Forgotten Hollywood

In this episode, I spoke with Thomas J. Slater about his book "June Mathis: The Rise and Fall of a Silent Film Visionary". After more than a decade of stepping onto stages across the US, she moved into the burgeoning film business and behind the camera to begin a prolific career as a screenwriter and producer for profound movies like The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse  (1921) and Blood and Sand (...

In this episode, I discuss with Christopher Shaw Myers his book and uncle "Robert Shaw: An Actor's Life On The Set Of JAWS and Beyond". Just in time for the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, an intimate and richly-told portrait of the iconic actor and writer Robert Shaw, from his portrayal of the legendary shark hunter Captain Quint and beyond, written lovingly but honestly by his nephe...

In this episode, I spoke with Mary Mallory about her book "First Women of Hollywood: Female Pioneers in the Early Motion Picture Business". Largely created by immigrants, the film industry evolved over its first few decades thanks to the work of people outside the traditional ruling class— immigrants, people of color, women—partly as a result of elites denigrating the fledgling field. As the movin...

In this episode, I spoke with Elias Savada bout his book "Dark Carnival: The Secret World of Tod Browning, Hollywood’s Master of the Macabre ". One of the most original and unsettling filmmakers of all time, Tod Browning (1880–1962) began his career buried alive in a carnival sideshow and saw his Hollywood reputation crash with the box office disaster–turned–cult classic Freaks . Penetrating the s...

In this episode, I discuss with author Rick Penn-Kraus and his book "Steve McQueen The Last Interview". The inspiring true story behind Steve McQueen's last interview. In 1979 Los Angeles, a teenage high school journalist set out to do the impossible: land an interview with movie legend Steve McQueen, a man known for avoiding reporters and dodging the spotlight. What followed was a mix of bold det...

In this episode, I discuss with author Rick Penn-Kraus and his book "Steve McQueen The Last Interview". The inspiring true story behind Steve McQueen's last interview. In 1979 Los Angeles, a teenage high school journalist set out to do the impossible: land an interview with movie legend Steve McQueen, a man known for avoiding reporters and dodging the spotlight. What followed was a mix of bold det...

In this episode, I spoke with film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum about his latest book "Travel In The Cities of Cinema". Jonathan Rosenbaum stands as one of the most eminent film critics in the English-speaking world. After working for Sight and Sound  and Monthly Film Bulletin  in London in the 1970s, he served for two decades as chief film critic for the Chicago Reader . Hailed as "one of the best"...

In this episode, I spoke with author Nat Segaloff about his book "The Rambo Report". The ultimate guide to the Rambo phenomenon—from bestselling novel to Hollywood blockbuster to all-American hero, legend, and icon—written with the full cooperation of Rambo’s creator, bestselling author David Morrell . . .

Little House On the Prarie's Alison Arngrim, who played the infamous Nelly Olsen, chats with Doug about life! 

In this episode, I spoke with author Tom Santopietro about his book " Audrey Hepburn: A Life Of Beautiful Uncertainty". This is the definitive tribute to the glamor and character of a beloved icon, including rarely published details, photographs and stories about the lasting impact of Audrey Hepburn's remarkable life. Academy Award-winning actress, fashion icon, ethereal beauty, wife, mother, Worl...

In this episode, we discuss one of the world's most underrated Academy Award-winning actresses, Jennifer Jones. She was not only an American actress but also a mental-health advocate. She was cast in her first leading role in The Song of Bernadette (1943). Her intense and sincere portrayal of a French peasant girl (St. Bernadette of Lourdes) earned Jones an Academy Award.

In this episode, I spoke with author Robert B. O’Connor about his book "Jeep shows, and Jeep Show – A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge".    An untold WWII story —where courage wasn’t just tested in battle, but on makeshift stages at the front and on the home front.

In this episode, I spoke with Christopher McKittrick about his latest book "Vera Miles: The Hitchcock Blonde Who Got Away". Captivating, talented, and beautiful, Vera Miles was destined for fame. Within a few years of making her way to Hollywood in 1949, she starred in such films as The Rose Bowl Story (1952), Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955), and Wichita (1955). Her frequent television performances...

In this episode, I talk about Indiana native Robert Keith. Rolland Keith Richey (February 10, 1898 – December 22, 1966), known professionally as Robert Keith , was an American stage and film  actor  who appeared in several dozen films, mostly in the 1950s as a  character actor . follow on facebook at @forgottenhollywood

In this episode, I spoke with Dafydd Jones about his latest book "Hollywood Confidential". Hollywood: Confidential is the latest collection of beautifully timed photos from bestselling society photographer Dafydd Jones. Formerly of Tatler and Vanity Fair, Jones is a serial capturer of intimate moments during high-society functions. As famous Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter puts it, when it comes...

In this episode I discuss the Producer Hal B. Wallis. He is best known for producing Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and True Grit, along with many other major films for Warner Bros. featuring such film stars as Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Bette Davis, and Errol Flynn.

In this episode, Warren Croom and I spoke with Bentley Mitchum the grandson of Robert Mitchum about his grandfather.  Bentley is also an actor and musican. Follow Bentely on ig @mitchumontop Also Saturday March 22nd at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, showing of the film Out of the Past/The Killng staring Robert Mitchum. 

In this episode, I discuss screen writer Charles Brackett.  He co-wrote Ball of Fire (1941) , The Lost Weekend (1945) , and Sunset Boulevard (1950)  to name just as few films.  

In this episode, I discuss the life of Director James Whale.

In this episode, I discuss the life of actor/director Fred C Newmeyer.

Thso podcast hits a major milestone!

In this episode, I spoke with author Diane Kiesel about her latest book "When Charlie Met Joan: The Tragedy of the Chaplin Trials and the Failings of American Law". Charlie Chaplin, the silent screen’s “Little Tramp,” was beloved by millions of movie fans until he starred in a series of salacious, real-life federal courtroom dramas.

In this episode, I discuss the work of Director, Producer and actor Sam Wood. Directed eight Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Good Earth (1937)  (uncredited), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) , Gone with the Wind (1939)  (uncredited), Our Town (1940) , Kitty Foyle (1940) , Kings Row (1942) , The Pride of the Yankees (1942)  and For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) .

In this episode, I discuss with Mallory O'Meara and her latest book "Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood’s First Stuntwoman". Helen Gibson was a woman willing to do anything to give audiences a thrill. Advertised as "The Most Daring Actress in Pictures," Helen emerged in the early days of the twentieth-century silent film scene as a rode...