Cold War Cast

Cold War Cast

The history and the pop culture of the Cold War with Ryan Lewellin

  1. −4 d

    Congo’s World Cup Standing Guy - Patrice Lumumba

    Everyone is wondering why the Democratic Republic of Congo has the fan that stands and poses as a statue for the duration of their matches. He is channeling the likeness of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of Congo. Today we’re telling the Cold War story of Lumumba. This is a fascinating chapter of Africa’s decolonization and a turbulent chapter of the cold war that took place deep in the heart of Africa. Lumumba is seen as a martyr for Congolese independence and “Lumumba Vea” hopes his schtick inspires the Congolese squad to victory.

    17 min

  2. 12 maj

    Animal Farm by George Orwell

    Animal Farm by George Orwell was just remade into an animated film by Angel Studios. In this episode I give a little background info about Orwell, his life and the world around him to help understand Animal Farm. This is one of the earliest and most important -and most enduring- works of the Cold War. I know most of us have either read it or seen the 1951 (CIA sponsored) cartoon, so I’m mostly reaching out to people encountering it for the first time now…but maybe it’s been a while for you! Enjoy. This one is short and more off the cuff than usual.

    19 min

  3. 6 maj

    The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)

    Today we’re talking about one of the key films of the Cold War, The Day The Earth Stood still. In the film a humanoid alien, Klaatu, delivers a message to Earth - live peacefully or else. Through Klaatu’s interactions with humans we look at our society through a mile high (or 200 million “earth miles”?) lens. It’s a good snapshot of Cold War America and fears for the future - utopia or destruction…and it’s up to us (which isn’t promising, as we’ll see). On some levels it seems like beauty pageant tier politics, but digging a little deeper it brings up questions of the use of force in order to shape the world as you want it. This is one of the best sci-fi films ever made. Enjoy.

    26 min

  4. 27 apr.

    Chuck Norris: A Cold War Tribute

    Chuck Norris was a hero of American cinema forged in the Cold War. Today we’re going to honor his life from a Cold War perspective. His character begins with real life service in the Air Force in Korea. He would go on to work in the military industrial complex, lose a brother in Vietnam and take on America’s enemies, both foreign and domestic on the silver screen. We’ll discuss Missing in Action, Invasion USA, Delta Force, Good Guys Wear Black and more.

    33 min

  5. 13 apr.

    Ghosts of the Cold War: Iran’s F-14 Tomcats

    Today we’re talking about the last Tomcats (you might remember them from “Top Gun”) on Earth - In Iran. This is a story of Iran and the United States aligned by the Cold War, then after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 the circumstances changed. Iran was left without American support for spare parts and maintenance. They kept the Tomcats flying by hook or crook through the war with Iraq and into the present day (well, maybe). This is a story of aviation history, Cold War politics, middle eastern conflict and one isolated nation defying the world. Enjoy!

    34 min

  6. 13 apr.

    Ghosts of the Cold War: Iran’s F-14 Tomcats

    Today we’re talking about the last Tomcats on Earth - Iran’s F-14s. Iran acquired them during a period of the Cold War when the US and Iran were aligned against the Soviet Union. After the Islamic Revolution American support was withdrawn and Iran was on her own to keep the planes flying without spare parts and tech support. This is a story of aviation history, espionage, Iran’s military and middle eastern conflict all in one.

    34 min

  7. 23 mars

    USS Iowa: From WW2 through the Cold War

    The USS Iowa was built in anticipation of clashes with Japanese battleships in the Pacific. Although World War 2 ended without a mega showdown between battleships, the Iowa went on to write her story during the Cold War, coming in clutch during Anerica’s time of need. We’ll discuss the history of the ship, her impressive stats, her Cold War service and the future of battleships

    37 min

  8. 28 feb.

    Before Aliens: When Flying Saucers Were A Cold War Threat

    What’s scarier, aliens or commies? Today we’re talking about a period during the tense, paranoid and uncertain early Cold War where Americans saw a rash of UFO sightings, setting off a panic. It wasn’t the prospect of little green men that put the country on edge, it was the idea that these objects could be Russians with secret technology…and we would be defenseless. I use the 1950 B-film “The Flying Saucer” as a good illustration of where America’s mind was at around 1947-50. I’ll also discuss the origin of the “flying saucer” term and the famous Kenneth Arnold UFO sighting that kicked it all off. As always, go to Red Dragon Herbs to get yourself some tea to support this podcast

    25 min
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Om

The history and the pop culture of the Cold War with Ryan Lewellin

Information

  • Skapad av
    Cold War Cast
  • Aktiva år
    2016 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    55
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © Cold War Cast
  • Programmets webbplats
    Cold War Cast

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