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Pier Paolo Pasolini was a poet, filmmaker, and political lightning rod—and his murder in 1975 remains one of Italy’s most unsettling mysteries. In this episode, we revisit the night of his death and the official story that never quite added up. We also explore the legacy of Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, Pasolini’s final and most controversial film, and how its brutal imagery and political allegory continue to provoke debate. Was Pasolini targeted for his art, his activism, or both? The answers lie in the shadows he left behind. 🎙️

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He won an Oscar for playing a man who presided over desperation. Offscreen, he lived it. Gig Young was Hollywood’s charming second fiddle, the witty drunk, the romantic rival, the man who never quite got the girl. But in 1969, he stunned the industry with a searing performance in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, earning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Less than a decade later, he would make headlines again—this time for a murder-suicide that left the world asking: what went wrong?

In this episode, we trace the arc of a man whose life was as layered and tragic as any role he played. From studio contracts and failed marriages to the haunting final scene in a New York apartment, this is The Final Act of Gig Young. 🎙️

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To mark our 100th episode, actor/writer Vince Cusimano joins me for a deep dive into the electrifying, Oscar-winning documentary Marjoe (1972). We unpack the unbelievable true story of Marjoe Gortner—a child preacher turned charismatic showman—whose final revival tour became a jaw-dropping exposé of faith, performance, and manipulation.

From tent revivals to Hollywood, Marjoe’s journey is as surreal as it is sobering. Spoilers abound (as always), so buckle up for a conversation that’s part film analysis, part cultural autopsy.

🎧 Join us for this milestone episode!

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This episode brought to you by Vitophone.