Done & Dunne

Oh my – we are working our way through some of the stories Dominick Dunne got a piece of in his investigations into this sunny fantasy land for the very wealthy. In this episode, we sleuth around the stories of Susan H. Whitmore, the Listerine heiress, and Mollie Wilmot, who became famous in 1984 when a 200-foot-long tanker ran into her Palm Beach seawall. All sources can be found at  doneanddone....

Continuing our investigation today, we move along to the gentlemen that Dominick Dunne touches upon in his April 1986 Vanity Fair 1986 investigation. There is a lot of unpack in this one! Douglas Fairbanks Jr. becomes a real celebrity around the island in his home, The Vicarage - not to be outdone by Paul Ilyensky, with his many connections into the high society scene. We conclude with a dive into...

In our continuing discovery of Dominick Dunne's 1986 quest for the Real Palm Beach, we take a journey back into 1985, when Armand Hammer hosts The Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana, for a charity ball at The Breakers on their way home from a very successful visit at the Reagan White House. You know it - it was the one that Princess Diana danced with John Travolta - but there is so mu...

In this episode, we investigate the most exclusive party in Palm Beach, The Coconuts. It is a New Years Eve ritual, enjoyed by a very privileged few. For a town mostly run by the ladies, this is the one night the men take over the gala in thanks to the Grand Dames. Something must be amazing out the event – it celebrated its 100th anniversary December 31, 2022.  All sources can be found at  doneand...

It is a whole new season, investigators! This month we travel to one of the most exclusive, and wealthy, communities in the high society scene - Palm Beach, Florida. Dominick Dunne goes on a quest early in his Vanity Fair career that will continue through the years. This season posits the question: What is the Real Palm Beach? Continue your investigation with ad-free and bonus episodes on Patreon...

We conclude January with the conclusion of Kick Kennedy's story and her Kennedy family too, from 1940 onward. World War II is only one of the catastrophes playing out within this decade for the family.  Included is all of Kick's arc, and well as her siblings, Joe Jr. and Rosemary too. What a legacy these three souls have - then and now.  All sources can be found at  doneanddone.com . Continue your...

Oh my, darlings - this week, we investigate the first part of Kick Kennedy's life, all very much attached to her parents and siblings. Kick is a joy, and so much connected throughout all the things we have covered in the months of our investigation. This episode includes Kick and the Kennedy family through 1940, right up to World War II, where so much will change for this American dynasty.  All so...

In this episode, we explore the life and legend of Maxine Elliott, builder and operator of the most hopping spot on the French Riviera for decades, the Chateau de l ’Horizon. A gathering spot for the famous and infamous, this home played host to many in its time – from political leaders to Hollywood stars to royalty. A few folks included in our cast this week: Lady Doris Castlerosse, Winston Churc...

This week, we explore the life and legacy of Frances Ellen Work, another American Girl to make an incredible impact overseas. Frances has a pretty famous great-granddaughter, Diana, Princess of Wales. We explore the story of another Frances too - Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd. Lots of connections in this one, throughout the generations! All sources can be found at doneanddone.com . Continue y...

In this last of our current trio of American Girls, we explore the life of Consuelo Vanderbilt - who has no choice but to marry into titled folks. All sources can be found at doneanddone.com . Continue your investigation ad-free and bonus episodes on Patreon ! Further Reading: The Glitter and the Gold , by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan (Amazon.com) The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and N...

Our story continues with the second of our three American Girls this week with the legendary Jennie Jerome, the very first one to marry into the British peerage. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com . Continue your investigation ad-free and bonus episodes on Patreon ! Further Reading: The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and New York , by Anne de...

In this first episode of this American Girls trio of episodes, we celebrate the life of Consuelo Yznaga, the first American Girl to marry a Duke, the highest rank in the British peerage. Consuelo makes her match to the Duke of Manchester, but it is for her transatlantic marriage brokerage talents that this duchess is far more remembered. All sources can be found at doneanddone.com . Continue your...

This week, it’s a journey 500 years in the making! Off to Derbyshire we go to spend some time at Chatsworth, the ancestral home of the Cavendish family and the Dukes and Duchesses of Devonshire. There were many women who claimed the Duchess title, and a few who did not. We explore them all – from Bess of Hardwick to Georgiana Spencer and Deborah Mitford, the ones who did attain the title, as well...

In this episode, we introduce the unforgettable Mitford Sisters – six women who changed the 20th century, and play in it too. Welcome to the lives of Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica, and Deborah - and all their loves, scandals and legacies too. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at  doneanddone.com . Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne  with ad-free...

In this episode, we investigate the world of Debutantes, in all of their gloved glory through time. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com . Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne with ad-free episodes and weekly bonus episodes too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

In this final episode of our series, we investigate what might have happened to Lord Lucan and the fates of our associated cast of characters in this season.  All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com. Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne with ad-free episodes and weekly bonus episodes too!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

Not only has Lord Lucan disappeared, causing an international manhunt, but Lucan’s friends are closing ranks. In this episode, we investigate the immediate aftermath of Lucan’s deeds and how one of the set, Dominick Elwes, is destroyed by the Clermont set. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com. Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne with ad-...

In this episode, we investigate the events of that terrible night, November 7, 1974, where Lucky’s fate is sealed by miscalculating his hand, with the terrible cost of the life of the Lucan’s nanny, Sandra Rivett. Lord Lucan is now a murderer on the run. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com. Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne with ad-fr...

In this second episode, we investigate the marriage, separation and downright ugly court battle of Lord and Lady Lucan. Lord Lucan is very much down on his luck and makes some decisions about how to change his fate. All sources and additional recommended reading can be found at doneanddone.com. Continue your investigation @ patreon.com/doneanddunne with ad-free episodes and weekly bonus episodes t...

Welcome to Season 5 of Done and Dunne and our investigation into the mysterious vanishing of Richard John Bingham, the 7th Earl of Lucan, also known as Lucky. John Bingham certainly started life on a lucky streak. This episode delves into Lord Lucan’s background, including his family, early childhood, and the meeting his future wife Veronica Duncan. We also introduce our wide cast of characters al...

In this special episode of Done and Dunne, we celebrate our man Nick's birthday (October 29th) with a very special guest! This week we are joined by Andy Bellatti from Astrology with Andy to explore Dunne's natal chart, providing a bit of insight into Dunne, even if astrology is not quite your thing. Also included is exciting information about next season - coming for you Saturday, November 5. Wan...

This week, our investigation brings us to the final days of Marilyn Monroe's life, and to her legacy.  Recommended Sources: Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe , by Anthony Summers (Amazon) Peter Lawford: The Man Who Kept Secrets , by James Spada (Amazon) The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe , by Sarah Churchwell (Amazon) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Priva...

We are exploring the summer of 1962 for Marilyn Monroe - with multiple plotlines developing. A studio looking to smear her, a doctor and housekeeper with questionable practices, and a few high-level summer romances bring a very complicated summer for Marilyn, whichever biographer you follow. Recommended Sources: Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe , by Anthony Summers (Amazon) Marilyn Monr...

In this episode, our investigation brings Marilyn Monroe into 1962, a year much more public than her last. From buying a home to keeping company with John F. Kennedy, Marilyn's January to May are filled with future planning, a return to work, and a few legendary parties too - one of which causes the final fallout between Peter Lawford and Frank Sinatra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

We return this week to Marilyn Monroe, looking specifically in her years of 1960 and 1961. We intersect all of our familiar players, like Sam Giancana, John F. Kennedy, and Frank Sinatra, as well as introduce a few new ones, such as Clark Gable and Yves Montand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...