Milling About

Singer, songwriter, and musical chanteuse Judith Owen has found her joy once again, this time with a new album of jazz standards, "Come And Get It." Judith joins host Robin Milling to chat about making her home in New Orleans to escape the last few years, where she celebrated her creativity and assembled her band of Gentleman Callers for this bold and brash collection. As is her unique quality, Judith owns her sensuality at any age, swinging and cooing selections of her "unsung heroines and role models" such as the title song "Come And Get It Honey," King Size Papa" and "Satchel Mouth Baby," to name a few. To showcase her new CD, Judith will be performing May 10-14 at the McKittrick Hotel (530 West 27th Street, NYC), home of "Sleep No More," in a not-to-be-missed residency in the Manderley Bar. Tickets can be purchased www.mckittrickhotel.com.

Writer, director, and star Todd Flaherty joins host Robin Milling to discuss his wonderful film Chrissy Judy. Todd was inspired to write the story of two drag sisters who find themselves at a crossroads in their friendship when one pursues love in Philadelphia, while the other stays in New York to pursue his dreams as a drag queen chanteuse. Todd tells Robin how he developed his drag look for Judy and the importance of acceptance for the art of performing in drag. Plus, he does all his own singing! Shooting in black and white with his cinematographer brother Brendan in the idyllic locations of Provincetown, Massachusetts, Todd displays a beautiful love story of queer friendship and chosen family which is not often seen this way on screen.

Writer/director Matthew Saville joins Robin Milling to talk about his directorial feature Juniper starring Charlotte Rampling. Matthew tells Robin about the trip he made to Paris from Auckland, New Zealand to "woo" Rampling into playing the role of the grandmother, based on his own father's mother. There was no plan 'B' as she was the "perfect person" for the gin-drinking feisty alcoholic. Saville talks about the wonderful chemistry with newcomer George Ferrier as the rebellious teenaged grandson who must look after her as punishment for his school suspension. Matthew cherishes the experience he had making the film and shares behind-the-scenes moments with Rampling and the ensemble cast and their mutual admiration.

Producer Randy Schmidt takes a deep dive into the real truth behind Karen Carpenter and her battle with anorexia in the poignant documentary Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection which premiered at the 38th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Randy spoke with host Robin Milling about the women who knew her best, some of them celebrities such as Olivia Newton-John and Suzanne Somers, and those touched by her music like Kristin Chenoweth, Belinda Carlisle, and Carnie Wilson. Randy tells Robin the one good thing that came out of her death 40 years ago, is the awareness that eating disorders can be cured, and the hopes that this documentary can reach not only the die-hard Carpenter fans but a new audience who will discover her music.

Back in 2003, musical genius Burt Bacharach collaborated on an album with Ron Isley, which resulted in a soulful interpretation of his popular catalog of music, Here I Am: Isley Meets Bacharach. Bacharach was always reinventing himself as he told host Robin Milling. As a tribute to his passing, here is their conversation from that year where Bacharach reflects on his musical beginnings and inspirations for some of his timeless collaborations with lyricist Hal David, including soundtrack favorites Alfie sung deliciously by his muse Dionne Warwick, which he deemed as David's best, What's New cat and The Look of Love.

Linus Roache (Priest, Law & Order) joins host Robin Milling to chat about his new film The Apology. Under the guise of a Christmas thriller, written and directed by Alison Locke, it will no doubt spark conversation. Linus talks about his delight in getting the crap beat out of him by co-star Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad). "It was fun playing a character who gets beaten to a pulp, burnt in the face, hit in the head with a hockey stick and a lamp, and knifed at one point. Best blood ever!" He also reminisces working with his 90-year-old father William Roache in the classic British soap opera Coronation Street, and reveals his special Christmas plans in India.

Sam Benjamin (Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders, I Am Vengeance: Retaliation), co-writer and star of The Payday joins host Robin Milling to talk about everything from his first love scene to Tom Cruise inspired action scenes. Lots of laughs with the quick-witted Merseyside-born actor who discusses his Bondian moves, collaborating with his bestie Kyla Frye, accents, Shakespeare lessons with Sir Patrick Stewart, his humble beginnings with Walt Disney World and much more

"It became a badge of honor that people got Flanigrammed," said director Cullen Douglas, Billy Flanigan: The Happiest Man On Earth who joins host Robin Milling with legendary Walt Disney World entertainer Billy Flanigan to talk about this heartwarming documentary. When the world was on pause, Flanigan took to his bike and rode over 7,000 miles delivering songs of cheer to fellow Disney performers. This is the story of his journey spreading happiness and much more.

Operation Seawolf director Steven Luke aka Luke Schuetzle joins host Robin Milling to chat about his new film, and how he was inspired by a family member to pursue his love of making military movies. He reveals the cool special effects of the naval battles, closely working with Dolph Lundgren for several of his films, and the challenges of navigating tiny cramped submarine spaces inside the USS COD! Currently in Theaters and on Demand, On Digital Oct. 25

They say write what you know and that certainly is the case for Acid Test writer/director Jenny Waldo, whose feature film debut delves into that youthful rebelliousness of high school and her experiences of yes, taking acid, to escape her complicated homelife. Jenny joins host Robin Milling to discuss the writing, casting and production process behind this very personal and entertaining exploration into young adulthood.

Michelle Danner is a director, acting coach, and founder of Creative Center For The Arts, all in the facilitation of nurturing actors and creating film and theater. She joins host Robin Milling to discuss her latest film The Runner, her passion for discovering new talent, working with some of the greatest acting legends such as the late Paul Sorvino, and what makes a movie star.

Charlie Rowe (Rocketman, Angelyne, Vanity Fair) stars in Gigi & Nate as Nate which tells the poignant story of a quadriplegic man and his Capuchin monkey who serves as his unique service animal. Charlie joins host Robin Milling to talk about bonding with Allie aka Gigi and how he came to understand the special connection between humans and primates, becoming "the love of her life." He also talks about learning how to act in the wheelchair which he took out to practice in the real world, observing the different reactions that he got.

Brett Cullen and Lesley Ann Warren star in It Snows All The Time, the poignant true story of Ed Hover and his battle with the devastating disease of Dementia. As a married couple, their chemistry is wonderful, portraying how the family must come together to face the inevitable. Brett tells host Robin Milling about his deep personal family connection which resulted in his cathartic performance, opposite Lesley who also sought guidance from Jerry Hover, and pours her heart out as the loving matriarch who must keep everyone strong in the wake of the sadness around them. Both actors hope the film brings awareness to understanding how to cope when a loved one has Alzheimer's.

They called it “School” but the education that Spencer Schneider received for 23 years was far from scholastic. Spencer wrote a book, “Manhattan Cult Story- My Unbelievable True Story of Sex Crimes, Chaos, and Survival,” and the title couldn't say any better than what he experienced in this secret society, preying upon the vulnerable, but wealthy, promising them self fulfillment and betterment through the guise of their teachings. “Cults build you up and once you become dependent, then the abuse and the trauma starts. I haven't met a single person who hasn't had some lasting memory, negative memory or trauma. From this group, there is without exception, an extremely harmful group, very harmful, very tricky. They really get under your skin," he tells host Robin Milling. Writing the book has opened a can of worms with news stories covering deceased cult leader Sharon Gans and the horrific tales of other members who have come forward with their truth. Spencer got out and his unbelievable story should be taken as a cautionary tale.

Eli Horowitz, (The Homecoming) makes his directorial big screen debut with Gone In The Night which stars Winona Ryder, Dermot Mulroney, and John Gallagher Jr. Eli joins host Robin Milling while on vacation in Istanbul about how he used his personal cabin in The Redwoods to shoot his mystery thriller, what it was like working with the talented cast, and the deeper ageless obsession with youth, underneath the macabre twist. No spoilers here...just watch!

Tom Hughes (A Discovery Of Witches) bonds with nature and his canine companion in Shepherd. When he takes on the job of a shepherd on a remote Scottish island in an attempt to escape his cheating wife's mysterious death, his solidarity spirals into mental madness. Tom tells host Robin Milling what it was like working on the island and giving up creature comforts like a fancy hotel by staying off the beaten path; plus falling in love with his furry co-star, the Border Collie Shugey.

Garret Dillahunt joins host Robin Milling to talk about starring in Ambulance as police captain Monroe caught up in a high-speed chase after foiled bank robbers (Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) hijack an ambulance. Garret tells Robin what it was like working with director Michael Bay. “He layers in humor to work off the tension a little bit and lets the audience catch its breath and then he's right back with the body blows.” He reminisces about his diversified career in television and film, and humble beginnings house-sitting while going to acting school at NYU. He also shares how he met his wife, “Star Trek: Picard” star Michelle Hurd in their early theater days together. Garret reveals new projects where he's reuniting with Fear The Walking Dead producer Greg Garcia and Raising Hope co-star Martha Plimpton in Sprung, which he's co-writing and producing. There are no small parts for this multi-faceted actor who will also appear in the upcoming film Blonde in a “small role,” reuniting with Killing Them Softly director Andrew Dominik, who provides an interesting take with Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe.

Cara Buono stars in "The Girl From Plainville," now streaming on Hulu. Based on the true story of Michelle Carter's (Elle Fanning) "texting-suicide" case, Cara portrays Elle's mother. A mom herself, she tells host Robin Milling that the series could spark conversations about the dangers of social media, particularly on young girls. “I was excited to be part of this story which explores technology and mental health and teenage relationships and loneliness.” But especially, she urges, “Don't be a screen zombie!”

Norbert Leo Butz stars in “The Girl From Plainville,” now streaming on Hulu as Conrad Roy, the father of Coco (Colton Ryan). In this true tragic story, he commits suicide egged on by encouraging texts from his girlfriend Michelle Carter (Elle Fanning). In our conversation, Butz talks about bonding with Ryan over their shared love of theater, how being a father of daughters played into the role, diving deep into the emotional moments of his character, and offers his unique view of parenting and suicide. He tells host Robin Milling, “The stigma and the shame of parental failure is a false narrative that needs to be extracted from the culture. I like that the film takes a stab that mental illness is a human problem and is so multi-faceted. No one person takes the blame.”

Legendary actor Michael Ironside, currently starring in the indie film "Skipping Stones," joins host Robin Milling. He tells great stories about his colorful upbringing growing up in Toronto, Canada. He tells Robin about bonding with Arnold Schwarzenegger on "Total Recall," why he's known for losing limbs in his 300-plus film career, and buddying up with Tom Cruise in "Top Gun." The 72-year-old actor says “I'm like a '55 Buick Special. I don't get anywhere as fast as anyone else but I get there eventually. If you're a modern car and you get in my way you might get a little bump here and there but I arrive. I really do feel at the most 29 years old inside.”