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
3.103-Filmmaker Interview with Giovanna Ferrari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:04
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Giovanna Ferrari, director of the animated short film "Éiru," her directorial debut which is currently on the shortlist for Best Animated Short Film for the 98th Academy A…
3.102-King of Jazz with Matthew Brady [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:23
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film King of Jazz. I'm joined by Matthew Brady from the Warren Peace newsletter and we talk about the use of color in this film that sets it apart for ma…
3.101-Filmmaker Interview with Alex Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:02
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Alex Thompson, director of the short film "Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting," the story of a mother and daughter faced with difficult choices as they take part in a coming-of…
3.100-Sarah and Son with Matthew Carlson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:05
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Sarah and Son. I'm joined by Matthew Carlson from the What Am I Making newsletter and we talk about whether the film would even survive today if not…
3.99-Filmmaker Interview with Christoffer Stenbakken [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:18
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Christoffer Stenbakken, director of the short film "The Thief," which follows a boy in a remote town in East Greenland as he looks for his dog that has gone missing. Liste…
3.98-Anna Christie with Swabreen Bakr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Anna Christie. I'm joined by Swabreen Bakr from the Anti-Brain Rot newsletter and we talk about Greta Garbo's first words heard on screen, how the f…
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…