr1960
    United States20 days ago
  • Very enjoyable dive into film history

    So many of these individuals created movies I saw as a little girl rebroadcast on TV. It’s just fascinating to hear the stories behind the glamour and glitz. Re: The series about making “Cleopatra “I just kept thinking, “Poor Joe!”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    whynotpugs
    United States25 days ago
  • So enjoyed this podcast of Cleopatra!

    This podcast was so enjoyable and full of info I’d never heard before. The background was so thorough and insightful. Ben made it so interesting!! Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PLVdP
    Canadaa month ago
  • Wow!

    Great podcast! Thank you Ben and TCM!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pen4321
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love love love everything about the podcast

    As always OUTSTANDING. Thank you TCM and especially Ben. I can't wait for season. 7.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    goldie1041
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Ben Mankiewicz's voice and narrative style receive high praise, making the content enjoyable to listen to.
While many find it a unique and insightful series, a small number of reviews express frustration over perceived biases or contemporary issues in the narratives.
Some criticisms arise regarding commercial interruptions, detracting from the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and in-depth exploration of film history.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Plot Thickens

What is The Plot Thickens about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring captivating storytelling, this series dives into the intricate and often tumultuous history of major Hollywood productions, focusing primarily on significant films and their legendary stars. The narratives unfold behind-the-scenes chaos, interpersonal relationships, and the unique challenges faced by filmmakers, particularly during the making of notorious movies like Cleopatra. With rich anecdotes, interviews, and personal connections, the series offers listeners a fascinating look at the intersecting worlds of film history and personal dramas set against an iconic backdrop.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Plot Thickens?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Plot Thickens:

1. The Secret History Of Hollywood
2. It Happened In Hollywood
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. Unspooled
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Plot Thickens are there?

The Plot Thickens launched 6 years ago and published 71 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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