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
3.87-Filmmaker Interview with David and Sam Cutler-Kreutz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview David and Sam Cutler-Kreutz, the duo over brother directors behind the film "A Lien" which was nominated for Best Live Action Short at the 97th Academy Awards last March.…
3.86-Sally with Dan Pal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:08
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Sally. I'm joined by Dan Pal from the PalCinema, Television, & Music newsletter and we talk about the use and re-use of popular songs in movies even…
3.85-Filmmaker Interview with Elham Ehsas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:34
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Elham Ehsas, director of the short film "There Will Come Soft Rains," a story of a young woman confronting the personal implications of rising sea levels resulting from gl…
3.84-The Love Parade with Enrico Banson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:33
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Love Parade. I'm joined by Enrico Banson from the Director's Notes newsletter and we talk about some uses of editing we haven't seen much in ear…
3.83-Filmmaker Interview with Daniel Persitz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:01
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Daniel Persitz, director of the short film "Key of Genius," a story of a young blind autistic savant and the teacher determined to unlock his genius through music. Listen…
3.82-Condemned with Luis Mendez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:06
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Condemned. I'm joined by Luis Mendez from The Mendez Movie Report and we talk about whether or not it is smart for a prison warden to bring in a pri…
3.81-Filmmaker Interview with Sam Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Sam Davis, director of the new short film "The Singers," a beautiful exploration of untapped talent and raw emotion. Listen to hear about the Russian short story that serv…
3.80-The Trespasser with Kevin Pettit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Trespasser. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit from the See You at the Movies newsletter and we talk about comparisons between relationships of the 1920…
3.78-Disraeli with Jeff Kramer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Disraeli. I'm joined by Jeff Kramer from The Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter and we talk about British politics in the late 1800s,…