Ticklish Business #209: Giant (1956, with Julie Gilbert)

We're visiting the frontier with an epic look at George Steven's feature.

Ticklish Business #209: Giant (1956, with Julie Gilbert)
audio-thumbnail
Ticklish Business #209: Giant (1956, with Julie Gilbert)
0:00
/200

In my free time I host a classic film podcast called Ticklish Business and, in the interest of spreading my love of classic film, I’ll be including episodes here for your listening enjoyment. You can listen to Ticklish Business via Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also subscribe to our Patreon where we have bonus episodes and more.

Read more about the history of disability in film by pre-ordering my upcoming book, Popcorn Disabilities: The Highs and Lows of Disabled Representation in the Movies. I not only expand on what you’re reading here, but examine the stereotypes, tropes, and the good, bad (and really ugly) of disabled movies. Preorder the book by clicking this link! If you preorder and show proof of purchase I’ll give you a free paid subscription to The Film Maven for 1 year!

Edna Ferber biographer Julie Gilbert joins us to discuss the 1956 Western epic Giant. The trio talk about James Dean, Liz Taylor's feminism, and how the movie isn't afraid to deconstruct the genre it's set in.

Buy Julie's book Giant Love by clicking this link.

Be sure to follow us via social media at @ticklish_biz on X and @ticklishbiz everywhere else. Also like and subscribe to us on all podcast apps and, if you love us, leave us a review.

Find Kristen and Emily's books wherever you buy books. Kristen's latest, Popcorn Disabilities, is available to pre-order now before it releases on November 13th!

• Love T shirts, pins, and other merch? ⁠The merch shop is live⁠!

• ICMYI, the best way to support Ticklish Biz is to ⁠become a Patron⁠:

⁠Follow Emily's Instagram⁠

⁠Follow Kristen's Instagram⁠

This episode was created thanks to our Patrons:

Ali Moore

Danny

David Floyd

Gates

mcf

Rachel Clark

Shawn Goodreau

A Button Called Smalls

Chris McKay

Jacob Haller

Peter Blitstein

Peter Bryant

Reyna Moya-James

Bridget M. Hester

Cat Cooper

Dana Raines

Daniel Tafoya

David Baxter

Diana Madden

Harry Holland

Jamie Carter

Karen Yoder

Lucy Soles

Nick Weerts

Patrick Seals

Richard Silver

Rosa

What do you think about Giant? Leave a comment below or join us in The Film Maven Chat to discuss this and other topics!

Enjoy what you’re reading? Share it with friends. Help us get to 1,000 subscribers by the end of 2025 and I’ll do a full written and video review of Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis.

My beloved cat Elliott Stabler had to have unexpected lifesaving bowel surgery last month and we’re nearly 80% funded on our goal to pay off the bills. Consider sharing or donating to my GoFundMe page. I’m giving away a ton of great items, as well as doing donor-requested movie reviews!

Let’s work together! If you have editorial opportunities and would like to collaborate with me on an entertainment or disability project, drop me a message.