What a fun show we’ve got for you with this episode of BEHIND THE LENS with something for everyone thanks to the fabulous SIMON PHILLIPS and his new film THE MOUSE TRAP, plus my exclusive interview with director NANETTE BURSTEIN talking her new documentary ELIZABETH TAYLOR: THE LOST TAPES.
First up, get ready classic film fans, TCM fans, and Elizabeth Taylor fans because we’re kicking off the show with my exclusive interview with NANETTE BURSTEIN and her new doc, ELIZABETH TAYLOR: THE LOST TAPES. Released exclusively on HBO on August 3rd, you do not want to miss this one. And you don’t want to miss this interview as Nanette talks about the project, starting with how these 40 hours of previously unheard and unknown tapes came to her; a story in and of itself! But how do you break down that audio and make it cinematic? As you’ll hear, it takes a lot of research and planning, developing a through-line, finding all of the visuals – including many home movies of Elizabeth’s as well as many by Roddy McDowell – deciding what to include and not include and how to bring the documentary into the later years of Taylor’s life with her philanthropic work. A wonderful interview and a fabulous documentary.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR: THE LOST TAPES is now streaming on MAX.
And then…… he’s back!!! SIMON PHILLIPS is back with us for the third time and this time it’s all about THE MOUSE TRAP as Producer/Writer/ and playing “Mickey”!! In January 2024, Simon released the trailer for this film and blew everyone away as the film contains footage of the first iterations of Disney’s Mickey Mouse as “Steamboat Willie” (which entered the public domain on January 1st) with the main character of THE MOUSE TRAP bearing more than a strong resemblance to Willie. But trust me when I say there is nothing Disney-esque about THE MOUSE TRAP! A deliciously delightful horror film that horror fans and beyond are going to love thanks to an original story courtesy of Simon, a lot of fun horror elements, plenty of bloodshed, and perhaps even a bit of magic. Listen as Simon and I dive into it all from a storytelling, filmmaking, and acting standpoint (aka no one but Simon could have played Mickey and achieved the vision Simon sought), including finding the location first to tailor the script to the location, and all laced with a lot of fun and laughter. Interesting is also Simon’s keen sense and awareness as he discusses how he had the foresight to get ahead of the curve with this film and the public domain issues. Plus, we talk about his other relatively new release, BLOOD AND SNOW, a sci-fi/horror which Simon co-wrote and stars in alongside Vernon Wells, as well as what’s next for Simon, and more.
THE MOUSE TRAP is streaming on digital platforms on August 6!
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