This week, I have a special treat, inspired by my house guest, Elliott the cat. Elliott has been with me for ten days, so in honor of his short stay, I am going to talk about The Long Goodbye starring Elliott Gould and his orange cat. The book on which it is based was first published in 1953 and was the 6th in Raymond Chandler's detective series featuring Philip Marlowe. It was adapted for the screen in 1973 by famed female fiction and screenwriter Leigh Brackett, whose credits also include the 1946 film noir The Big Sleep. Directed by Robert Altman and with cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond, whose work is credited with crafting the look of the 1970s in film. The Long Goodbye was the height of Neo-noir and part of what I consider to be one of the best periods in American film. It is also a quintessentially Los Angeles story, primarily filmed in the city at landmark locations with symbolism aligned with the very heart of this town.

In this episode, I discuss Rebecca. The beloved book written by Daphne Du Maurier was adapted for the screen in 1940 by Hitchcock and features former Heathcliff actor, fresh from the moors of Wuthering Heights the year before, Lawrence Olivier. He plays Maximillion De Winter, the widowed gentleman of the manor, Manderley. His young, and I mean young, bride is the no-name narrator of the story—Played by Joan Fontaine. The most brilliant of all the characters, except for Manderly itself, which takes on a Howards End level of lore throughout the story, is Rebecca. The remnants of her ghost are what keep the mystery of love alive in the brick and mortar alter that the living cohabitate in.

Special thanks to @classicjohnny

In this episode of Window Dressing’s Gothic Romance series, I talk about the 1945 adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey, published in 1890. The story is as classic as a fairy tale or fable. The film features Angela Lansbury in her second film role, following her debut in the topic of the last episode in this series, Gaslight. She plays Sybil Vain in Dorian Gray—a kind of snow white type minus the aid of woodland creatures. She is remarkable in this movie and becomes the most memorable part of the film, except for the special effects that use color in an otherwise black-and-white film to depict the horrific changes to Dorian Gray’s soul. Donna Reed plays Gladys Hallard, another Snow White type, but of the more advantaged variety, one with the grace of a family name and the incorruptible innocence afforded to societally valued women. The fewer options a woman has, the more likely she is to choose survival over socially decreed morality. She is also more susceptible to becoming prey for the sport of those more optioned gentlemen who come a calling.

Welcome to Window Dressings: Halloween bonus episode!!!! This year, I am talking about the classic teen-softcore horror film Urban Legend. The film has an ensemble cast that includes Tara Reid, Joshua Jackson, Rebecca Gayheart, and everyone's favorite hot bad boy turned alleged sexual predator, Jared Leto. It’s in the same vein as I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, which have both been Halloween special episodes from years past. The most significant difference is that the killer matters way more in this film than it did in the I Know What You Did Franchise, and there is a redhead in this one. It's also worth noting that the writer, Silvia Horta, also wrote Ugly Betty, which I know hits for the mid-twenties to late twenty-something crowd. Mary Claire Hannan designs the costumes.

In this bonus episode of Window Dressing, Frank Calvillo (from the fabulous podcast What Ever Happened to Bette and Joan) and I discuss the late Diane Keaton. We focus on two music videos she directed for Belinda Carlisle in the late 1980s: Heaven Is a Place on Earth and I Get Weak.

In this episode of my Gothic Romance series, I talk about the 1944 film Gaslight. The film is the origin of the now common use phrase that describes a type of psychological abuse typical in coercive control. I present my film critique as an alternative to the DSM- 5's definition.

Opening Window Dressing's short Gothic Romance series is the 1939 film adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1947 novel Wuthering Heights. Merle Oberon Plays Cathy, and Lawrence Olivier plays Heathcliff. Cathy and Heathcliff were raised like siblings, but developed a love of a more affecting type than familial; it was fated. Cruelty and care color their hearts and the very atmosphere of the moors that Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights are situated upon. They meet in the middle at their private castle, Penistone Crag, where their oddly equalizing and tragic romance takes shape.

As Kathryn, the Marquise de Merteuil, Sarah Michelle Gellar brings new life to the role originally inked in the 1782 source material, Dangerous Liaisons. I am desperate to talk about her character's oh so sophisticated mustard and black corset and cocaine cross necklace— a look that inspired a generation of bad girls. Join me for the first of at least two 18th-century novel-inspired episodes coming to Window Dressing

Fiona Apple's participation in and commentary on her role as an object of desire hit me like lightning when I first saw her video for Criminal. She further informed my conception of what it is to be a woman with her 1999 video for Limp. In this ending episode of my MTV Summer Series, I investigate the double-edged sword of female sexuality.

In the third episode of my MTV Summer Series, I discuss Alicia Silverstone and her role in Aerosmith’s 1993 music Video for Cryin', and their 1994 video for Crazy. She was 16 and ripe to become the exploitable sex pot of a new generation. But, she became a female icon for a generation of young women and girls instead.

As part of Window Dressing’s MTV Summer Series, famed musician and friend David Pajo and I chat about Guns N’ Roses. My audio is not great, so apologies in advance. This is a conversation NOT an interview.

Special thanks to David for doing this with me.

This week’s episode is about Guns N' Roses and the woman who inspired a trilogy of music videos from the band's 1990 double album Use Your Illusion. Erin Everly was Axl’s girlfriend, muse, and eventual wife, then ex-wife. She is half forgotten, or at least conflated with the woman who played her in these videos, Stephanie Seymour. But Erin is a goddess in her own right, and her magic lit up my imagination when I first laid eyes on the rock epic mini movie that she co-created just by existing.

Shelly Johnson's episode, Played By Madchen Amick, marks my last episode in Window Dressing's Twin Peak's mini-season: Women Of The Woods. I began this series with Norma Jennings, played by Peggy Lipton. It seems apt that I end with the woman she has worked hard to support in an act of care that she did not receive from her mother.

This week on Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini season: The Women of the Woods, I talk about Sherilyn Fenn’s character Audrey Horne. Audrey’s transformation from high schooler in red hot high heels to fully formed adult in a powder pink sweater isn't just the trajectory of Audrey, it also defines the trajectory of the show.

I would like to recommend a new podcast by critic and podcaster Frank Calvillo. What Ever Happened to Bette and Joan looks at the later careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford following the success of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, exploring the variety of projects they took on and the committed performances the two legends gave. From Strait-Jacket to The Nanny, Trog to Wicked Stepmother, join Frank as he traces What Ever Happened to Bette & Joan? Available on Spotify and on Apple Podcasts as part of the One of Us network.

This installment of Women In The Woods: Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini season is all about Laura...and her identical twin cousin Madeline.

Norma Jennings is the first portrait in Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini-season: Women Of The Woods. Played by the ultimate 1960s blonde beauty, Peggy Lipton. Norma is the heart of Twin Peaks and the victim of one of the most heartbreaking and ill-fated love affairs in TV history. But it's her relationship with Shelly Johnson that defines her deep capacity for love and underlines her strength and beauty.

I am pleased to announce season 4 of Window Dressing—A Twin Peaks Mini Season: Women of The Woods. David Lynch’s death affected me deeply, and I think it's time I explored the influential pop culture that was Twin Peaks. My approach will be slightly different from others, but it will be right on brand for me. I plan to devote individual episodes to the women of Twin Peaks who touched me. I begin with an overview of the series.

Rapper Iggy Azalea helped define the culture of the 2010s with her decadent figure, blonde hair, and Alicia Silverstone-inspired version of the American Dream.  This week, I get into the joy of her pop culture reference heavy music videos and the controversies and sex positivity that canonized her in the popular imagination.

As promised, here is the Instagram account I reference in the episode for coining the phrase “Iggy is the Lana Del Rey of rap.”  @iluvlindsaylohan

This week I bring you a a casual chat with my friend Ani Danielian about our mutual love of Anora. This episode is dedicated to Ani and the Oscars hopeful Mickey Madison. Thank you @ani.danielian (on Instagram)