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/
“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).
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
If Apple isn’t your jam, you can listen to 5AM StoryTalk’s conversation with BEN LEE at your favorite podcast player here: pod.link/1807437928/e...
And at Substack here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
And at Substack here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
If Apple isn’t your jam, you can listen to 5AM StoryTalk’s conversation with BEN LEE at your favorite podcast player here: pod.link/1807437928/e...
And at Substack here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
And at Substack here: colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcas...
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
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.
Louis Armstrong, 1971.
Photograph by Ormond Gigli.
Photograph by Ormond Gigli.
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Louis Armstrong, 1971.
Photograph by Ormond Gigli.
Photograph by Ormond Gigli.
“When I'm painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a ‘get acquainted period’ that I see what I've been about.” — Jackson Pollock
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 AM
“When I'm painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a ‘get acquainted period’ that I see what I've been about.” — Jackson Pollock
Trying to hit this script deadline like:
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Trying to hit this script deadline like:
Fantastic poster for PARASITE (2019).
Art by Rory Kurtz.
Art by Rory Kurtz.
November 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Fantastic poster for PARASITE (2019).
Art by Rory Kurtz.
Art by Rory Kurtz.
If Apple isn’t your jam, you can always listen to this episode of 5AM RealTalk at your favorite podcast player here: pod.link/1807437928/e...
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
If Apple isn’t your jam, you can always listen to this episode of 5AM RealTalk at your favorite podcast player here: pod.link/1807437928/e...
Kim Novak and Cary Grant dancing at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival after the presentation of the American film entry Middle of the Night that Novak starred in.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
November 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Kim Novak and Cary Grant dancing at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival after the presentation of the American film entry Middle of the Night that Novak starred in.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
“A story will help us make sense of anything.” — Philip Pullman
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
“A story will help us make sense of anything.” — Philip Pullman
'Double Exposure, Model with Swirling Evening Dress over Close up of Her Head with Faux Jewel Hair', 1946.
Photograph by Gjon Mili (Albanian-American).
Photograph by Gjon Mili (Albanian-American).
November 24, 2025 at 4:29 AM
'Double Exposure, Model with Swirling Evening Dress over Close up of Her Head with Faux Jewel Hair', 1946.
Photograph by Gjon Mili (Albanian-American).
Photograph by Gjon Mili (Albanian-American).
Ella Fitzgerald, Los Angeles, 1988.
Photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
Photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
November 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Ella Fitzgerald, Los Angeles, 1988.
Photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
Photograph by Annie Leibovitz.
“I've learned that walking your own path [as an artist] is much more rewarding than trying to fit into someone else's expectations.” — Ava DuVernay
November 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
“I've learned that walking your own path [as an artist] is much more rewarding than trying to fit into someone else's expectations.” — Ava DuVernay
From the making of BATMAN RETURNS (1992): Danny DeVito gets his Penguin make-up touched up. Tim Burton putting him in this filthy onesie pajamas always seemed inspired to me; it’s such a stark contrast to Michelle Pfeiffer’s shiny clean vinyl.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
November 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM
From the making of BATMAN RETURNS (1992): Danny DeVito gets his Penguin make-up touched up. Tim Burton putting him in this filthy onesie pajamas always seemed inspired to me; it’s such a stark contrast to Michelle Pfeiffer’s shiny clean vinyl.
Photographer unknown.
Photographer unknown.
Brad Pitt in Calabasas, California, 1994.
Photograph by Peggy Sirota.
Photograph by Peggy Sirota.
November 22, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Brad Pitt in Calabasas, California, 1994.
Photograph by Peggy Sirota.
Photograph by Peggy Sirota.
“I have to feel that I’m after something. If I make money, fine. But I’d rather be striving. It’s the striving, man, it’s that I want.” — John Coltrane
November 22, 2025 at 11:14 AM
“I have to feel that I’m after something. If I make money, fine. But I’d rather be striving. It’s the striving, man, it’s that I want.” — John Coltrane