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Altmania

by Altmania

The podcast about the films of Robert Altman, hosts Ryan and Este discuss them in their context, how they speak to today, his wider circle of influences and protêgês. Currently covering the films of Jonathan Demme.

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Episodes

  1. Haiti: Dreams of Democracy (1988)

    Bonjour, folks - it's a new episode of ALTMANIA coming at you. We're talking about a documentary that Jonathan Demme made for the PBS, a portrait of a nation in constant renewal and on the brink of their first elections — it's HAITI: DREAMS OF DEMOCRACY. We talk about Jonathan Demme falling in…

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  2. Swimming to Cambodia (1986) w/ Jane Altoids

    We've sat down at our little tables, taken out our Ronald McDonald notebooks, and prepared a fantastic spoken word piece (aka podcast) for all of you. Joined by returning friend Jane Altoids from Pacino Pod, we get into Spalding Gray and Jonathan Demme's masterpiece, SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA. We talk...

  3. Something Wild (1986) w/ Peter Raleigh

    Nobody move, nobody get hurt, just sit down and listen to a new episode of ALTMANIA. Joined by writer and a regular on the show, Peter Raleigh, we dive into one of Jonathan Demme's MOST "Jonathan Demme" movies ever, SOMETHING WILD. We talked scary Ray Liotta, how he landed this role, all of the...

  4. Stop Making Sense (1984)

    It's our 100th episode of the show, we've got on some big suits, we're flopping around on the ground, and we're screaming nonsense about James Brown. We talk about Jonathan Demme's documentary debut (sort of his first film, if you think about it) STOP MAKING SENSE, the live performance film from...

  5. Swing Shift (1984)

    Well, isn't that something...here we promised a 100th episode celebration on STOP MAKING SENSE, and we come out with an entirely different episode?? Well, we ended up having to cover this one FIRST - so the 100th episode is on hold for now, we're going George Lucas style and doing the episodes…

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  6. Who Am I This Time? (1982)

    We're Walken into this episode, Saranded by our listeners to talk about a little TV movie from Jonathan Demme, adapted from a 1961 Kurt Vonnegut short story... it's WHO AM I THIS TIME? A little story about a little community, our identities, showing emotion through performance, lonely individuals...

  7. Melvin and Howard (1980)

    We've finally reached a milestone for the Demme series, this one is a huge one for him and we pulled no stops in talking all about it. Rolling into 1980, it's the great MELVIN AND HOWARD, a film we found to be funny, pensive, endlessly spontaneous, ever-moving, and just plain beautiful. We get…

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  8. Last Embrace (1979) w/ Left of the Projector

    It's our last embrace with the dang Demme 1970s this week as we take a look at a Hitchcockian thriller starring Roy Scheider and Janet Margolin, based on the Murray Teigh Bloom novel THE 13TH MAN... it's LAST EMBRACE. This week's guest is a familiar friend, but a first time guest - Evan from the...

  9. BONUS: There's No Going Back with David M. Stewart

    We've mentioned his name many times already in our Demme series, but we finally got a chance to sit down with David M. Stewart to talk about his upcoming book THERE'S NO GOING BACK: THE LIFE AND WORK OF JONATHAN DEMME. We get into his relationship to Demme's work, what drove him to write this…

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  10. Columbo: Murder Under Glass (1978) w/ Chris Woodward

    Oh, just one more thing... it's a new ALTMANIA coming down the chubes for you all, this week we're joined by our dear friend Chris Woodward to talk about Jonathan Demme's episode of COLUMBO. Made in a down period of his career, hot off the flop of CITIZEN'S BAND; a fortuitous phonecall comes in…

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  11. Citizens Band (1977)

    Breaker breaker, calling all cars, it's a big 10-4 on a new Altmania. We're talkin about Jonathan Demme's third or fourth "first movie" at this point - but this time it's his first film outside of the Corman wing. We talk about CB Radio fever of the 70s, other frequent fevers of the nose in the...

  12. Fighting Mad (1976)

    Following the rushed production of Crazy Mama, Jonathan Demme was finally able to put together a passion project. After putting together the pieces of different revenge films of the era, combined with real life influence ripped from the headlines, and a little help from Roger Corman; he brings…

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  13. Crazy Mama (1975) w/ Gigi

    We're hitting the road with our good friend and three-timer guest Girl (@summeroffilm), to check out Jonathan Demme's 1975 film CRAZY MAMA. We see Demme find himself in a bit of an Alan Rudolph situation, wanting to get FIGHTING MAD made - but he has to do ol' Roger Corman a favor - direct a…

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  14. Caged Heat! (1974)

    We're finally here, Demme's big moment to direct his first film - and he comes out of the gate swinging. We're talking about 1974's CAGED HEAT! We discuss this film's place in exploitation cinema, within the genre of "women in prison" films, their history as a genre, and in the context of the...

  15. Black Mama, White Mama (1973)

    If you're thinking about my MAMA, it don't matter if she's black or white, ooh! In this case, we get the best of both worlds when Altmania returns to close out our final Demme / Viola screenplay collaboration, and one final another production from the Philippines. This time around, Jonathan Demme...

  16. The Hot Box (1972)

    A fresh, piping hot episode of Altmania straight out of the Hot Box. We're looking at another Jonathan Demme-penned, Joe Viola-directed film from New World Pictures - 1972's THE HOT BOX. We discuss Corman's core (no pun intended) mission for filmmaking: boobs and action. The ways he allowed...

  17. Angels Hard as They Come (1971)

    We're soooo back, folks - it's time to kick off the Demme deep-dive! We re-introduce ourselves and talk about one cool thing we've both been up to, before officially kicking off our new series on the life, times, and art of one JONATHAN DEMME. We talk about his early upbringing in Long Island, NY…

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  18. A Conversation with Robert Reed Altman

    We're very happy to have gotten to sit down with cinematographer and son of Robert Altman -- Robert Reed "Bobby" Altman. He shares with us stories of joining his dad on the production of Nashville, his early life travelling the world with his family, joining the camera department and working on...

  19. UNLOCKED: Return Engagement (1983)

    We're taking a short break to prepare for our Jonathan Demme series, for now, enjoy this unlocked episode from our Patreon feed. If you like what you hear, consider subscribing with our discount code DEMME to get 25% off your first month! ---------------------------------------- We're checking…

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  20. Finalen Rudolph

    We always hate to say goodbye... but we must close this chapter of the podcast and officially send off our Alan Rudolph series out to the beautiful blue ocean. We honor the man himself talking about what we learned looking at all of these movies he made, what he and Altman showed us about…

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  21. Ray Meets Helen (2017) w/ Sōd Casty for Me

    Alan Rudolph returns from his 15-year hiatus from filmmaking with a paintbrush in his hand a copy of premiere pro to bring us RAY MEETS HELEN. Joining us are two Clint Eastwood experts, Jake and Ian from Sōd Casty for Me, to help us talk about what would end up being Sondra Locke's final film,...

  22. The Secret Lives of Dentists (2002)

    Whatever happened to toothpaste flavored toothpaste... this week we're hanging out with the ghost of Denis Leary in Alan Rudolph's THE SECRET LIVES OF DENTISTS. A movie about a guy that is so scared of being a cuckold that he runs away from his wife to mow the lawn. We get into what drew Rudolph…

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  23. Investigating Sex (2001) w/ Gigi

    Get out your pipes and magnifying glasses, Sherlock HOLES is on the case. This week we're joined by our good friend Detective Gigi to look into these matters on Alan Rudolph's INVESTIGATING SEX, aka INTIMATE AFFAIRS. We get into the film's setting, its depiction of real surrealist artists and...

  24. Trixie (2000)

    Altmania, the only show hosted by TWO private defectives. We get into the new trailer for PTA's One Battle After Another, before we jump over to the critical fallout from Breakfast of Champions, Rudolph vs Disney (and critics), Y2K, Alan Rudolph's election-inspired script for Trixie, liars and...

  25. Breakfast of Champions (1999)

    In 1973, Kurt Vonnegut releases his much awaited follow up to Slaughterhouse-Five. Just one year later, off the tails of Buffalo Bill and the Indians, Robert Altman tasks Alan Rudolph with writing him a script based on this book, Breakfast of Champions. His one direction being, "don't follow the...

  26. Afterglow (1997) w/ Jordan Fish

    Bonjour à tous! Joining us this week, in the strange and alienating city that is Alan Rudolph's montreal, is our friend, a filmmaker, co-host of To the White Sea - Jordan Fish! We have a lengthy discussion on Alan Rudolph's 1997 film AFTERGLOW, its characters estranged from their roots, People...

  27. Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994) w/ Jane Altoids

    Joining us at our big, round podcast table for Alan Rudolph's dive into historical drama - from Pacino Pod, it's Jane Altoids! We talk about Rudolph reuniting with Robert Altman, the Algonquin roundtable, how Bob got two different studios to bankroll this, the copius research and method that went...

  28. Equinox (1993) w/ Etan Weisfogel

    I'm seeing double... FOUR Matthew Modines! You've already guessed it, it's a movie we've been anticipating in this series based on it's bizarre premise alone - that doesn't actually turn out to be as weird as you'd think. Joined by our new pal Etan Weisfogel, a writer, occasional critic, and...

  29. Mortal Thoughts (1991)

    In 1991, Alan Rudolph receives a call from Demi Moore ONE day before they're about to shoot this little movie she's producing, MORTAL THOUGHTS. The original director's been fired, the production company is gonna pull back the money unless they can get someone in under the wire, what are they…

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  30. Love at Large (1990)

    Live at Largo, it's LOVE AT LARGE. The Alan Rudolph movie that feels vaguely like Trouble in Mind, transplanted to a 1990s Portland, with an added hitchcock-ian "wrong man" story, that is also a screwball comedy, and Tom Berenger talks like Beetlejuice, and there's a cameo even more insane than...

  31. The Moderns (1988)

    From all the times we say "postmodern" on the show, we finally get to POST Moderns, Alan Rudolph's THE MODERNS, from 1988. The Altmania boys are together at last, recording in the same room, and now have to make eye contact with each other. Scary stuff. We manage to get through it as we talk…

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  32. Made in Heaven (1987) w/ Jason Miller

    From podcast to GODcast! That’s right, folks, today we’re covering the 2003 Tom Shadyac film BRUCE ALMIGHTY. And this week's guest is a match made in heaven for this show, it's our research comrade and friend-in-Rudolph, Jason Miller! He checks in with us as we cross the halfway mark on our Alan...

  33. Trouble in Mind (1985) w/ Aaron Casias

    We knew this guy was trouble when he walked in, it's Aaron from the Hit Factory Podcast returning to discuss Alan Rudolph's 1985 neo-noir set-in-the-past-but-also-in-the-future, shot right there in beautiful Seattle, it's TROUBLE IN MIND. We get into some overall Rudolph discussion and share some...

  34. Songwriter (1984) w/ Chris Woodward

    Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be podcasters. It's another edition of Altmania: Friends of Bob, continuing right along in our Alan Rudolph series. This time we're joined again by a returning champion, our pal from Podside Picnic, Chris Woodward. We get into this interesting leap in budget...

  35. Choose Me (1984) w/ Esmé Holden

    Choose me!! That's what this episode is telling you in your feed right now, press play, press the little button and listen to me!! We're back from a short break, joined by our friend Esmé Holden, a wonderful film writer and cool person all around to discuss Alan Rudolph's biggest independent film...

  36. UNLOCKED: The Late Show (1977)

    We're taking a short break for some personal stuff, but for now, enjoy this unlocked episode from our Patreon feed. If you like what you hear, consider subscribing for just $5/month, and receive 2 monthly bonus episodes ---------------------------------------- It's our final Lion's Gate…

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  37. Endangered Species (1982) w/ Peter Raleigh

    Don't have a cow, man - it's another episode of Altmania right on schedule. We're joined by a returning favorite, a writer we both admire, Peter Raleigh! He steps into the pen with us to check out Alan Rudolph's second film with Zalman King (happy Zalmanuary to those that celebrate). It's the...

  38. Roadie (1980)

    It's time to kick out the mother-loafing jams because we're getting into 2025 with ROADIE. A movie where Meat Loaf plays a redneck macgyver that goes around fixing other band's equipment. Oh and Art Carney eats a bunch of ribs with sauce all over his face. There's other stuff in here too, we talk...

  39. A Conversation with Richard Baskin

    We were lucky enough to sit down for an interview with the composer of Nashville, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, Welcome to LA, RICHARD BASKIN - who shared stories with us from throughout his career; starting out as a singer-songwriter in LA, meeting Altman and working on all of the music of...

  40. Remember My Name (1978) w/ Valerie Keaton

    It's our final episode of 2024 (special bonus episode next week) and we're ending it on Rudolph's second film under his renewed directorial vision. Joining us this time is Altmania third timer Valerie, who helps us examine this film following Geraldine Chaplin as an ex-con putting her life and...

  41. Welcome to LA (1976)

    This is like our third intro episode in the Rudolph series, but this time we're really getting started. It's his first big swing, setting the precedent for a unique vision of his own, it's WELCOME TO LA. We go over some stuff on Nashville, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, this time focusing on...

  42. Terror Circus (1973) w/ Jason Miller

    Terror Circus, I didn't know we were watching C-SPAN this episode! We're joined by our resident Alan Rudolph scholar and a wonderful mind in this world we know - it's Jason Miller. We spend maybe 33% of this episode discussing Terror Circus, and 66% on what we'll be looking forward to once we…

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  43. Premonition (1972)

    We're BACK, it's only been one week but we're BACK. This time we're introducing our new guy, Alan Rudolph. We read about his dad's career in Hollywood, life growing up in LA, majoring as an accountant at UCLA, joining the DGA program and becoming an assistant director, his story of meeting Bob…

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  44. PTA Finale (for now)

    Well folks, it’s time to close the old book on Paul - or at least until he puts out a new movie. We take a final look back over this little series, read some cool PTA news, talk a little bit of The Master, read some Punch-Drunk Love rotten tomatoes reviews, pay a tribute to Philip Seymour…

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  45. Licorice Pizza (2021) w/ Lydia

    Well, we've already reached the end of our PTA mini-series! This week we're joined by Ryan's partner and Altmania social media manager Lydia, as we discuss PTA's most recent film. We recorded this episode once already and the audio got messed up, so you all get to hear the second try in all of…

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  46. Phantom Thread (2017) w/ @brieplay

    We must never begin a day with conflict, and today we began with a beautiful discussion. This time it's 2017's PHANTOM THREAD, joined by our wonderful friend Brie! We get into luxury estates in the Cotswolds, PTA goes to London, smoking the camera, Dr. Steve Brule, Daniel Day Lewis' final film…

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  47. Inherent Vice (2014) w/ @waypointsetcj

    Beware the golden fang!! Joined by our buddy CJ, catching up on his debt from California Split way back. He shares his experiences with PTA's movies, why this one is his favorite - then we dive right into the discussion. We talk a lot of Pynchon, thinking of what led him to return to this era…

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  48. UNLOCKED: PTA Catch-Up (1996-2002)

    We're taking this week off to get back on schedule, but we'll return next week with Inherent Vice! For now, enjoy this unlocked episode from our Patreon feed. If you like what you hear, consider joining us, where for just $5/month you'll receive 2 monthly bonus episodes!...

  49. The Master (2012) w/ Pod Casty for Me

    Joined by our pals Jake Serwin and Ian Rhine from Pod (Pauld) Casty for Me, we chatted about PTA's big, shot on 70mm epic. Our guests share a story of visiting the Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum, we talked sand women, John Huston's war dept. documentary Let There Be Light. There's Thomas...

  50. There Will Be Blood (2007) w/ Peter Raleigh

    DRAINAGE! Writer and friend Peter Raleigh comes by to discuss PTA's western oil-slicked nightmare THERE WILL BE BLOOD. We get into Upton Sinclair's Oil!, some movie title talk, I Drink Your Milkshake memes, Daniel-Day Lewis' misrepresentations in the media, we do the Daniel Plainview voice, talk...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The podcast about the films of Robert Altman, hosts Ryan and Este discuss them in their context, how they speak to today, his wider circle of influences and protêgês. Currently covering the films of Jonathan Demme.

HOSTED BY

Altmania

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Altmania have?

Altmania currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Altmania about?

The podcast about the films of Robert Altman, hosts Ryan and Este discuss them in their context, how they speak to today, his wider circle of influences and protêgês. Currently covering the films of Jonathan Demme.

How often does Altmania release new episodes?

Altmania publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Altmania?

You can listen to Altmania on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Altmania?

Altmania is created and hosted by Altmania.
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