Book Vs. Movie: The Phantom Tollbooth
The 1961Classic Children’s Novel Vs the 1970 Chuck Jones-Directed Movie
The Margos are heading back to the world of Children’s literature with The Phantom Tollbooth by author Norton Juster and illustrations by Jules Feiffer which was first published in 1961. The story of a bored young boy named Milo who finds a magical tollbooth that sets him off on incredible adventures in math and wordplay. Along the way, he meets a big dog named Tock who keeps him on time as he reaches the Kingdom of Wisdom and develops a love of learning and puns.
Juster was given a Ford Foundation grant in 1958 to write the story but it wasn’t until his neighbor Jules Feiffer came up with the unique illustrations that the story came to life. It’s now considered a classic and therefore tough to adapt to screen.
Animation superstar Chuck Jones directed the film for MGM (Juster hated the final product) and it stars Butch Patrick, Mel Blanc, and June Foray.
So, between the original story and the 1970 adaptation--which did we prefer?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- How the book came to life
- The life lessons encouraged in the book
- The main differences between the book and movie
- Starring: Butch Patrick, Mel Blanc, and June Foray.
Clips used:
- CNN interview with Norman Juster
- The Phantom Tollbooth trailer
- Words in a Word
- Theme music for Rhyme and Reason by Lee Pockriss Lyrics by Norman Gimble, Norman L.Martin, and Paul Vance.
Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts
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Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
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Book Vs. Movie: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas
Agatha Christie’s Holiday Mystery Vs the David Suchet “Poirot” TV Series
The Margos return to Agatha Christie and one of her most famous detectives with Hercule Poirot’s Christmas which was originally released in 1938. The “locked room mystery” is one of her most well-loved stories. This being the holiday season, we thought it made for a perfect inclusion to our December episodes!
A family returns home to visit with their elderly (and rich) father during the Christmas holidays and is soon found murdered in his locked bedroom. The family switches blame upon one another constantly but Poirot uncovers clues that show the culprit who exacted revenge as a man who hated his father for abandoning his mother.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot, with actor David Suchet, aired this episode in December 1994 (Season Six, Episode 1)
So, between the original story and the TV adaptation--which did we prefer?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The life of Agatha Christie
- David Suchet as Poirot
- The main differences between the book and movie
- Starring: David Suchet (Poirot,) Philip Jackson (Chief Inspector Japp,) Mark Tandy (Sugden,) Vernon Dobtcheff (Simeon Lee,) Sasha Behar (Pilar,) and Eric Carte. As George Lee.)
Clips used:
- Poirot agrees to the Christmas job
- Poirot trailer
- Poirot meets Old Simeon
- Simeon is killed
- Poirot explains how the murder happened
- Poirot exposes the real killer
- Poirot gets his Christmas gift
- Theme music for Agatha Christie’s Poirot
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 bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
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: The Year Without a Santa Clause
The Rankin/Bass 1974 Classic Special Based on a Light Verse Book
For many 70s kids, the Rankin/Bass specials with their catchy music and stop motion animation were high art. From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Santa Clause is Coming to Town their specials garnered big ratings and helped popularize holiday music. One of their most iconic specials was based on a 1956 Phillis McGinley book The Year Without a Santa Clause which told the story of a burnt-out Kris Kringle who wanted to take leave for one Christmas.
McGinley (1905-1978) was a master of the “light verse” and used humor to describe everyday life. Throughout her writing career (as a poet and children’s author) she loved to talk about humility and living a simple, suburban life. She was not aligned with Sylvia Plath or Betty Friedan who questioned the purpose of being a woman in the 20th Century. McGinley was a lonely child who married at 32 (late for the time) and lived a Mad Men kind of life in Larchmont, NY.
The Year Without a Santa Claus was first printed in Good Housekeeping magazine and was later published as a book. Boris Karloff recorded a version for Capitol Records shortly before his death in 1969. In the story, Santa has a bad cold just before the holidays and feels as if he is not important to kids anymore. When the children of the world learn this, they gladly send him their toys to finally give him the Christmas of his dreams. Knowing he is loved sends him back to his old Santa ways.
The TV special adds elves Jingle & Jangle who along with reindeer Vixen look for children who still care about Santa. They are shot down (!) by competing Snow & Heat Misers who want to control the weather. In the southern part of the United States, they get into all kinds of trouble with some incredibly catchy tunes and performances by Shirley Booth, Mickey Rooney, and Dick Shawn. Does the spirit of Christmas win out? Duh!
So, between the original story and the classic TV special--which did we prefer?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The incredible career of Phyllis McGinley
- The holiday specials of the 1960s and 1970s
- Stop-motion used a form of animation.
- Starring: Shirley Booth (Mrs. Clause,) Mickey Rooney (Santa Klaus,) Dick Shawn (Snow Miser), and George S. Irving as the Heat Miser.
Clips used:
- Boris Karloff reads The Year Without a Santa Clause
- The Year Without a Santa Clause trailer
- Heat Miser
- Cold Miser
- Santa rescues the elves
- Music by Maury Laws
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 bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
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: The Bishop’s Wife
The 1928 novel by Robert Nathan Vs the 1947 Classic Cary Grant Film
It’s December at Book vs Movie and we are excited about covering holiday-themed films including this selection--The Bishop’s Wife. The original novella was written by Robert Nathan in 1928 is the story of a preacher, Henry Boughman, who dreams of building a huge cathedral at the expense of his relationship with his wife Julia.
An angel, Michael, appears to help Henry and his family learn that family & love is more important than status. In the meantime, Michael Falls in love with Julia and is distraught to hear they can never have a “mortal love.” Julia decides to try for another baby to fulfill her needs.
The book is an exploration of faith with vivid conversations between the preacher and a Jewish businessman and Professor Wutheridge who both wish to find out the source of why he is so single-focused on religious expression.
The movie, which features some child actors from the recently released It’s a Wonderful Life, took some liberties from the book and focused more on the possible romance of Julia and “Dudley” (Cary Grant in a typically amazing performance.” The film was directed by Henry Koster and stars David Niven and Loretta Young.
So, between the original story and the movie--which did we prefer?
This episode is sponsored by Kensington’s newest romance novel by acclaimed South African author Therese Beharrie And They Lived Happily Ever After about a romance novelist, Gaia Anders, who has an active dream life. In fact, everything she dreams she puts into her stories which double as her love life. Gaia’s waking life can’t compare to her dreams.
In fact, her childhood was incredibly lonely and she is very shy of romance until she meets her best friend’s brother, Jacob Scott. Jacob is a workaholic with no time for relationships, but he crushes hard for Aiden and wonders how he can get her attention. Jacob has his own demons to conquer as he begins to literally share his dreams with Gaia.
Can they find love while uncovering personal hard truths?
The story takes place in modern-day Captain Town, South African and you can follow her on ThereseBeharrie.com. Follow the hashtag #OwnVoices Rom-Com to learn about Therese and other romance authors of color.
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The life of writer Robert Nathan and his famous relatives
- The theme of religious devotion in the early 20th Century in the U.S.
- The main differences between the novella & film.
- Starring: David Niven (Bishop Henry Brougham,) Loretta Young (Julia,) Cary Grant (Dudley,) Monty Woolley (Professor Wutheridge,) James Gleason (Sylvester,) Gladys Cooper (Mrs. Agnes Hamilton,) Elsa Lanchester (Matilda,) Sarah Haden (Mrs. Duffy,) Karolyn Grimes (Debby,) and Robert J. Anderson.
Clips used:
- Cary Grant meets Debby
- The Bishop’s Wife trailer
- The kids play snowball
- Dudley flirts with Julia
- Preacher Henry gives a sermon
- Music by The Robert Mitchell Boys Choir
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 bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine