Book Vs Movie Podcast

Book Vs. Movie: The Boys in the Band
The 1968 Play Vs. the 1970 & the 2020 Films
The Margos love the celebrate Pride Month and in the past, we have covered Fried Green Tomatoes, Love, Simon, and Call Me by Your Name among other titles. This time are covering a play that made a splash when it premiered off-Broadway in April 1968. The Mart Crowley story, The Boys in the Band, revolved around several gay men as they navigate life pre-Stonewall New York City. It went on to play over 1000 performances (always off-Broadway because that is how Edward Albee wanted it) and was first adapted into a film directed by William Friedkin.
Friedkin, who needed a hit at the time, hired the entire cast for the film and created a work that is remembered for being a milestone in queer cinema. Set in an apartment in Manhattan, a group of homosexual men gathers ostensibly to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends. Instead, the event becomes a tightly wound confrontation between the haves and have-nots. The beautiful and those that live a lie. It’s at times off-putting, verbose, profane, funny, and sad. The original (1970) cast lost many members to AIDS in the 80s & 90s which adds to the melancholy of a current viewing.
The 2020 Netflix version features an all-openly gay cast including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, and Charlie Carver who play the same characters set in 1968 but with an updated script by Crowley and Ned Martel. It’s produced by Ryan Murphy, Martel, and director Joe Mantello.
Between the original play and the 2020 adaptation--which did we like more?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
The interesting life of writer Mart Crowley
Life in the homosexual community in 1968
The 1970 cast: Kenneth Nelson (Michael,) Leonard Frey (Harold,) Cliff Gorman (Emory,) Laurence Luckinbill (Hank,) Frederick Combs (Donald,) Keith Prentice (Larry,) Robert la Tourneaux (Cowboy Tex,) Reuben Greene (Bernard,) Peter White (Alan,) and Maud Adams as a model.
The 2020 cast: Jim Parsons (Michael,) Zachary Quinto (Harold,) Matt Bomer (Donald,) Andrew Rannells (Larry,) Charlie Carvery (Cowboy,) Robin de Jesus (Emory,) Brian Hutchinson (Alan,) Michael Benjamin Washington (Bernard,) and Tuc Watkins as Hank.
Clips used:
“Harold” arrives (1970)
The Boys in the Band trailer
Harold confronts Michael
Tuc calls Larry
Donald and Michael at the end
Music by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass
Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts
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Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie
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Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
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Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com [email protected]
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine

Book Vs. Movie: Freaky Friday
The Mary Rogers Children’s Classic Vs. the 1976 & 2003 Disney Adaptations
In December (because we have covered just about every holiday-themed Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving, and Hannukah film we can find)! The Margos turn our attention to all things Disney, and this year we begin with the classic Freaky Friday by Mary Rogers, which has been adapted a few times since its 1972 publication.
Rogers, whose father was composer Richard Rogers, had a full career as a composer, screenwriter, and children’s novelist with successes on stage like Once Upon a Mattress which ran on Broadway in 1959 and later toured the world. In 1972 she contributed to the Marlo Thomas album Free to Be You and Me (William’s Doll) before completing Freaky Friday.
The story of 13-year-old Annabel Andrews, who switches bodies with her mother only to discover being a parent is much harder than it looks. Annabell finds out her father is sexist and runs her mother ragged with demands on home life. Ultimately, she discovers that it was her mother the whole time who caused the body switch to show Annabel that she has her best interests in mind.
The 1976 film stars Jodie Foster as Annabel and Barbara Harris as her mother, Ellen, with a screenplay by Rogers. One big difference is that the movie takes place in California versus New York City. Oh, and the racism casually featured in the book. (It’s a big yikes there!) It was a huge hit that garnered several Golden Globes Awards nominations.
In 1995, Shelly Long and Gaby Hoffman lead in the second adaptation. The 2003 film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan and was a huge hit that is problematic today.
So between them all--which did we like better? Have a listen to find out!
Kensington Books and the novel Colorado Country by Diana Palmer sponsor this episode!
New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer takes readers to Christmastime in Colorado with two of her celebrated novellas in one collection featuring solitary, silent cowboys who find their restless hearts tamed by women of uncommon grace and strength. This a gift for readers who love heartwarming contemporary romance, gorgeous rugged cowboys, and fans of Carolyn Brown, Linda Lael Miller, and Delores Fossen.
Meadow Dawson is struggling to manage the enormous ranch she just inherited. Too bad she’s not on speaking terms with the one man who can help her out. Cattleman Dal Blake wishes Meadow’s dog would quit digging under his fence—and that his pretty neighbor wasn’t just as good at getting under his skin. . .
Widowed schoolteacher Katy is starting over with her young daughter, and she knows the perfect place—her grandmother’s Colorado ranch. A runaway Palomino brings reclusive horse wrangler Parker to her door. Parker knows all there is to know about horses, but with Katy, he’s learning about the gift of family.
Diana Palmer is the author of over 100 books and was voted one of the top 10 romance writers with over 40 million books in print. She is known as the “queen of desperado quests for justice and true love” (Publisher’s Weekly)
You can find her at Diana Palmer.com.
In this ep the Margos discuss:
The interesting life of the author Mary Rogers
The casual racism in the story and how it differs from the various adaptation
Which version do we like best?
The 1976 cast Jodie Foster (Annabel,) Barbara Harris (Ellem,) John Astin (Bill,) Patsy Kelly (Mrs. Schmauss,) Dick Van Patten (Harold Jennings,) Sorrell Booke (Mr. Dilk,) and Sparky Marcus as Ben.
The 2003 cast Jamie Lee Curtis (Tess Coleman,) Lindsy Lohan (Anna Coleman,) Harold Gould (Alan Coleman,) Chad Michael Murray (Jake,) Rosalind Chao (Pei Pei,) Mark Harmon (Ryan,) Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Elton Bates,) and Willie Garson as Evan.
Clips used:
“I Wish I Could Change Places with You” 1976
Freaky Friday 1977 TV Ad
Annabelle & Ellen switch
Annabel in the diner with her friends
1976 car chase scene
Freaky Friday 2003 trailer
2003 Pei Pei “Let’s Hit Her!”
Tess and Anna in the car (french fries)
Music “I’d Like to Be You for a Day”
Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts
.
Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie
Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/
Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at [email protected]
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com [email protected]
Marg...

Book Vs. Movie: The Spy Who Loved Me
The 1962 Novel Vs the 1977 James Bond Film
The Margos love a good spy novel and James Bond usually makes for a fun, exciting read. We found out that this novel, The Spy Who Loved Me, written very quickly by Ian Fleming at his estate “Goldeneye” in January & February of 1961 turned out to be in the words of his biographer Andrew Lycett, his “most sleazy and most violent story ever.” It was so bad that Fleming received the worst reviews of his career and he tried to eradicate it from his list of work.
The story is at first told in the first person by the character Vivian Michel, a woman who has it ROUGH in this story until James Bond comes to save her. We will get into the tawdry details in the show and then gladly move on to the 1977 film adaptation starring Roger Moore as our Bond. Much of the book was left out of the screenplay and the character of “Jaws” was an evil highlight. The theme song by Carly Simon was written by Marvin Hamlish and Carol Bayer Sager.
So between the two, which did we like more? The novel or the movie? (Big hint--not even close here!)
This episode is sponsored by Kensington Books and Unforgiven by Rebecca Zanetti
“Zanetti is a master of romantic suspense.” –Kirkus Reviews
Run: Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent . . .
Hide: Jethro Hanson has blood on his hands. He’s working within ivy-covered university halls now, but he knows that his work with the Deep Ops team and the deadly acts he once committed for the sake of Queen and country place him beyond forgiveness—until he meets Gemma . . .
Seek: Soon, the passion between them stuns them both. But when Jethro discovers a threat is fast overtaking her, he must choose between the redemption he seeks—and releasing the ever-present killer inside . . .
Rebecca Zanetti has published over 50 books and has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Woman’s World, and Woman’s Day magazines.
She has ridden in a locked Chevy truck, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to unlock her handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mines to hide a human body! You can find her at www.RebeccaZanetti.com & on social media @RebecaaZanetti.
In this ep the Margos discuss:
The extraordinary life of Ian Fleming
The history of James Bond films
The biggest differences between the book and the movie
Carly Simon’s amazing theme song
The cast: Roger Moore (James Bond/007,) Barbara Bach (Anya Amasova/XXX,) Curt Jurgens (Karl Stromberg,) Richard Kiel (Jaws,) Caroline Munro (Namoi,) Geoffrey Keen (Sir Frederick Gray,) Edward de Souza (Shiekh Hosein,) George Baker (Captain Benson,) Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny,) Walter Gotell (General Gogol,) Vernon Dobtcheff as Max Kalba,) Desmond Llewelyn (Q,) and Bernard Lee as M.
Clips used:
Introduction of James Bond
The Spy Who Loved Me trailer
Bond fights with Jaws
007 and XXX in the submarine scene
Stromberg reveals his plans
Bond kills Stromberg
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts
.
Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie
Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/
Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at [email protected]
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com [email protected]
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine

Book Vs. Movie: Ghost World
The 1997 Daniel Clowes Graphic Novel vs. the Terry Zwigoff 2001 Film
The Margos are feeling very moody and isolated, discussing the 2001 film Ghost World starring Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson as best friends Enid and Rebecca, who are perfect early 00’s angsty and unimpressed with the world and was catnip for audiences and critics alike.
Based on chapter five’s “Hubba Hubba” by Daniel Clowes, the original 1997 graphic novel series Eightball, the story of two lonely misfits who interact with other lost souls, made for an unusual adaptation that earned an Academy Award nomination for Clowes and directed by Terry Zwigoff (Crumb, Bad Santa.)
We read the source material (which you can find as a compilation of short stories in Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen by Stephanie Harrison), watched the film (has it aged well?), and tried to decide which we liked better--the book or the movie?In this ep, the Margos discuss:

• Daniel Clowes’s work
• The state of graphic novels and independent films in the 1990s
• Terry Zwigoff’s adaptation that was somehow NOT a Miramax film
• The differences between the graphic novel and movie
• The cast of the 2001 film: Thora Birch (Enid,) Scarlett Johannsson (Rebecca,) Steve Buscemi (Seymour,) Brad Renfro (Josh,) Illeana Douglas (Roberta Allsworth,) Bob Balaban (Enid’s father,) Stacey Travis (Dana,) Tom McGowan (Joe,) Brian George (convenience store owner,) Pat Healy (John Ellis,) Rini Bell (graduation speaker,) Terri Garr (Maxine,) David Cross (Gerald,) Ezra Buzzington (“Weird Al,”) and Bruce Glover as Feldman.

Clips used:

• Meeting Seymour
• Ghost World (2001 original trailer)
• High School graduation
• Enid gets hired and fired
• The art class scene introducing the painting
• Enid helps Seymour date
• Seymour attacks Josh
• Music: “Jaan Pehechan Ho” by Mohammed Rafi

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