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THE DOORS’ John Densmore: A CLASSIC SOUNDS OF FILM Interview Legendary drummer John Densmore of The Doors is joining host Tom Needham on The Sounds of Film for a special conversation about his role in the acclaimed documentary “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary.” A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Densmore is celebrated not only as the founding—and sole—drummer of The Doors, but also as a respected songwriter, actor, and author. With the band, he helped create timeless hits like “Light My Fire,” “Break on Through,” “Touch Me,” “People Are Strange,” and “L.A. Woman.” Beyond his music career, Densmore has written two bestselling books, “Riders on the Storm” and “The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison’s Legacy Goes Up on Trial,” and is currently at work on a new memoir, “Meetings with Remarkable Musicians.” Densmore appears prominently in John Scheinfeld’s film “Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary,” which

Governor Jesse Ventura: A CLASSIC SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham This week on Classic SOUNDS OF FILM, Tom Needham welcomes Governor Jesse Ventura, one of America’s most unconventional political figures and cultural voices. Ventura served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, making history as the only member of the Reform Party ever elected to a major government office in the United States. Beyond politics, he has built a reputation as a provocative truth-seeker and bestselling author, with books. Join Tom Needham for a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Governor Jesse Ventura on politics, media, history, and the stories behind his groundbreaking career. THE SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube Podcasts. THE SOUNDS OF FILM is the nation’s longest running film, music and ideas themed radio show. For over 30 years, the program has delivered a

Rocky Horror Picture Show Secrets: Inside the New 50th Anniversary Documentary This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Andreas Zerr about his new documentary, Sane Inside Insanity: The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror. The film arrives just in time for the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the cult classic that transformed midnight screenings into a worldwide cultural ritual. Zerr’s documentary goes far beyond nostalgia, tracing Rocky Horror’s unlikely journey from a scrappy stage production in London to the longest-running theatrical release in cinema history. Featuring candid interviews with Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Barry Bostwick, Jim Sharman, Richard Hartley, Sue Blane, and many others, the film uncovers never-before-heard stories from the cast, crew, and the fans who kept the phenomenon alive for five decades. On The Sounds of Film, Zerr discusses the decade-long process of making the film, the challenges of capturing such

Academy Award®–nominated filmmaker Connie Field Talks Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán Documentary on THE SOUNDS OF FILM Academy Award®–nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Connie Field joins The Sounds of Film to discuss her urgent new documentary Democracy Noir. The film examines how Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán systematically dismantled democratic institutions while maintaining power through popular support, nationalist rhetoric, and constitutional manipulation. Field highlights the stories of three women—a politician, a journalist, and a nurse—who risk everything to expose corruption and resist authoritarian rule. Democracy Noir has already made a global impact, earning nominations and awards at leading festivals. With unflinching detail, the film shows how Orbán’s playbook of consolidating power, controlling the media, and stoking nationalist sentiment has become a model for rising movements worldwide. The documentary not only sheds light on Hungary’s struggles but also reflects urgent parallels with political developments in the United States and beyond. In this

The Gardens of Piet Oudolf – Award-Winning Director Thomas Piper on The Sounds of Film This week on The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with award-winning filmmaker Thomas Piper about his acclaimed documentary Five Seasons: The Gardens of Piet Oudolf. The film immerses viewers in the work of Piet Oudolf, the world’s most celebrated garden designer, whose visionary projects include New York’s The High Line and Chicago’s Millennium Park. Through stunning cinematography and rare access to Oudolf’s process, Piper captures the designer’s philosophy of beauty, ecology, and the poetry of plants. The conversation highlights the artistry behind Five Seasons, which follows Oudolf across four seasons in his own gardens at Hummelo, on visits to far-flung landscapes that inspire his work, and during the creation of what he considers his greatest achievement—the garden at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in England. Piper shares insights into documenting a living, ever-changing art

Fred Mollin Talks Jimmy Webb, Disney Music & More on the SOUNDS OF FILM The Sounds of Film welcomes Grammy-nominated producer, composer, and author Fred Mollin for an intimate conversation about his remarkable career. From producing timeless hits like Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch” to crafting music for Disney’s beloved children’s albums, Mollin has left a profound mark on multiple generations of listeners. His work spans collaborations with icons such as Billy Joel, Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis, and Michael McDonald, as well as memorable scores for television and film. Long Island’s Mollin opens up about the highs and lows revealed in his new memoir Unplugged: Stories and Secrets from a Life of Making Records, Scoring Film, and Working With the Legends of Music. He shares candid reflections on the art of producing, the surprises of working with legendary performers, and the creative risks that defined his path. Listeners will

Internationally Acclaimed Director Yeo Siew Hua Talks Surveillance & Singapore on the SOUNDS OF FILM The latest episode of The Sounds of Film spotlights director Yeo Siew Hua, whose new film Stranger Eyes is a gripping meditation on voyeurism, surveillance, and the fragility of family. Known internationally for his Locarno Golden Leopard–winning A Land Imagined, Yeo returns with a story that begins as a mystery about a missing child but evolves into a profound reflection on intimacy and identity in a world where someone is always watching. Set in modern Singapore, Stranger Eyes follows a young couple who, after the disappearance of their baby daughter, discover unsettling video recordings of their most private moments. As the police place them under surveillance to catch the voyeur, the family begins to fracture under the weight of exposure. The film raises urgent questions about what it means to exist as an image, how

John Turturro Celebrates 20th Anniversary of ROMANCE & CIGARETTES on SOUNDS OF FILM Acclaimed actor, writer, and director John Turturro will be a featured guest on The Sounds of Film this week to discuss the 20th anniversary screening of his musical dramedy “Romance & Cigarettes.” The special event takes place on Thursday, August 21 at 6:30pm at the Southampton Playhouse, marking the theater’s first-ever 35mm screening. Turturro has long been recognized as one of the most versatile artists in American film. He has delivered unforgettable performances in films such as “Do the Right Thing,” “Barton Fink,” and “The Big Lebowski,” while also making his mark behind the camera with projects like “Mac,” “Fading Gigolo,” and “The Jesus Rolls.” On television, he earned an Emmy Award for “Monk” and is currently celebrated for his role as Irving on Apple TV+’s “Severance.” “Romance & Cigarettes” tells the story of a New York

Thrilled to spend some time with British Invasion star, Billy J. Kramer, and Broadway/TV/Film legend, Will Chase, the director of Coming Home: The Guggenheim Grotto Back in Ireland at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Music Documentary Film Festival.

Congratulations to Will Chase, whose movie won Best Short Film, and Billy J Kramer, who was featured in the movie Building the Beatles, which won the Long Island Filmmaker Award by director John Rose.

Photo: Billy J. Kramer, LIMEHOF Music Doc Film Festival Executive Director Tom Needham, and Will Chase

Photo Credit: Ed Shin