They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To - Movie Nostalgia

On the 24th of December 2016, news outlets around the world reported that Carrie Fisher, movie star and cultural icon had suffered a heart attack on a flight from London to LosAngeles, a few days later on the 27th of December she died. Her mother, the golden age movie star and cultural icon Debbie Reynolds died the next day from a stroke. Reportedly, in the wake of Carrie Fisher's death, she had said 'I want to be with Carrie' who she also named as her best friend. Tonight on they don't make 'em like they used to we dedicate our entire show (format and everything) to two ladies from one family who indelibly left their mark on the world.In this poignant episode of They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To, recorded at St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight, hosts Tosin Ajayi, Sharon Bollen, and Shaun Harris dedicate the entire show to the memory of Hollywood royalty: Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. Following the heartbreaking loss of both mother and daughter just one day apart in December 2016, the team reflects on the indelible mark they left on cinema.Bonafide Classic: Singin’ in the Rain (1952)We begin with the film that launched Debbie Reynolds into stardom. The team discusses her incredible energy, the iconic "Good Morning" sequence, and how she held her own alongside dance legends Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.Hidden Gem: How the West Was Won (1962)Sharon selects this sprawling epic as a showcase for Reynolds' versatility. We explore the film’s unique Cinerama three-camera process and follow Debbie's character, Lilith Prescott, through multiple generations of the American frontier.Carrie Fisher’s Breakout: Shampoo (1975)Moving to Carrie Fisher, we look at her sharp screen debut in this 1970s satire. The hosts discuss how her "fiesty" and "hard-edged" presence was evident even at the age of 20, long before she became a cultural icon in Star Wars.Exception to the Rule: When Harry Met Sally... (1989)To round out the tribute, we look at Fisher’s brilliant supporting role in what Tosin calls the "best romantic comedy ever made". We highlight her scene-stealing performance as Marie and her enduring wit both on and off-screen.Note: Due to licensing restrictions, the iconic musical tracks featured in this episode—including "Good Morning" and the Star Wars theme—have been edited out of this recording.Join us as we celebrate the legacy of two of cinema’s most beloved stars.

Seeing as it was the first one back since Christmas, we decided to talk about Rogue One amongst other movies as we hadn't done that yet... We got side tracked

20 movies in 90 minutes ... and breathe. Welcome to They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To. We decided to give in to the Christmas Spirit and tonight, we're talking FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES on the Podcast. People dropped us a few lines as to what their Favourite Christmas movie was and why. We tried to get through them all (in 90 minutes). Great Christmas celebration.Merry Christmas and welcome to a festive edition of They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To, broadcast from Sunshine Radio at St Mary's Hospital. In this supersized holiday episode, host Tosin Ajayi is joined by resident experts Sharon Bollen and Shaun Harris to explore the films that define the Christmas spirit.The team dives deep into the "rules" of what makes a true Christmas classic—from the essential character arc of redemption to the nostalgic quality of films we grow up watching year after year.The Rom-Com Staple: The Holiday (2006)Tosin highlights this modern favourite, focusing on the lush Hans Zimmer score and the themes of friendship and new beginnings.The Quintessential Classic: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)We explore why Frank Capra’s masterpiece remains the ultimate Christmas film. The team discusses its realistic (and sometimes bleak) portrayal of life’s struggles and George Bailey's heartwarming journey toward gratitude.Musical Joy: White Christmas (1954)Sharon defends this "slice of joy in celluloid," praising its spectacular dance routines, vivid color, and the legendary Bing Crosby.The "Is it a Christmas Movie?" Debate: Die Hard (1988)The hosts tackle the long-standing debate, firmly siding with those who call it a Christmas essential. They break down the film's festive setting, its hidden message of family reconciliation, and Alan Rickman's "pantomime villain" performance.Darker Delights: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) & Gremlins (1984)From the unique stop-motion world of Jack Skellington to the chaotic, dark humor of Mogwais gone wrong, we look at the films that add a touch of the uncanny to the holidays.Please note that while the team discusses the impact of iconic holiday scores—such as the works of Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, and the timeless vocals of Bing Crosby—the full music tracks have been edited out of this podcast version due to licensing restrictions.Join Tosin, Sharon, and Shaun as they unwrap the best of holiday cinema and wish you a very Merry Christmas!

TONIGHT, she is our resident musical expert, she’s our resident romantic movie expert and still manages to have a nifty sideline in boys movies. Tonight she takes us through Hayley Mills finding Jesus in a Barn, Robert Duvall drinking and singing about the American South years before Jeff bridges pulled off the same trick, and Bill Murray waking up, and waking up and yet again waking up in a small town in Pennsylvania. Welcome to the Sharon Bollen takeover of They Don’t make ‘em Like they used to.Welcome back to a very special edition of They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To, broadcast from Sunshine Radio at St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight. After a month-long hiatus while host Tosin Ajayi was busy dodge-rolling away from galloping horses on a film set in Wales, the team returns for a deep dive into cinema history.In this episode, resident musical and romantic movie expert Sharon Bollen takes the reins, curating a selection of films centered on the powerful theme of redemption.Bonafide Classic: Whistle Down the Wind (1961)Directed by Bryan Forbes and starring a young Hayley Mills, this poignant film tells the story of three innocent children who discover a fugitive hiding in their family barn and mistake him for Jesus Christ. We discuss the film’s powerful religious symbolism and its snapshot of rural Lancashire life in the early 60s.Hidden Gem: Tender Mercies (1983)Sharon brings us a 1980s treasure featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Robert Duvall. Duvall plays Max Sledge, a washed-up country singer struggling with alcoholism who finds a second chance at life and love at a remote Texas motel. Fun fact: the team even has a close encounter with the film’s director, Bruce Beresford, at a local film quiz!.Exception to the Rule: Groundhog Day (1993)Breaking our "pre-1980" rule, we explore this modern masterpiece starring Bill Murray. Sharon and Tosin discuss the film’s evolution from cynical comedy to a deep, philosophical journey of self-improvement, and attempt to do the math on just how many decades Phil Connors might have spent trapped in that Pennsylvania time loop.Note: Due to licensing restrictions, the music tracks featured in this episode—including the works of Malcolm Arnold and Robert Duvall’s country vocals—have been edited out of this recording.Join us for a journey of faith, music, and time-loops as we celebrate the classics!

The section of the show where we give the old movies a rest for a bit and focus on films you can watch in the cinemas right now.