Who The Hell Are We?: Recent Episodes
Edward Kelsey Moore and Melanie Benjamin
New York Times Bestselling authors Edward Kelsey Moore and Melanie Benjamin talk about identity, books, and cocktails. Send comments and topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
REISSUED for Pride Month | The Boys in the Band (1970) A queer dinner party implodes in Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking pre-Stonewall drama. Melanie and Ed revisit the 1970 film and reflect on its dated portrayals, raw emotion, and lasting legacy. Subscribe at whothehellarewe.substack.com Email us: melanded@whothehellarewe.com
After more than 100 episodes of delightful chaos, Melanie and Ed are finally giving Who the Hell Are We? a little structure—just a little. From now on, they’ll alternate between one movie and one book, with plenty of time in between for tangents, updates, and whatever else comes up.
First up: The Philadelphia Story (1940) The book? Tune in next time to find out.
Comments and suggestions: melanded@whothehellarewe.com Substack: https://melanieanded.substack.com
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER (1957), starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams, Henry Jones, Lili Gentle, and Mickey Hargitay, and with a cameo by Groucho Marx. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is TORCH SONG (1953), starring Joan Crawford and Michael Wilding.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is THE HOLIDAY (2006), starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is VALENTINO (1977), directed by Ken Russell and starring Rudolf Nureyev, Leslie Caron, Michelle Phillips, and Carol Kane.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (1951), starring Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier and Lock Martin.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is FISTFUL OF DOLLARS (1964), directed by Sergio Leone and starring Clint Eastwood in his first leading role, alongside Gian Maria Volonté, Marianne Koch, Wolfgang Lukschy, Sieghardt Rupp, José Calvo, Antonio Prieto and Joseph Egger.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotten.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is GEORGY GIRL (1966), starring Lynn Redgrave, Alan Bates, Charlotte Rampling, James Mason, and Rachel Kempson.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is RANDOM HARVEST (1942), starring Ronald Colman and Greer Garson Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is TRAPEZE (1956), starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigida. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is THE ROSE TATTOO (1955), starring Anna Magnani, Burt Lancaster, Marisa Pavan, and Jo Van Fleet. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is SUDDEN FEAR (1952), American film noir thriller film directed by David Miller, and starring Joan Crawford and Jack Palance Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie is STORMY WEATHER (1943), starring Lena Horne, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Cab Calloway. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them; their audio engineer let the holidays, day job, COVID, and aliens delay posting this episode. This week's movie is SHAFT (1971), starring Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Charles Cioffi, Christopher St. John, and Lawrence Pressman. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946), starring David Niven, Roger Livesey, Raymond Massey, Kim Hunter and Marius Goring. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: BLACK NARCISSUS (1947), starring Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, and Flora Robson, and featuring Esmond Knight, Jean Simmons, and Kathleen Byron. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG (1964), Written and directed by Jacques Demy, with music by Michel Legrand. Starring Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: GIDGET (1959), starring Sandra Dee, Cliff Robertson, James Darren, Arthur O'Connell, and the Four Preps.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: MAURICE (1987), starring The James Wilby, Hugh Grant, and Rupert Graves.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: BATTLEGROUND (1949), starring Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalbán, George Murphy, and James Whitmore.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: CAT PEOPLE (1942), starring Simone Simon, Kent Smith, Tom Conway, and Jane Randolph.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950), starring Joan Crawford, David Brian, and Steve Cochran. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: COOLEY HIGH (1973), starring Glynn Turman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Garrett Morris. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: WHERE THE BOYS ARE (1960), starring Connie Francis, Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Hutton, and Frank Gorshin. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: MADAME X (1966), starring Lana Turner, John Forsythe, and Ricardo Montalbán. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958), starring Paul Newman, Elizebeth Taylor, and Berl Ives. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: THE LONG, HOT SUMMER (1958), starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Orson Wells, Lee Remick, Anthony Franciosa, and Angela Lansbury. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
We’re No Angels Rio Bravo (1959) directed and produced by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, and Angie Dickinson. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH (1964-ish), starring Kirk Douglas, Alexis Smith, David Janssen, George Hamilton, Brenda Vaccaro, Melina Mercouri, and Deborah Raffin.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (1962), starring Olivia de Havilland, Rossano Brazzi, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton, and Barry Sullivan.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1945), starring George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed, Angela Lansbury, and Peter Lawford.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching old movies and dishing on them. This week's movie: DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1941), starring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie shares her exciting news!
This week's movie: IMMORTAL BELOVED (1994), starring Gary Oldman, Jeroen Krabbé, Isabella Rossellini, and Johanna ter Steege. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Cold open, Ed and Melanie each share their BIG NEWS!
This week's movie: MARNIE (1964), starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed love watching film noir and dishing on them. This week's movie: IN A LONELY PLACE (1950), starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
With audio issues in the rear-view mirror, but an inability to do their intro correctly, Melanie and Ed are again watching old movies and dishing on them IN PERSON! This week's movie: LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN (1945) starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, and Vincent Price. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still getting over two years of remote podcasting, Melanie and Ed are watching old movies and dishing on them IN PERSON! This week's movie: THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR (1947) starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
After two years of Covid, and two cross-country moves, the band is back together! Melanie and Ed are watching old movies and dishing on them IN PERSON! This week's movie: ROBIN AND THE 7 HOODS (1964) starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bing Crosby.
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed are reuniting in Chicago in just a few days...the next podcast will not be remote!!
This week's movie: Who Cares??? It's a good one, but overshadowed by the news that future podcasts will be done with Mel and Ed in the same room!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Big news from Melanie!
This week's movie: The Ladykillers (1955) starring Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers,
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed in Chicago, Melanie in Williamsburg, watching old movies and dishing on them! This week's movie: SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957) starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis. James Wong Howe cinematography!
Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie's first live event in two years, Ed is writing short stories. This week's movie: ICE CASTLES (1978) starring Lynn-Holly Johnson and Robby Benson. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed in Chicago, Melanie in Williamsburg, watching old movies and dishing on them! This week's movie: SOLOMON AND SHEBA (1959) starring Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, and George Sanders. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie podcasting from Williamsburg VA, Ed podcasting from Chicago IL, and Yul Brynner on the internet.
This week's movie: BEAT THE DEVIL (1953) starring Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida, Robert Morley, and Peter Lorre. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes. (programming note: watch the B&W version)
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
After a challenging couple of months, Mel and Ed are back! Still podcasting from Williamsburg VA, and Chicago and watching way too many movies.
This week's movie: DARLING (1965) starring Julie Christie, Dirk Bogarde, and Laurence Harvey. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
A replay of one of Melanie and Ed's most popular episodes of all time....recorded on location in December of 2019, just prior to CovidTimes™ at the iconic Miller's Pub in downtown Chicago.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed in Chicago, Melanie in Williamsburg, watching old movies and dishing on them! This week's movie: BABY FACE (1933) starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, Theresa Harris, and baby John Wayne. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin talks about her novel THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE. A fascinating novel of the friendship and creative partnership between two of Hollywood's earliest female legends—screenwriter Frances Marion and superstar Mary Pickford.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Podcasting from Chicago and Williamsburg, Mel and Ed are still popping popcorn, watching old movies and dishing on them! This week's movie: FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950) starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor, Billie Burke, and Leo G. Carroll. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
New York Times Bestselling Authors Melanie Benjamin and Edward Kelsey Moore love to watch (and dish!) on old movies, then make book recommendations with similar themes.
Popular episode from March 2021, HUMORESQUE (1946) starring Joan Crawford, John Garfield, and Oscar Levant.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie is now a Mother-in-Law! This week's movie: CARMEN JONES (1954) starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, produced and directed by Otto Preminger. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In this bonus "behind the book" episode, podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin talks in 2019 about her latest novel. Based on true events, MISTRESS OF THE RITZ is a taut tale of suspense wrapped up in a love story for the ages, the inspiring story of a woman and a man who discover the best in each other amid the turbulence of war.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed talk about Halloween and an upcoming Covid-delayed wedding! This week's movie: ZIEGFELD GIRL (1941) starring James Stewart, Judy Garland, Hedy Lamarr, Lana Turner. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Send comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Health talk and in-person events: Melanie has a book event, Ed plays a concert! This week's movie: GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS (1939) starring Robert Donat, Greer Garson and directed by Sam Wood. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
How does a blues man with a terrible secret, a crossdressing lounge singer, three lifelong friends, and several ghosts come together to tell a story about forgiveness? In this “behind the book” bonus episode, podcast co-host Edward Kelsey Moore discusses his second novel, The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed plays a concert at Ravinia, Melanie podcasts on minimal sleep. This week's movie: THE LETTER (1940) directed by William Wyler, and starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, and James Stephenson. Mel and Ed make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed talk about the current challenges of air travel and discuss some of their personal quirks. This week's movie dishing: KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (1949) starring Alec Guinness (who plays eight parts!)....making book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
THE AVIATOR'S WIFE is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage—revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. In this "behind the book" episode, podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin talks about the origin of this highly-acclaimed NYT Bestselling novel.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Brave women, friendship, and eavesdropping on family members. In this bonus "behind the book" episode, podcast co-host Edward Kelsey Moore discusses the origins of his New York Times bestselling debut novel, THE SUPREMES AT EARL'S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952) starring Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame, and Gilbert Roland....then make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
New York Times Bestselling Authors Melanie Benjamin and Edward Kelsey Moore love to watch (and dish!) on old movies, then make book recommendations with similar themes.
Popular episode from April 2020, DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) Directed by Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Porter Hall.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss THE CARPETBAGGERS (1964) starring George Peppard, Alan Ladd, Carroll Baker, Robert Cummings, and Elizabeth Ashley...then make book recommendations with similar themes.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
New York Times Bestselling Authors Melanie Benjamin and Edward Kelsey Moore love to watch (and dish!) on old movies, then make book recommendations with similar themes.
Popular episode from June 2020, WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956) starring Rock Hudson, Dorothy Malone, Lauren Bacall, and Robert Stack.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
.
Melanie and Ed discuss SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER (1959) starring Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, Montgomery Clift and suggest novels that relate to the film.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Popular episode from June 2020...Melanie and Ed watch and dish on A SUMMER PLACE (1959), give Pride Month book selections and revisit Gone With The Wind.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie (for the 900th time) and Ed (for the first time) watch and discuss the 1972 film adaptation of the award-winning Broadway Musical. Our hosts give recommendations for novels about the American Story.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In honor of Pride Month, Melanie and Ed watch and discuss THE BOYS IN THE BAND (1970), the groundbreaking LGBT drama film directed by William Friedkin, screenplay by Mart Crowley. Both hosts recommend novels with memorable gay characters.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss Pride Month and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) Starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, and Harold Russell.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed meet for hugs...REAL HUGS! This week's movie is Stage Door (1937) starring literally everyone.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed host author Renée Rosen to discuss her latest novel, THE SOCIAL GRACES, which throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history: Alva Vanderbilt and the Mrs. Astor’s notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed contemplates adding a new family member; Melanie talks about entering the post-covid restaurant scene; Both forget next week's special guest. This week's movie discussion topic is The Boy Friend (1971), starring Twiggy and Tommy Tune. Mel and Ed recommend books about "backstage."
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed is gardening, Melanie's brain is not functioning, both reminisce about drive-ins. This week's movie is TO SIR, WITH LOVE (1967) starring Sidney Poitier. Mel and Ed recommend books with a similar theme.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie broadcasts with a live audience as Ed begins planning for the gardening season. Mel and Ed discuss FOR ME AND MY GAL (1942) starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, George Murphy and recommend books about WW I and Vaudville.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed shares some good news, Melanie recommends novels by Asian American authors. This week's movie discussion: DECEPTION (1946) starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains. As always, Ed and Melanie suggest novels on a related theme.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie's sons meet in the middle of the country; Ed is grumpy at Chicago's vaccine rollout; our movie-addicted hosts discuss HELLO, DOLLY! (1969) starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau, and recommend books with complementary themes.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed will read fan mail next week...write them today! This week's movie is A STAR IS BORN (1937) Starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Professional podcast hosts try desperately to get through the opening 45 seconds, then describe the indescribable THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1947) starring Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed's patented witty banter and 1946's HUMORESQUE with Joan Crawford and John Garfield.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Slush vs. 70 degrees; Ed talks about his music in the time of Covid; Melanie puts Ed in a movie-picking-timeout. This week's movie is BAD BLONDE, aka THE FLANAGAN BOY (1953). Our advice: DON'T watch the movie, DO listen to the podcast!
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Sixty-seven seconds of neither host able to breathe as they crack each other up; Ed and Melanie watched VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964) starring Elvis and Ann Margaret for the first time ever. Spoiler: THEY LOVED IT!
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed talk about the weather, Girl Scout Cookies and Indy 500 legend Jim Nabors; Melanie runs away; AUNTIE MAME (1958) starring Rosalind Russell is...uh...discussed.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In their 60th episode, Ed and Melanie talk about vaccines, snow, meal delivery, and Melanie announces a big career change! Our movie-addicts discuss BALL OF FIRE (1941) starring Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, and the Gene Krupa Band.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Our NYT Bestselling authors are back after a short break...Melanie was on back-to-back-to-back virtual events for her latest novel, THE CHILDREN"S BLIZZARD. Fruit hats, trippy Busby Berkeley productions, and Benny Goodman...Ed and Melanie discuss 1943's THE GANG'S ALL HERE.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Back from a holiday break, Ed and Melanie discuss Melanie's latest novel, THE CHILDREN'S BLIZZARD, which goes on sale January 12th, 2021. This week's movie is, appropriately, Dr. Zhivago from 1965, starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
While Melanie and Ed take a short holiday break, here is a replay of one of their most popular episodes of all time....recorded on location in December of 2019 at the iconic Miller's Pub in downtown Chicago.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In their last episode of 2020, Ed and Melanie discuss the iconic MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS from 1944 starring Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, and Mary Astor.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed describe recent household maintenance adventures and their first automobiles. This week's movie is THE BISHOP'S WIFE from 1947, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed talk about their Thanksgiving feasts and upcoming holiday gift-giving (including regifting!); This week's movie is REMEMBER THE NIGHT from 1940, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, and Beulah Bondi.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
After their usually smooth intro goes off the rails, Ed and Melanie discuss GILDA starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford from 1946.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed wonder if they will have forgotten how to act in public post-Covid; SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS (1961) with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty is discussed.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In the middle of "the count", Melanie and Ed discuss HIGH SOCIETY from 1956. Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong! Both authors recommend books with a high society theme.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Election nerves; pandemic holiday plans; Ed and Melanie discuss HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE from 1953.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie considers divorce over this week's movie suggestion.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967) was a box office hit but received largely negative reviews from critics upon release. In this episode, Ed and Melanie reenact a pivotal scene.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Unpacking in Williamsburg, gardening in Chicago; Peyton Place...the movie and the book!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
First Chicago-Williamsburg podcast and the team can't remember their lines; Ed visits his mom, Melanie lands in Virginia; Hitchcock's 1948 film ROPE is discussed.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie's final podcast from Chicago; Ed and Melanie discuss THE BEST of EVERYTHING from 1959 and provide related book recommendations.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Updates on Melanie's move and Ed's latest novel; Ed and Melaine discuss THE MOVIE LOVERS from 1971.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie phones in on a circa nineteen-ought-six laptop; Ed and Melanie discuss 1936's MY MAN GODFREY.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed talk with special guest Christina Baker Kline about her new novel, THE EXILES, which is out today!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Updates on Melanie's upcoming move; Ed and Melanie discuss 1954's bold and stylized film, JOHNNY GUITAR.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed talks about his celebrity stalking days, Melanie shares some NEWS. Ed and Melanie discuss TOP HAT (1935) with Fred and Ginger!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
The roof falls in on Melanie; Ed makes a Koren fried chicken run; TO EACH HIS OWN starring Olivia de Havilland from 1946 receives the Mel & Ed treatment.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed are back after taking last week off. Melanie drove to see her Covidboy in Colorado, Ed wrote and practiced his cello!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still recording from home, Melanie and Ed talk house porn, discuss 1949's White Heat starring James Cagney, and books about mother issues. Also, COVID strikes close to home.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss Douglas Sirk's 1954 movie starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson, and recommend books with a spirituality theme. Melanie also takes a road trip!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed continue movie therapy with WRITTEN ON THE WIND (1956), plus a discussion on books about Bad Girls with a capital B.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to MelandEd@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed are still recording remotely, but perhaps not much longer...Chicago is slowly opening! COVID relocation research (house porn) is discussed and Imitation of Life (1959) is deliciously dissected.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
A Summer Place; Doctors, Dinners and Drives; Pride Month book selections...and Gone With The Wind Revisited.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Lockdown grooming; books of summer; Cabin in the Sky.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still podcasting remotely, Melanie and Ed talk about friendships, books about friendships, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and FAN MAIL!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed police COVID compliance; straight men grocery shopping; victory gardening reboot; Sunset Boulevard.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Pandemic friends and family check-in roles; book recommendations; theater audition memories and new green screen project; BORN YESTERDAY with Judy Holiday.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
A short peek behind the curtain...
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still podcasting from home, Ed and Melanie talk about the first things they will do after the world reopens. Also: Kids on harnesses; The Postman Always Rings Twice; End shares his Noir Special cocktail recipe.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed fight through sheltering-at-home internet bandwidth issues to talk about dreams, Melanie's date night, and DOUBLE INDEMNITY.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
(Day 4,723) Stress shopping and stress cooking; Mildred Pierce on the screen and on the page; Shout-out to indie booksellers and authors!
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed "call it in" again...discussing books, movies, and life sequestered at home.
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed and Melanie welcome their first-ever podcast guest...Oscar-nominated actress, critically acclaimed author and awesome fosterer of kittens, QUINN CUMMINGS! Quinn gives her patented "Bad Advice" to Mel and Ed; The Trio discusses THE WOMEN (and Hollywood breasts, again).
Send podcast comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Send questions for Bad Advice: http://www.quinncummings.com/bad-advice
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still on lockdown, Melanie and Ed muse about what life will be "on the other side" of the Covid19 crisis; In-depth DARK VICTORY movie snarking; Podcast fan mail and (more) Bette Davis breast talk.
Send comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Send comments and suggestions to Melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
More remote shenanigans: Ed's virtual birthday party (and non-virtual hangover); Sheltering cooking and C.A.R.E. packages; Bette Davis's breasts (continued).
Send comments and suggestions on how to help each other out to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
PS Fill out your 2020 Census Form!
Skype podcast => Melanie and Ed open for Reba McEntire; Ed's Beer run and Bette Davis's breasts.
Send comments and suggestions on how to help each other out to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Still PodSkyping while hunkered down. Layoffs hit home, hubby hypochondriac, and Ed learns to ZOOM!
Send comments and suggestions on how to help each other out to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Illinois now officially under stay-at-home order until April 7th. Melanie and Ed highlight bookstores creatively serving customers, and authors with new books debuting during these challenging times.
Send comments and suggestions on how to help each other out to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Latest social-distancing podcast from Melanie and Ed. Realization sets in that this will be a long healing process for the country and the world. Books and movies to lift your spirits; Melanie's NYT word puzzle addiction and Ed's crafts come out of the basement.
Send comments and suggestions to help each other out to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Special coronavirus edition podcast...Melanie and Ed maintain CDC-recommended social distance via Skype. Melanie self-identifies as a Hausfrau, Ed tours his workspace and of course, toilet paper.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
"Chomp Movies" with eye-candy; Restaurant loudness and hotel bars; WITT Radio and Folk Alley; Melanie and Ed backstage memories; Loud (and quiet) books.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
"The most fun I've ever had writing a book," says podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin describing THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE. In this bonus "Behind the Book" episode, Melanie talks about her delicious novel about New York's "Swans" of the 1950s—and the scandalous, headline-making, and enthralling friendship between literary legend Truman Capote and peerless socialite Babe Paley.
In juxtaposition to last month's (live remote!) holiday special on "Our Favorite Things", Ed and Melanie now channel their inner curmudgeon and Scooby-Doo Villian. Furry bathroom stall visitors, suede pump heels, and Kombucha are among the offenders.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
In this bonus "behind the book" episode, podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin talks about her novel THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE. A fascinating novel of the friendship and creative partnership between two of Hollywood's earliest female legends—screenwriter Frances Marion and superstar Mary Pickford.
NYT Bestselling authors Edward Kelsey Moore and Melanie Benjamin talk about Christmas in Chicago and their favorite things. This is their first remote podcast...recorded at the iconic Miller's Pub in downtown Chicago.
Topics covered: Beethoven, Martha Stewart, Tom & Jerry Holiday Drink and much more!
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Ed's fabulous jacket and $100 lobster salad; Levi's vs Wrangler; The Great Skort War of 2015.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
The episode starts off with an explosion, continues with copious quantities of "get off my lawn", and ends with a deal on grandchildren-sharing.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
A short peek inside the making of the podcast...
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky, and altogether ooky! Real estate porn. 11222 Dilling St, Studio City, CA 91602. Ed's Nor'easter cocktail recipe.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss GONE WITH THE WIND and its complicated legacy.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
Melanie and Ed discuss storytelling, from hunter-gatherer campfires to today's online streaming. Melanie reveals the literary origin of her name and Ed battles a toy airplane.
Send comments and show topic suggestions to melanded@whothehellarewe.com
Don't forget to subscribe to the show!
THE AVIATOR'S WIFE is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage—revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. In this "behind the book" episode, podcast co-host Melanie Benjamin talks about the origin of this highly-acclaimed NYT Bestselling novel.