Shows
Fetch the Smelling SaltsWolf Hall (Series 1, 2015)This week Kim and Alice have been locked in the cupboard with the Christmas decorations to bring you Tudor drama series, Wolf Hall. We’re talking about Hans Holbein: portrait artist / historical catfisher and Henry VIII never getting to just enjoy a joust. Also kittens!Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-241h 13
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: Tudor Dramas ft. Kirsty WhyteHide your necks, we’re entering our Tudor Era! In this Fainting Couch episode Kim and Alice are joined by Kirsty Whyte for an overview of period drama dynastic darlings, the Tudors. We discuss what’s been done, if there’s anything left to be adapted, and why we can’t get enough of these messy monarchs.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-1045 minFetch the Smelling SaltsThe Law According to Lidia Poët (Series 1, 2023)Ciao a tutti! This week Kim and Alice are discussing the fun, Italian crime drama series, The Law According to Lidia Poët. We’re talking about the real-life multi-lingual lady lawyer, solving crimes with your sibling, and asking how much responsibility filmmakers have when depicting real historical figures?Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-03-2757 min
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: My Policeman (2022 Movie) ft. Christopher Clannachan from Equality NetworkWe have a special episode this week for Podcasthon 2025; Alice speaks to Christopher Clannachan from Equality Network about their incredible work for LGBTI rights and equality in Scotland, and the emotionally devastating 2022 movie, My Policeman.Find out more about Equality Network and how you can help support them at https://www.equality-network.org/support-us/To find out more about Podcasthon, please visit our participant page at https://podcasthon.org/podcaster/fetch-the-smelling-saltsSound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast...2025-03-2056 minFetch the Smelling SaltsMangal Pandey: The Rising (2005 Movie)Join Kim and Alice as we travel back to India circa 1857 courtesy of epic historical legend, Mangal Pandey: The Rising. Back when companies had armies, dogs ate gunpowder and real men sang plot points whilst sitting on elephants.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesMangal Pandey: Film and History; Author(s): Rochona Majumdar and Dipesh Chakrabarty; Source: Economic and Political Weekly , May 12-18, 2007, Vol. 42, No. 19 (May 12-18,2007), pp. 1771-1778Mangal Pandey: Drug-crazed Fanatic Or Canny Revolutionary?; Author: Richard...2025-03-131h 04Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Sound of Music (1965 Movie)It’s time to convene the ‘We Hate Rolf’ club and sexily tear down some flags - this week Kim and Alice are yodelling their way through the Sound of Music. We learn that while Edelweiss might be fake, the Von Trapp family singers were very real.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-02-2746 minFetch the Smelling SaltsThe Woman in White (2018 TV Series)We’re floating about in our nightgowns this week as Kim and Alice discuss the literature and lunacy behind The Woman in White. Everyone in the story might be deeply traumatised, but trust us, the dog is fiiiiine. Also - happy Galentine’s Day; dump your toxic partner.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-02-131h 04
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: Small Things Like These (2024 Movie) - ft. Dr Hugh TurpinSend us a textIn this Fainting Couch special, Alice is off to the cinema with friend of the podcast Hugh Turpin to experience 2024’s saddest Christmas movie: Small Things Like These. We’re discussing national trauma, Ireland’s evolving relationship to the past, and why you should beware the Coal Hole.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-12-1947 minFetch the Smelling SaltsHercule Poirot's Christmas (1994 TV Episode)Send us a textThis week Kim and Alice are (re)watching the ‘délicieux’ Agatha Christie classic: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas. We’re talking about locked-room mysteries, glove snobbery and the haunting wail of a dying pig toy.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-12-051h 03Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Handmaiden (2016 Movie)Send us a textGet your special jingle bells ready because this week Kim and Alice are covering the Korean historical thriller, The Handmaiden. We’re discussing colonial dynamics, erotic furniture and how too much real estate inevitably leads to murder basements.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-11-2158 minFetch the Smelling SaltsBrooklyn (2015 Movie)Send us a textThis week we’re setting sail on a kinda slutty immigrant adventure, with the beautifully understated Brooklyn. Kim and Alice enjoy all the messy drama whilst also uncovering the history of Irish immigration and why you should always go drinking with your priest.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesArticle: National Parks Service 'Post-peak Immigration Years'Article: Irish Times, 'Making Brooklyn in Enniscorthy: 'Saoirse Ronan was lovely. She had a cup of tea in my kitchen'.Article: Irish Am...2024-11-0758 minFetch the Smelling SaltsCrimson Peak (2015 Movie)Send us a textWe’re getting spooky this week as Kim and Alice get increasingly frustrated by gothic horror ‘Crimson Peak’. Whilst the characters are ignoring both the red flags and red ghosts, our hosts discuss gothic literature and Guillermo del Toro’s hatred of faces.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-10-241h 11Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Mummy (1999 Movie)Send us a textThis week we’re joined by Em, host of Verbal Diorama, to discuss quite possibly the perfect movie: the 90s adventure, horror fun-time classic, The Mummy. Em explains how the film came to be (thank-you Babe: Pig in the City) whilst Kim and Alice find out that love makes you do some crazy things, like unhinge your jaw and cover Egyptians in boils.For more fascinating film history, you can find Em at:Verbal Diorama PodcastSound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Ha...2024-10-101h 36Fetch the Smelling SaltsBelle (2013 Movie)Send us a textCome on law boys, grab your wigs and let’s hang as we enjoy the beautiful historical drama, Belle. Alice and Kim discuss what they want from a period drama, and how a glossy romantic story can be the starting point for learning about the worst parts of human history.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesWebsite: All Things GeorgianArticle: Kate Kellaway; 'Amma Asante: "I'm bi-cultural, I walk the division that Belle walked every day", The Observer, 18th...2024-09-261h 07Fetch the Smelling SaltsEl Cid (1961 Movie)Send us a textWe’re back! Season 2 of Fetch the Smelling Salts kicks off in style with historian Clara Chamberlain helping us make sense of dictator-funded epic dude-in-a-desert film, El Cid. We’re talking about the creation of national myths, fist-fights at a funeral and the most insane final 15 minutes of any film, ever. Find more from Clara on:Instagram: @clarabchamberlain Substack: Once Upon a Time, Long AgoSound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...2024-09-121h 20Fetch the Smelling SaltsChariots of Fire (1981 Movie)Send us a textWe’re throwing our heads back, flailing our arms and running off for a summer break, but there’s still time for Kim and Alice to discuss the classic ‘Chariots of Fire’. We have Olympic trivia, separate the fact from fiction and discuss all manner of dongs.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesDocumentary: Dir. Adrian Sibley; 'The Real Chariots of Fire'; ITV (2012)Article: Nathalie Morris; 'The book that inspired Chariots of Fire'; bfi.org; July 2012Article: Rose Staveley-Wadham; 'Explori...2024-07-041h 14Fetch the Smelling SaltsGladiator (2000 Movie)Send us a textPeriod dramas are for dudes too! And this week we have Tan and Keon from the awesome Pastmaster podcast to help us navigate the dudiest dudefest around: Gladiator. We’re thinking about the Roman Empire an exactly normal amount and discussing tickle-snake surprises, extremely extra Emperors and historically-accurate product endorsement.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-06-201h 09
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: Queeriod DramasSend us a textIn this week’s special Fainting Couch episode, Kim and Alice are smooching their undergardeners and celebrating queer representation in TV and cinema. We’re looking at the history, the controversy and depiction of LGBTQ+ people on screen, and demanding more queer joy please!Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesArticle: Jack King; '10 great films about queer history'; BFI.org.uk; February 2021Article: Isabelle Grimshaw; 'A Short History of LGBTQ+ Cinema'; freesat.co.uk; June 2023Documentary: 'Que...2024-06-0642 minFetch the Smelling SaltsDance of the 41 (2020 Movie)Send us a textIt’s Pride season, and Kim and Alice are celebrating by discussing the queeriest 2020 Mexican drama, ‘Dance of the 41’. There’s cigar innuendo, bathtub math and honeymoon-related fainting, as well as the real history of the LGBTQ+ community in 1900s Mexico.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesArticle: Brendan O'Boyle; '"Los 41": The Queer Dance Party That Changed Mexico'; Americas Quarterly, June 2020Article: Thaddeus Morgan; '41 Has a Secret Meaning in Mexico Thanks to a Queer Underground Ball'; History.com; June...2024-05-231h 05Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Remains of the Day (1993 Movie)Send us a textThis week we’re having our hearts broken by a bad case of British butler-itis, as Kim and Alice sob through The Remains of the Day. We’re learning about the politics of the aristocracy, strict servant etiquette and why you shouldn’t learn the facts of life from Anthony Hopkins.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-05-091h 03Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Favourite (2018 Movie)Send us a textMove over Elizabeth and Victoria, there’s a new Queen in town. This week Kim and Alice tackle ‘The Favourite’, the darkly comic / just plain dark Queen Anne biopic. Why aren’t more period dramas set in the Stuart period? Who won the duck race? And where can we hire a naked Tory for our next party?Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSourcesPodcast: Vulgar History; 'Anne, Queen of Great Britain'Article: Wilder Davies; 'The True Story Behind the Favo...2024-04-241h 00Fetch the Smelling SaltsJodhaa Akbar (2008 Movie)Send us a textYou better get to shirtless sword practice because these elephants only respect hot people! This week Kim and Alice are covering Indian epic, Jodhaa Akbar. It’s a historical romance with all the jewellery and political intrigue you can handle, along with Kim’s favourite kind of montage… a montage of LOVE.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-04-1159 minFetch the Smelling SaltsThe Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013 Movie)Send us a textAin’t no party like a cloud moon party; this week Kim and Alice are discussing the gorgeous Japanese animation, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. We reveal our preferred method of baby-making (it’s Bamboo-based), discuss some fierce Heian period fashion and congratulate Mt Fuji on sticking to her New Year’s resolutions.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen HamiltonSources'Sei Shonagon and the Heian Court'; Stuff You Missed in History Class 'Princess Kaguya'; Zusetsu.com'Slow on the draw: Takahat...2024-03-2847 minFetch the Smelling SaltsNorth & South (2004 Miniseries) - ft. Laurel from Hightailing Through HistorySend us a textWe’re jumping on our 1850s waterbed with excitement, as this week Kim and Alice are joined by Laurel from Hightailing Through History to discuss the BBC miniseries, North & South. The industrial North is in her strike era and the men are blaming women for their feelings again, but exactly how many red flags will we ignore if someone’s hot?Check out Hightailing Through History on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen HamiltonSources:Lancashire Texti...2024-03-141h 20Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Woman King (2022 Movie)Send us a textThis week Kim and Alice cover their first African-set period drama - the historical action-adventure, ‘The Woman King’. We discuss the real Agojie tribe, the sheer joy of watching some badass women kick some butts and pledge our undying allegiance to Izogie.Sound Recordist: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-02-291h 07Fetch the Smelling SaltsHysteria (2011 Movie)Send us a textThere are rigid thrombi all round this week, as Kim and Alice discuss the massively unsubtle 2011 movie, Hysteria. We’re talking about the true history of the invention of the vibrator (spoiler: this isn’t it), the ongoing misdiagnosis of women’s health issues and keeping musk oil far away from our intimate areas.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-02-1554 minFetch the Smelling SaltsThe Crucible (1996 Movie) - ft. Kirstyn and Ben from There's Not Always a TwistSend us a textIt’s chicken-blood time girls! While Kim’s off witching it up in another country, Alice is joined by Kirstyn and Ben from There’s Not Always a Twist. In this episode, they’re turning their attention to The Crucible; the witch-trial thriller based on Arthur Miller’s play. We’re talking about hysteria, how the play links to McCarthyism and comparing the film with the Inside No.9 episode, ‘The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge’. Plus Alice’s horrifying theatre camp experience, and Daniel Day-Lewis’ construction skills.Check out There’s Not Always a Twist on Spot...2024-02-011h 16Fetch the Smelling SaltsAmadeus (1984 Movie)Send us a textKnock, knock, it’s definitely not Salieri. This week Kim and Alice are taking a look at Pitch Perfect for the Classical era: Amadeus. Why did the film clean up at the Oscars that year? Where does the line between historical truth and allegory begin? And was Mozart the bad-boy version of Hans Zimmer or a divinely talented little nerd?Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-01-181h 05
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: Disney MoviesSend us a textWe’re back lounging on the fainting couch and discussing Disney’s contribution to the period drama world. Choose your fighter: Encanto, the well-researched and sensitive celebration of culture, or Mulan, a film with a dragon named after an American take-away dish.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2024-01-0440 minFetch the Smelling SaltsNorthanger Abbey (2007 TV Movie)Send us a textWhew! Is it hot in here or are you a clergyman from Gloucester? This week Kim and Alice are barely keeping it together over the 2007 adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel: Northanger Abbey. There’s geeking out over the history of gothic literature and some sincere appreciation for wrist ruffs. What happens in Baaaaath, stays in Baaaaath, people!Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-12-2157 minFetch the Smelling SaltsThe Muppet Christmas Carol (1992 Movie)Send us a textYou already know it’s the best Christmas Carol adaptation, but we’re here with the facts to back it up. This week Kim and Alice cover The Muppet Christmas Carol; objectively Dickens’ favourite version of his classic Victorian novel (probably). We learn about the real political and social forces behind the story, how the film triumphed despite a series of sad events during production and demand Ryan Gosling in a fat suit.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See ac...2023-12-0754 min
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: Lightning Mini - Getting to Know Kim and AliceSend us a textWho's seen a ghost? Who would kill a pheasant in self-defence? Plus smooch/marry/kill: the historical diseases edition. Get to know Kim and Alice in our lightning mini-episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-11-3006 minFetch the Smelling SaltsAnastasia (1997 Movie)Send us a textThis week we’re re-visiting Alice’s youthful bat phase as we cover the animated classic, Anastasia. Russian history is a bummer, but this film is super fun; there’s flirting on a boat, unhinged accent choices and we all find out that sorcerers don’t react well to being fired.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-11-231h 14Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Imitation Game (2014 Movie)Send us a textIn this episode, Kim and Alice are discussing one of the least historically accurate, but most tear-inducing blockbusters: The Imitation Game. We’re discussing dentures, Kim’s love of montages and the real story of Alan Turing - a beautiful human being who sucked at crossword puzzles. This episode is brought to you by all-beef meatballs.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-11-091h 06Fetch the Smelling SaltsBram Stoker's Dracula (1992 Movie)Send us a textKim and Alice interrupt their hamster funerals to bring you Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the campy 90s classic with award-winning rat costumes. We’re redefining ugly crying, discussing the frankly unreasonable number of nipples and Kim sounds off about Vlad the Impaler: the original Asian mum.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-10-261h 06Fetch the Smelling SaltsKingdom (Series 1, 2019)Send us a textIt’s Historical Horror Month at Fetch the Smelling Salts HQ and this week we’re covering the first series of Joseon-era Korean zombie drama - Kingdom. Get ready our little blood ravioli as we eat the rich and explore some hat-based hierarchies.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen Hamilton / Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-10-1257 minFetch the Smelling SaltsPadmaavat (2018 Movie)Send us a textIndian history: it’s full of stuff! And in the case of Padmaavat, it’s full of incredible dance numbers, situationships and history’s hottest battle. Kim and Alice try to sort the historical fact from the fiction, pay tribute to a bisexual icon and provide you with the world’s worst fire-starting advice.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-09-281h 17Fetch the Smelling SaltsGosford Park (2001 Movie)Send us a textDo you enjoy eating tiny spoonfuls of jam in the kitchen of a stately home? Are you unnerved by pheasants being murdered on a frankly alarming scale? Then allow us to introduce you to the under-appreciated, classic, murder-mystery; Gosford Park. Kim and Alice discuss the intricacies of 1930s upstairs / downstairs relationships and the layers of storylines in this precursor to Downtown Abbey.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-09-1449 min
Fetch the Smelling SaltsThe Fainting Couch: What is a Period Drama?Send us a textWelcome, gentle listener, to The Fainting Couch. In this special episode, we take a break from covering a specific drama, and instead elegantly repose whilst we discuss a more general period drama talking point.In this episode, Kim and Alice take it back to basics and ask ‘What is a period drama?’’Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-3152 minFetch the Smelling SaltsEmily (2022 Movie)Send us a textIs it a mop? Is it a broom? No, it’s Weightman in the corner of your room. This week Kim and Alice are continuing to share their love of all things Bronte with the historical fan service movie, Emily. Stop giving letters to your drunk brother and join us as we talk about historical maladies, the truly remarkable Bronte family and basic Branwell tattoos.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith Nagle / Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-1759 minFetch the Smelling SaltsWuthering Heights (1939 Movie)Send us a textIt's an exciting one this week as Kim and Alice cover the drama, the passion, and of course, the harpsichord solos of Wuthering Heights. It might not be our ideal (all sheep) version but it’s a classic for a reason, and that reason is: ruining your relationship expectations for at least a decade.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Helen HamiltonProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-08-031h 09Fetch the Smelling SaltsA League of Their Own (1992 Movie)Send us a textWhat up sportsball fans? This week Kim and Alice are covering alternative WW2 flick, A League of Their Own. We’re off to Chicagoland to learn about wool costumes, real on-set injuries and do some light dunking on Tom Hanks.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-2057 minFetch the Smelling SaltsBlackadder the Third (Series 3, 1987)Send us a textIn this episode, Kim and Alice take a look at everyone’s favourite VHS in the family cabinet: Blackadder the Third. It’s a delightful historical mishmash but one with some interesting tidbits for history nerds. And of course, we cover Hugh Laurie’s controlled sexy flailing, turnip #lifegoals and whether Blackadder exists in the Bridgerton universe.Sound Engineer: Keith NagleEditor: Keith NagleProducer: Helen Hamilton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-07-061h 10