Vintage Century Idle Hour

Jennifer Passariello
  • 5.0 (5)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hi, there.  Jennifer here.  This show is about old movies and stuff.  It's the cure insomniacs have been begging for, and the virtual companion for those who are really bored at work.  Take it from my mom:  "This is incontrovertibly the best podcast the world has ever known." Idle Hour on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@VintageCenturyIdleHour

  1. FEB 6

    Wuthering Heights (1939) | How to Watch the Hollywood Gothic Romance | Classic Film Commentary

    In this episode we explore the classic film in anticipation of the 2026 adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.   Topics covered include: What are moors anyway?Defining characteristics of gothic storytelling.Behind-the-scenes stories in the making of the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights.Jennifer's rating of this film. Check out Jennifer's Substacks: The Idle Hour Notebook (1,000 Beautiful Things): https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/ The Vintage Century Idle Hour Companion: https://vcihcompanion.substack.com/  Jennifer's You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VintageCenturyIdleHour

    59 min

  2. JAN 30

    Joan Crawford vs. Norma Shearer | Hollywood Rivalry & Their Oscar-Winning Roles Explained

    Joan Crawford vs. Norma Shearer — Old Hollywood rivalry, Oscar glory, and the beauty standards they defied. In this episode, we explore the real-life tension between two MGM legends and their Academy Award–winning performances in The Divorcee (1939) and Mildred Pierce (1944).  We also dive into classic Hollywood beauty ideals — and how Crawford and Shearer challenged the standard definition of beauty. Topics: Classic Hollywood • Joan Crawford • Norma Shearer • Oscar history • Old Hollywood rivalry • The Divorcee • Mildred Pierce • MGM • Film history • Beauty standards in film. Check out Jennifer's Substacks: The Idle Hour Notebook (1,000 Beautiful Things): https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/ The Vintage Century Idle Hour Companion: https://vcihcompanion.substack.com/  Jennifer's You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VintageCenturyIdleHour

    1h 2m

  3. JAN 23

    The Women (1939) | Joan Crawford vs. Norma Shearer | Classic Hollywood Film Review

    In this episode, we dive into The Women (1939), one of classic Hollywood’s most unconventional studio-era films. Featuring an entirely all-woman cast, this  comedy-drama pulls back the curtain on marriage, friendship, betrayal, and social power among Manhattan’s elite...but is it any good? We look at why The Women is a classic and also zoom in on the onscreen (and offscreen?) rivalry of two of the studio-era's most iconic stars:  Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. In other news...we'll talk about why 2026 is THE year to take a road trip to discover old Route 66, and I have a couple of book recommendations that are mind blowers. All of this and the usual goofy banter is on tonight's episode of the Vintage Century Idle Hour.

    1h 14m

  4. JAN 16

    Four Daughters | Alternatives to New Year's Goals | Jennifer Attends a Retreat | A Brief History of the Golden Globes

    Happy new year!  Four Daughters is tonight’s featured story, and if it hasn’t been on your radar, you should get it on there!  Jennifer is also going to talk about new year's goals--and an alternative she has come up with.  She attended her first retreat this month, so everyone has to hear about that, and then we take a brief look back in time at the Golden Globe awards.  All of this--and the usual goofy stuff--is on the menu tonight, on the Vintage Century Idle Hour. Check out Jennifer's Substacks: The Idle Hour Notebook: https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/ The Vintage Century Idle Hour Companion: https://vcihcompanion.substack.com/  Jennifer's You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VintageCenturyIdleHour

    1h 20m

  5. 12/12/2025

    A Star is Born | Disney's Laugh-O-Gram Studio | Monetizing Hobbies | Dorothy Parker

    A Star is Born has been remade three times.  It must be the greatest story ever told…right?  We’re going to find out in tonight’s show.  Also, Jennifer has some Disney news from her home town of Kansas City, Missouri.  Then, she ponders what the deal is with hobbies nowadays.  Why is there all this pressure to monetize everything?  She's going to sort it all out.  That signpost up ahead is the Vintage Century Idle Hour.  Jennifer will meet you there. Check out Jennifer's Substacks: The Idle Hour Notebook: https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/ The Vintage Century Idle Hour Companion: https://vcihcompanion.substack.com/

    55 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    I Bury the Living | Village of the Damned | Audience-ology | The Rockettes | A Movie for Introverts

    Tonight Jennifer's talking about two films—both are fun to watch, but one is vastly superior to the other, in her opinion:  I Bury the Living and Village of the Damned.   Then she'll turn her attention to “audience-ology,” the study of how audience reactions shape the films we ultimately see in theaters.  She'll celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rockettes and learn what it takes to be one. And finally, she'll tell you about a movie out on YouTube right now that is perfect for…introverts. This all sounds too irresistible to miss, doesn’t it?  It’s all coming up dead ahead, on the Vintage Century Idle Hour. Checkout Jennifer's Substacks: The Idle Hour Notebook: https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/ The Vintage Century Idle Hour Companion: https://vcihcompanion.substack.com/

    59 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    Stage Door | Stories to Sleep By | Book to Read | Announcement

    Our main topic this week is Stage Door, a fun ensemble film from 1937 starring Ginger Rogers, Katherine Hepburn, and Lucille Ball.  That’s our featured film this week, but we have a few other things on the agenda as well: Jennifer is going to introduce you to a show from the 1970s that offers some great stories to fall asleep by.  She then has a tale of two books:  one you should add to your reading list...and one that you shouldn't.  Finally, Jennifer has a little personal announcement.  We get to all of it on this episode of The Vintage Century Idle Hour.  Check out Jennifer's new Substack:  https://jenniferpassariello.substack.com/

    1h 5m

  8. 08/29/2025

    Let's Talk About TOP HAT (and stuff)

    Is Top Hat a tolerable musical?   |   Books to read and avoid   |   New Job, new Jennifer For a video version of this episode, check out my YouTube channel, Vintage Century Idle Hour. Variety show podcast with reviews of classic movies. Hi there!  I'm Jennifer, and this is my little variety show.  I talk about old movies, tell stories, and cure insomnia.  Commuters, cleaners, crafters, clock-watchers, and multi-taskers, this one's for you!  Let's keep each other company.  Thanks for listening!

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Hi, there.  Jennifer here.  This show is about old movies and stuff.  It's the cure insomniacs have been begging for, and the virtual companion for those who are really bored at work.  Take it from my mom:  "This is incontrovertibly the best podcast the world has ever known." Idle Hour on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@VintageCenturyIdleHour

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Passariello
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vintage Century Idle Hour
  • Show Website
    Vintage Century Idle Hour