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The Plot Thickens

TCM & Criterion
Cleopatra
Elizabeth Taylor
Stanley Kubrick
Richard Burton
Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Hollywood
20th Century Fox
Rex Harrison
Dr. Strangelove
2001: A Space Odyssey
A Clockwork Orange
Joe Mankiewicz
Pinewood Studios
Ruben Mamoulian
Walter Wanger
Julius Caesar
Spartacus
Barry Lyndon
Lolita
Academy Awards

Our seventh season is Stanley, an 11-episode exploration of Stanley Kubrick created in partnership with Criterion. Stanley traces Kubrick’s journey from a curious Bronx teenager, first inspired by a camera gifted to him by his father, to a visionary director who redefined the art of filmmaking. Across his career, Kubrick pushed boundaries, challenged censorship, and pursued an uncompromising level... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes82Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film HistoryTV & Film

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Artwork for The Plot Thickens

Latest Episodes

The fallout from A Clockwork Orange leads Stanley to take drastic action against his own film. Trouble then follows him to Ireland, where mysterious threats force him to flee the country before he can finish filming an 18th century period piece call... more

Stanley experiences a career low when his newest movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, has mass walkouts during its premiere. But 2001 quickly builds an audience, and Stanley becomes a god among filmmakers. His next film is even riskier: a violent, pervers... more

YouTube

Channeling his own growing anxiety, Stanley realizes that the only way to make a movie about nuclear war is to make it a comedy. Calling it Dr. Strangelove, Stanley pushes his talented cast and world-class crew to their limits, resulting in a riotou... more

YouTube

Stanley adapts the most shocking book of its time, a purported love story between a middle-aged man and a 12 year-old girl named Lolita. To escape censors, Stanley shoots the movie in England. But it still ends up stirring plenty of controversy, wh... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jan Harlan
Film producer and Stanley Kubrick's brother-in-law
Episode: The Trials of Barry Lyndon
Catherine Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick's daughter
Episode: The Trials of Barry Lyndon
Ken Adam
Production designer on Barry Lyndon and Dr. Strangelove
Episode: The Trials of Barry Lyndon
Brian Cook
First assistant director on Barry Lyndon
Episode: The Trials of Barry Lyndon
Claire Dederer
Writer and author of Monsters
Episode: How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Lolita?
Sofia Coppola
Writer and director of Lost in Translation and Marie Antoinette
Episode: How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Lolita?
Jimmy Harris
Film producer and Stanley Kubrick's producing partner
Episode: A Talented Shit
Kirk Douglas
Actor, producer and star of Spartacus
Episode: A Talented Shit
Dick Anderson
Actor who appeared in Paths of Glory
Episode: A Talented Shit

Host

Ben Mankiewicz
Host of The Plot Thickens, providing insights into film history and his family's connection to classic cinema, particularly the works of his uncle, Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 6.5k ratings
  • Ignoring well documented allegations detracts from credibility.

    I was enjoying this podcast until I got to the episode on Lolita. I found Ben’s cosy tone with James Harris nauseating given the well documented allegations that he pressured the 14 yr old Sue Lyon into a sexual relationship. To not even acknowledge this is to maintain the abusive relationship that cost her her mental health. Ben comes across as ingratiating and dishonest in withholding this critical detail.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    BM-CPT
    United States14 days ago
  • P O E

    The only problem with it is there’s not more of it- it’s great!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    the real Sov
    United States14 days ago
  • 10/10

    Kubrick series is incredible. One of the best podcasts I’ve ever heard.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KevinAndrewRea
    United States16 days ago
  • Go Ben go

    Ben is a humble , authentic journalist and cinephile

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rundoctor1
    United Statesa month ago
  • It’s all about the subject..

    This is a great podcast, well researched and presented, professionally done. The subject matter is what makes or breaks it for me. A few of the seasons have been of great interest and a few not at all. I always look so forward to this, and appreciate how much work goes into these, but sometimes the subject matter just is a big zero. If you are really into Kubrick you can take my place..

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    KelGenie
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners are captivated by the storytelling, praising the depth of research and the engaging presentation style of the host.
Comments reflect a strong appreciation for the historical context provided, often mentioning how the show brings beloved classics to life.
There are occasional criticisms focused on pacing or the presentation style, with some seeking a more energetic format.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Lolita?
Q: Did he think of it as a challenge that no studio is gonna make Lolita?
Harris says they were confident and never thought they would fail to make the film.
How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Lolita?
Q: Why did Stanley want to make Lolita?
Jimmy Harris says he and Kubrick thought it was a terrific love story, and that Kubrick was drawn to the novel's satire of polite middle-class American society.

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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?

Exploring the fascinating history and behind-the-scenes narratives of iconic films, the content focuses on the tumultuous production of the film 'Cleopatra', directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Each episode dives into various aspects of filmmaking, from casting challenges and personal anecdotes of the cast, particularly Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, to the chaos surrounding the film's production marked by medical emergencies and personal dramas. Unique insights are provided through the host's familial connections to the film's key figures, making it a compelling listen for cinema enthusiasts interested in the stories that shaped Hollywood's past.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Plot Thickens?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Plot Thickens:

1. You Must Remember This
2. The Secret History Of Hollywood
3. The Business
4. The Town with Matthew Belloni
5. Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin

How many episodes of The Plot Thickens are there?

The Plot Thickens launched 7 years ago and published 82 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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What guests have appeared on The Plot Thickens?

Recent guests on The Plot Thickens include:

1. Jan Harlan
2. Catherine Kubrick
3. Ken Adam
4. Brian Cook
5. Claire Dederer
6. Sofia Coppola
7. Jimmy Harris
8. Kirk Douglas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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