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Episode 177

The Red Shoes

00:49:08

Ep 177 The Red Shoes
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About

It’s Lady Jennifer’s birthday request; and we’re joined by previous guest Dani for “The Red Shoes” (1948). A dazzlingly beautiful film in which we learn that if a prominent figure in the arts ISN’T a plagiarist, they’re a full blown psychopath; that horse drawn shag wagons were commonplace on the continent in the 40s; and that the show must go on, even if the star has got a train on her head. Whilst the genuine terror for Lee is the mere concept of ballet; is “The Red Shoes” really horror? Probably not, but with some phantasmagoric imagery, a basis in a truly horrific fairy tale, and the main character’s disturbing mental breakdown, it certainly visits the ballpark. Watch (or re-watch) to avoid spoilers and join us.

A dancer who relies upon the doubtful comforts of human love can never be a great dancer. Never.
— Boris Lermontov, The Red Shoes

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