Cole Haddon
@colehaddon.bsky.social
Novelist, screenwriter, art fanatic. Created "DRACULA" for NBC/Sky, wrote PSALMS FROM THE END OF THE WORLD, and more.
Listen to the 5AM STORYTALK PODCAST: https://pod.link/1807437928
Read the 5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
Listen to the 5AM STORYTALK PODCAST: https://pod.link/1807437928
Read the 5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
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Why You'll Never Get Tired of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · 12/18/2025 · 19m
podcasts.apple.com
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Reposted by Cole Haddon
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Why You'll Never Get Tired of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · 12/18/2025 · 19m
podcasts.apple.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Listen to the latest episode of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast now.
Jacqueline Bisset during the making of DAY FOR NIGHT (1973).
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
December 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Jacqueline Bisset during the making of DAY FOR NIGHT (1973).
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
From the making of THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997): An example of why its futurescape looks so startlingly real (and why so many found in modern sci-fi films don’t).
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
December 28, 2025 at 3:35 AM
From the making of THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997): An example of why its futurescape looks so startlingly real (and why so many found in modern sci-fi films don’t).
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
Shit, I had no idea MATILDA hit so hard!
(For those not in the know, this is a mash-up of the film MATILDA (2023) with Rob Zombie’s song “DRAGULA” - which somehow goes perfectly with it.)
(For those not in the know, this is a mash-up of the film MATILDA (2023) with Rob Zombie’s song “DRAGULA” - which somehow goes perfectly with it.)
December 28, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Shit, I had no idea MATILDA hit so hard!
(For those not in the know, this is a mash-up of the film MATILDA (2023) with Rob Zombie’s song “DRAGULA” - which somehow goes perfectly with it.)
(For those not in the know, this is a mash-up of the film MATILDA (2023) with Rob Zombie’s song “DRAGULA” - which somehow goes perfectly with it.)
Rodney Dangerfield and Redd Foxx, 1982.
Photograph by Ron Galella.
Photograph by Ron Galella.
December 27, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Rodney Dangerfield and Redd Foxx, 1982.
Photograph by Ron Galella.
Photograph by Ron Galella.
“I cannot and do not live in the world of discretion, not as a writer, anyway. I would prefer to, I assure you - it would make life easier. But discretion is, unfortunately, not for novelists.” — Philip Roth
December 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
“I cannot and do not live in the world of discretion, not as a writer, anyway. I would prefer to, I assure you - it would make life easier. But discretion is, unfortunately, not for novelists.” — Philip Roth
Gorgeous map of the Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth novels.
Art by Francesca Baerald.
Art by Francesca Baerald.
December 26, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Gorgeous map of the Shire from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth novels.
Art by Francesca Baerald.
Art by Francesca Baerald.
Actor (and my good friend) Thomas Jane explains how he traded the myopic view of an actor for the more holistic view of a filmmaker.
Listen to the rest of TJ's conversation with the 5AM StoryTalk in the first comment below.
Listen to the rest of TJ's conversation with the 5AM StoryTalk in the first comment below.
How Thomas Jane Turned Evolved from Actor to Filmmaker #filmmaking #moviepodcast #actinglife
YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon
youtube.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Actor (and my good friend) Thomas Jane explains how he traded the myopic view of an actor for the more holistic view of a filmmaker.
Listen to the rest of TJ's conversation with the 5AM StoryTalk in the first comment below.
Listen to the rest of TJ's conversation with the 5AM StoryTalk in the first comment below.
Julie Newmar warming up for her role in the musical DAMN YANKEES!, 1961.
Photograph by Nina Leen.
Photograph by Nina Leen.
December 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Julie Newmar warming up for her role in the musical DAMN YANKEES!, 1961.
Photograph by Nina Leen.
Photograph by Nina Leen.
Less than 10 hours left to get 35% off annual plans to 5AM StoryTalk's newsletter/podcast at Substack.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
These subscriptions support my arts writing and get you exclusive access to tons of features like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting resources, and much more.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
These subscriptions support my arts writing and get you exclusive access to tons of features like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting resources, and much more.
December 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Less than 10 hours left to get 35% off annual plans to 5AM StoryTalk's newsletter/podcast at Substack.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
These subscriptions support my arts writing and get you exclusive access to tons of features like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting resources, and much more.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
These subscriptions support my arts writing and get you exclusive access to tons of features like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting resources, and much more.
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” — Ernest Hemingway
December 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly; sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” — Ernest Hemingway
I live in Australia, but most of my friends — and most of the people reading this Note — are still celebrating Christmas somewhere else around the world. Here’s a sense of what the holiday is like in Oz courtesy of @timminchin.bsky.social…
White Wine In The Sun by Tim Minchin
YouTube video by Tim Minchin
www.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I live in Australia, but most of my friends — and most of the people reading this Note — are still celebrating Christmas somewhere else around the world. Here’s a sense of what the holiday is like in Oz courtesy of @timminchin.bsky.social…
Sonny Rollins getting ready to go onstage at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, 1961.
Photograph by Steve Schapiro.
Photograph by Steve Schapiro.
December 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Sonny Rollins getting ready to go onstage at the Apollo Theatre in New York City, 1961.
Photograph by Steve Schapiro.
Photograph by Steve Schapiro.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE has one of the best onscreen jokes of the 1940s, as far as I’m concerned.
“I’ve, uh, I got to go home and see what the wife is doing.”
If you’re a fan of WONDERFUL LIFE, find out the real reason you’ll never get tired of it here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
“I’ve, uh, I got to go home and see what the wife is doing.”
If you’re a fan of WONDERFUL LIFE, find out the real reason you’ll never get tired of it here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
December 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE has one of the best onscreen jokes of the 1940s, as far as I’m concerned.
“I’ve, uh, I got to go home and see what the wife is doing.”
If you’re a fan of WONDERFUL LIFE, find out the real reason you’ll never get tired of it here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
“I’ve, uh, I got to go home and see what the wife is doing.”
If you’re a fan of WONDERFUL LIFE, find out the real reason you’ll never get tired of it here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
The STAR WARS toy every STAR WARS fanatic deserves.
Custom made by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Watch a (relatively) beautiful upscale of the “STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to...
Custom made by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Watch a (relatively) beautiful upscale of the “STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to...
December 24, 2025 at 1:31 AM
The STAR WARS toy every STAR WARS fanatic deserves.
Custom made by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Watch a (relatively) beautiful upscale of the “STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to...
Custom made by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Watch a (relatively) beautiful upscale of the “STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL” here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to...
Why does IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE continue to resonate with audiences around the world nearly 80 years after it was released? Screenwriter @cincopaul.bsky.social - the first three 'Despicable Me' films, 'The Secret Life of Pets', and creator of 'Schmigadoon!' - answers!
The Enduring Power of 'It's a Wonderful Life' - 'Despicable Me' screenwriter Cinco Paul
YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon
youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Why does IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE continue to resonate with audiences around the world nearly 80 years after it was released? Screenwriter @cincopaul.bsky.social - the first three 'Despicable Me' films, 'The Secret Life of Pets', and creator of 'Schmigadoon!' - answers!
The legendary Toshiro Mifune wishing the world a merry Christmas, c. 1950.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The legendary Toshiro Mifune wishing the world a merry Christmas, c. 1950.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
"I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art." — Madonna
December 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
"I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art." — Madonna
Independent poster for A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983). It’s very much worth zooming in on this one, given all the tiny, thoughtful details you find throughout it.
Art by DKNG.
Art by DKNG.
December 23, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Independent poster for A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983). It’s very much worth zooming in on this one, given all the tiny, thoughtful details you find throughout it.
Art by DKNG.
Art by DKNG.
Only three days left to upgrade your 5AM StoryTalk subscription to an annual plan for 35% off!
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
When you do so, you both support my work *and* get exclusive access to a ton of features - like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting and writing resources, and more.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
When you do so, you both support my work *and* get exclusive access to a ton of features - like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting and writing resources, and more.
December 23, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Only three days left to upgrade your 5AM StoryTalk subscription to an annual plan for 35% off!
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
When you do so, you both support my work *and* get exclusive access to a ton of features - like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting and writing resources, and more.
colehaddon.substack.com/915eba7a
When you do so, you both support my work *and* get exclusive access to a ton of features - like bonus podcast episodes, screenwriting and writing resources, and more.
Custom David Bowie and Bing Crosby toy set I’d love to show up under my Christmas tree this year.
Created by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Read the history of the Christmas duet that inspired this delightful piece of art here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surrea...
Created by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Read the history of the Christmas duet that inspired this delightful piece of art here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surrea...
December 22, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Custom David Bowie and Bing Crosby toy set I’d love to show up under my Christmas tree this year.
Created by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Read the history of the Christmas duet that inspired this delightful piece of art here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surrea...
Created by Adam Perocchi at Readful Things.
Read the history of the Christmas duet that inspired this delightful piece of art here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surrea...
Why are Hallmark Christmas movies so popular?
ERIN CAHILL - dear friend and star of Hallmark Christmas films like this year’s ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’ - discusses the cultural conditions that led to Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' becoming such a phenomenon.
ERIN CAHILL - dear friend and star of Hallmark Christmas films like this year’s ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’ - discusses the cultural conditions that led to Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' becoming such a phenomenon.
Why Hallmark Christmas Films Are So Popular: 'Christmas at the Catnip Cafe' Star Erin Cahill Answers
YouTube video by 5AM StoryTalk with Cole Haddon
youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Why are Hallmark Christmas movies so popular?
ERIN CAHILL - dear friend and star of Hallmark Christmas films like this year’s ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’ - discusses the cultural conditions that led to Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' becoming such a phenomenon.
ERIN CAHILL - dear friend and star of Hallmark Christmas films like this year’s ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’ - discusses the cultural conditions that led to Hallmark's 'Countdown to Christmas' becoming such a phenomenon.
This week on 5AM RealTalk, a 5AM StoryTalk plog about the highs and lows of my life as a writer: I turned in my pilot script!, last episode of the year, the Bondi Beach attack and Rob Reiner's murder, a holiday message, and whole lot of gratitude for you and you and you and you.
5AM RealTalk: 12/22/25 (turned in my pilot script! - Bondi Beach attack and Rob Reiner - holiday message)
open.spotify.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This week on 5AM RealTalk, a 5AM StoryTalk plog about the highs and lows of my life as a writer: I turned in my pilot script!, last episode of the year, the Bondi Beach attack and Rob Reiner's murder, a holiday message, and whole lot of gratitude for you and you and you and you.
Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis, c. 1967.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
December 22, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Janet Leigh and Jamie Lee Curtis, c. 1967.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
“First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him.” — Ray Bradbury
December 22, 2025 at 11:42 AM
“First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him.” — Ray Bradbury