4X4: FRANKENHEIMER: PT. 1 OF 2 TRAINWASHING *SEASON PREMIERE*

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JOHN FRANKENHEIMER PT. 1 OF 2: TRAINWASHING (or TRAIN CONTROL; or LOCO-MOTIVE)

SEASON PREMIERE!

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE & THE TRAIN

John Frankenheimer (1930-2002) was one of the hardest working A-list directors of his generation. From early work at the forefront of the golden age of live TV to a series of classic films in the 1960s, he continued working through the 1970s and 1980s with up-and-down box office success, box office disappointments, some head-scratchers and a much-diminished star in the auteur pantheon he once seemed poised to be a permanent addition. Then a surprising return to TV in the early 90s made him a multi-Emmy-winning  wunderkind in his 60s and led to one last masterpiece in his return to the big screen (which we watch next episode). 

Co-host Ken chose Frankenheimer for his 4x4 director and chose the four films we'd watch and why. Anything missing, blame Ken.   

PART ONE
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) and The Train (1964) start our 4xFrankenheimers off with a bang or two.

The Manchurian Candidate was a feature Frankenheimer was deeply involved with from the get-go and his still-startling visuals resonate sixty years later.  That brainwashing sequence! The press conference! The deep focus! The kiss! It's all so impossibly good. Generally regarded as his masterpiece, our next feature may have a word or two about that.

The Train was a film Frankenheimer was brought into late, after its original director was fired following the first day of shooting (harsh). Frankenheimer reworked the script considerably and designed an action movie of such uniquely powerful verisimilitude, it stands as a towering achievement as the best black and white action movie ever made (according to Ken, who won't shut up about this movie).

Ken, Jack and Thomas all bring their A game this week (sorry, other weeks) in one of the best pairing we've ever had on the pod! 

BRAND NEW THEME SONG BY: WEIRD A.I.

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Ken: Ken Koral
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