Shows
Book Vs Movie PodcastBook Vs. Movie: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (1979 song vs 2000 cartoon)Book Vs. Movie: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer (1979 song vs 2000 cartoon)Today, we closing out a frankly garbage year with special guest co-host, Sonia Mansfield of the What a Creep podcast. We discuss the earworm of our youth, which became a Millenial/Gen Z holiday cartoon staple: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer. In this episode, we discuss:The innovative marketing strategy of Elmo and PatsyThe differences between the book and the movie.The many, many plotholes of the movie.Who is the audience for this movie?Follow us on the socials!
2025-12-3152 minBook Vs Movie PodcastBook Vs. Movie: The Mean One (2022) vs How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957)Book Vs. Movie: The Mean One (2022) vs How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957)Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and Steven LaMorte’s “The Mean One”Today, we are joined by special guest co-host, Kelly Espitia of Bookish Explorations with Kelly. We discuss the Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic, which this podcast has covered before, and it’s most recent adaptation in the spoof horror holiday film, “The Mean One”In this episode, we discuss:Dr. Seuss’s classic bookThe differences between the book and the movie.Dangers of spoofing a beloved child’s bookThe clever storytelling tricks that...
2025-12-161h 00Book Vs Movie PodcastSpecial Edition: Graphic Biography of Caravaggio (Ken Mora) vs. Biopic (Jarman)Book Vs. Movie: Caravaggio in Print and on FilmKen Mora’s “Caravaggio: A Light Before Darkness” and Derek Jarman’s “Caravaggio”Today, we are joined by special guest co-host, author Ken Mora. We discuss the colorful, moving life of artist Michelangelo Caravaggio as portrayed in Mora’s graphic biography, “Caravaggio: A Light Before Darkness,” and in Derek Jarman’s 1986 film, “Caravaggio.”In this episode, we discuss:Caravaggio’s tempestuous and short lifeThe differences between the book and the movie.Film debuts of Tilda Swinton and Sean BeanThe process of bringing this story to the page and the advantages of graphic stor...
2025-11-281h 13Book Vs Movie PodcastHowl's Moving Castle (2004) Book Versus Movie PodcastBook Vs. Movie: “How’s Moving Castle” The 1986 Diana Wynne Jones Book Vs the 2004 Studio Ghibli FilmToday we are joined by special guest co-host, Kerala Hubbard of The On Purpose Home. We discuss the many, many differences and important similarities between the 1986 novel, Howl’s Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones, and the groundbreaking Studio Ghibli film adaptation from 2004.In this episode, we discuss:WWII influences on both the author and the filmmakerThe differences between the book and movie.Original voice cast: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro MiwaEnglish language voice cast: Christian Bale, Jean Simmons, Billy Crystal, Emily Mor...
2025-11-141h 16
Book Vs Movie PodcastLemony SnicketBook Vs. Movie: “A Series of Unfortunate Events” The 1999 Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) Book Vs the 2004 Jim Carrey FilmToday we are joined by special guest co-host, Andrea Engstrom of Lil Habit. We dip our toes into the Edward Gorey-esque world of the Baudelaire orphans to continue our long-standing tradition of covering Halloween-y books and movies. In this episode, we discuss:Who is Lemony Snicket? And why?The differences between the book and movie.The cast includes: Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Liam Aiken, Emily Browning, Timothy Spall, Catherine O’Hara, Meryl Streep, and Kara and Shelby Hoffman as Sunny, the bite...
2025-11-0154 minBook Vs Movie Podcast“He’s Just Not That Into You” The 2004 Liz Tuccillo & Greg Behrendt Book Vs the 2009 Jennifer Aniston FilmBook Vs. Movie: “He’s Just Not That Into You” The 2004 Liz Tuccillo & Greg Behrendt Book Vs the 2009 Jennifer Aniston FilmPicture it: the Sex and the City writer’s room. Writers Liz Tuccillo & Greg Behrendt overhear a female coworker asking for relationship advice (at work, but that’s another issue for another time) about guy she’s been seeing. After hearing a litany of red flags, Behrendt pipes up with, “He’s just not that into you.” And thus was born an empire. It’s the quip that became an episode on a hit HBO show that became a bestselling, Oprah-f...
2025-10-171h 03
Book Vs Movie PodcastSaturday Night Fever (A Complete History): John Travolta, Nik Cohn, John Badham, & Robert StigwoodBook Vs. Movie: “Saturday Night Fever”Margo D’s Book About the Classic Film!This episode is special because we're releasing it on the same day Margo P is having her birthday and Margo D is celebrating the upcoming release of Fever: The Complete History of Saturday Night Fever! The book is a celebration of the movie that made the world want to dance and turned a TV “Sweathog” into a movie star. In this episode, the Margos discuss:New York magazine writer Nik Cohn and how he and R...
2025-07-281h 21
Book Vs Movie PodcastGoldfinger (1964) Ian Fleming, Sean Connery, Gert Frobe & Honor BlackmanBook Vs. Movie: “Goldfinger” The 1959 Ian Fleming Novel Vs the 1964 Sean Connery FilmIan Fleming’s Goldfinger (1959) and its 1964 film adaptation featuring Sean Connery present one of James Bond’s most iconic villains, but in very different styles. The novel is a gritty Cold War spy thriller, showcasing a vulnerable Bond who relies on his wits rather than gadgets. Goldfinger’s scheme centers on a traditional gold heist from Fort Knox, with Pussy Galore leading a lesbian criminal gang, creating a darker tone. In contrast, the film, directed by Guy Hamilton, turns the st...
2025-07-211h 09
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Girl Can't Help It (1956) Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, & Little Richard!Book Vs. Movie: “The Girl Can’t Help It” The Garson Kanin Play Vs. the Jayne Mansfield MovieThe 1956 Technicolor film The Girl Can’t Help It is often remembered for Jayne Mansfield’s curves and Little Richard’s title song, but it originated from Garson Kanin's short story Do Re Mi. This satirical piece critiques the music industry and the manufactured nature of fame, suggesting that anyone can become a star with enough money and manipulation. Directed by Frank Tashlin, the film follows a down-on-his-luck music manager (Tom Ewell) hired by a mobster...
2025-07-1356 min
Book Vs Movie PodcastAlice's Restaurant (1969) Arlo Guthrie, Arthur Penn, Pat Quinn, & James BroderickBook Vs. Movie: “Alice’s Restaurant” Arlo Guthrie’s 1967 18-minute Song Vs the 1969 MovieArlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” is an 18-minute satirical folk monologue and song that became an anthem for the 1960s counterculture. Officially titled “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” it was released in 1967 on his debut album. The piece tells a true, albeit embellished, story from Thanksgiving 1965 about a littering arrest that prevented Guthrie from being drafted into the Vietnam War. Blending comedy and protest, the song critiques authority and the military draft system, recounting how disposing of garbage with a friend led...
2025-07-011h 10
Book Vs Movie Podcast"Pride and Prejudice" & 2022's "Fire Island" Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Margaret Cho & Jane AustenBook Vs. Movie: For Pride Month1813’s “Pride and Prejudice” Vs. 2022's "Fire Island"June is Pride Month worldwide, and the Margos are excited to celebrate with some of the best LGBTQIA-centric books and movies. One highlight is the 2022 film *Fire Island*, directed by Andrew Ahn and written by Joel Kim Booster. This clever and heartfelt adaptation reimagines Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice*. Set during a weeklong summer vacation on the iconic queer retreat of Fire Island, the story follows a close-knit group of gay friends as they navigat...
2025-06-221h 23
Book Vs Movie Podcast"Breakfast with Scot" (2007) Michael Downing, Tom Cavanagh, Ben Shenkman, & Noah BernettBook Vs. Movie: Breakfast with ScotThe 1999 Novel Vs the 2007 MovieMichael Downing’s 1999 novel Breakfast with Scot and the 2007 film adaptation of the same name both follow the story of a gay couple who unexpectedly become the guardians of a precocious and flamboyant eleven-year-old boy named Scot. But while they share a common setup, the tone, themes, and emotional arcs of the two versions diverge significantly, offering very different takes on gender identity, gay masculinity, and parenting.Between the original novel and the film, which did...
2025-06-151h 08
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Mirror Crack'd (1980) Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, Angela Lansbury, Elizabeth Taylor & Rock HudsonBook Vs. Movie: The Mirror Crack’dThe 1962 Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 1980 MovieWhen Agatha Christie published The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side in 1962, it was a haunting tale of guilt, glamour, and murder set in the seemingly quiet village of St. Mary Mead. Nearly two decades later, Hollywood brought the story to life with an all-star cast in the 1980 film adaptation simply titled The Mirror Crack’d. Heather Badcock at a charity fête hosted by the famous film actress Marina Gregg. The drink was meant for...
2025-06-011h 27
Book Vs Movie Podcast"See How They Run" (2002) Agatha Christie, "The Mousetrap", Sam Rockwell & Saoirse RonanBook Vs. Movie: See How They RunThe 1947 Agatha Christie Play (Three Blind Mice) Vs the 2022 Sam Rockwell FilmAgatha Christie’s radio play Three Blind Mice was introduced in 1947 and was the basis for 1952’s The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in theater history. See How They Run (2022) is a clever, stylish murder mystery set in 1950s London. It blends classic whodunit tropes with a witty, self-referential twist. Directed by Tom George, the film follows world-weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) and eager rookie Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) as they investigate the backs...
2025-05-251h 21
Book Vs Movie PodcastHarper Valley PTA (1978) Barbara Eden, Ronny Cox, Nanette Fabray, Tom T. Hall & Jeannie C. RileyBook Vs Movie: “Harper Valley PTA"The 1968 Song Vs the 1978 Movie (really!)(It's one of our favorite episodes from the past!) The song was written by Tom T. Hall and performed by country singer Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. The story about a “widowed bride” who is slut-shamed by her daughter’s junior high school PTA (Parents Teachers Advisory) and gives a takedown at a meeting that is spectacular in its shade and incisiveness was one of the first feminist anthems and managed to become a number one hit in the U.S. on both the...
2025-05-1955 min
Book Vs Movie PodcastDeath on the Nile (2022) Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, and Agatha ChristieBook Vs. Movie: Death on the NileThe 1937 Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 2022 Kenneth Branagh film. Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile has long been a fan favorite, combining romance, betrayal, and murder aboard a glamorous steamer cruising the Nile River. In 2022, director Kenneth Branagh brought the classic mystery back to the big screen with an all-star cast and a modern flair. But how faithful is this adaptation to the original 1937 novel?Branagh (who returns as Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot) updates the cast of characters from the source material and discusses the r...
2025-05-111h 21
Book Vs Movie PodcastAgatha Christie's "Evil Under the Sun" (1981) Maggie Smith, Peter Ustinov, Diana Rigg & Roddy McDowallBook Vs. Movie: Evil Under the SunThe Agatha Christie Novel Vs the 1982 FilmAgatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun (1941) is a masterclass in misdirection and suspense. The 1982 film adaptation, directed by Guy Hamilton and featuring Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, transforms the story into a glamorous whodunit set in a sun-soaked Mediterranean locale. Both versions center around the murder of actress Arlena Stuart at a resort, with Poirot reluctantly drawn into the investigation, uncovering secrets among the guests, each with a motive. While the book is set on a secluded Devo...
2025-05-041h 16
Book Vs Movie PodcastEscape to Witch Mountain (1975) Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Ray Milland, Eddie Albert, & Alexander H. KeyBook Vs. Movie: Escape to Witch MountainThe 1968 Children’s Sci-Fi Novel Vs the 1975 Disney ClassicIf you grew up watching Disney movies or browsing old-school sci-fi paperbacks, chances are Escape to Witch Mountain is somewhere in your memory. But did you know the 1975 Disney movie is very different from the 1968 novel it’s based on? Let’s take a look at how Alexander Key’s book compares to its big-screen adaptation. Alexander Key’s Escape to Witch Mountain is a surprisingly serious story for a children's book. It follows orphaned siblings To...
2025-04-281h 05
Book Vs Movie Podcast10 Things I Hate About You (1999) William Shakespeare, Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, & Letters to Cleo!Book Vs. Movie: 10 Things I Hate About YouThe Taming of the Shrew & the 1999 Heath Ledger Film10 Things I Hate About You (1999) is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, reimagining the story in a high school setting. In both works, the plot revolves around two sisters—one desirable and another perceived as problematic. In The Taming of the Shrew, the younger, more attractive Bianca cannot marry until her older, strong-willed sister, Katherina, finds a husband. Similarly, in 10 Things I Hate About You, Bianca Stratford can only...
2025-04-141h 06
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Asphalt Jungle (1950) WR Burnett, John Huston, Sterling Hayden, James Whitmore, & Marilyn MonroeBook Vs. Movie: The Asphalt JungleThe W.R. Burnett Novel & the 1950 John Huston FilmW.R. Burnett’s 1949 novel The Asphalt Jungle is a compelling crime story that explores the minds, motivations, and downfalls of professional criminals. Set in a Midwestern city, it offers a multi-perspective narrative that vividly portrays the underworld. John Huston’s 1950 film adaptation remains faithful to the book while enhancing the story with striking cinematography and strong performances. However, it shifts the setting to an unnamed urban landscape and introduces Marilyn Monroe's expanded role as a corrupt lawyer's mistr...
2025-03-311h 34
Book Vs Movie PodcastMamma Mia (2008) ABBA, Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Amanda Seyfried, & Julie WaltersBook Vs. Movie: Mamma MiaABBA Gold Vs. Mamma Mia “Musicals in March!”Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical that features the songs of ABBA, the Swedish pop group composed of Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Fältskog, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The musical was created by British playwright Catherine Johnson, with music by Andersson and Ulvaeus, and premiered in London's West End in 1999. The show was a massive success, leading to multiple international productions, including a Broadway run from 2001 to 2015.Set on a fic...
2025-03-241h 28
Book Vs Movie PodcastBilly Elliot (2000) Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, & the 2014 Musical Elton John & Lee HallBook Vs. Movie: Billy Elliot The 2000 Film Vs the 2014 Musical Live“Musicals in March!”The Margos continue “Musicals in March” with the film & stage show of Billy Elliot. Both tell the inspiring story of a working-class boy in 1980s northern England who discovers a passion for ballet during the UK miners' strike, but they differ in tone and presentation.The film, directed by Stephen Daldry and written by Lee Hall (based on his play Dancer), is a gritty drama starring Jamie Bell, featuring a rock and p...
2025-03-171h 30
Book Vs Movie PodcastGypsy (1962) Gypsy Rose Lee, June Havoc, Ethel Merman, Natalie Wood, & Rosalind RussellBook Vs. Movie: GypsyThe 1957 Memoir Vs. the 1962 Movie“Musicals in March!”The Margos celebrate another “Musicals in March” episode with Gypsy. Gypsy Rose Lee’s 1957 memoir tells her real-life story of growing up in vaudeville and burlesque under the domineering influence of her mother, Rose Hovick. It paints a detailed picture of her childhood alongside her more naturally talented younger sister, June (later June Havoc), and how Gypsy (born Louise Hovick) eventually became the most famous burlesque performer of her time. The book is witty and self-deprec...
2025-03-101h 41
Book Vs Movie PodcastWicked (2024) Gregory Maguire, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, & Michelle YeohBook Vs. Movie: WickedThe 2004 Musical Vs. the 2024 Movie"Musicals in March"The "Wicked" movie is based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West; the book (for the play) was written by Winnie Holzman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The show had its initial tryout in San Francisco in 2003 before moving to Broadway, where it has enjoyed a successful two-decade run despite receiving mixed reviews.This success is primarily attributed to it...
2025-03-031h 24
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Piano Lesson (2024) August Wilson, Denzel Washington, Malcolm Washington, & John David WashingtonBook Vs. Movie: The Piano LessonThe 1987 August Wilson Play Vs. the 2024 Netflix AdaptationAugust Wilson's *The Piano Lesson*, first staged in 1987 and winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, centers on siblings Berniece and Boy Willie as they clash over a family heirloom—the intricately carved piano symbolizing their ancestors' struggles. Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, the play explores themes of heritage, trauma, and the tension between honoring the past and moving forward. The 2024 film adaptation, directed by Malcolm Washington and produced by Denzel Washington, stars John David Washington as Boy...
2025-02-241h 25
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Hate U Give (2018) Angie Thomas, Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Sabrina Carpenter, & Anthony MackieBook Vs. Movie: The Hate U GiveThe 2017 Book by Angie Thomas & the 2018 FilmThe Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas and adapted into a 2018 film directed by George Tillman Jr., presents a powerful narrative about race, identity, and activism. While the book and the movie follow the same core story—Starr Carter witnessing the police shooting of her childhood friend Khalil and navigating the aftermath—they differ in several ways. The Margos take a look at both in this episode. Which did we prefer—the book or the mo...
2025-02-171h 28
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Warriors (1979) with special guest Baseball Fury Rob RyderBook Vs. Movie: The WarriorsSpecial Interview With Screenwriter & Author Rob RyderPlus, a Replay of our 2020 ep! The Margos revisit a special episode dedicated to the cult classic film *The Warriors*, based on Sol Yurick's book. Directed by Walter Hill and released in 1979, the movie was a hit but faced backlash due to real-life gang violence, leading studios to halt its promotion. It became a staple of 1980s television and is now considered a modern classic for its comic book sensibility in depicting urban decay. Yurick wrote...
2025-02-031h 36
Book Vs Movie Podcast"Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1985) Cyndi Lauper, Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Hunt & Robert Hazard!Book Vs. Movie: Girls Just Want to Have FunThe Cyndi Lauper Hit Vs. the Sarah Jessica Parker MovieThe 1985 film *Girls Just Want to Have Fun* is a beloved teen dance comedy inspired by Cyndi Lauper’s iconic song. The story follows Janey Glenn (Sarah Jessica Parker), a dance-loving teen who moves to Chicago with her strict military father. Encouraged by her quirky friend Lynne (Helen Hunt), Janey auditions for the TV show *Dance TV* and teams up with working-class Jeff Malene (Lee Montgomery) to pursue their dance dreams, facing rivals and ro...
2025-01-271h 18
Book Vs Movie Podcast"Meet John Doe" (1941) Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Frank Capra & Richard ConnellBook Vs. Movie: Meet John DoeThe 1922 Short Story Vs. the 1941 FilmFrank Capra’s 1941 film *Meet John Doe* is often described as “based on a story by Richard Connell and Robert Presnell.” Unlike Connell’s famous short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” the source material for *Meet John Doe* was based on a short story, “A Reputation,” which appeared in 1922 in Century Magazine. The original work and the final film critique how newspapers—and media moguls—shape public sentiment for their own purposes. Starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, the film was a significant box offi...
2025-01-201h 19
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Odd Couple (1968) Neil Simon, Walter Matthau, and Jack LemonBook Vs. Movie: The Odd CoupleThe 1965 Play Vs. the 1968 FilmThe Margos are feeling very neighborly in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, which began as a stage play, premiering on Broadway in 1965, and it quickly became one of Simon’s most famous works. The 1968 film adaptation, directed by Gene Saks and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, brought the story to an even wider audience. Which did the Margos prefer? Listen to find out!In this ep, the Margos discuss:The 1965 play by Neil SimonThe diff...
2025-01-1351 min
Book Vs Movie Podcast84 Charing Cross Road (1987) Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, & Helene HanffBook Vs. Movie: 84 Charing Cross RoadThe 1970 Book Vs. the 1987 Film"84, Charing Cross Road" began as a slim epistolary book by American author Helene Hanff, first published in 1970. The book documents a warm, real-life correspondence between Hanff, an avid reader in New York City, and the antiquarian bookshop Marks & Co. staff at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. It was later adapted into a film in 1987, directed by David Hugh Jones and starring Anne Bancroft as Helene Hanff and Anthony Hopkins as Frank Doel, her primary correspondent at the bookshop. Which did the Margos...
2025-01-011h 03
Book Vs Movie PodcastScrooged (1988) Charles Dickens, Bill Murray, Bobcat Goldthwait, & the Solid Gold Dancers!Book Vs. Movie: ScroogedThe Charles Dickens Classic Vs. the 1988 FilmAfter ten years of producing special holiday episodes in December, the Margos discovered that there are numerous versions of Charles Dickens's *A Christmas Carol*. Everyone from the Fonz to Susan Lucci to Sir Patrick Stewart has portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in some adaptation. So, why not select one version each season to explore and celebrate? This week, we're focusing on the 1988 film *Scrooged*, featuring Bill Murray and Robert Donner. This version is a complex classic, notable for its high levels o...
2024-12-231h 40
Book Vs Movie PodcastThe Lion in Winter (1968) Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole, Anthony Hopkins & Timothy DaltonBook Vs. Movie: The Lion in WinterThe 1966 Play Vs. the 1968 FilmFew stories transcend mediums as powerfully as James Goldman’s *The Lion in Winter*. Whether presented on stage or on screen, this tale of royal power struggles and familial manipulation in 12th-century England captivates audiences with its sharp dialogue, rich character dynamics, and timeless themes. But how do the 1966 play and its 1968 film adaptation compare? Let’s explore the similarities and differences between these two iconic versions.Which did the Margos prefer? Listen to find out!
2024-12-161h 23
Book Vs Movie PodcastEmmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (1977) Jim Henson, Paul Williams, Frank Oz, & Russell HobanBook Vs. Movie: Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas 1971 Children’s Book Vs. the 1977 TV SpecialLast year, the Margos adapted O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi," so it felt appropriate to revisit the themes of selflessness and family during the holidays by exploring Russell Hoban's "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas." This 1971 book inspired the beloved Jim Henson-directed TV special from 1977, which has become a classic for generations. So, between the book and the film, which did the Margos prefer? Listen to find out! In this ep, the Ma...
2024-12-091h 02