Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. Our third episode brings back the old Question Man format from the San Francisco Chronicle, now called "The Question," asking passersby on a North Beach street corner whether they've heard of Beach Blanket Babylon. From there, Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak leads a discussion about the future of live theater in S.F.

Co-produced by Peter Hartlaub, Lily Janiak and Annie Vainshtein.

Music courtesy Beach Blanket Babylon.

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Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. In the second episode of our Babylon Gone series, we find the longest-tenured employees at Babylon and hear their best stories, including "The show must go on" moments, celebrity guests (Sidney Poitier FTW) and the emotions in the building as the show comes to an end.

Co-produced by Peter Hartlaub, Lily Janiak and Annie Vainshtein.

Music courtesy Beach Blanket Babylon, plus "Shades of Spring" by Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com. Licensed under Creative Commons),

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Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. The first episode of our Babylon Gone series profiles Tim Santry, the show's longtime wigmaster. Santry grew up the son of farmers and, like many in Babylon, found a home in the quirky San Francisco musical review.

Co-produced by Peter Hartlaub, Lily Janiak and Annie Vainshtein.

Music courtesy Beach Blanket Babylon, "Shades of Spring" by Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com. Licensed under Creative Commons), "Searching for the Missing Piece" by Sir Cubworth and bell ringing by Byron Cobb.

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The Datebook podcast returns for Season 2 with Babylon Gone, a three-part series looking into the end of Beach Blanket Babylon and the future of live theater in San Francisco. Produced by Peter Hartlaub, Annie Vainshtein and Lily Janiak.

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Episode 70 of the Datebook Podcast is Movies with Mick LaSalle, breaking down new films 'The Irishman," 'Ford v Ferrari,' 'The Report' and more. San Francisco Chronicle movie critic LaSalle applauds co-host Leba Hertz for being able to figure out twists in movies with the barest information. (Even as she sort-of spoils "The Good Liar." And the critics get a visit from superfan Juzo Greenwood.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is 'Midnight Special' by E's Jammy Jams.

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Theater critic Lily Janiak talks with Daniel Rudman, who was an up-and-coming local playwright in the 1980s  until a construction accident left him bedridden for the next three decades. Now, thanks to a medical miracle, he’s semi-mobile again — and he’s back into playwriting.

Produced by Lily Janiak. Music by Steven Boyle.

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In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, Chronicle movie critic LaSalle and ex-editor Leba Hertz talk about Eddie Murphy, "Dolemite is My Name," "Roy Cohn," "Jojo Rabbit" and other new movies.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams.

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Episode 67 of Datebook podcast is a conversation between Arts and Entertainment columnist Tony Bravo and filmmaker Marc Huestis. The director of "Whatever Happened to Susan Jane," known for his raucous live shows at Castro Theatre, earlier this year published "The Impresario of Castro Street: An Intimate Showbiz Memoir."

Bravo and Huestis talk about some career highlights, dish on a few stars and share other memories.

Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams

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Episode 66 of Datebook podcast is an interview with Robert Pattinson. Chronicle A&E reporter Tony Bravo spoke with Pattinson at the Mill Valley Film Festival. They talk about his role in the new movie "The Lighthouse," his 2007 "Twilight" publicity appearance at a Stonestown Hot Topic, which was swarmed by fans (including one with a broken nose) and thoughts on taking over as the new Batman.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams.

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In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, the Chronicle's movie critic Mick LaSalle is back with a report from the Venice Film Festival and joined by Leba Hertz.. They talk about highlights from Venice, Renee Zellweger's performance in "Judy," the highs and lows of "Joker" and some early thoughts about the 2019 Academy Awards race.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams.

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With the new Judy Garland biopic "Judy" in theaters, The Chronicle arts and culture writer Tony Bravo gathers two of his favorite Garland experts to talk about the legacy of the actress and Renee Zellweger's portrayal in the movie. Guests are Connie Champagne, a Bay Area actress and singer who has performed as Garland on stage; and Lara Gabrielle Fowler, a film writer and historian who has written about Garland on www.backlots.net 

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams.

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