Behind The Bells Podcast

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud to hear!" In anticipation for my next deep dive, Robert looks at his personal favorite Christmas elves in various movies and TV specials. While there are plenty of the traditional ones that live at the North Pole and make toys, some of the choices will branch outside the box. We've got techno-savy elves, spy-elves, space alien elves, scary elves and even one set of non-elves. Its an elfing list galore! Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Music Loops, Jungle Punks, GumRoad and Keys of Moon Facebook Instagram Patreon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*

"Video game. Video game. Didn’t Anyone ask for a bat, a sword, or Molotov cocktails?" A new year means a new season of Behind the Bells. Today we're collaborating with Gerry from the Totally Rad Christmas! podcast to talk about last years suprise Christmas hit, Violent Night.  The two of us podcasters talk about the movie thats part Die Hard, part The Santa Clause, part Bad Santa and even a little bit part The Ref, as Stranger Thing's Dave Harbour as Santa has to fend off theives as run by John Leguizamo and save Christmas. We really liked the movie and have a lot of fun talking about our favorite moments, favorite kills, speculate on who could play Mrs. Claus, and we even spitball our own casting had Violent Night been made in the 80s. Facebook Instagram Patreon Be sure to check out Totally Rad Christmas! as well! Totally Rad Christmas!

Merry Teusday Everyone! On our newest cozy fire chat, we've got our first guest from the North Pole. We have Santa's Poet Amy who took time out of her busy schedule to have some fun with Robert. Sit an enjoy as the two talk about Christmas movies, their favorite portrayls of Santa, and of course, get to know Amy. Check out how she became a poet, how the North Pole became her calling and get challenged by Robert to some creative improv poems based on random Christmas topics.  Behind the Bells Facebook Behind the Bells Instagram Behind the Bells Patreon Santa's Poet Amy Website Santa's Poet Amy Facebook  Santa's Poet Amy Instagram  Santa's Poet Amy Youtube

"I Believe... it's silly but I believe" The holidays are upon us! And what a better way then finish our dive into Miracle on 34th Street. Now it's time to see how Fox managed to get Macys and Gimbels to agree to use their names for the movie. Learn how the movie's filming of the annual Thanksgiving parade would be the first time a lot of people around the world would see it. Also learn how Maureen O'Hara was forced by contract to do Miracle, how Natalie Wood was already a pro actress at age 8 and Edmund Gwen was so perfect for the part that many of the children actors believed he was Santa. We also look into how Fox insisted on a Summer release... and it's strategy would make it a bit hit. Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops.com Facebook Instagram Patreon

"Happy Happy Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Happy Happy Halloween, Silver Shamrock" Happy Halloween... a day late and a Happy Christmas Podcasting Day! Today I'd thought I try something new and currate a different kind of list for some Halloween fun. I decided to look into the past and bring up some new songs for the season. So don't expect your Thrillers, Twilight Zone theme, Monster Mashes or whatever. Today were going from the Halloween series to Scooby Doo to the Muppets and even into the Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. Facebook Instagram Patreon

"Oh, Christmas Isn't Just A Day, It's A Frame Of Mind... And That's What's Been Changing. That's Why I'm Glad I'm Here, Maybe I Can Do Something About It." I'm back! And I've got an episode that demands the answer to the philosophical question; What is Santa Claus? The original Miracle on 34th Street holds up as a classic for a reason and answers this question. Learn as I go into my personal definition of Faith, Talk about the guy who came up with the idea, Valentine Davies, How he achieved his dream as a playwright, and how his college acting buddy, George Seaton went from voicing the Lone Ranger to working with the Marx Brothers and getting his break with "The Song of Bernadette" Facebook Instagram Patreon

Merry Monday everyone! Our next deep dive will cover the classic Miracle on 34th Street from 1947. But before we do, I thought it would be fun to try something new. This is the first cozy fire chat episode in which I'll be discussing the film with fellow podcasters and special guests. We give our thoughts, opinions, favorite, least favorite moments, quotes and whatever comes to mind. It's looser and more free form, though we'll return to our regular format next episode. Consider listening to these other great podcasts (and of course, I  have to thank Gerry, Scott and Matt for taking the time to join me) Totally Rad Christmas! Apple Podcasts Link Totally Rad Christmas Facebook Totally Rad Christmas Instagram Holly Jolly X'Masu Apple Podcasts Link Holly Jolly Xmasu Instagram North Pole Radio Apple Podcasts Link And don't forget to follow our social media pages Facebook Instagram Tik-Tok Patreon

"It reminds me of my mother. It's warm all over" (Yes, that was the most Christmas-line I could get from this episode) From the creators of Rugrats comes one show that pushed the furthest it could go with its dark imagry and groosout gags. Aaahh!! Real Monsters is an okay show with a less then steller Christmas in July Episode. Regardless, let's see how the husband/wife team from Klaskey/Csupo and a Soviet born animator teamed to create a series that blended the style of Yellow Submarine with a film noir. Facebook Instagram Patreon

"When you've got a hit like we have, Patch, the people don't wanna wait a whole year, they're dying for a sequel! A sequel. That's it. We'll bring it out on March 25, and we'll call it... Christmas II!" With the Superman series flatening, the Salkinds decide to produce the first major live action Santa Claus movie. Learn how Dudley Moore would become the star... despite not playing Santa and how his spirits were down once he was seeing what he was making. Also, hear how even with an expensive marketing campaign, this bomb ended the short Hollywood careers of the Salkinds. Facebook Instagram Patreon

"Christmas to me is forgetting their differences and coming together. Singing and laughing, celebrating the spirit of the season... you know, Christmas cheer" Now we're touching upon one of my favortie 90's cartoons! Let's talk about how Rocko's Modern Life perfectly blended animated surrealism and relatable scenarios to make the perfect Nicktoon. Oh and it's Christmas episode is also a nice result.  Learn how Joe Murray, an aspiring animator got into making a Nicktoon and how much of the crew would move on to creating Spongebob, the spirital successor to Rocko.  Facebook Instagram Patreon

"From this day on, now and forever, you will bring all our gifts to all the children in all the world and all this to be done on Christmas Eve" Santa Claus the Movie is what you'd call an 80's cult classic. It's a Christmas movie that most people don't like, but I find it a major guilty pleasure. Learn why I defend this movie, along with going into the history of the Salkind family, which involves Greta Garbo, a Japanese monster movie, the Three Musketeers and how the production of Superman would set in many of the ideas that would be reused on Santa Claus the Movie. Facebook Instagram Patreon

Merry Monday everyone! For our second interview, we have Natalie Bickel, who has published a new children's Christmas book, The Christmas Clue. We go into her personal Christmas history (which is where she was inspired to write her story) and she is also submitted to my infamous Christmas survey. It's much shorter, but just as fun! For more information on Natalie Bickel and her writing, visit her webpage and social media pages, Offical Natalie Bickel Website Natalie's Instagram And don't forget to follow our own social media pages Facebook Instagram Patreon

"Why Ren, don't you know? It's Yaksmas Eve, the shabbiest day of the year!" We've done some safe family shows from Nickelodeon... how about something more edgy? It's time to talk about the insanity that is Ren and Stimpy. We'll be looking into two episodes that were made during... different managements. And yes, we do talk about the controversey with it's creator John Kricfalusi, so just a trigger warning Facebook Instagram Patreon

"You know Tommy? You were right. Santa isn't such a bad guy after all." Continuing into doing some editorial episodes on Nickelodeon Christmas specials, it's time to look at the channels... former number one hit, Rugrats. One was made at the begining of the series and the other towards the end. Oh, and we'll also look at the All Grown Up special because... I'll probably never get another chance to talk about it. Facebook Instagram Patreon

"St Nicholas is not coming this year. Instead, a much darker, ancient spirit. His name is Krampus" It turns out that Michael Dougherty had wanted to do a scary Christmas movie for a while. Let's see how his research in Halloween's Pagen origins lead him to learn more about Krampus Learn about how Krampus shot in the same studios as Lord of the Rings, how they pulled off ALL the scenes in studio and why even competing with Star Wars didn't detract it from being a hit! Facebook Instagram Patreon

"I don't know why they are always trying to remake the classics. Never as good as the originals" Today we've got a special treat! Joining me are Anthony from Tis the Podcast, C.J. from Christmas Conversations and Manny from Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad as we talk about the recent sequel/reboot Home Sweet Home Alone. None of us had much nice to say, so we have some fun as we rant and even talk about other Christmas movies.  Facebook Instagram Patreon  Be sure to check out the other podcasters as well! Tis the Podcast Christmas Conversations Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad

“This is supposed to be a happy time. This isn’t happy” In our first editorial episode, rather then doing a deep dive, we'll be looking into my general thoughts and opinions on whatever I want. Today I'd thought we'd start with a nostalgic classic, Doug. Both the Nickelodeon and the Disney versions had their own Christmas specials, one better then the other. It's not what you'd think. One's a total downer and the other is... certainly better. Facebook Instagram Patreon

Merry Monday everyone! We've got something special for today! We have our first interview with Ed Daly, the author of the recently published ultimate guide on the season, "The Christmas Book". The first part has us talking about how he got the idea to write such a book, the research process and how he sold it. Ed is also the first to be subjected to the Behind the Bells Infamous Christmas Survey. 40 Holiday questions that go from the classic to the modern to the absolute weird of Christmas. It's nearly 2 1/2 hours of Christmas chatter and fun! Facebook Instagram Patreon

"It's Christmas. Nothing Bad is going to happen on Christmas!" Happy Halloween!! Before we go into the movie, learn of Krampus' origin in Alpine Pagan Winter Traditions, how Christmas Cards gave him expansion, how the Austrian political climate may have stoped any further attention and how the Internet may have brought him to the public eye.  Facebook Instagram Patreon

"Rudolph, with your nose so bright, will you guide my sleigh tonight?" We get to the point where Arthur Rankin Jr. and songwriter Johnny Marks meet to discuss turning the classic song into an animated TV special. Time to learn how General Electric paid for the entire budget, which meant the elves were now selling electric blankets and can openers. Learn how the animating team in Japan took a lot of care in their detail to build the 22 sets and characters over the 18 month filming. Also learn how Burl Ives ended up the only actor to earn any residuals from the special. Facebook Instagram Patreon