Stanley adapts the most shocking book of its time, a purported love story between a middle-aged man and a 12 year-old girl named Lolita.  To escape censors, Stanley shoots the movie in England.  But it still ends up stirring plenty of controversy, which propels it to become a major hit.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kirk Douglas offers Stanley a massive paycheck to take over directing a historical epic called Spartacus.  Against his better judgment, Stanley agrees, and gets roped into one of the most difficult productions of his career. Despite the film's success, Stanley regrets his involvement and learns a painful lesson about Hollywood hierarchies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stanley heads to Hollywood to direct The Killing, a crime caper with a famous cast and a confusing storyline.  The film tanks at the box office but attracts the attention of movie star Kirk Douglas, who agrees to star in Stanley's next project.  Stanley decides to adapt the antiwar novel Paths of Glory, which he films in Germany and unexpectedly meets the love of his life.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stanley takes his first crack at filmmaking, starting with shorts and moving up to low-budget independent features.  His family bankrolls his productions and his friends act as cast and crew, but his efforts fail to turn a profit.  As his first marriage begins to crumble, Stanley plays chess for quarters, until a new friend gives him a shot at the big time.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stanley Kubrick grows up rooting for the Yankees, playing drums, and watching World War II newsreels at the local movie theater. At age 13, his father gifts him his first camera, which leads to a prestigious job at a famous magazine... and the opportunity to watch a film being made on the streets of New York.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actor Sterling Hayden details the worst day of his life, which occurred on the set of Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

Stanley, from Turner Classic Movies and Criterion, starts September 24.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Katharina Kubrick recalls life at home with her famous father, where music was a constant presence.

Stanley, the new season of The Plot Thickens, starts September 24.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steven Spielberg tells Ben Mankiewicz about the deal he struck with Stanley Kubrick for information about a famous cut scene from Dr. Strangelove.

Stanley, an eleven-episode limited series, begins September 24.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Mankiewicz received hundreds of voicemails about Cleopatra, and now he's answering them! Well, as many of them as he can. In this special bonus episode, Ben weighs in on the six-hour cut of Cleopatra, what Richard Burton thought of the movie, Judy Garland's love for Joe Mankiewicz... and much more!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re doing our first-ever Q&A bonus episode, and we want your questions! Call 404-885-0013 to leave a voicemail for Ben. You can ask about Cleopatra, Ben's great-uncle Joe Mankiewicz or the stars of the movie. Remember to tell us your first name and where you're calling from. We might use your voice in the episode so keep it clean! And be on the lookout for the Q&A bonus episode next month.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fate of 20th Century Fox hangs in the balance as Cleopatra premieres. Critics and audiences weigh in, Elizabeth and Richard face momentous life decisions, and Joe sinks into a deep depression.  For years to come, Joe and the Mankiewicz family reckon the difficult legacy of Cleopatra.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices