The Walter Paisley Movie House The Walter Paisley Movie House

A Ben Evans Film is a short movie that my son and I worked on back in 2019. We met and became friends with many of the movie's crew and talent, including one of the directors, James Henry Hall, and the star, Sky Elobar. Tody, James and Sky join me to tell me about their work in trying to make a feture length version of the movie happen.
Based on a story by Josh Malerman (Birdbox), A Ben Evans Film follows an obsessed amateur filmmaker determined to fulfill his cinematic vision, even though his two main stars, his own parents, are now dead. Both horrifying and funny, the short movie brings viewers into the world of Ben's madness.
To contribute, reach out to Anthony DiMaria at, anthony@odd-galaxy.com
See the short:
Vimeo
YouTube
Find out more about James here.
Find out more about Sky here.

Today I get to talk to one of my favorite artists and pop culture\sleaze encyclopedia, Mitch O'Connell. From a very early age, Mitch knew he wanted to be an artist, and his love of watching The Ghoul and Svenghoulie became his muse. From the utterly hilarious to the outright bizarre, if it's kitschy or cult, Mitch is likely going to draw it.
He tells me about being a teenager travelling alone to NYC to schlep his portfolio to comic book publishers, magazines, and anywhere else he thought might need art, all while taking time out to avoid the rats in the movie theaters of Time's Square. He tells me about dropping out of art school, because he had begun working professionally, which was way better. We talk Tor Johnson, John Waters, and the spritual joy and comfort we both find in the cheapest of B-movies. He also tells me about his wonderfully infamous Time's Square billboard mocking the then Presidential candidate Trump.
Find out more about Mitch here:
Mitch O'Connell
Etsy
Threadless
Instagram
You can also hit up my friend Elysia at Irvington Vinyl and Books. She can get you a copy of any of Mitch's books, and you'll be supporting one of the last independent book stores in Indiana.

Part two of my chat with the great Michael J Weldon continues as it left off, with me acting like a complete fanboy, because I totally am! Michael tells me about founding the magazine and running a record store in prime era NYC. He tells me about what types of movies are even too tasteless for him, how watching everything being sent to him eventually became wearing, and the joys of Devo. Getting to finally spend time with him was a true delight.
If you don't have the Psychotronic Video Guide, what are you waiting for? Hit up my friend Elysia at Irvington Vinyl and Books and see if she can scrounge up a used copy for you. Support one of the last independent book stores in Indiana.
Find out more about what Michael is up to, check out his store in Augusta, GA here:
Psychotronic Augusta

Psychotronic Magazine founder and all around cool guy, Michael J. Weldon has long been a wishlist guest for me and I finally got him! Michael joins me to talk about seeing The Cramps at a house party in 1978, watching b-horror movies as a kid, opening Psychotronic Video, and being one of the first vendors outside of Seattle to carry movies from Something Weird Video. (Now led by previous podcast guest, Lisa Petrucci.) We talk about the joys of nudie cuties, music, and I learn of the existence of an Orgy of the Dead paperback book. Michael is an encyclopedia of all the things we love and he's happy to share it with us all.
If you don't have the Psychotronic Video Guide, what are you waiting for? Hit up my friend Elysia at Irvington Vinyl and Books and see if she can scrounge up a used copy for you. Support one of the last independent book stores in Indiana.
Find out more about what Michael is up to, check out his store in Augusta, GA here:
Psychotronic Augusta

It's the one and only Brue Vilanch! One of the most prolific and versatile comedy writers of his or any generation joins me to talk about his incredible career that began over five decades ago and is still going strong today. Bruce talks about his youth in Patterson, NJ, the joy of seeing his first Broadway show, writing for some of the most iconic voices of the times, and being the go to person when a joke needs to be punched up. He tells me about meeting Bette Midler, which led to their decades long working relationship and personal friendship. And of course, we talk about The Paul Lynde Halloween Special and the notorious, yet legendary, Star Wars Holiday Special. It was a true treat to get to talk to him and I am thrilled to finally share it with all of you!
Find more about Bruce here:
Bruce!: My Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Essays
If you would prefer to support one of the last truly independent bookstores in Indiana, you can order directly from Irvington Vinyl and Books, or from Bookshop.org which will support the store, as well.
You can also follow Bruce on Facebook.

I am back after a bit of an unplanned hiatus! (Sorry, gang. I started a new job and it has been an adjustment for me.) Today, Steve Stoliar and I continue our conversation picking up with him telling me how he got the job with Groucho. He tells me about his time in the house, his struggles with Erin Flemming, and his joys at meeting legends of old Hollywood. He also tells me about his life after Groucho, his freindships with Dick Cavett and Woody Allen, and his work as a writer and voiceover artist.
Find out more about Steve, and even order an autographed copy of his books here.
If you would prefer to support one of the last truly independent bookstores in Indiana, you can order directly from Irvington Vinyl and Books, or from Bookshop.org which will support the store, as well.