In The Movies | Sondheim & Golden Age Hollywood

In this unprecedented exploration, hosts Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones discover – in Sondheim’s own words – how Golden Age Hollywood profoundly shaped his personal world view in addition to his work. Featuring never-before-released emails between Steve and Martin, a 1953 letter from Steve in Hollywood, and the premieres of two unknown Sondheim songs in their first official recordings.

 

"Did I tell you about the silent movie stars, all ladies, who I grew up with as they played Mahjong etc in our living room?" – Stephen Sondheim to Martin Milnes

 

Steve and Martin’s mutual encyclopaedic knowledge of old movies sparked ‘a beautiful friendship’ unlike any since Steve’s college days with his movie-mad chums. From playing chess with Humphrey Bogart and imitating Bette Davis, to being star-struck around obscure character actors, Martin and PJ affectionately celebrate Steve’s unexpected love of camp and glittering life among the stars.

With special appearances from renowned Script Supervisor Angela Allen (who met Sondheim in 1952 on the set of a notorious camp classic) and Broadway legend Patti LuPone, who recalls how Steve shared with her the original musical version of Sunset Boulevard.

"Don’t show it to anyone. In fact, once you’ve read it, burn this email." – Stephen Sondheim to Martin Milnes
 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - “And Introducing” Steve, Martin, Spielberg & Hitler 

05:34 - Steve’s Love of Gossip and “Life In Movie Terms” 

15:58 - Steve’s Home Movie and The Origins of Pot in Company

20:26 - “Let’s Go To The Movies”: Influencing Steve’s Work

29:27 - Sunset Boulevard: Swanson, Steve & Patti

34:14 - “I’ll Never Forgive Myself”: Steve’s Shyness

37:01 - Bette Davis: Mayhem at Williams College 

42:27 - Margaret Sullavan: “No Sad Songs For Me”
47:05 - Maggie at “The Party Of The Stars”: A Sondheim World Premiere

53:50 - “Lunch With Hats”: The College Chums

56:43 - Torch Song: Steve’s Letter From Hollywood, 1953

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CREDITS

Hosts and Producers: Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones

Executive Producer: Jason Caffrey

Produced in partnership with: Creative Kin 

Mixing and Mastering: Phoebe Murdoch, Chris Traves
Directed, Devised and Written by Martin Milnes

 

CAST AND VOICE ACTORS
Alistair McGowan, Daniel Cane, Michael Aspel, Harry James-Taylor, Pauline Milnes, Martin’s Niece Tess, Melissa Redman, Rebecca Ridout, Rosanna Roscoe, Victoria Ward, Arthur Magee, Rosalind Russell, Karsci Wright, Theo Bracey, Sam Trotman, Jonathan Christopher, Samuel Black, Mehran James McCullough – and – legendary 1930s child star of British movie musicals – Hazel Ascot.

DRAMATIC RE-ENACTMENTS
Written by: Martin Milnes
Produced by: Peter E. Jones
 
MUSIC AND SCORE

Original Score Composed by: Peter E. Jones
Music and Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim: Courtesy of The Stephen Sondheim Trust

Songs Produced & Mastered by: Chris Traves

Musical Direction: Gareth Valentine

Sondheim Instrumental Tracks: Provided by Broadway Studio Orchestra

Music of Stephen Sondheim: Played by Colm Molloy

Main Title from Beyond The Forest: Composed by Max Steiner

“Concerto Macabre” from Hangover Square: Composed by Bernard Herrmann

Music from Deception: Composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold

FEATURED SONGS & VOCAL PERFORMANCES

"My Funny Valentine” (Rodgers & Hart): Sung by Mary Martin

"I’m Still Here” (Sondheim): Sung by Nancy Walker

"Let’s Go To The Movies” (Styne & Sondheim), “No Sad Songs For Me” and “The Party Of The Stars” (Sondheim): Sung by Martin Milnes

"Those Wonderful People” (Hughes & Stapley): Sung by Gloria Swanson

"Turn Me Loose On Broadway" (Duke, Cahn, Nash): Sung by Bette Davis

"The Sound of Music” (Rodgers & Hammerstein): Sung by Jean Bayless