4.41-The Doorway to Hell with Jeff Kramer

4.41-The Doorway to Hell with Jeff Kramer

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg May 8, 2026 Duration: 47:38
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Doorway to Hell I'm joined by Jeff Kramer who writes The Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter, and we talk about comparisons between being a mobster and being in war, the decision to show a child being seriously injured in a film of this era, and what happens when the police detective knows something about the gangster's love interest that the gangster himself doesn't know. You can watch The Doorway to H...

There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Oscar Project Podcast
Podcast Episodes
4.21-3rd Oscars Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:24
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my recap of everything from the third Academy Awards back in late 1930. I recap all 25 films I watched for this season, talk about the winners of each category and more. If you missed…
4.20-Filmmaker Interview with Alejandro Vilpa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:03
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Alejandro Vilpa, creator of the new streaming platform Vilpamax. The service is dedicated to showcasing short films from emerging filmmakers and is launched in early 2026.…
4.19-Romance with Janelle Lathrop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:03
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Romance. I'm joined by Janelle Lathrop who writes the Right Now, You Like Me newsletter, and we talk about confusing bits of plot development, an ex…
4.18-Author Interview with Nick Spake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:05
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Nick Spake, author of the new book series, Bright and Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows. Listen to hear about how he approached breaking the book up from one lo…
4.17-Raffles with Madison Hatfield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:04
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Raffles. I'm joined by Madison Hatfield film writer and director who previously came on the podcast in 2025 to talk with me about her film "I Could…
4.16-Filmmaker Interview with Christine La Monte (REPLAY) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:03
Send us Fan Mail Today I’m replaying an episode from earlier this winter, my interview with Christine La Monte, producer of two recent documentaries, Ai Weiwei’s Turandot and the Oscar shortlisted Viva Verdi!. Viva Verdi…
4.15-The Big House with Lewis Beer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:20
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Big House. I'm joined by Lewis Beer who writes the Slow Moving Pictures newsletter, and we talk about the key themes that weave throughout the f…
4.14-98th Oscars Nominee Interview (REPLAY) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:37
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is a re-air of portions of three interviews I did with several of this year's Oscar nominated filmmakers. You'll hear from Julia Aks and Steve Pinder, directors of the film "Jane Austen's…
4.13-With Byrd at the South Pole with Kevin Pettit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:21
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film With Byrd at the South Pole. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit who writes the See You At the Movies newsletter, and we talk about how the film is essential…
4.12-Filmmaker Interview with Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:21
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, directors of the Oscar-nominated short film "The Girl Who Cried Pearls." The film is a wonderful lesson in the true value of a thing a…