Ghostbusters
A beloved, merchandise-laden property, with very few movies to its name - why is that? What took so long? And why is Dan Aykroyd’s family so into ghosts? Come learn the twisty-turvy spooky history of the Ghostbusters franchise.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Ghostbusters: Afterlife https://bit.ly/gbuster1
book, Peter Aykroyd’s “A History of Ghosts” https://bit.ly/gbuster4
ILLITERATE episode, The Conjuring https://bit.ly/gbuster5
trailer, Abbot and Costello’s Hold That Ghost (1941) https://bit.ly/gbuster6
pilot, 1970’s The Ghost Busters original live action show https://bit.ly/gbuster11
song, Huey Lewis’ “I Want a New Drug”, similar to theme song https://bit.ly/gbuster2
pilot episode, “The Real Ghostbusters” https://bit.ly/gbuster9
video, Filmation’s “Ghostbusters” cartoon intro https://bit.ly/gbuster7
article, why the Ghostbusters video game is the third film https://bit.ly/gbuster10
article, the history of Ghostbusters production https://bit.ly/gbusters8
Clifford the Big Red Dog
We know the massive lovable pooch, but why did he become such a staple of children’s literature? Who is responsible, and is there any psychology or science to his appeal? Come learn about Scholastic Book Fairs, Clifford, and more!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
photo, the original Clifford artwork https://bit.ly/cliffordoriginal
trailer, Clifford (2021) https://bit.ly/illclifford1
article, history of Scholastic https://bit.ly/illclifford2
article, history of Clifford books https://bit.ly/illclifford3
illiterate episode, on Dr. Seuss http://podcastgod.net/illiterate-episodes/drseuss
article, science of Clifford’s appeal https://bit.ly/illclifford5
article, CGI puppeteers interview https://bit.ly/illclifford6
video, tik tok “clifford horror puppet” https://bit.ly/illclifford7
video, baby’s color vision development https://bit.ly/illclifford4
Dune
AT LAST, the truly epic tale is getting a film…series? What’s the big deal about the sweeping story? Why couldn’t it be adapted well? And how did it change filmmaking without even getting a proper chance on screen? Let’s learn!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Dune (2021) https://bit.ly/illdune1
video, analysis of Frank Herbert’s writing style https://bit.ly/illdune4
interview transcript, Frank Herbert (1969) https://bit.ly/illdune7
interview transcript, Frank Herbert (1977) https://bit.ly/illdune8
article, the usage of the word “jihad” in Dune https://bit.ly/illdune6
trailer, documentary on Jodorowsky’s Dune (2014) https://bit.ly/illdune5
trailer, Dune (1984) https://bit.ly/illdune2
trailer, Dune miniseries (2000) https://bit.ly/illdune3
The Green Knight
We dive headfirst into the ancient poem of Sir Gawain, and how it became a fresh telling with modern themes. Was King Arthur a real person, and how did his tales change over time? Listen and learn!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, The Green Knight (2021) https://bit.ly/greenknight1
interview, creator David Lowery https://bit.ly/greenknight2
article, the 1136 OG King Arthur text https://bit.ly/greenknight3
full text, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight https://bit.ly/greenknight4
article, the 5 rules of knights https://bit.ly/greenknight5
Cruella
We dissect the origins of the literary character Cruella de Vil, the bizarre never-made sequel, and female villainy in stories.
Extras:
trailer, Cruella (2021) http://bit.ly/cruella1
trailer, One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) http://bit.ly/cruella3
video, Tallulah Bankhead (inspiration) laughing http://bit.ly/cruella4
article, connections to The Devil Wears Prada http://bit.ly/cruella5
interview, director Craig Gillespie http://bit.ly/cruella6
review, The Starlight Barking (book sequel http://bit.ly/cruella7
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Godzilla vs. Kong
Learn the mighty origins of the massive movie classics, which came first, and why they’ve been fighting for so long.
Extras:
trailer, Godzilla vs Kong (2021) http://bit.ly/godzillakong1
video, on the original Gojira film http://bit.ly/godzillakong2
film clip, Grass (1925) http://bit.ly/godzillakong4
concept art, Kong vs Frankenstein http://bit.ly/godzillakong5
comparison, US vs Japanese King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) http://bit.ly/godzillakong6
US trailer, King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) http://bit.ly/godzillakong7
trailer, Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) http://bit.ly/godzillakong3
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Lupin (Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc)
Learn about the enormous world of Arsène Lupin, his connection to the British detective, Japanese anime, and what makes a gentleman thief. Lupin is on Netflix, based on the stories of Arsène Lupin, by Maurice Leblanc.
Extras:
trailer, Lupin (2021) // 2 min http://bit.ly/lupintrailer
trailer, Lupin III (2020 animation) // 2 min http://bit.ly/lupin3trailer
trailer, Miyazaki’s Lupin (1979) // 2 min http://bit.ly/miyazakilupin
essay, comparison of Lupin and Sherlock // article http://bit.ly/lupinsherlock
story, “The Arrest of Arsene Lupin” (1905) // article http://bit.ly/lupinstory1
photo, Marius Jacob the burglar http://bit.ly/mariusjacob
essay, Marius Jacob’s “Why I Was a Burglar” (1905) // article http://bit.ly/mariusessay
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Henry James - The Turn of the Screw)
Learn the history of gothic horror, ghosts, and the works of Henry James. The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix) is based on The Turn of the Screw and the works of Henry James.
Extras:
trailer, The Haunting of Bly Manor // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor1
Bly Manor listing on Zillow // articlehttps://www.zillow.com/house/bly-manor/
other adaptations to watch & read // articlehttp://bit.ly/blymanor2
comparison of Quint “ghost” in film // 4 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor3
history of gothic fiction // article http://bit.ly/blymanor4
“The Haunted Castle” 1896 first horror film // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor5
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Enola Holmes (Nancy Springer)
Dive into the mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ secret sister. Learn about - all the things people get wrong about Sherlock, obscure copyright laws, and what the heck a “pastiche” is. Enola Holmes is on Netflix, based on a book series by Nancy Springer.
Extras:
trailer for “Enola Holmes” // 3 min http://bit.ly/enolaholmestrail
Conan Doyle’s book “The Coming of the Fairies” // book http://bit.ly/fairiesdoyle
what isn’t actually in the books // article http://bit.ly/holmescanon
the lawsuit against Enola Holmes // article http://bit.ly/enolalawsuit
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Secret Garden (by Frances Hodgson Burnett)
Frances Hodgson Burnett was the bestselling American female novelist of her lifetime. How did her legacy end up becoming an often-forgotten children’s book? The film is now on HBO Max, based on the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Extras:
trailer for The Secret Garden (2020) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden2020
trailer for The Secret Garden (1993) // video https://bit.ly/secretgarden1993
the differences from the novel // article https://bit.ly/secretgardendiff
the history of the Fauntleroy suit // article https://bit.ly/fauntleroysuit
Frances’ essay, My Robin // article https://bit.ly/francesmyrobin
the Unexpected Life of the Author of the Secret Garden // bookhttps://bit.ly/fhbbiography
The Secret Garden full book text // book https://bit.ly/secretgardenfull
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 3) (by JK Rowling)
How so many parts of our world have been touched by the magic.
Extras:
how Harry Potter changed books // article https://bit.ly/hpbooklegacy
the problem with translating HP // video https://bit.ly/translatinghp
Harry Potter Voldemort name translations // article https://bit.ly/voldemortname
a Harry and the Potters song // video https://bit.ly/handthep
My Immortal, the worst fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/myimmortalff
the Quidditch World Cup // video https://bit.ly/quidditchvid
book lengths over time // article https://bit.ly/yabooklength
the misquoted Onion Satanism piece // article https://bit.ly/hponion
Hogwarts beats a real school in rankings // article https://bit.ly/loretto1
the demand for pet owls // article https://bit.ly/owlpotter1
JK Rowling’s essay on gender issues // article https://bit.ly/jkessay1
the infamous Harry Potter Puppet Pals // video https://bit.ly/hppuppet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 2) (by JK Rowling)
The magical cinematic journey from book to screen.
Extras:
the first screen test with Harry, Hermione, and Ron // 12 min https://bit.ly/hpscreentest
Diagon Alley on Google Maps street view // link https://bit.ly/diagonmaps
JK Rowling’s new free book, The Ickabog // link https://bit.ly/ickabogbook
the terrible NY Times review // article https://bit.ly/hpnytreview
a conversation between Rowling and Radcliffe // 53 min https://bit.ly/rowlingradcliffe
a conversation between Rowling and Kloves // 47 min https://bit.ly/rowlingkloves
why Harry’s eyes aren’t green // article https://bit.ly/hpgreeneyes
Robin Williams as Hagrid // article https://bit.ly/robinwilliamshagrid
Eight-part Entertainment Weekly reporting // article https://bit.ly/ewharrypotter
How Daniel became Harry Potter // article https://bit.ly/danielpotter
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 1) (by JK Rowling)
How it all began, with the woman who made the best-selling book series of all time.
Extras:
JK Rowling on her extensive notes // 5 min https://bit.ly/harrypnotes
interview with the publisher on accepting JK Rowling // 4 min https://bit.ly/hppublisher
documentary spotlight on JK Rowling // 24 min https://bit.ly/JKspotlight
Oprah interview with JK Rowling // 40 min https://bit.ly/jkoprah
radio interview with JK Rowling, 1999 // article https://bit.ly/1999jkint
Harry Potter in Ancient Greek // article https://bit.ly/hpgreek
New Yorker piece on JK Rowling // article https://bit.ly/mugglemarch
book on the origins of Harry Potter // book https://bit.ly/hporiginsbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Emma (by Jane Austen)
Journey with us into Regency England, Beverly Hills in the ’90’s, and what Jane Austen invented that changed literature.
Extras:
Emma. (2020) trailer // 2 min: https://bit.ly/emma2020trailer
Clueless (1995) trailer // 2 min: https://bit.ly/cluelesstrailer
interview with the writer (Eleanor Catton) // article: https://bit.ly/emmawriterinterview
interview with the director of Clueless // 10 min: https://bit.ly/amyheckerlingint
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Peter Pan (by JM Barrie)
The new, artistic film “Wendy” by Benh Zeitlin, the odd life of author JM Barrie, and the largest covert operation to fly children across the world. We’re giving you everything you need to know about Peter Pan.
Extras:
Wendy trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/wendytrail
history of the name Wendy // article http://bit.ly/wendyname
the life of JM Barrie // article http://bit.ly/jmbarriebio
interview with director Benh Zeitlin // article http://bit.ly/wendydirector
Operation Pedro Pan documentary // 4 mins http://bit.ly/operationpedro
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Invisible Man (by HG Wells)
We tackle the father of science fiction, the odd 2000’s Kevin Bacon adaptation, predicting the future, and even the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. The Invisible Man (2020) is by Leigh Whannell, the original book by HG Wells.
Extras:
The Invisible Man (2020) trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/inv2020trailer
interview with writer/director // article http://bit.ly/leighwhannellint
the silly poem the book is based on // poem http://bit.ly/ogpoemhgwells
modern tech’s invisibility cloak // 8 min http://bit.ly/inviscloakvid
Hollow Man (2000) trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/hollowmantrail
The Invisible Man (1933) special effects // 2 min http://bit.ly/invis1933sfx
HG Wells’ futurist predictions // 5 min http://bit.ly/hgprophet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Call of the Wild (by Jack London)
We explain the history behind the madman Jack London, his iconic work, the bizarre Disney adaptation, and a lesser known, live-action dog tale. The Call of the Wild is by Jack London, and also Togo with Willem Dafoe, out on Disney Plus.
Extras:
Jack London by Alex Kershaw / book http://bit.ly/jacklondonbook
What A Nightmare, Charlie Brown! / 5 min. http://bit.ly/charliebrownwild
interview with Togo director / article http://bit.ly/togoint
Chris Sanders storybook about what’s wrong with Disney / article http://bit.ly/disneybearbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Color Out of Space (by HP Lovecraft)
How the 24-year-missing director of this film is a Nazi-hunting Indiana Jones, the unfortunate life of H.P. Lovecraft, and what makes these spooky stories different from Stephen King. Color Out of Space by Richard Stanley is based on “The Colour Out of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft.
Extras:
- Color Out of Space trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/color2019trailer
- The Colour Out of Space short story / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/coloraudiobook
- Annihilation trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/annihilationtrail
- Voice of the Moon (Afghan War) doc / 30 min: http://bit.ly/voiceofthemoon
- Lost Soul (career-ending film) doc trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/lostsoultrailer
- The Secret Glory (Nazi-hunting) doc / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/secretglorydoc
- Lovecraft Country (HBO) teaser / 6 min: http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry
- Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleylainterview
- Massive life of Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleyinterview2
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Hansel & Gretel (by the Brothers Grimm)
An interview with the director, Oz Perkins of the new film, Gretel and Hansel. Plus, were the Grimm Brothers really so grim? And why are there so many stories about eating children?
Special thanks to Osgood Perkins for speaking with us this week! Go check out Gretel & Hansel.
Extras:
- Trailer for Gretel & Hansel (YouTube): http://bit.ly/hg2020trailer
- How the Nazis used Grimm fairy tales (Telegraph): http://bit.ly/nazifairytales
- An interview with Osgood Perkins (Daily Beast): http://bit.ly/ozinterview
- Grimm’s law of linguistics (YouTube): http://bit.ly/grimmslaw
- Tim Burton’s Hansel & Gretel (YouTube): http://bit.ly/timburtonhg
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Animal Farm (by George Orwell)
Learn about how the CIA paid for the film version, the links to the Russian Revolution, and how the author (literally) lost his voice. This is a dive into a literary classic, Animal Farm by George Orwell.
Links:
- (WATCH): the full 1954 version on YouTube:
- (WATCH): the full 1999 version on YouTube:
http://bit.ly/animalfarm1999film
- (READ) the missing preface about censorship:
- (WATCH) China’s ban on Animal Farm in 2018:
- (READ) about the early Polish influence, Bunt:
- (READ) the one-to-one parallels to Soviet history:
http://bit.ly/sovietparallelsanimal
- (READ) Orwell’s book, “Down and Out in Paris and London”:
- (READ) the CIA’s balloon drop of Animal Farm into the Soviet Union:
http://bit.ly/ciaballonsanimalfarm
Giveaways & more:
- How to get a free sticker: Send us a message to @illiteratepod on instagram saying you want some!!!
- Want to help the show? Leave a review!
www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Get a copy of Animal Farm:
Contact:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod