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Behind The Bells Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Robert Nicholas
Merry Monday and welcome to the year round podcast that explores classic Holiday movies and TV specials.
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- Nov 12, 202550 min
The Halloween Tree: Halloween Memories, Ray Bradbury, Hanna-Barbera & A Disneyland Tribute
" The pumpkins on the tree were not mere pumpkins." Sorry for the tardiness of this episode, but Robert is still in the Halloween spirit in November, so let's pull a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror-style delay and explore the classic adaptation of the Ray Bradbury novella, The Halloween Tree Join Robert as he breaks down the 1993 special, how the story dwells in the true meaning of Halloween, how the special almost got made by Chuck Jones in the 1960s, how a Ray Bradbury superfan got it back on track and how Disneyland would eventully instal thier own Halloween tree. Music by Purple Planet and Musicloops Website Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Mar 17, 202554 min
The Haunted Mansion Tribute: Paul Frees, The Attraction, and The Movies
"I am your host; your Ghost Host" After a needed break, Robert finally returns with a look at the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland. Paul Frees, who played a lot of roles in Frosty the Snowman, was also a major voice at Disney, but many know him as the ghost host of the classic ride. Join Robert as he dwells into the tomb of how the attraction came to be, how the attraction's story showcased a spirited atmosphere, how the other version differ, and he even goes into the adaptations of The Haunted Mansion. This includes the 2003, 2023, and the Muppets Haunted Mansion special from Disney+. Music by Purple Planet and Musicloops Website Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Sep 23, 202453 min
Frosty the Snowman Part 1: Thumpity Thump, An Aspiring Songwriter, Songs for Money and Smokey the Bear
"That hat brought Frosty to life. It must be magic!" We're getting into the cooler months, which means snow should be coming soon. This means its time to talk Frosty the Snowman, a Rankin/Bass special that was nostalgic to Robert. It may be more geared to kids, but theres a lot of charm from the special. Learn how songwriter Jack Rollins got his start in his forties in which he wrote a variety of songs including those for Lawrence Welk and Babe Ruth before he got into the holiday buisness. Also learn how Gene Autry repeated with Frosty the year after he sung Rudolph and how Jimmy Durante's style would suite him to put out his own cover of Frosty. Music credited to Purple Planet & Musicloops Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Apr 1, 202440 min
Almost Christmas: The Poseidon Adventure
"So what resolution should we make for the new year? It's to let God know that you have the guts and the will to do it alone." Now back after a needed hiatus, Robert went on a New Years Cruise for his honeymoon... realizing that it made sense for him to cover the Irwin Allen produced disaster movie, The Poseidon Adventure. Because the ugliest Christmas tree ends up saving lives, this counts as holiday-related. Of course, does this make it an "Almost Christmas" movie? Along with looking into the history of disaster movies and how Irwin Allen found the story, Robert also goes into his Honeymoon, comparing how cruising has changed since 1972, when The Poseidon Adventure was released. Music credit goes to Purple Planet and Incompetech Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out this week's Podcast shoutout, Christmas Creeps *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Dec 27, 20231h 11m
Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies
"Merry After Christmas!" After celebrating a wonderful December with his new wife, Robert has an amazing gift for everyone: A top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies List. It's an episode in the making that was challenging, but he picked the ones embody the most Christmas spirit and connect to his nostalgic past. He'll go from a famliy of Santas to family men trying to give the best Christmas he can to a WWI Christmas truce to those that ask the question "Is there a Santa Claus?". Its time that Robert counts down his absolute favorites. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Nov 2, 202345 min
Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas
"Jumping Jingle Bells!" In honor of Christmas Podcast Day, Robert is stepping into the Delorean to take the time jump to 1991. He does a little deep dive into the Back to the Future animated series and the Christmas episode that was produced, "Dickens of a Christmas". While the Back to the Future trilogy is Robert's all time favorite set of movies, the animated series is a mixed bag... and Dickens of a Christmas is not a better one. There's still a lot to take in from a story about Ebenezer Tannon getting a visit from a ghostly Marty on a hoverboard, Doc recusing his boys Jules and Verne from a Sykes-like figure, and taking the Delorean to Victorian England. Robert also explores the cartoon's history and how the same team from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures were tasked with briging another time travel series to life. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
- Sep 25, 202358 min
Elf Part 2: Jon Favreau's Beginnings, Canada for New York, Killer Stop Motion and Beating the Other Family Films
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear" It took longer then he thought, but Robert's finally ready to dive back into the world of Elf. Along with continuing the adventures of the writer David Bernenbaum, he also goes into how Jon Favreau went from an actor to stepping behind the camera. Learn how a lot of the script got changed, how Will Ferrell tried to make it racier, how they used a mental asylum to film a majority of the movie, how Jon fought to keep his movie family friendly and how it would bat out ofther family movies like the Looney Tunes and The Cat in the Hat. He also goes into why Elf has remained timeless. Facebook Instagram Patreon
- Aug 15, 202333 min
Almost Christmas: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
"I don't need to see it. I lived it" For Robert's first ever Almost Christmas special, he wanted to pay tribute to the late Paul Reubens by looking at his 80's classic, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. The goal is to take the one moment of Christmas the movie has and see whether it comes close as a Christmas movie. But he also looks at some of his facorite moments from the movie and tells his stories of visiting the locations. Some include the Cabazon Dinosaurs and the Alamo. Robert also looks into Paul Reubens background, he he created Pee-Wee Herman and how the movie came to be. Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Musicloops and Gumroad Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out this weeks Podcast Shoutout, Lit for Christmas *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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