Cole Haddon
@colehaddon.bsky.social
Novelist, screenwriter, journalist. 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/
Pinned
Musician Ben Lee Is Watching the Fall of America ('Awake Is the New Sleep' - 'Ripe' - 'I'm Fun!')
Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · 11/26/2025 · 1h 5m
podcasts.apple.com
The latest ep of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast has dropped! Aussie musician @benleemusic.bsky.social discusses why he was scared to release his stunning new song ‘The Fall of America’, how he got the American Dream wrong, the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep', and much more.
“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” — Saul Bellow
November 30, 2025 at 7:41 AM
“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” — Saul Bellow
From the making of MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE (1964): Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni shooting an “intimate” bedroom scene. That’s director Vittorio de Sica behind the camera (in the gray suit).
Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
November 30, 2025 at 12:28 AM
From the making of MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE (1964): Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni shooting an “intimate” bedroom scene. That’s director Vittorio de Sica behind the camera (in the gray suit).
Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt.
I just watched the loveliest, life-affirming short film from my friend @tillybridges.bsky.social and her wife @susanlbridges.bsky.social. It's called LONG AWAY and it's making the rounds on the festival circuit. If you see it show up on a fest schedule, be sure to check it out!
November 29, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I just watched the loveliest, life-affirming short film from my friend @tillybridges.bsky.social and her wife @susanlbridges.bsky.social. It's called LONG AWAY and it's making the rounds on the festival circuit. If you see it show up on a fest schedule, be sure to check it out!
Cary Grant died 39 years ago today (Nov. 29, 1986). While he often gets labeled as just a “movie star”, he was also an amazing actor and one of the most self-aware performers in cinema history. Here, I dive into two of his finest performances - including an oft-overlooked Christmas classic.
Cary Grant Wasn't 'Just a Movie Star'
On the 120th anniversary of the actor's birth, let's have a quick chat about his two greatest performances
colehaddon.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Cary Grant died 39 years ago today (Nov. 29, 1986). While he often gets labeled as just a “movie star”, he was also an amazing actor and one of the most self-aware performers in cinema history. Here, I dive into two of his finest performances - including an oft-overlooked Christmas classic.
Here’s something for the lover of Christmas TV specials. From the Muppets to Julie Andrews, to a multiverse of Scrooges and George Lucas's greatest shame, let's take a ride on the holiday nostalgia train together…
30 Hard-to-Find Christmas TV Specials Free on YouTube
From the Muppets to Julie Andrews, to a multiverse of Scrooges and George Lucas's greatest shame, let's take a ride on the holiday nostalgia train together
colehaddon.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Here’s something for the lover of Christmas TV specials. From the Muppets to Julie Andrews, to a multiverse of Scrooges and George Lucas's greatest shame, let's take a ride on the holiday nostalgia train together…
Rock Hudson making breakfast at his L.A. home, 1952.
Photograph by Sid Avery.
Photograph by Sid Avery.
November 29, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Rock Hudson making breakfast at his L.A. home, 1952.
Photograph by Sid Avery.
Photograph by Sid Avery.
“I think writer’s block is something we hide behind when we’re feeling insecure or bad about ourselves. Maybe it’s not writer’s block. Maybe it’s your body being, like, ‘Go take a bath.’ Like, ‘God, go to sleep. We don’t need to be doing this right now.’” — Billie Eilish
November 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
“I think writer’s block is something we hide behind when we’re feeling insecure or bad about ourselves. Maybe it’s not writer’s block. Maybe it’s your body being, like, ‘Go take a bath.’ Like, ‘God, go to sleep. We don’t need to be doing this right now.’” — Billie Eilish
Reposted by Cole Haddon
The latest ep of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast has dropped! Aussie musician @benleemusic.bsky.social discusses why he was scared to release his stunning new song ‘The Fall of America’, how he got the American Dream wrong, the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep', and much more.
Musician Ben Lee Is Watching the Fall of America ('Awake Is the New Sleep' - 'Ripe' - 'I'm Fun!')
Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · 11/26/2025 · 1h 5m
podcasts.apple.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The latest ep of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast has dropped! Aussie musician @benleemusic.bsky.social discusses why he was scared to release his stunning new song ‘The Fall of America’, how he got the American Dream wrong, the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep', and much more.
Every week at the 5AM StoryTalk, I pose a single culture-related question to the amazing community of artists and art lovers I've built at Substack. This week, we explore the question:
What makes a great Christmas song anymore?
Click on the link and join the discussion!
What makes a great Christmas song anymore?
Click on the link and join the discussion!
💬 Weekly Question: What makes a great Christmas song anymore?
Christmas songs are holiday mysteries, as far as I’m concerned.
colehaddon.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Every week at the 5AM StoryTalk, I pose a single culture-related question to the amazing community of artists and art lovers I've built at Substack. This week, we explore the question:
What makes a great Christmas song anymore?
Click on the link and join the discussion!
What makes a great Christmas song anymore?
Click on the link and join the discussion!
Audrey Hepburn has make-up touched up on the set of SABRINA (1954).
Photograph by Mark Shaw.
Photograph by Mark Shaw.
November 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Audrey Hepburn has make-up touched up on the set of SABRINA (1954).
Photograph by Mark Shaw.
Photograph by Mark Shaw.
“Sometimes your character is not your destiny. Sometimes a plane flying into a building is your destiny. The larger world gets into the story not because I want to write about politics, but because I want to write about people.” — Salman Rushdie
November 28, 2025 at 8:44 AM
“Sometimes your character is not your destiny. Sometimes a plane flying into a building is your destiny. The larger world gets into the story not because I want to write about politics, but because I want to write about people.” — Salman Rushdie
Japanese poster for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946).
It’s been difficult to track down the origins of this piece. My research assures me it’s not AI and it’s not an independent piece of art, so it’s very likely part of the film’s 1954 release in Japan.
It’s been difficult to track down the origins of this piece. My research assures me it’s not AI and it’s not an independent piece of art, so it’s very likely part of the film’s 1954 release in Japan.
November 28, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Japanese poster for IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946).
It’s been difficult to track down the origins of this piece. My research assures me it’s not AI and it’s not an independent piece of art, so it’s very likely part of the film’s 1954 release in Japan.
It’s been difficult to track down the origins of this piece. My research assures me it’s not AI and it’s not an independent piece of art, so it’s very likely part of the film’s 1954 release in Japan.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!
November 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!
Paul Newman outside his home, 1962.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Paul Newman outside his home, 1962.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
“People call me a perfectionist, but I'm not. I'm a rightist. I do something until it's right, and then I move on to the next thing.” — James Cameron
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“People call me a perfectionist, but I'm not. I'm a rightist. I do something until it's right, and then I move on to the next thing.” — James Cameron
Thursday evening vibes. This is your yearly reminder that The Partridge Family Christmas Card is a Christmas gem and their take on “Frosty the Snowman”, performed by David Cassidy, is the version of the song that all other should be measured against.
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Thursday evening vibes. This is your yearly reminder that The Partridge Family Christmas Card is a Christmas gem and their take on “Frosty the Snowman”, performed by David Cassidy, is the version of the song that all other should be measured against.
'The Illusionist', 1946.
Location: Warsaw, Poland.
Photograph by Michael O’Reilly Nash (national uncertain).
Location: Warsaw, Poland.
Photograph by Michael O’Reilly Nash (national uncertain).
November 27, 2025 at 4:41 AM
'The Illusionist', 1946.
Location: Warsaw, Poland.
Photograph by Michael O’Reilly Nash (national uncertain).
Location: Warsaw, Poland.
Photograph by Michael O’Reilly Nash (national uncertain).
Still the funniest Thanksgiving bit ever put on television. Be sure to watch until the final line, which I want to quote here…but I shall restrain myself.
WKRP in Cincinnati - S1E7 - Turkeys Away (Segment) (SUPERSCALED)
YouTube video by Crosscut Films
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Still the funniest Thanksgiving bit ever put on television. Be sure to watch until the final line, which I want to quote here…but I shall restrain myself.
As a concession to the Gods of Capitalism, 5AM StoryTalk is offering a Black Friday sale of 50% OFF YEARLY PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS to its newsletter/podcast — that's 60% cheaper than monthly subscriptions.
Act now - the deal expires at the close of Cyber Monday!
colehaddon.substack.com/0c4720ab
Act now - the deal expires at the close of Cyber Monday!
colehaddon.substack.com/0c4720ab
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
As a concession to the Gods of Capitalism, 5AM StoryTalk is offering a Black Friday sale of 50% OFF YEARLY PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS to its newsletter/podcast — that's 60% cheaper than monthly subscriptions.
Act now - the deal expires at the close of Cyber Monday!
colehaddon.substack.com/0c4720ab
Act now - the deal expires at the close of Cyber Monday!
colehaddon.substack.com/0c4720ab
The latest ep of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast has dropped! Aussie musician @benleemusic.bsky.social discusses why he was scared to release his stunning new song ‘The Fall of America’, how he got the American Dream wrong, the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep', and much more.
Musician Ben Lee Is Watching the Fall of America ('Awake Is the New Sleep' - 'Ripe' - 'I'm Fun!')
Podcast Episode · 5AM StoryTalk · 11/26/2025 · 1h 5m
podcasts.apple.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The latest ep of the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast has dropped! Aussie musician @benleemusic.bsky.social discusses why he was scared to release his stunning new song ‘The Fall of America’, how he got the American Dream wrong, the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep', and much more.
Madonna, 1989.
Photograph by Herb Ritts.
Photograph by Herb Ritts.
November 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Madonna, 1989.
Photograph by Herb Ritts.
Photograph by Herb Ritts.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou
November 26, 2025 at 10:42 AM
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou
They're all Austin Powers villains at this point.
And yes, this is very, very real.
And yes, this is very, very real.
November 26, 2025 at 8:13 AM
They're all Austin Powers villains at this point.
And yes, this is very, very real.
And yes, this is very, very real.
Reposted by Cole Haddon
This is what Peak Male Performance looks like.
November 26, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This is what Peak Male Performance looks like.
From the making of BLADE RUNNER (1982): Ridley Scott, behind the camera, shooting Deckard’s meeting with Tyrell (Harrison Ford and Joe Turkell).
Photograph by Stephen Vaughan.
Photograph by Stephen Vaughan.
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
From the making of BLADE RUNNER (1982): Ridley Scott, behind the camera, shooting Deckard’s meeting with Tyrell (Harrison Ford and Joe Turkell).
Photograph by Stephen Vaughan.
Photograph by Stephen Vaughan.