PODCAST · tv
Fetch the Smelling Salts
by Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh
Fetch the Smelling Salts explores period dramas from every time period and culture around the world. Hosts Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh offer deep discussions about historical films and TV series, analysing everything from storytelling and performances to costume design and historical accuracy. Whether you're obsessed with Regency romance, Victorian mysteries, or international historical cinema, this podcast celebrates the art of period drama across all eras and cultures. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Poirot Hallowe'en Party (Season 12 Episode 2, 2010) ft. Dr Josep Chanza
It’s time to move into the parlour to grab fire raisins, children! Don’t be scared, we’ll be joined by Dr Josep Chanza, Ariadne Oliver, and of course Hercule Poirot as he solves the mystery of the Hallowe’en Party (S12 E2). We’re treating you to chats about Poirot’s Catholicism, relationship with...
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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012 Movie)
It’s spookstorical season and Kim and Alice are flipping some horses with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. You should probably ask your best pal why he always wears sunglasses, and prepare for some semi-historical horror with the man otherwise known as Gaybraham. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle…
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Wives and Daughters (1999 TV Miniseries) ft. Dr Kayla Jones from Regency Rumours
Kim and Alice’s reputations are in tatters but thankfully we have a fancy friend to walk around the village with, because we’re joined by Dr Kayla Jones in this episode on the 1999 miniseries Wives and Daughters. We’re weeding through the British class system, celebrating the best of nerdy love...
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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984 Movie)
Hold onto your heart, dame, because we’re leaping from an airplane into 1935 India with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Is this the most racist period drama we’ve ever covered? Yes. But Kim and Alice are swinging in to deliver you some glowing stones of truth about the goddess Kali, the...
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The Fainting Couch: The Odyssey (2026 Movie)
A man! A war! A horse! A podcast! After several weeks adrift Alice and husband/audio producer Keith ended up on the mythical island of Ireland, where they went to the cinema. In this Fainting Couch episode we’re comparing Odysseuses (do you prefer sinewy-sad or hopping psychopath?), working out…
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Ever After (1998 Movie)
It’s time to scuttle away from your problems, as we cover the ultimate sleepover movie, Ever After. Whilst Leonardo da Vinci does all our DIY, Kim and Alice have great news for fans of historical edicts, and less good news about the real Prince Henry’s love life. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle…
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Markova: Comfort Gay (2000 Movie)
It’s a trigger warning episode, as we’re dealing with historical sexual violence in the Filipino drama, Markova: Comfort Gay. Wake up you gay fossils, it’s time to meet the ultimate strut instructor as we learn about community, identity and resilience in wartime Manila. Sound Engineer: Keith…
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Robin Hood (1973 Movie)
Oo de lally, golly what a day it is for fans of the 1973 animated Disney classic, Robin Hood. Kim and Alice discuss folk tale origins, medieval royalty and the verrrrry intimate relationship between Prince John and Sir Hiss. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle / Helen Hamilton…
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Anna and the King (1999 movie)
Time to get out your widest hoop skirt, we’re off to Thailand! To kick off Season 7, Kim and Alice are discussing the real monarchs, colonial politics, and white elephants in the 1999 film Anna and the King. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you enjoy…
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Sandokan (2025 Series)
Do you hear the unearthly chorus singing our names? That’s right, this week Kim and Alice are covering the linguistically diverse pirate drama, Sandokan. We’re stalking through the jungle with our lonely island tiger, celebrating immovable eyeliner and mediocre female protagonists. Sound…
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I Capture the Castle (2003 Movie)
We're wrapping ourselves in bear and monkey furs this week, as Kim and Alice cover listener suggestion, I Capture the Castle. As Bill Nighy gets consumed by moss, we're talking about American kissing etiquette and how we too can get a 2-year rent forgiveness for a giant country house. Sound...
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The Fainting Couch: All Creatures Great and Small (2020, S1 E4)
Coming through, it’s Tricki Woo! For the 2nd year in a row we’re taking part in Podcasthon, this year with partner charity Guide Dogs UK. We’re chatting All Creatures Great and Small, all service dogs cute and cuter, and of course a bull with érèctile disfunction. You can support Guide Dogs UK...
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Persepolis (2007 Movie)
Well this might be a bit above our pay grade, but as fate would have it, this week Kim and Alice are covering the animated classic, Persepolis. It’s as much a coming of age tale as it is a unique look into life during the Iranian revolution, and a truly gorgeous and heartbreaking film. Sound...
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Far from the Madding Crowd (2015 Movie)
Hope you all sent your Victorian Valentines because we’re back with a new season, and this week Kim and Alice review proposal-a-thon, Far from the Madding Crowd. It’s every girl’s dream (cucumbers and a piano) mixed with every girl’s nightmare (swordplay cringe) and a great reason to talk about...
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Christmas at Downton Abbey (Season 2, Episode 9, 2011)
Happy 12th of January everyone! As a (sort of) Christmas treat, Kim and Alice are re-visiting Christmas at Downton Abbey. We cover snow proposals, murder trials, and a Ouija board channelling beautiful messages that will be roundly ignored. All this and exactly one Christmas tree! Sound Engineer:...
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The Fainting Couch: Frankenstein (2025 Movie)
Kim and Alice's hot take on Guillermo del Toro's 2025 adaptation of Frankenstein If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark. Listen to all episodes now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Memoirs of a Geisha (2005 Movie)
We’re off to Hollywood Japan this week as Kim and Alice re-discover the 2005 hit movie, Memoirs of a Geisha. We reveal the real-life betrayal at the heart of the story, examine the insidious mix of fact with Western fantasy and clarify that you really can just leave the kimono factory if you want...
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The Secret of Roan Inish (1994 Movie)
It's bring your husband to work day, and while Kim's away Alice is joined by FtSS's own sound engineer Keith Nagle. We're talking found family (seals), thatched cottage interior design masters (junior edition), and why everyone in Ireland is sleeping on this delightful and charming film. Sound...
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M Butterfly (1993 Movie)
There are many questions and MANY SPOILERS this week as Kim and Alice puzzle their way through ‘90s drama, M Butterfly. We’re probing some intimate international relations and discovering there’s nowhere to run inside a van. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle…
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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994 Movie)
We’re getting Spookstorical this week as Kim and Alice assemble a murderous flashmob for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s the classic tale of the world’s least curious scientist, his sibling marriage and the frogs / friends reanimated along the way. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a...
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The Greatest Showman (2017 Movie)
You too can be an a**hole if you just dream big! Kim and Alice kick off Season 5 with The Greatest Showman, a musical about wives supporting vague dreams, fish-monkey rental and the upside-down triangle known as Zac Efron. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith Nagle / Helen Hamilton Producer:...
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Throne of Blood (1957 Movie)
Kim and Alice discuss the intense, spooky and downright wonderful Macbeth adaptation; Throne of Blood. Enjoy this Kurasawa classic with us and remember, as you’re warming up your sake in a baby bottle warmer, that we’re all just skeletons waiting for our dust mound. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle...
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Ed Wood (1994 Movie)
It’s time for a trash man to make a trash movie - this week Kim and Alice are talking about the Tim Burton-directed biopic, Ed Wood. Discover why the cast of Step Up need to get into some sarcophagi, be amazed by the too good to be true accuracy and enjoy Kim’s palpable hatred of the man behind…
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Towards Zero (2025 TV Miniseries) - ft. Ann from Vulgar History
This week Ann from Vulgar History is skipping her morning jazz to help Kim and Alice make sense of the Agatha Christie adaptation, Towards Zero. Join us as we discuss this murderous Love Island, featuring lawyer besties, monograms galore and the gold standard in capricious will writing. Hear more...
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Oro, Plata, Mata (1982 Movie)
It’s time to play mahjong while the world burns. This week Kim and Alice cover a listener suggestion; Philippine war drama Oro, Plata, Mata. It’s a classic tale of class, survival and sex in a shoe. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle Producer: Helen Hamilton If you...
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Shakespeare in Love (1998 Movie)
Kim and Alice are putting on their terrible disguises and having so much fun with this week's pick, the late '90s actor buffet that is Shakespeare in Love. We're talking guyliner, literary Easter eggs and what makes this very smart movie so very dumb. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Keith…
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Miss Austen (Series 1, 2025)
Hello to everyone except Dead Tom! We’re back for a new series and this week we’re covering Miss Austen Series 1. Kim and Alice put their PDMDs to the test as they try to work out what killed Jane Austen. Spoiler: it was probably overly synchronised periods. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor:...
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Wolf Hall (Series 1, 2015)
This week Kim and Alice have been locked in the cupboard with the Christmas decorations to bring you Tudor drama series, Wolf Hall. We’re talking about Hans Holbein: portrait artist / historical catfisher and Henry VIII never getting to just enjoy a joust. Also kittens! Sound Engineer: Keith…
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The Fainting Couch: Tudor Dramas ft. Kirsty Whyte
Hide your necks, we’re entering our Tudor Era! In this Fainting Couch episode Kim and Alice are joined by Kirsty Whyte for an overview of period drama dynastic darlings, the Tudors. We discuss what’s been done, if there’s anything left to be adapted, and why we can’t get enough of these messy...
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The Law According to Lidia Poët (Series 1, 2023)
Ciao a tutti! This week Kim and Alice are discussing the fun, Italian crime drama series, The Law According to Lidia Poët. We’re talking about the real-life multi-lingual lady lawyer, solving crimes with your sibling, and asking how much responsibility filmmakers have when depicting real…
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The Fainting Couch: My Policeman (2022 Movie) ft. Christopher Clannachan from Equality Network
We have a special episode this week for Podcasthon 2025; Alice speaks to Christopher Clannachan from Equality Network about their incredible work for LGBTI rights and equality in Scotland, and the emotionally devastating 2022 movie, My Policeman. Find out more about Equality Network and how you…
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Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005 Movie)
Join Kim and Alice as we travel back to India circa 1857 courtesy of epic historical legend, Mangal Pandey: The Rising. Back when companies had armies, dogs ate gunpowder and real men sang plot points whilst sitting on elephants. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle...
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The Sound of Music (1965 Movie)
It’s time to convene the ‘We Hate Rolf’ club and sexily tear down some flags - this week Kim and Alice are yodelling their way through the Sound of Music. We learn that while Edelweiss might be fake, the Von Trapp family singers were very real. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton /...
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The Woman in White (2018 TV Series)
We’re floating about in our nightgowns this week as Kim and Alice discuss the literature and lunacy behind The Woman in White. Everyone in the story might be deeply traumatised, but trust us, the dog is fiiiiine. Also - happy Galentine’s Day; dump your toxic partner. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle...
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The Fainting Couch: Small Things Like These (2024 Movie) - ft. Dr Hugh Turpin
Send us a text In this Fainting Couch special, Alice is off to the cinema with friend of the podcast Hugh Turpin to experience 2024’s saddest Christmas movie: Small Things Like These. We’re discussing national trauma, Ireland’s evolving relationship to the past, and why you should beware the Coal...
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Hercule Poirot's Christmas (1994 TV Episode)
Send us a text This week Kim and Alice are (re)watching the ‘délicieux’ Agatha Christie classic: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas. We’re talking about locked-room mysteries, glove snobbery and the haunting wail of a dying pig toy. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle Editor: Helen Hamilton / Keith Nagle…
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The Handmaiden (2016 Movie)
Send us a text Get your special jingle bells ready because this week Kim and Alice are covering the Korean historical thriller, The Handmaiden. We’re discussing colonial dynamics, erotic furniture and how too much real estate inevitably leads to murder basements. Sound Engineer: Keith Nagle…
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Brooklyn (2015 Movie)
Send us a text This week we’re setting sail on a kinda slutty immigrant adventure, with the beautifully understated Brooklyn. Kim and Alice enjoy all the messy drama whilst also uncovering the history of Irish immigration and why you should always go drinking with your priest. Sound Engineer…
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Crimson Peak (2015 Movie)
Send us a text We’re getting spooky this week as Kim and Alice get increasingly frustrated by gothic horror ‘Crimson Peak’. Whilst the characters are ignoring both the red flags and red ghosts, our hosts discuss gothic literature and Guillermo del Toro’s hatred of faces. Sound Engineer: Keith…
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The Mummy (1999 Movie)
Send us a text This week we’re joined by Em, host of Verbal Diorama, to discuss quite possibly the perfect movie: the 90s adventure, horror fun-time classic, The Mummy. Em explains how the film came to be (thank-you Babe: Pig in the City) whilst Kim and Alice find out that love makes you do some...
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Belle (2013 Movie)
Send us a text Come on law boys, grab your wigs and let’s hang as we enjoy the beautiful historical drama, Belle. Alice and Kim discuss what they want from a period drama, and how a glossy romantic story can be the starting point for learning about the worst parts of human history. Sound…
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El Cid (1961 Movie)
Send us a text We’re back! Season 2 of Fetch the Smelling Salts kicks off in style with historian Clara Chamberlain helping us make sense of dictator-funded epic dude-in-a-desert film, El Cid. We’re talking about the creation of national myths, fist-fights at a funeral and the most insane final…
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Chariots of Fire (1981 Movie)
Send us a text We’re throwing our heads back, flailing our arms and running off for a summer break, but there’s still time for Kim and Alice to discuss the classic ‘Chariots of Fire’. We have Olympic trivia, separate the fact from fiction and discuss all manner of dongs. Sound Engineer: Keith…
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Gladiator (2000 Movie)
Send us a text Period dramas are for dudes too! And this week we have Tan and Keon from the awesome Pastmaster podcast to help us navigate the dudiest dudefest around: Gladiator. We’re thinking about the Roman Empire an exactly normal amount and discussing tickle-snake surprises, extremely extra...
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The Fainting Couch: Queeriod Dramas
Send us a text In this week’s special Fainting Couch episode, Kim and Alice are smooching their undergardeners and celebrating queer representation in TV and cinema. We’re looking at the history, the controversy and depiction of LGBTQ+ people on screen, and demanding more queer joy please! Sound...
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Dance of the 41 (2020 Movie)
Send us a text It’s Pride season, and Kim and Alice are celebrating by discussing the queeriest 2020 Mexican drama, ‘Dance of the 41’. There’s cigar innuendo, bathtub math and honeymoon-related fainting, as well as the real history of the LGBTQ+ community in 1900s Mexico. Sound Engineer: Keith...
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The Remains of the Day (1993 Movie)
Send us a text This week we’re having our hearts broken by a bad case of British butler-itis, as Kim and Alice sob through The Remains of the Day. We’re learning about the politics of the aristocracy, strict servant etiquette and why you shouldn’t learn the facts of life from Anthony Hopkins.…
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The Favourite (2018 Movie)
Send us a text Move over Elizabeth and Victoria, there’s a new Queen in town. This week Kim and Alice tackle ‘The Favourite’, the darkly comic / just plain dark Queen Anne biopic. Why aren’t more period dramas set in the Stuart period? Who won the duck race? And where can we hire a naked Tory for...
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Jodhaa Akbar (2008 Movie)
Send us a text You better get to shirtless sword practice because these elephants only respect hot people! This week Kim and Alice are covering Indian epic, Jodhaa Akbar. It’s a historical romance with all the jewellery and political intrigue you can handle, along with Kim’s favourite kind of...
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The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013 Movie)
Send us a text Ain’t no party like a cloud moon party; this week Kim and Alice are discussing the gorgeous Japanese animation, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. We reveal our preferred method of baby-making (it’s Bamboo-based), discuss some fierce Heian period fashion and congratulate Mt Fuji on...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Fetch the Smelling Salts explores period dramas from every time period and culture around the world. Hosts Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh offer deep discussions about historical films and TV series, analysing everything from storytelling and performances to costume design and historical accuracy. Whether you're obsessed with Regency romance, Victorian mysteries, or international historical cinema, this podcast celebrates the art of period drama across all eras and cultures. If you enjoy this podcast, come with us on a romp through the Regency era with our sister podcast, Austen After Dark!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fetch the Smelling Salts have?
Fetch the Smelling Salts currently has 79 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fetch the Smelling Salts about?
Fetch the Smelling Salts explores period dramas from every time period and culture around the world. Hosts Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh offer deep discussions about historical films and TV series, analysing everything from storytelling and performances to costume design and historical accuracy....
How often does Fetch the Smelling Salts release new episodes?
Fetch the Smelling Salts has 79 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Fetch the Smelling Salts?
You can listen to Fetch the Smelling Salts 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 Fetch the Smelling Salts?
Fetch the Smelling Salts is created and hosted by Alice Nagle and Kimberly Marsh.
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