Forgotten Hollywood

In this episode, I spoke with Shelley Herman and her book "My Peacock Tale: Secrets of An NBC Page". My Peacock Tale: Secrets Of An NBC Page is a funny, sexy, gossipy, celebrity-filled memoir with real-life, never-before-told stories. Set against the backdrop of NBC Burbank in the mid-70s, the Pages had VIP access to stars ranging from Johnny Carson to Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner to Andy Kaufman, Fr...

In this episode, I spoke with both David Fantle and Tom Johnson regarding their latest book " C'mon Get Happy The Making of Summer Stock". The book will be out in mid-October. In their third and final screen teaming, Judy Garland and Gene Kelly starred together in the MGM musical Summer Stock. Despite its riveting production history, charismatic lead actors, and classic musical moments, the movie...

In this episode, I spoke with author Greg Ehrbar regarding his book "Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records". Around the world there are grandparents, parents, and children who can still sing ditties by Tigger or Baloo the Bear or the Seven Dwarves. This staying power and global reach is in large part a testimony to the pizzazz of performers, songwriters, and other creative artists who wor...

In this episode, I spoke with author Paul A Thomas on his latest book "Exploring The Land of Ooo: An Unofficial Overview and Production History of Cartoon Network's Adventure Time". Exploring the Land of Ooo: An Unofficial Overview and Production History of Cartoon Network’s "Adventure Time" is a guide through the colorful and exuberant animated television series that initially aired from 2010 to...

In this episode I spoke with author Chris Yogerst on this book "The Warner Brothers". One of the oldest and most recognizable studios in Hollywood, Warner Bros. is considered a juggernaut of the entertainment industry. Since its formation in the early twentieth century, the studio has been a constant presence in cinema history, responsible for the creation of acclaimed films, blockbuster brands, a...

n this episode, I discuss the career of Pinto Colvig with guest Spencer Wright. Pinto had a very interesting career with Disney and other studios.

In this episode, I discuss with author Dale Sherman his book "Four Scores and Seven Reels Ago". Four Scores and Seven Reels Ago: The U.S. Presidency through Hollywood Films examines the ways Hollywood has portrayed the presidency over the years.

In this episode, we discuss the act of Steve Buscemi coming back to New York to help other firefighters during the September 11, 2023 events at the World Trade Center.

In this episode, I spoke with the author Chris Alexander on his book Corman/Poe: Interviews and Essays Exploring the Making of Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe Films, 1960-1964. Produced on modest budgets for American International Pictures, Roger Corman's adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe stories were popular in their time as escapist horror cinema. Most starred horror icon Vincent Price and were writ...

In this episode, I spoke with author Andrew Patrick Nelson about his book "Still In The Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969 -1980". By the end of the 1960s, the Hollywood West of Tom Mix, Randolph Scott, and even John Wayne was passé—or so the story goes. Many film historians and critics have argued that movies portraying a mythic American West gave way to revisionist films that influential filmma...

In this episode, I discuss the life of actress Helen Walker.

In this episode, I spoke with author Lesley Coffin regarding her book "Hitchcock's Stars: Alfred Hitchcock and the Hollywood Studio System". Although he was a visual stylist who once referred to actors as cattle, Alfred Hitchcock also had a remarkable talent for innovative and creative casting choices. The director launched the careers of several actors and completely changed the trajectory of oth...

In this episode I spoke with author Dan Callahan about his latest book "Bing and Billie and Frank and Ella and Judy and Barbra" which will be out on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, from Chicago Review Press. Crosby, Holiday, Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Garland, and Streisand were the major interpreters of the American songbook, and this is the interlocking story of their lives and careers. Here is the epic t...

Eleanor Powell: Born to Dance by Paula Broussard and Lisa Royère is an all-encompassing work following the American dance legend from her premature birth into a single-parent home in Springfield, Massachusetts, to her first Broadway performance at age fifteen, through her days as a blazing icon in the world of Hollywood, and finally, to her inspiring comeback. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, my friend of the show, Warren Croom and I spoke with actor Johnny Whitaker. Johhny talks about his years as a child actor. The redheaded Whitaker played Jody Davis on Family Affair from 1966 to 1971. He also originated the role of Scotty Baldwin on General Hospital in 1965, and played the lead in Hallmark's 1969 The Littlest Angel , and portrayed the title character in the 1973 mu...

In this episode I spoke with Bambi Moe about her book "Part of the Magic". Part of the Magic: A Collection of Disney-Inspired Brushes with Greatness is a book of remarkable and wildly entertaining anecdotal stories told through the lens of an entertainment industry insider.

In this episode, I discuss the life of Colin Clive. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss the life of the actress Thelma Ritter. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss the life of actor Andy Devine. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I spoke with author Robert Miklitsch and his book I Died A Million Times: Gangster Noir In Midcentury America. In the 1950s, the gangster movie and film noir crisscrossed to create gangster noir. Robert Miklitsch takes readers into this fascinating subgenre of films focused on crime syndicates, crooked cops, and capers.

In this episode, I talk about the life of actor Lewis Stone. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, author Spence Wright returns to discuss the career of Lucilla La Verne. Many of you will know her as the Evil Queen/Old Hag from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In this episode, I spoke with author Ruby Blondell about her latest book "Helen of Troy In Hollywood" which will be out on August 1, 2023, by Princeton Press. Helen of Troy in Hollywood examines the figure of the mythic Helen in film and television, showing how storytellers from different Hollywood eras have used Helen to grapple with the problems and dynamics of gender and idealized femininity. Y...

In this episode, I discuss the life of John Carradine. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I have a conversation regarding the TCM turmoil with a former employee JayJay Epega. TCM has officially closed airing in England. Jay Jay offers insight. James Lott JR talks about the business and social implications. Doug Hess is the host!