4.15-The Big House with Lewis Beer

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Big House. I'm joined by Lewis Beer who writes the Slow Moving Pictures newsletter, and we talk about the key themes that weave throughout the film, how the writing of the film helps propel the narrative forward, and some of the real life prisoners and prison personnel that inspired characters in the film. You can watch The Big House on YouTube or Tubi or grab a copy of the film on DVD for yourself, and be sure to check out Lewis's newsletter.Other films mentioned in this episode include:The Letter directed by Jean De LimurA Woman Under the Influence directed by John CassavetesThe Divorcee directed by Robert Z. LeonardAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneRoofman directed by Derek CianfranceMin and Bill directed by George HillAlibi directed by Roland WestThe Case of Sergeant Grischa directed by Herbert Brenon (lost film)Red-Headed Woman directed by Jack ConwayThe Champ directed by King VidorAnna Christie directed by Clarence BrownThe Big Parade directed by King VidorThe Flying Fleet directed by George HillOther referenced topics:"Frances Marion: Hollywood's Favourite Storyteller""The Woman Who Invented the Hollywood Screenwriter" by Pamela HutchinsonOff With Their Heads: A Serio-Comic Tale of Hollywood by Frances MarionWithout Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Powerful Women of Early Hollywood by Cari Beauchamp"Frances Marion: Censorship and the Screenwriter in Hollywood, 1929-1931" by Leslie Kreiner WilsonPrison Movies: Cinema Behind Bars by Kevin KehrwaldNew York Times review by Morduant Hall"Life in and out of a Penitentiary" by John C. MosherFrancis Marion receiving her Oscar for Best WritingSupport the show