In the early 60s in London, there were a cottage industry for blackmailers targeting homosexual activity, which was illegal in England until 1967. The 1961 film Victim tells the story of a rising star in London's legal system who has to face a decision - fight back against a group of blackmailers or continue to stay closeted, risking his marriage, reputation, and career. Dan and Jon celebrate director Basil Dearden's measured approach and the exquisite acting of the film's stars, Dirk Bogarde and Sylvia Syms. They also imagine new ways this story could be revisited in the present day.

Next episode: Uncle Buck (1989) • The 3rd season of Ruined Childhoods is a year-long cinematic/alphabetic yo-yo, taking listeners from A-Z and then Z-A.

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Ruined Childhoods is produced & edited by Jon Richardson • jrmediaservices.net

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Most known for the Michael Jackson song written for its sequel, the 1971 film Willard was a surprise box office success, leading to a sequel the following year and a 2003 remake starring Crispin Glover. Dan and Jon celebrate the ways that Willard stands out from other films of its generation, character dynamics, thematic connections, and the portrayal of isolation and revenge. They also, as always, share how they would revisit the film in the present day.

Next episode: Victim (1961) • The 3rd season of Ruined Childhoods is a year-long cinematic/alphabetic yo-yo, taking listeners from A-Z and then Z-A.

Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify

Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods & RuinedChildhoodsPod.com

Ruined Childhoods is produced & edited by Jon Richardson • jrmediaservices.net

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the 2nd X film of Ruined Childhoods, we discuss the strengths and issues with the 1980 musical fantasy, Xanadu. With such a strong cast, what could go wrong? Not only is it Gene Kelly's final film, but it's the follow-up film for both Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck after their smash successes, Grease (1978) and The Warriors (1979), respectively. Dan and Jon also share their ideas for how Xanadu could be revisited today.

Next episode: Willard (1971, 2003) • The 3rd season of Ruined Childhoods is a year-long cinematic/alphabetic yo-yo, taking listeners from A-Z and then Z-A.

Watch this episode on YouTube or Spotify

Contact us, follow us on social media, or buy some merch at linktr.ee/RuinedChildhoods & RuinedChildhoodsPod.com

Ruined Childhoods is produced & edited by Jon Richardson • jrmediaservices.net

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.