Q: So, tell me about MRDEMILLEFM.
A: MRDEMILLEFM is something of a passion of mine. I've always been interested in cinema. It's a great escape from the world of music for me. A few years ago I set up SOUNDTRAXFM, an online streaming site, which has now been replaced by MRDEMILLEFM.Q: How is it different from SOUNDTRAXFM?
A: SOUNDTRAXFM had interviews with people connected with cinema, playing their favourite film music. Also there were other shows that featured music associated with various different film genres. Unfortunately the chances of getting interviews with people are very slim, so I never knew where the next show was coming from. There was no regularity to the postings on the site, and as you must be aware, traffic to a site depends upon regular posts.Q: Yes, that is very important. What else can we expect from the new site?
A: I realized there's a whole history of interesting people involved in cinema, and most of them are dead. So that means no interviews are possible. But it does mean I can spend a whole show looking at someone's career, and the music can come from the films they made.Q: Will there still be interviews and themed shows?
A: Most definitely. On launch day, August 12th.....Q: How old were you at this time?
A: 16.Q: What sort of cinema were you aware of before that moment?
A: I used to sit and watch movies on TV with my parents, mostly musicals and light dramas. Anything serious I was too young to understand, or I wasn't allowed to watch. The first film I was taken to see in a cinema was 'El Cid', which is very mainstream. But rather good, and very enjoyable.Q: Do you think cinema should provide more than just entertainment?
A: Definitely. If you can entertain and make someone think at the same time, you're doing well.Q: What do you think of cinema today?
A: Unfortunately there seems to be an increasing amount of films being made that don't credit the audience with a brain. There's a dumbing down of the content. I go and see films that have high ratings and am constantly being disappointed. So standards are dropping, I think. There's also an increasing reliance on special effects to gets thrills, rather than dramatic content. The standard of screen-writing doesn't seem to be up to it anymore, either. There's very little character development. I'm constantly being told that films like 'Psycho', Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, would have difficulty being made in today's creative climate. Which is depressing.
Q: That's the anniversary of Cecil B. DeMille's birthday, I understand?
A: Quite right. On August 12th, there will be 4 new shows available: one on Hedy Lamarr's career, one on Lee Marvin, one on Ernest Borgnine, and an interview with Sir David Puttnam. The show on Ernest Borgnine is narrated by John Cooper Clarke, who is just as fanatical about film as I am.Q: Are there plans for any other guest narrators?
A: I'm sure it will happen in due course.Q: Has SOUNDTRAXFM closed down?
A: Effectively, yes. But the shows that were available there will be available over a period of time at MRDEMILLEFM, some of them with trailers on a Youtube channel.Q: Tell me something about the origin of your interest in cinema.
A: When I was at secondary school we had to take extra courses that weren't related to our 'A' level subjects. I picked one on Contemporary Cinema, which my Chemistry teacher gave. On his recommendation I went to see 'Viridiana' by Luis Bunuel at the Everyman in Hampstead and it profoundly affected me. I'd never seen a film that stirred my emotions so much. I began going regularly to the Everyman, and discovered Marcel Carne, Jean Renoir, the Italian neo-realist directors, and many others.
Q: You could say 'motivating' as well?
A: Of course. Part of MRDEMILLEFM's purpose is to show interested listeners how good cinema could be, by pointing them to the past, and showing what has been done. Most of today's cinema-going public are totally unaware of the quality of some older films. I even know someone who refuses to watch a film if it's in black and white! Do you realise how many films have been made? In total?Q: No. What's the figure?
A: Only about half a million. Less than I thought.Q: That's a surprisingly low number. Do you think everyone who goes to see a film wants to be made to think?
A: Of course not. They want to be entertained. But without being insulted at the same time.Q: Good luck with MRDEMILLEFM.
A: Thank you.
Programs Archive
Cecil B. DeMille
We celebrate our one year anniversary with a look at Cecil B. De Mille's extraordinary career.Trains In Film
Trains are the ideal vehicle for a good movie. Here we celebrate some of the best.Greta Garbo
The fascinating story behind the ultimate screen legend of all time, Greta Garbo.Amnesiacs in Film
I'll never forget whatshisname- we explore the role of the amnesiac through film history.John Garfield
The story of John Garfield, the first 'method' actor to succeed in HollywoodWellman Westerns
A guide to the ambitious and unusual Westerns made by William Wellman, nicknamed 'Wild Bill'.John Sayles Interview
The veteran American director and acclaimed screenwriter-for-hire talks us through his passion for film and storytelling.Gambling in Film
A selection of outstanding films about the highs and lows of gambling.John Frankenheimer
He left TV to create a successful partnership with Burt Lancaster on the big screenGeorge Sanders
The British actor who charmed Hollywood but became bored with lifeKen Loach Interview
The UK’s most celebrated director talks about his origins, career and role models.San Francisco in Film
Some of the films that have used the city’s unique qualities as a location.Lana Turner
A turbulent life hid a gifted actress remembered for ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’.Fred Armisen Interview
Portlandia’s co-creator reveals his heroes, seeing ‘Jaws’ and Portlandia’s origins.Sam Fuller
The facts about Fuller. The maverick director took on Hollywood and won.Gloria Grahame
The bad girl of film noir was just as bad in real life.Peter Webber Interview
Debuting with Girl with a Pearl Earring Peter Webber talks about his taste in film music.Richard Conte
The career of the ultimate professional Hollywood actor.Steve McQueen
An overview of the phenomenon known as Steve McQueen.John Altman Interview
Celebrated composer John Altman talks about his career in the film score world and Hollywood.The Joan Crawford Story
The fascinating life of the actress who immortalised the line “No metal hangers!”Marlene Dietrich
The magic of Marlene Dietrich.Franc Roddam Interview
Franc Roddam talks about making 'Quadrophenia' with the Who and his subsequent career as a director.Michael Curtiz
The prolific genius of Michael Curtiz.Debbie Harry Interview
The iconic Debbie Harry from Blondie talks about her film career and plays some of her favourite film music.Hugo Haas
Unique noir producer, director, writer and actor.Ida Lupino
The first female Hollywood director.Steve Cochran
The fascinating story of Steve Cochran, Hollywood HellraiserBrian Eno Interview
Brian Eno talks about his favourite film music in this revealing & fascinating interview.The Marx Brothers
The Marx brothers, the whole story of the 20th century comic geniusesSir David Puttnam Interview
Arguably, the most successful British movie producer talks of his lifelong love of cinema, his illustrious career and his inspirations.Lee Marvin
Too bad to be a bad guy, he was 'a wind waiting for a storm'.Ernest Borgnine
The ugliest mug in Hollywood, but a good luck charm nevertheless.Hedy Lamarr
The most beautiful girl in Hollywood, also the inventor of bluetooth.Fairytale Film
Take a journey to the world of Fantasy Soundtracks from The Wizard of Oz to Thumbelina.Spies and Detectives
A collection of music from Bond, Harry Palmer & Maxwell Smart movies through the ages.The Western
From Calamity Jane to The Magnificent Seven, the Western is the theme of this show's music.Green Onions
Get Shorty, Trainspotting, Sexy Beast and Expresso Bongo are some of the films visited in this collection.Boogie Boot Camp
Ennio Morricone, Issac Hayes, Gene Pitney and Glen Miller, amongst others, are featured.Mitchum and More
This week featuring songs by : Robert Mitchum, Blondie, Shirley Bassey and Robert Wagner.