The Tom Gulley Show

Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Movie Ratings - Rated, Restricted, and Rewritten

Why is one film rated PG-13 while another earns an R — and who decides? On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley dives into the often-misunderstood world of movie ratings, exploring how a system meant to inform parents ended up shaping filmmaking, marketing, and pop culture itself.

From the strict moral code of early Hollywood to the creation of the MPAA ratings system, this episode examines how films moved from “approved” or “banned” to G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. Along the way, Tom looks at the controversies, inconsistencies, and quiet power of ratings boards — including how a single rating can change a movie’s audience, box office fate, or creative direction.

The discussion also covers why PG-13 became Hollywood’s commercial sweet spot, how filmmakers have edited films to avoid harsher ratings, and why some movies seem punished more severely than others for similar content. It’s a revealing look at who draws the lines, how those lines shift over time, and what movie ratings say about the culture watching them.

If you’re interested in film history, censorship, behind-the-scenes Hollywood decisions, or how art and commerce collide, this episode offers a clear and compelling guide to the system that quietly governs what we see on screen.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Etch A Sketch - The Toy That Drew A Generation

Before tablets, before touchscreens, and long before “undo” buttons, there was the Etch A Sketch — a deceptively simple toy that became a cultural icon. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we explore the surprising history, design brilliance, and lasting legacy of one of the most beloved toys of the 20th century.

Invented by French electrician André Cassagnes and introduced to American audiences in the early 1960s, the Etch A Sketch transformed two knobs, aluminum powder, and a gray screen into a global phenomenon. From childhood masterpieces to pop-culture appearances in film, television, and advertising, the Etch A Sketch shaped creativity in ways few toys ever have.

Host Tom Gulley looks at how the Etch A Sketch was marketed, why it became an instant hit, the engineering behind its “magic,” and how it managed to survive wave after wave of technological change. This is the story of invention, nostalgia, and why sometimes the simplest ideas leave the deepest marks.

If you love pop culture history, classic toys, design ingenuity, or stories that connect everyday objects to larger cultural moments, this episode is for you.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Disappearance Of Jodi Huisentruit - Clues, Theories & Unanswered Questions

In this gripping episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom examines one of America’s most haunting unsolved cases—the 1995 disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit, the beloved morning news anchor who vanished from her Mason City, Iowa apartment before dawn. Nearly three decades later, the mystery remains unsolved, the clues still perplex investigators, and the case continues to captivate the nation.

Join Tom for a clear, fact-driven, and compelling deep dive into:
• Jodi’s final known movements and the timeline investigators reconstructed
• Disturbing evidence found at the scene—and what it suggests
• The key suspects, persons of interest, and puzzling behaviors that fueled public speculation
• Theories that have endured for decades—and which ones stand up to scrutiny
• How media coverage shaped the investigation and public perception
• New developments, recent leads, and why the case remains open
• The lasting impact on Mason City and the loved ones still seeking answers

With thoughtful analysis and respect for the victim, Tom explores the enduring questions that make this one of the most unsettling missing-person cases in American history.

If you’re drawn to true crime, unresolved mysteries, and smart, fact-based storytelling, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tap the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode of The Tom Gulley Show.

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The Tom Gulley Show streams on YouTube and is available on all major podcast platforms. Join Tom for more in-depth explorations of true crime, history, pop culture, and the stories that continue to fascinate.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Indiana State Fair Coliseum Explosion: Tragedy & Survival

In this powerful episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom examines one of Indiana’s most devastating and historically significant disasters—the 1963 Indiana State Fair Coliseum explosion. What began as a night of family entertainment turned into a scene of chaos, heroism, and heartbreaking loss when a leaking propane tank ignited beneath the packed arena during a Holiday on Ice performance.

Join Tom as he takes a detailed, factual, and gripping look at:
• The events leading up to the explosion and what investigators discovered
• How the propane leak went unnoticed—and why it became so deadly
• Firsthand accounts from survivors, rescuers, and witnesses
• The immediate aftermath inside the coliseum and the remarkable acts of courage that followed
• How the tragedy reshaped state safety regulations, inspection standards, and venue oversight
• The lasting legacy of the victims and how Indianapolis remembers the disaster today
• Why this event remains a crucial chapter in Indiana history, yet is often forgotten outside the state

Tom combines historical research, storytelling, and sharp analysis to shed light on a catastrophe that changed a community—and altered public safety across the nation.

If you appreciate deep dives into untold or misunderstood history, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tap the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode of The Tom Gulley Show.

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The Tom Gulley Show streams on YouTube and is available on all major podcast platforms. Tune in for more compelling, informative explorations of remarkable events, forgotten stories, and cultural history.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Roger Corman - The King of Cult Cinema & Hollywood’s Greatest Rule-Breaker

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Roger Corman—the filmmaker who reshaped Hollywood from the outside in. Known as the “King of the B-Movies,” Corman launched legendary careers, reinvented low-budget filmmaking, and proved that creativity, speed, and ingenuity could beat big-studio muscle any day of the week.

Join Tom as he explores:
• Corman’s groundbreaking approach to fast, fearless filmmaking
• How he discovered and nurtured names like Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and more
• His iconic horror, sci-fi, and exploitation classics—and why they still influence filmmakers today
• The genius of making movies on microscopic budgets with maximum imagination
• Behind-the-scenes stories from Corman’s vast filmography
• How his work with American International Pictures helped define an era of drive-in cinema
• The surprising ways Corman changed Hollywood forever

This is a deep dive into innovation, rebellion, and the pure joy of moviemaking.

If you love film history, cult classics, behind-the-scenes legends, or just great storytelling, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tap the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode of The Tom Gulley Show.

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The Tom Gulley Show streams on YouTube and is available on all major podcast platforms. Tune in for more smart, entertaining deep dives into pop culture, crime, cinema, history, and the unexpected.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Sydney Funnel Web Spider - Deadly Facts, Myths & Survival Stories

On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we plunge into the shadowy world of one of Earth’s most feared creatures—the Sydney funnel-web spider. Known for its lightning-fast strikes, potent venom, and a reputation that borders on myth, this remarkable arachnid is far more complex than the headlines suggest.

Join Tom as he explores:
• The real science behind the funnel-web’s infamous venom
• Why Sydney’s geography helps these spiders thrive
• The myths, exaggerations, and urban legends that continue to spread
• How antivenom changed survival rates—and the incredible story behind its discovery
• The spider’s behavior, habitat, mating rituals, and what actually makes them aggressive
• Famous encounters and unbelievable near-misses
• How everyday Australians coexist with a creature considered one of the world’s most dangerous

This deep-dive episode combines biology, history, and storytelling the way only The Tom Gulley Show can—informative, compelling, and full of surprises.

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The Tom Gulley Show streams on YouTube and is available wherever you get your podcasts. Tune in for more deep dives into the strange, the historic, and the unforgettable.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Lee Marvin - The Reluctant Tough Guy Who Redefined American Cool

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom dives deep into the life, career, and unforgettable legacy of Lee Marvin—the gravel-voiced icon who reshaped Hollywood’s understanding of toughness. From his decorated WWII service in the Pacific to his scene-stealing performances in The Dirty Dozen, Point Blank, and Cat Ballou, Marvin forged a screen persona rooted in authenticity, discipline, and raw charisma.

Tom explores how Marvin’s military experience informed his acting, why directors valued his unpretentious intensity, and how he became a reluctant yet undeniable symbol of postwar American masculinity. You’ll also hear stories about his improbable rise from bit player to Oscar winner, his underappreciated comedic chops, and the personal battles that shaped the man behind the roles.

Whether you're a classic film enthusiast, a fan of Hollywood history, or someone who loves a great behind-the-scenes story, this episode delivers a richly detailed, highly entertaining portrait of one of cinema’s most compelling figures.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Lauren Spierer Disappearance - The Clues & The Unanswered Questions

In June 2011, 20-year-old Indiana University student Lauren Spierer vanished after a night out in Bloomington—launching one of the most widely followed and perplexing missing persons cases in America. On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom examines the timeline, the key locations, the people involved, and the troubling gaps that have kept this mystery unsolved for more than a decade.

With clear, fact-driven analysis and respect for Lauren and her family, Tom walks through the hours leading up to her disappearance, the surveillance footage, the witness statements, and the ongoing theories that continue to circulate. This is not sensationalism—this is an informed, level-headed look at a case filled with lingering questions and heartbreaking uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Lauren Spierer’s final confirmed movements and the critical timeline
• What investigators discovered—and what remains unexplained
• The role of witnesses, friends, and conflicting accounts
• How early decisions and missed opportunities shaped the investigation
• Theories surrounding the case and why none have led to resolution
• Why the disappearance continues to resonate nationwide

If you follow true crime, missing persons cases, or the complex realities of investigations, this deep dive brings context, clarity, and sober reflection to a mystery that still haunts the community of Bloomington.

Subscribe for more fact-focused explorations of history, crime, culture, mysteries, and the human stories that shape our world—only on The Tom Gulley Show.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Sunshine Skyway Bridge Collapse - Disaster & Survival In Florida

In the early morning hours of May 9, 1980, a violent storm and a massive freighter collided with one of Florida’s most important highways—sending a large section of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge plummeting into Tampa Bay. In this gripping episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom takes you through the harrowing minutes before impact, the tragic loss of life, the survivors’ remarkable stories, and the profound engineering and policy changes that followed.

This wasn’t just a bridge collapse—it was a catastrophic chain of events involving weather, visibility, maritime navigation, and structural vulnerability. Tom breaks down the full story with clear-eyed detail and deep respect for everyone affected.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What led the freighter Summit Venture to strike the bridge
• How extreme weather and blinding rain created a perfect storm
• Firsthand accounts from rescuers, survivors, and witnesses
• The engineering weaknesses exposed by the collapse
• How the disaster transformed bridge-building standards nationwide
• Why the new Sunshine Skyway became a model of modern design and safety

Whether you’re interested in engineering, maritime disasters, or the real human stories behind historic events, this deep dive brings clarity and context to one of America’s most devastating infrastructure failures.

Subscribe for more in-depth explorations of history, culture, mysteries, disasters, and the moments that shaped our world—only on The Tom Gulley Show.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout William Castle - The King of B-Movie Showmanship

Long before 4D theaters and blockbuster marketing blitzes, there was William Castle—the flamboyant filmmaker who turned moviegoing into an event with joy buzzers, flying skeletons, insurance policies against fright, and some of the boldest promotional stunts Hollywood ever saw. In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom takes you inside the wild, inventive world of the man who made audiences scream, laugh, and line up around the block.

Castle was more than just gimmicks—he was a savvy storyteller, a relentless self-promoter, and a pioneering independent filmmaker whose low-budget thrillers became cult classics. From House on Haunted Hill to The Tingler, Castle created unforgettable experiences that shaped horror cinema and influenced generations of directors.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How William Castle transformed movie theaters into interactive playgrounds
• The legendary gimmicks—Emergo, Percepto, Illusion-O, and more
• Castle’s rise from studio system journeyman to B-movie icon
• The production secrets behind his most famous films
• How his bold style influenced filmmakers like John Waters and Joe Dante
• Why Castle remains a beloved figure in horror and cult film history

Whether you grew up on his films, admire his marketing genius, or just love great Hollywood stories, this episode shines a spotlight on one of cinema’s most entertaining trailblazers.

Subscribe for more deep dives into film, culture, history, true crime, oddities, and the unforgettable characters who shaped our world—only on The Tom Gulley Show.

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