“Oh, Shut Up!” with Mark O’Donovan

Dorothy Clicked First

When I was a child in the fourteenth century, I’d watch the trailer above on a perpetual loop.

Sep 22, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

5

1

1

July 2025

Elevating Rita

The Woman Who Would Be President

Jul 29, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

7

June 2025

Wilde Card

“…and remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.”

Jun 28, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

7

May 2025

The Trials of Norma Desmond

The Continued Chronology of Glenn Close’s Failed Attempts to Adapt “Sunset Boulevard” for Film

May 28, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

10

1

Little Miss Sunset

A Timeline of Glenn Close’s Ill-Fated Attempts to Bring Norma Desmond to the Silver Screen

May 14, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

10

3

“I remember the first Met Gala… The theme was ‘The Wheel’.”

It wasn’t always “The First Monday in May”.

May 7, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

10

2

2

Fagsploitation

This week’s article concerns Hollywood’s psycho-biddies: from Joan Crawford to Demi Moore -- and how their late-career struggles mirror our experience…

May 7, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

16

2

3

April 2025

Viv, Larry, and the Great Anglo-American Film War

Or How Laurence Lorded It Over Leigh in a “Truly TARIFF-ic Absolutely True Story”

Apr 12, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

15

7

3

Richard Chamberlain and the Politics of Outing

“Sometimes, the most extraordinary dream…” the tagline for Albert Nobbs went “is to live an ordinary life.”

Apr 2, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

14

7

2

March 2025

I Know Why the Songbird’s Caged

This week’s Substack uncovers the forgotten story of ADRIANA CASELOTTI, whose voice made Disney millions – but whose career was stymied by Walt’s whims.

Mar 27, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

8

1

1

Cottagecore

Or How SIR JOHN GIELGUD Went to the Gents’ and Almost Lost It All

Mar 21, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

8

10

1

Vanessa’s Varicose Veins (1977): For Good

Today’s Substack concludes our two-part dive into DAME VANESSA REDGRAVE whose towering craft and tireless activism often had disastrous consequences.

Mar 4, 2025 • Mark O’Donovan

4

1