Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Clark Gable | 20190211 | 20200817 (R3) | Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s: First off is Clark Gable and Gone with the Wind of course. And countless other films where this classic star could exercise his physical presence. And, according to the writer, his appeal lay as an 'object fought over by women'. Is this his only talent? Producer: Duncan Minshull Sarah Churchwell celebrates various stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 02 | Frederic March | 20190212 | 20200818 (R3) | Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Frederic March had an amazing range, playing a lot of different types, and he should be admired for this. Off set, however, he comes under a different sort of scrutiny - 'everything was harder in real life than on the effortless silver screen. Reader: Duncan Minshull Sarah Churchwell celebrates various stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 03 | Charles Boyer | 20190213 | 20200819 (R3) | Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s. Charles Boyer played killers and gigolos, conmen and psychopaths. He was good at romantic comedy and his Frenchness made him debonair and suave. But it was the voice that was the giveaway - 'deep and purring, with a heavy French accent'. It encouraged this writer's early penchant for escapism. Producer: Duncan Minshull Sarah Churchwell celebrates various stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 04 | Joel Mccrea | 20190214 | 20200820 (R3) | Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen, from the 1930s and 1940s. Joel McCrea starred in westerns and crime capers and refused some movies if the characters did not possess moral fibre. So he turned down The Postman Always Rings Twice with Lana Turner. He said he wanted to be the regular guy who 'rode off into the sunset'. But was this his real appeal? Producer: Duncan Minshull Sarah Churchwell celebrates various stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |
| 05 | Cary Grant | 20190215 | 20200821 (R3) | Sarah Churchwell celebrates various leading men of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. She says, 'the truth is, I would have done five essays on Cary Grant, but my producer wouldn't let me... Grant embodied the unimaginable.' He was also excellent at romantic comedy and drama, and this is now examined. Cherished even. Producer: Duncan Minshull Sarah Churchwell celebrates various stars of the silver screen from the 1930s and 1940s. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. |