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This week we are joined by Evan, co-host of Left of the Projector, to discuss Peter’s not-quite hit CBS film Blessed Assurance. The film is also called “The Price of Heaven”, we honestly have no clue which one is fully correct or why there are two completely different titles, but for posterity, we primarily call it Blessed Assurance. Much like how we are confused about what exactly is the title, we are also confused about what we are supposed to be getting out of this film. Based on a short story by Allan Gurganus, Blessed Assurance follows a Korean War veteran (Grant Show) returning to his small South Carolina hometown and his childhood sweetheart (Lori Loughlin). He faces trials and tribulations such as resisting the urge to cheat on his partner, being a funeral assurance collector, and living down the reputation of driving Marilyn Monroe one time. It’s kinda a snoozefest of a movie, but we had a great time talking about it!
We also discuss Gremlins 2, Lori Loughlin’s college admissions scandal, Peter being unbelievably broke and making enemies, the failed gothic attempts of Verity, Cicely Tyson’s questionable acting choices, and the hit(?) film of fall 2026, Digger. Also, we don't actually ever get into this, but the film’s title of Blessed Assurance comes from both the hymn AND because Cicely Tyson’s character pronounces “insurance” as “assurance.” One of the film’s many subtleties.
Next Episode: Rescuers: Stories of Courage: Two Women (1997)
 
Further “Reading” 
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
“'You Saved One of My Best Pictures': My Adventures with Peter Bogdanovich and his Lost, Last Picture Show” by James Kenney
News clip of the South Carolina town where they filmed
“Cicely Tyson Movie to be shot in S.C.” June 6, 1995
“Director Bogdanovich Declares Bankruptcy” by Ann W. O’Neill for the LA Times, June 4, 1997
“Episodes From a Transitory World” By Will Joyner for the NYT, August 15, 1997
“CBS’ Heaven Falls Short of Perfection” in The Spokesman Review, August 16, 1997
“‘Heaven’ Struggles Against Script in Civil Rights Drama” by Daryl H. Miller for the LA Times, August 16, 1997
 
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This week, we are joined by author of Late Style in Film, Collin Brinkmann, to discuss yet another Bogdanovich legacy sequel: To Sir With Love II. Thirty years after Sidney Poitier’s defining role as “Sir” (Mark Thackeray) in the 1967 British smash hit To Sir, With Love, the powers of the television world decided it was time for a TV sequel, and what more obvious choice to helm than Peter Bogdanovich. Moving from London to Chicago, this follow-up has it all: a secret son, students with guns, life lessons, and most importantly: no calling anyone sluts in the classroom! Even if you haven’t watched the original To Sir, With Love (with its very catchy international hit theme song ingeniously titled “To Sir with Love”) we would really recommend you give this one a spin.
We also discuss Claire Denis being relegated to the streaming trenches, Poitier and Bogdanovich dying on the exact same day, how Sir could have helped out some of the characters in Scorsese’s Mean Streets, the finer qualities of Bogdanovich as a writer, possible defenses(?) of Illegally Yours, and Journey’s affinity for John Huston’s Annie.
Next Episode: Blessed Assurance [AKA The Price of Heaven] (1997) with Evan from Left of the Projector
 
Further “Reading” 
To Sir, With Love II (1996) Original Broadcast with Commercials
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Late Style in Film by Collin Brinkmann
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
Michael Shannon talks getting fired from the film w/ NYT
Michael Peña on Colbert
‘To Sir, With Love II Review’ by Ken Tucker for Entertainment Weekly (April 5, 1996)
‘CBS Sunday Movie To Sir, With Love II Review’ by Todd P. McCarthy for Variety (April 3, 1996)
‘TELEVISION REVIEW: Sequel for To Sir, With Love’ by Caryn James for NYT (April 6, 1996)
‘What Sidney Poitier taught me about courage and A Raisin in the Sun’ by LZ Granderson for the LA Times (June 8, 2022)
 
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It’s 1995: Peter Bogdanovich is back on Showtime and better than ever! This week, we cover Peter’s first real noir output: an episode of the anthology series Fallen Angels. In his episode “A Dime a Dance,” we follow Jennifer Grey and Eric Stolz as they investigate the murder of a nightclub dancer and evade a killer that also seems to be on the hunt for Jennifer Grey. Peter being Peter, the episode also features L.B. Stratten as the murdered dancer. It’s a genuinely well-constructed episode made to look like almost all black and white cinematography, and makes one wish Peter had done more noir.
We also discuss the Paranormal Activity stage adaptation, old timey radio programs (Journey didn’t want to go down a 15 minute spiral, but the 1949 Suspense episode “Ghost Hunt” is one of the precursors to modern found footage horror alongside Orson Welles’ infamous “War of the Worlds” broadcast and RULES), Spider-Noir presented in “True-Hue”, an unaired Bogdanovich pilot called Prowler, niche bar trivia theming, and how dance is the devil.
Next Episode: To Sir, With Love II (1996) w/ Collin Brinkmann
 
Further “Reading”:
Fallen Angels S2E3 “A Dime a Dance” on YouTube
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
“‘Fallen Angels’: The Lost Showtime Series That Hinted at the Future of Prestige TV” by Jake Rossen for MentalFloss (Oct. 30, 2025)
The first minute of Prowler pilot
Scott Bakula in Prowler
Noir program Full Moon Matinee featuring a Detective Host
Magazine reprinting of ‘Dime a Dance’ / ‘The Dancing Detective’
 
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We were lucky enough to record in-person again, this time to talk about Bogdanovich’s episode of the 1995 Showtime anthology series Picture Windows. You’ve never heard of it? To be fair, most people haven’t. They brought in filmmakers such as John Boorman, Bob Rafelson, Joe Dante, and more to essentially make a short film based on a classic work of art. Peter’s episode, “Song of Songs,” is based on Botticelli’s Primavera and if you could believe it, it features cheating, being a bad husband, L.B. Stratten, and of course, Peter playing the role of a suave gentleman. It’s the start of Peter’s TV era, so lock in! 
We also discuss The Odyssey, the walkability of Somerville, Massachusetts, director John Travolta and how he definitely doesn’t have mommy issues, the wonders of the Fresca slushee, and the on camera star power of Peter Bogdanovich.
Next Episode: Fallen Angels - ‘A Dime a Dance’ (1995)
 
Further “Reading” 
Picture Windows S1E2 ‘Song of Songs’ on YouTube
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
“CLOWNING GLORY: The first half-hour drama in the Picture Windows series, Soir Bleu brings Norman Jewison full circle” by John Boyle for the Globe and Mail (June 3, 1995)
“Showtime’s Fine Art Gallery is a Director’s Milieu” in the Roanoke Times (Sept. 30, 1995)
“TV REVIEWS: ‘Picture Windows’ Trilogy No Artistic Masterpiece” by David Kronke for the LA Times (Sept. 30, 1995)
“Catch Some Oscar Nominees At Home Before The Awards Show” in the Morning Call (March 15, 1996)
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In a team-up we never expected, this week we are covering “Never Say Goodbye,” a 1982 Yoko Ono song that Peter Bogdanovich directed a music video for… in 1995. Would it shock you to hear that Peter put his regulars of Eric Stoltz and L.B. Stratten in this? This music video also features (as far as we’ve gotten) Peter’s only canonical queer characters, which is certainly something. Plus, it’s a very catchy song!
We also discuss if Peter is an ally, if trains and buses can count as hotels, and our dislike for Sean Lennon’s whole vibe. Plus, an Illegally Yours friend has a special message for Journey’s 26th birthday and we learn some important Peter news!
 
Further “Reading” 
Behind the scenes of filming 
Intro trailer for the music video shown at the AMFAR Benefit Gala
Cast soundtrack for New York Rock
Review: Another Chrous in the Ballad of John & Yoko by Stephen Holden for the NYT (March 31, 1994)
“Never Say Goodbye” remastered music video
 
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Next Episode: Picture Windows - ‘Song of Songs’ (1995)
 
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This week we’re joined by special guest Isaac Owens as we follow Peter all the way down to the Deep South and meet our new pals Miranda, James, Kyle, and Linda Lue Linden in The Thing Called Love. A major box office disappointment of its year, we’re here to once again reappraise a misunderstood Bogdanovich picture (trust us)! We put on our dancin’ boots and quite enjoyed this musical dramedy about a young singer-songwriter named Miranda Presley (no relation to Elvis) as she follows her country music dreams in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s got River Phoenix’s last performance, Sandra Bullock right before she broke out in Speed, fantastic country outfits, really fun country music, and even a virtually invisible cameo of Peter riding a horse.
We discuss horrible bars in Nashville’s Broadway, the best fascist romcom of the year, people with rancid vibes at a Bob Dylan concert, our continuing addiction to buying physical media, and the geography of Nashville. Plus, we get hyped for the upcoming release of Jimmy, Isaac introduces batshit IMDB reviews to our Sort By: Lowest segment, and Jonah accidentally manifests the new 4K Criterion of Harold and Maude into existence. 
 
Further “Reading”
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
This Is Orson Welles by Peter Bogdanovich and Orson Welles
They All Laughed AFI Catalog entry
The Thing Called Love Director’s Cut DVD 
“Movies - Sept. 2, 1992” by Aleene MacMinn for the LA Times
November 1994 Cosmo interview with Sandra Bullock
Dermot Mulroney playing the cello with Ellen
Siskel and Ebert The Thing Called Love episode
“Not Phony: Peter Bogdanovich’s The Thing Called Love” by James Kenney (July 18, 2022)
 
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Next Episode: “Never Say Goodbye” by Yoko Ono (1995)
 
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After the box office flop of Texasville, Peter returns to cinema with an adaptation of a British farce. Would you be shocked to hear that while also flopping at the box office, we think this movie is quite good! We are joined this week by podcaster, critic, and Film Twitter™ darling Jane Altoids to discuss Bogdanovich’s 1992 comedy Noises Off!, also stylized as Noises Off… and simply, Noises Off. After establishing Michael Caine’s anxiety over the show’s Broadway Premiere, the film follows a three act structure of chaos and different performances leading up to its big New York premiere. There’s sardines, there’s mile-a-minute-dialogue, there’s cheating (shocking for a Bogdanovich picture I know), and there’s John Ritter! All the makings of classic (so Disney please give this a 4K release! A Blu-Ray! Please!!).
We also discuss Minions & Monsters, the new Jon Bernthal-led Dog Day Afternoon stage play, Bane being the scariest guy we’ve ever seen in our lives, Freddy Got Fingered, awkward filmmaker Q&As, 
 
Further “Reading”
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picture Shows: The Life and Films of Peter Bogdanovich by Andrew Yule
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
This Is Orson Welles by Peter Bogdanovich and Orson Welles
Noises Off by Michael Frayn 
Noises Off (1992) Behind the Scenes
Noises Off (1992) AFI Catalog
“Playing ‘Noises Off’ the American Way” by Michael Frayn, LA Times, April 6, 1992
“We Could all Use a Little Sex and Slapstick Comedy Right Now,” Sarah Deshaies talking to Jacob Tierney about his 2015 production of Noises Off! For Cult MTL, February 2, 2017
Vincent Canby for The NYT, March 20, 1992
“Touchstone and Beyond: A History of Disney’s ‘Noises Off’” by Bill Gowsell
Michael Caine's "Batman Begin" tweet
 
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Next Episode: The Thing Called Love (1993)
 
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It’s a new decade for Peter Bogdanovich and for him that means returning to familiar territory. This week we are joined by Boston Hassle film critic and Hawke Cast cohost Kyle Amato to talk about 1990’s Texasville, the sequel to The Last Picture Show that nobody really asked for (but we quite enjoyed anyway). With nearly all the cast returning and some new faces (oh hey Annie Potts!!), Bog tries to make a comeback by following the life of Jeff Bridges’ Duane in Reagan-era Texas. It’s melancholic and funny all at once and we really wish that people would give it a chance! They even put both the theatrical and director’s cut versions on the Criterion disc of The Last Picture Show! No excuse not to watch!
We also talk about Bar Rescue, legacy sequels, Wahlburgers, Journey's continued dislike for The Napa Boys, and the multiple Robert Altman movies Texasville made us think of. Plus, we advocate for how everyone should watch Peter Weir’s Fearless, work out a premise for Call Me by Your Name 2: This Time It’s a Chick!, and Jonah commits the unforgivable sin of forgetting a critical hotel for hotel watch.
 
Further “Reading”
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991)
Picture Shows: The Life and Films of Peter Bogdanovich by Andrew Yule
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
Cybil Disobedience by Cybill Shepherd with Aimee Lee Ball
“Annie Potts: Deep in the Heart of ‘Texasville’” by David Wallace for the LA Times (Sept. 28, 1990)
AFI Catalog for Texasville
Variety review of Texasville
Peter Travers’ review of Texasville for Rolling Stone
Vincent Canby’s review of Texasville for The NYT
Janet Maslin’s review of Texasville for The NYT
“Welcome to the Age of the Legacyquel” by Matt Singer for Screen Crush, November 23, 2015
The Last Picture Show Criterion ft. Texasville
Roger Ebert reviews Texasville
Siskel and Ebert review Texasville
Peter discussing Texasville with Bobbie Wygant, September 22, 1990
Peter discussing Texasville with Bob Costas, October 1, 1990
Cloris Leachman discussing Texasville with Bobbie Wygant, September 22, 1990
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Next Episode: Noises Off! (1992) with Jane Altoids
 
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Kyle Amato
Kyle's Substack
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Hawke Cast
 
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After a string of unique releases (and an unexpected relief special we found) this week we’re wrapping up Peter’s 1980s! Much like the 1970s, Peter had a number of unrealized projects in this tumultuous decade (imagine Bog’s Popeye!) and also had his first executive producer credit with Moon Pictures: Martha Coolidge’s 1984 narrative feature debut, The City Girl! The City Girl follows a young Toronto photographer as she breaks up with her shitty boyfriend, has a charmingly awkward threesome, and investigates a local cult. It’s a very solid picture that’s sadly only available via some VHS rips.
We also talk about our continued dislike for Ryan O’Neal, Czechoslovakian New Wave classic Daisies, how offputting it is to actually project Targets on film, Peter kinda-sorta being the reason this movie has never had an actual release outside festivals, King Kong needing a heart transplant, and Colleen Camp singing for the city giiiiiiiiiiiirl. 
 
Further “Reading”
The City Girl (1984)
By Bogdanovich (2011)
Picture Shows: The Life and Films of Peter Bogdanovich by Andrew Yule
Picturing Peter Bogdanovich by Peter Tonguette
Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide To Punks On Film by Zack Carlson & Bryan Connolly
Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors In Their Own Words by Marya E. Gates
“Rusty Mason: The real woman behind 'Mask'” By Iris Krasnow for UPI (May 14, 1985)
“Well, Hello Molly Ringwald!” by Richard Corliss for Time (May 26, 1986)
“Our Entire Belief System Must Change” by Martha Coolidge for the NYT (August 14, 2012)
“The Chronicler of the Kingdom of New York: Peter Kaplan 1954-2013” by M.H. Miller for Observer (November 30, 2013)
“Present Tense: Martha Coolidge” by Sheila O’Malley for Film Comment (Mar/April 2020)
“‘I Loved John. I Miss Him a Lot.’ Peter Bogdanovich Reminisces on His Friend John Cassavetes” by John Gallagher for MovieMaker (January 31, 2023)
Private Lives screenplay
Whereabouts screenplay and draft notes
Wild About Harry screenplay
The Intimate Writings of Theodor Hammer screenplay
Orson Welles Moonlight Intro
 
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In a 🚨🚨Special Alert 🚨🚨 episode, we are talking about Peter Bogdanovich’s Armenian Earthquake Relief special, Friend to Friend! After months of relentless searching and investigating, Jonah discovered that TWO copies of this Bogdanovich oddity (Bogoddity, some might say) live at the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown, Massachusetts!
 
In this episode, Jonah tells of his odyssey to find Friend to Friend and we discuss our thoughts on the special itself. Made in an effort to fundraise for relief after the December 1988 earthquake, this special switches between two points. On one hand we are shown informative documentary footage about the earthquake, the Armenian genocide, and overall Armenian history. On the other, we also meet some of the biggest stars of the late 80’s that they could ring up rehearsing the English version of Charles Aznavour’s “Pour toi, Arménie.” We've got Liza, We've got Dionne Warwick, we've got Mannix from Mannix! We also talk about our continued hate for Fathom Events.
 
Further “Reading”
Friend to Friend: Armenian Earthquake Relief (1989), now on YouTube!
“Stars sing 'For You, Armenia'” from UPI (January 29, 1989)
“Raising Their Voices to Aid Armenian Orphans” by John Burman for the L.A. Times (January 31, 1989)
“Stars Band Together For Armenia” by Tom De Savia for Cash Box Magazine [Pg. 4] (February 11, 1989) 
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