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
3.97-Filmmaker Interview with Liz Rao [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:29
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Liz Rao, director of the short film "The Truck," which explores the story of a teenage girl and her boyfriend seeking out the morning-after pill in a small town. Listen to…
3.96-The Vagabond King with Rebecca Deniston [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:17
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Vagabond King. I'm joined by Rebecca Deniston from the Taking Up Room blog and Taking Up More Room newsletter and we talk about how movie musica…
3.94-The Green Goddess with Murray Mintz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Green Goddess. I'm joined by Murray Mintz from the CineVibeZ Fanzine newsletter and we talk about how much fun George Arliss clearly has playing…
3.93-Filmmaker Interview with Phil Mazo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:03
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Phil Mazo, director of the short film "Replay," a short docucomedy that explores a memory from his own past. Listen to hear about the challenges of making a documentary fi…
3.92-Street of Chance with Amanda Kusek [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:52
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Street of Chance. I'm joined by Amanda Kusek from The 90-Minute Movie newsletter and we talk about how the gambling murder in the film ands up being…
3.91-Filmmaker Interview with Alexandra Bahíyyih Wain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:32
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Alexandra Bahíyyih Wain, director of the short film "In the Clouds," a story of a family of Iranian refugees and the struggles they face in contemporary London. Listen to…
3.90-The Rogue Song with Helen Cox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:51
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Rogue Song. I'm joined by Helen Cox from the Movies of Note newsletter and we talk about how MGM could let a momentous film like this end up los…
3.89-Filmmaker Interview with Tobias Eckerlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:03
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Tobias Eckerlin, director of the short film "A Sparrow's Song," a story of a widowed air raid warden in the midst of World War II struggles to overcome grief and rediscove…
3.88-Their Own Desire with Maria Banson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Their Own Desire. I'm joined by Maria Banson from the Brunello Bombshell newsletter and we talk about Norma Shearer's place as an inspiration for wo…