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
4.11-Hell's Angels with Vicki Lesley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:15
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Hell's Angels. I'm joined by Vicki Lesley who writes the Vicki Lesley is...Documental newsletter, and we talk about the beautiful cinematographic mo…
4.10-Filmmaker Interview with Luke Angus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:33
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Luke Angus, director of the animated short film "Solstice." The film tells a story of loss and grief through the eyes of a lonely Inuit. Listen to hear about how he starte…
4.9-Song of the Flame with Taylor Lewis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:19
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Song of the Flame. I'm joined by Taylor Lewis who writes the Luz Films newsletter, and we talk about how difficult it is to evaluate a film based on…
4.8-98th Academy Awards Nominees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:24
Send us Fan Mail The nominees for the 98th Academy Awards are here. Take a listen to hear the full list, some fun trivia facts about the nominees, and my personal thoughts on the films that made the cut as well as those…
4.7-Filmmaker Interview with Simon Panay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:52
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Simon Panay, director of the short film "The Boy With White Skin." The film explores the world of artisanal gold mines in West Africa and the beliefs and superstitions the…
4.6-The Devil's Holiday with John DiLeo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Devil's Holiday. I'm joined by John DiLeo who previously appeared on the podcast talking about his latest book, Not Even Nominated, and we talk…
4.5-Filmmaker Interview with Christine La Monte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:03
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Christine La Monte, producer of two recent documentaries, Ai Weiwei's Turandot and the Oscar shortlisted Viva Verdi!. Listen to hear about Christine's experience growing u…
4.4-The Big Pond with James Kreul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:12
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Big Pond. I'm joined by James Kreul from the Moving Image Madison newsletter and we talk about the comparison between this and the other recent…
4.3-Filmmaker Interview with Jonny Durgan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:30
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Jonny Durgan, director of the short film "G.S.W." The film stars Genevieve O'Reilly as a paramedic tasked with helping a gunshot wound victim who might be involved with a…
4.2-All Quiet on the Western Front with Kyle Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film All Quiet on the Western Front. I'm joined by Kyle Wilson from the Oscar Chaser newsletter and we talk about the challenges of making a film about W…