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
3.67-Filmmaker Interview with Dylan Trupiano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:48
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Dylan Trupiano, director of the new short film "Recesses," a poignant reflection on hidden childhood trauma and education system. Listen to hear about the inspiration for…
3.66-Dynamite with Murray Mintz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:28
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Dyamite. I'm joined by Murray Mintz from the "CineVibez Fanzine" newsletter and we talk about what the going rate for "buying a husband" was in 1929…
3.65-Filmmaker Interview with Meron Alon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:33
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Meron Alon, director of the new short film "Too Good," a humorous take on what happens when we die and meet God at the gates to heaven. Listen to hear about the process of…
3.64-Madame X with Dan Pal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:22
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Madame X. I'm joined by Dan Pal from the "PalCinema, Television, & Music" newsletter and we talk about the theme of forgiveness which appears in the…
3.63-Filmmaker Interview with Hannah Rose Ammon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:53
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Hannah Rose Ammon, director of the new short film "We Do Our Best," a tender, true-to-life portrait of motherhood, girlhood and growing up in New York. Listen to hear abou…
3.62-The Last of Mrs. Cheyney with Shawna Carroll [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:45
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Last of Mrs. Cheyney. I'm joined by Shawna Carroll from the "Notes From Post" newsletter and we talk about some interesting visual choices from…
3.61-Filmmaker Interview with Aizzah Fatima [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:30
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Aizzah Fatima, writer, producer, and star of the feature film Americanish, a look at several young Pakistani-American women living in Queens as they chase their American d…
3.60-Thunderbolt with Jake Myshrall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:08
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Thunderbolt. I'm joined by Jake Myshrall from the "Film Runner" newsletter and we talk about the innovative ways von Sternberg used sound even in th…
3.59-Filmmaker Interview with Frank Sun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Frank Sun, whose latest film "We Are Kings" premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year and will be playing at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival this August.…
3.58-The Hollywood Revue of 1929 with Chris Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:08
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Hollywood Revue of 1929. I'm joined by Chris Mann from the "Daily Movie Question" newsletter and we talk about how the film truly feels like wat…