Best Crackerjacks Podcasts (2025)

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Mike Murphy - Bugle Boy 1:06:11

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14d ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Jeff talks with Mike Murphy, one of the original Chicago Cubs’ Bleacher Bums whose wild and passionate fandom captured national attention during the unforgettable 1969 season, and he shares some incredible stories. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Spiro’s Deli and Peter Nestos to see if the This Old Cub sandwich is available yet. (Mike’s full interview …

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Why Amazon Controlling James Bond Might be the Best thing ever! 55:27

2d ago55:27

55:27

Dan and Tom look at the pluses and minuses of Amazon controlling James Bond. Is it the best thing for the franchise? It just may be! On the other hand, what are the roadblocks they may encounter in making this a success? Listen to find out! We’ve had a bit of time to digest the news of Eon Productions’ selling creative control of the James Bond fra…

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THE DOUBLE MAN - The Man Who Wasn’t Himself 40:37

9d ago40:37

40:37

Join us as Dan and Tom decode the 1967 movie THE DOUBLE MAN. This movie starring Yul Brynner has a great plot twist. But is it any good? Listen to find out! This movie is set in the Austrian Alps, where we join CIA officer Dan Slater as he investigates his son's suspicious skiing death. Meanwhile, as he digs deeper, he uncovers a Soviet plot to inf…

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What makes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS so good? 35:10

16d ago35:10

35:10

What makes THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS so good? Join Dan and Tom as they dive in to discover exactly what does make it so good! THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS introduced us to a new actor playing James Bond, Timothy Dalton. This ended Roger Moore’s twelve-year run in the role. With the new actor, the series shifted to a grittier, less humorous James Bond. What we w…

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THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY - Decoded! 53:01

23d ago53:01

53:01

Dan and Tom are joined by Dr. Wesley Britton to decode the 1987 movie THE IMPOSSIBLE SPY. This movie tells the story of a real Israeli spy, Elie Cohen. Without a doubt, he was one of the most successful spies in history. Is this movie worth a watch? This episode has two sections. First, we discuss with Dr. Wesley Britton some of the information abo…

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Shawon Dunston - Let's Do It My Way 1:20:00

26d ago1:20:00

1:20:00

Jeff and Christie discuss Jeff’s recent acting experience in an A-list pop star's music video. Then, Jeff sits down with former MLB shortstop Shawon Dunston to talk about being the #1 overall pick in the draft, breaking into the big leagues, the legendary Shawon-O-Meter, and the invaluable lessons he learned from veteran teammates. And Jeff cracker…

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FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO - Decoded! 39:15

30d ago39:15

39:15

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1943 movie, FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. Is this World War II movie a spy movie? Listen as Dan tries to convince Tom it is, despite Tom's uncertainty. The story with this menacing title follows the exploits of Cpl. John Bramble in June 1942 after he fell out of his tank in the North African desert. Later on, he ends up …

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CRACKERJACK 3 -Decoded! 36:11

1M ago36:11

36:11

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the movie CRACKERJACK 3, from 2000. Is this third movie in the series worth a watch? Listen to find out what we think! This is a “No holds barred” episode! The first two CRACKERJACK movies were not spy movies. They were closer to DIE HARD than a spy movie. CRACKERJACK 3, however, is a spy movie, even though there is …

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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING - Review 37:32

1M ago37:32

37:32

Join Dan, Tom, and Mike Reyes as they review (No Spoilers! ) MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING – This movie stars Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames. Listen to find out what we think! We’ve seen MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, and the most recent before this one, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING. Now we see if they all tie…

1
Willie Wilson - You hit ‘em in the gaps 1:38:00

1M ago1:38:00

1:38:00

In this episode, Jeff chats with Kansas City Royals legend Willie Wilson about the 1980s Royals, his breakthrough into the bigs, how he became a switch-hitting batting champ, and his equation for hitting triples. Then Jeff crackerjack calls Joey Banks who’s working on a movie set. Support the show Thanks for listening! Please follow and share. If y…

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THE TAMARIND SEED - Decoded! 37:18

1M ago37:18

37:18

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1974 spy movie THE TAMARIND SEED. This movie stars Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Listen to find out all the good and perhaps the bad! We’ve seen Julie Andrews in Torn Curtain with Paul Newman. Now she is in a romantic spy movie with Omar Sharif. Does the match work? In this decoding episode we dive into the foll…

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Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL 57:37

2M ago57:37

57:37

Join Dan and Tom for their Character Spotlight on Fiona Volpe, played by Luciana Paluzzi in THUNDERBALL. Can she handle the harsh spotlight?  We know that Fiona Volpe was a tough, determined, and beautiful villain. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her job done. And she wanted to take James Bond out. In this Character Spotlight we look a…

1
The Clubhouse - Give Us A Playbill 41:11

2M ago41:11

41:11

In this special episode, Jeff and Christie dive into the Netflix series The Clubhouse: A Year With The Red Sox. They explore the emotional highs and lows captured on screen, the advantages of portraying the mental side of the game, and how teams can use this kind of storytelling to better engage their audiences. It’s a deep look at sports, psycholo…

1
SPY INTERVENTION - Decoded! 29:37

2M ago29:37

29:37

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 2020 spy comedy movie SPY INTERVENTION. It is a spy movie, but how is the comedy? Is it worth a watch? Dan and Tom are in a lively discussion answering that question! Listen to find out why. SPY INTERVENTION is a comedy starring Drew Van Acker, Poppy Delevingne, and Blake Anderson. There is a strong supporting ca…

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COUNT FIVE AND DIE - Decoded! 38:32

2M ago38:32

38:32

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1957 WW II spy movie COUNT FIVE AND DIE. It has intrigue and espionage. But, is it worth a watch? Listen to find out. COUNT FIVE AND DIE is based on the true story of how the Allies used deception to try to convince Adolph Hitler that the Allied invasion would be happening anywhere instead of Normandy. In this mo…

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Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter 38:02

2M ago38:02

38:02

In this episode, Dan and Tom bring in a special guest. Join us as Raymond Benson, Bond author, talks his new book on Felix Leiter. Novels are being written about some of the non-James Bond characters from the Ian Fleming James Bond novels. To that end, Raymond Benson, who was the first American James Bond continuation author, is getting set to rele…

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Pat Asanti - It’s So Good People Want To Steal It 1:11:22

3M ago1:11:22

1:11:22

Jeff chats with Pat Asanti, a first generation Italian-American, who left his strict family life in Long Island, NY, for life as an actor in Hollywood. He tells his incredible family story from Italy to America and back, his struggles and successes as an actor, and the rise of his bakery from his grandmother’s recipes. Then Jeff crackerjack calls h…

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DECISION BEFORE DAWN – Decoded! 33:21

3M ago33:21

33:21

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1951 World War II spy movie DECISION BEFORE DAWN. It was the first spy movie nominated for the Best Motion Picture Academy Award. And we think it is likely that you never heard of it. So, take a listen and we’ll decode this one for you. There is a lot of realism in the movie, and we will highlight some of the rea…

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THE AMATEUR Review - No-Spoilers! 32:40

3M ago32:40

32:40

Join Dan and Tom as they give you their no-spoiler review of the just-released spy movie, THE AMATEUR, starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne. Our goal is to give you the information you need to see if watching THE AMATEUR is worth your time and money. Listen to find out what we think. THE AMATEUR is a remake of the 1981 movie which starred Joh…

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Timothy Dalton as James Bond - The Good the Bad and Unique 49:08

3M ago49:08

49:08

Dan and Tom decode the Timothy Dalton as James Bond. What was the Good, the Bad, and Unique of his performance? What worked and didn’t work well?Listen to find out. Timothy Dalton only played James Bond movies in two movies, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and LICENCE TO KILL. He brought a much different James Bond to the screen than his predecessor. Reaction…

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Ron Cey - Give Me My Gold Glove 1:48:26

3M ago1:48:26

1:48:26

Jeff and Christie discuss the new torpedo bats. Then Jeff speaks with Dodgers legend Ron Cey, “The Penguin,” about his immense minor league stats before playing in one of the greatest infields of all time, getting nurtured by Tommy Lasorda, what he thinks about baseball today, and more! Then Jeff crackerjack calls his friend Peter Nestos of Spiro’s…

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The Good the Bad and Unique of Roger Moore as James Bond 43:43

3M ago43:43

43:43

Dan and Tom decode the Good the Bad and Unique of Roger Moore as James Bond. What worked and didn’t work well? What made him a unique Bond? Listen to find out. Roger Moore helmed seven James Bond movies. Some were well-received, and others were not. He had a very different style compared to what we saw with Sean Connery and George Lazenby. We break…

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James Bond Women: Survive or die? How often did Bond fail? 1:02:14

3M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

There are two types of James Bond women in the movies: those who died and those who survived. Is there a pattern here? Does it matter if James Bond is romantically involved with them? How about if he is protecting them? We know Bond fails a fair amount trying to keep them alive. In this episode, Dan and Tom examine each of the women that James Bond…

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Richard Crudo - Vivid, Saturated, Beautiful Green 1:47:03

3M ago1:47:03

1:47:03

Jeff and Christie talk about Tokyo baseball. Then Jeff speaks with distinguished cinematographer Richard Crudo (American Pie, Justified) about his incredible career, learning from the legendary Gordon Willis (The Godfather), and his passion for baseball. And Jeff crackerjack calls his friend of 50 years, Mike McPhilliamy, to talk about their neighb…

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HOPSCOTCH (1980) Decoded! 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1980 spy movie HOPSCOTCH. It has a star-studded cast and is a comedy. But, is it worth a watch? Listen to find out. Walter Matthau plays the spy, Miles Kendig who has a run in with his boss. What happens next helps set up the reason for the name of the movie, HOPSCOTCH. The other lead actors for the movie include…

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BLACK BAG Review – No Spoilers! 31:15

4M ago31:15

31:15

Join Dan and Tom as they give you their no-spoiler review of the just-released spy movie: BLACK BAG. Our goal is to give you the information you need to see if watching BLACK BAG is worth your time and money. Listen to find out what they think. BLACK BAG is a spy movie, not an action movie. What does that mean? Well, think of TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER …

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BACKGROUND TO DANGER - Decoded! 34:06

4M ago34:06

34:06

Join Dan and Tom as they decode the 1943 spy movie BACKGROUND TO DANGER starring George Raft, Brenda Marshall, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet. Is it worth a watch? We decode all that for you! In this black-and-white World War II spy movie, everyone wants to get their hands on an envelope that contains something strategic for the war. What’s in…

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Ron Coomer - Who Wants It? 1:31:02

4M ago1:31:02

1:31:02

We’re back! Jeff and Christie discuss the new ump rule. Then Jeff speaks with Cubs Broadcaster and former player Ron Coomer about growing up a Cubs fan, how he got into baseball and became a broadcaster, and calling the 2016 World Series. Jeff crackerjack calls Tony Cahn from Waveland Events to reminisce about the 2025 Northside Fantasy Baseball Ca…

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1960s JAMES BOND POSTERS - The Hidden Gems and Sex 1:09:53

4M ago1:09:53

1:09:53

James Bond movie posters are very popular with collectors. And of course, it all started in the 1960s. Join Dan and Tom as they welcome the founder and editor of 007 Magazine, Graham Rye to help decode the 1960s James Bond posters. We are very happy that Graham was able to join us. His knowledge of 40 years of James Bond that he has acquired by cre…