Send us a message!

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. 🎙️

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

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. 🎙️

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

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!

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

🎙️ Welcome to a special episode celebrating the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking 2005 documentary Commune! Join me and its director Jonathan Berman as we revisit the film that captured the spirit, struggles, and radical dreams of the Black Bear Ranch commune. We’ll explore its enduring legacy, the stories behind the camera, and why this slice of counter-cultural history still resonates today.

Please visit https://www.opensignalstudios.com/films/commune for more info!

And @communethemovie on social media.

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

Step into postwar Rome, where fading stardom meets dangerous charm in Tennessee Williams’ The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone. Join me and writer/producer Armando Chapman as we follow Vivien Leigh’s haunting descent into vulnerability and Warren Beatty’s seductive rise as a kept man with secrets. From piazzas to private torment, this is a tale of beauty, power, and unraveling.

And don’t worry—we won’t spoil the ending. 🎙️🎧

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

Join writer/actor Vince Cusimano and me as we ride into the wilds of 1976’s neo-western BOBBIE JO AND THE OUTLAW!

We’re peeling back the layers of this cult classic — from the rebellious spirit of Marjoe Gortner to Lynda Carter’s electric screen presence, just before her Wonder Woman breakthrough.

Buckle up… spoilers ahead (as always). 🎙️🎧

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

Join filmmaker Mark Bessenger and me as we discuss one of the most audacious cult films of the 1970s—INSERTS (1975). From taboo topics to underground Hollywood grit, we’re peeling back the layers of this bold, bizarre time capsule.

Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or just curious about the strange corners of film history, you won’t want to miss this! Join us for the ride.

Warning: Spoilers as always! 🎙️🎧

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.

Send us a message!

Step into the shadowy, surreal world of 1930s Hollywood! Join writer/producer Armando Chapman and me as we unpack John Schlesinger's haunting 1975 masterpiece, The Day of the Locust.

Warning: Spoilers abound!

Let's dive in. Lights, camera, chaos! 🎙️🎧

Support the show

Find me on X (Twitter) and Instagram @vitophone or thegatesofcimino.com

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2047429/support

This episode brought to you by Vitophone.