In this episode, we dive into High Noon — a 1952 Western that trades spectacle for substance. It’s a story about moral courage, standing alone, and the quiet weight of doing what’s right when no one else will.

We explore the film’s allegory to the McCarthy era, Carl Foreman’s blacklisting, Grace Kelly’s understated power, and how Gary Cooper became a real-life version of Will Kane.

Our coffee pairing? The bold and balanced Streetlevel blend from Verve Coffee Roasters — smooth, strong, and ethically sourced. Just like our hero.

• Buy the coffee: https://www.amazon.com/High-Noon-Gary-Cooper/dp/B000Q66JRO

• Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/high-noon/umc.cmc.3s3b7je1dlub39qgm6qirkr94

• YouTube Movies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiF_tKZzRUM

• Streaming (as of recording): Check https://reelbeans.com

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/reel_beans

• Email: https://reelbeans.com/support

🎧 Available on all podcast platforms + YouTube Please rate, review, and share if you enjoy the show!

Sip. Watch. Repeat. ☕🎬

This week on Reel Beans, we explore the 1957 film Desk Set starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. We dive into tech anxiety, workplace dynamics, and what still holds true in 2025. Plus, we feature a rich, layered brew—Stumptown Coffee's Hair Bender—as the perfect pairing for this classic workplace comedy.

Find Reel Beans wherever you enjoy your podcasts: - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reel-beans/id1809155140 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4uSX1SA7pQSJiafI4gOHDF - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reelbeans - I Heart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-reel-beans-276782796/ - Podbean: https://reelbeans.podbean.com - And on our website: https://reelbeans.com

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🙏 Special Thanks

A heartfelt thanks to Casey Haltom and Allen Stafford for their thoughtful discussion and insights featured in this episode.

🎬 Desk Set – Production, Reviews, and Cultural Commentary

• - Where to Watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/desk-set
• - Hepburn/Tracy filmography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Tracy_and_Katharine_Hepburn
• - LA Times article: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-01-04/katharine-hepburn-spencer-tracy-desk-set-1957
• - Popular Mechanics: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a34743057/desk-set-1957-computer-history/
• - Colorado AI News: https://coloradoaiengineering.medium.com/desk-set-1957-and-the-origins-of-ai-anxiety-f4f18723bd8e
• - Wikipedia – Reviews: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desk_Set#Reception
• - Wikipedia – Production: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desk_Set#Production
• - Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/desk_set
• - Britannica – Walter Lang: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Lang
• - Blonde at the Film: https://www.blondeatthefilm.com/post/desk-set-1957

📊 Gender & Workplace Stats

• - Forbes – Female CEOs: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2024/10/04/the-ceo-gender-gap-what-the-lack-of-female-leaders-means-for-all-working-women/
• - Statista – Women on Boards: https://www.statista.com/chart/13995/female-ceos-in-fortune-500-companies/

☕ Stumptown Coffee / Hair Bender Background

• - Stumptown Coffee – Official Site: https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/
• - Hair Bender Espresso: https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/products/hair-bender
• - Sprudge – Third Wave Coffee: https://sprudge.com/what-is-third-wave-coffee-45089.html
• - Eater – Duane Sorenson Interview: https://www.eater.com/2018/4/24/17274218/duane-sorenson-stumptown-coffee-interview
• - Roast Magazine: https://www.roastmagazine.com/about/roasteroftheyear/