Gotham Variety

In this first installment of a two-part episode, host Joe Rubenstein explores the evolution of the C.I.A. plan to invade Cuba and topple Premier Fidel Castro. Link to pt. 2 What You’ll Learn: A 1954 model for the Bay of Pigs invasion [1:43] The increasing friction between the U.S. and Castro [6:16] How Cuba impacted the 1960 presidential campaign [15:31] A fresh look at JFK’s foreign policy approach [21:34] The pressure on JFK to invade Cuba [24:38] Links: Episode Transcript Podcast Website

In this second installment of a 2-part episode, host Joe Rubenstein discusses 3 of Steve McQueen's best films of the ‘60s -- Nevada Smith (1965), The Sand Pebbles (1966), and Bullitt (1968) -- and then ranks his top 10 films overall. Tons of behind-the-scenes trivia and analysis. Link to Pt. 1 What you’ll learn about: Nevada Smith [1:25] The Sand Pebbles [10:06] Bullitt [23:26] McQueen’s top 10 films overall [38:38] Links: Episode Transcript Podcast Website

In this first installment of a two-part episode, host Joe Rubenstein explores the action-packed early life of Steve McQueen and discusses three of his best films of the 1960s: "The Magnificent Seven," "The Great Escape," and "The Cincinnati Kid.” Link to pt. 2 What you’ll learn about: McQueen as first crossover star from TV to movies [0:49] Troubled youth [5:26] Merchant Marine, Marine Corps [12:16] New York [16:28] Marriage, Hollywood [20:45] Wanted: Dead or Alive [23:35] The Magnificent 7 [26:20] The Great Escape [33:01] The Cincinnati Kid [40:27] Links: Episode Transcript Podcast Website

In this final installment of a two-part episode, host Joe Rubenstein tells the story of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann's capture by Israeli operatives in Argentina and the Nazi war criminal's trial, sentence, and execution. Link to pt. 1 What you’ll learn about: The Israeli plan to kidnap Eichmann [2:13] The snatch, holding him prisoner, transporting him to Israel [6:58] Trial, testimony, sentencing [19:15] The 1942 Lidice massacre [27:34] Eichmann’s spiritual counselor [32:17] Execution [33:28] Sixties books, films, and TV shows about WWII & the Holocaust [42:04] Why discussing these things continues to be necessary [46:27] Links: Episode Transcript WWII Documentary “The World at War” “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,” by William Shirer “Night,” by Elie Wiesel Podcast Website

In this first installment of a two-part episode, host Joe Rubenstein explores the life and crimes of Holocaust organizer Adolf Eichmann, his years as a fugitive in Germany and Argentina, and the effort to bring this Nazi war criminal to justice. Link to pt. 2 What you’ll learn about: Eichmann’s early years in the Nazi party [1:03] Two critical junctures that massively accelerated the Holocaust [3:20] Eichmann’s 4-stage genocidal process [7:07] How Eichmann evaded detection in postwar Europe [14:43] Eichmann’s two big mistakes in Argentina [20:40] How Cold War politics affected the Eichmann case [28:11] Background on the Israeli team of operatives tasked with capturing Eichmann [32:30] Links: Episode Transcript Book: “Hunting Eichmann,” by Neil Bascomb Podcast Website

David Pietrusza, author of "1960: LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon: The Epic Campaign that Forged Three Presidencies," joins the show for a discussion of the latter stages of the 1960 race. Link to Part 1 Covered in this Episode: Nixon’s campaign mistakes [8:12] Did JFK's Catholicism hurt or help him? [11:29] JFK’s restricted usage of LBJ [15:51] RFK’s ruthlessness [18:15] Nixon’s psychotherapy [20:52] The African American vote [23:14] JFK’s amphetamine use [27:06] The debates [35:23] Voter fraud? [40:01] Did 1960 lead to Watergate? [42:57] Links: Episode Transcript David Pietrusza’s book Podcast Website

Host Joe Rubenstein explains why 3 Twilight Zone episodes from 1960 are a cut above the rest. Deep analysis, fascinating trivia, and at the end, a few runners-up. Covered in this Episode: Rod Serling’s work before The Twilight Zone [1:43] “A World of Difference,” S1, Ep. 3, aired 3/11/60 [8:00] “The Big Tall Wish,” S1, Ep. 27, aired 4/8/60 [20:35] “Eye of the Beholder,” S2, Ep. 6, aired 11/11/60 [36:41] Other great episodes from 1960 [50:37] Links: Episode Transcript Podcast Website

Sixty years after "Psycho" terrorized moviegoers, Joe Rubenstein takes a deep dive into Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller. What You’ll Learn: Hitchcock’s motivations in making the film [4:12] His brilliant marketing campaign [14:03] All about the shower scene [20:07] Goofs [23:07] Bernard Herrmann’s musical genius [31:42] Insane Oscar snubs [34:49] ‘60s trends set by Psycho [36:47] Links: Book: "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho" Episode Transcript Podcast Website

Dr. Gary Donaldson, author of "The First Modern Campaign: Kennedy, Nixon, and the Election of 1960," joins the show to discuss the early stages of the 1960 Presidential campaign. What You’ll Learn: What the Republican party looked like in 1960 [2:45] Eisenhower’s attitude toward Nixon [5:04] Why the left wing wasn't enthused about JFK [11:58] Why Eleanor Roosevelt opposed JFK [14:32] Why JFK picked Lyndon Johnson as running mate [26:16] About Nixon’s complicated relationship with New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller [29:30] Why Nixon’s choice of running mate may have hurt him [31:53] Links: Episode Transcript Sequel to this episode Gary Donaldson’s book Podcast Website