From Beneath the Hollywood Sign

EPISODE 97 - “BEHIND THE GLAMOUR: DRUG USE IN OLD HOLLYWOOD” - 7/21/25 As the Roaring 1920s kicked in, America’s backlash against prohibition brought forth a boozy, fun-loving era where alcohol and the use of recreational drugs like cocaine and opium became a fashionable part of the hedonistic lifestyle. This was never more true than behind the hallowed gates of old Hollywood’s studios. In fact, d...

“LEGENDS IN CEMENT: THE STORY OF THE GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE” - 7/14/25 (096) There is no landmark in Hollywood that elicits such awe and wonder as the beautiful Chinese Theatre. The brainchild of impresario SID GRAUMAN, who made a name for himself creating opulent, grand movie palaces, the theatre became a symbol of movie magic. Join us this week as we discuss the rich and wonderful history of...

EPISODE 95 -  “VIRGINIA GREY: Classic Cinema Star of the Month” - 7/07/25 If VIRGINIA GREY is remembered at all, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty is probably best remembered as the caustic perfume counter girl in The Women (1939), who sees right through the gold-digging ways of Crystal Allen, played by JOAN CRAWFORD. In these brief scenes, she is so charismatic and saucy, she really shows how t...

"SECOND ACT: REDISCOVERING OVERLOOKED MUSICALS" (094) - 6/30/25 In this episode of the podcast, Steve and Nan dive into some of their favorite classic Hollywood musicals that they feel do not get their due. They share fond memories and behind-the-scenes tidbits about timeless films like Summer Stock, State Fair, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. With infectious enthusiasm, they discuss the charm of Ge...

"EDITH HEAD: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S QUEEN OF FASHION" (093) EPISODE 93 -  6/23/25 With eight Academy Awards to her name — more than any other woman in history — EDITH HEAD wasn't just a costume designer; she was a storyteller in fabric, silhouette, and sparkle. From BETTE DAVIS to GRACE KELLY to AUDREY HEPBURN, she dressed the biggest stars of the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on both fashion...

EPISODE 92 -  “BORN TO BE BAD - Old Hollywood's Favorite Brats" - 6/16/25 This week, we’re getting into the pint-sized punks, the tantrum-throwers, the eye-rollers, and the sharp-tongued little legends who strutted across the silver screen like they owned the studio. That’s right—we’re talking about our favorite bratty kids in classic movies. You know the type: too smart for their age, too bold fo...

FBTHS #091 - "STARS BENEATH OUR FEET- THE HISTORY OF THE WALK OF FAME" 6/09/25 The Hollywood Walk of Fame holds a unique allure as both a glamorous symbol of celebrity and a living monument to the history of entertainment. Stretching along 10 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, its iconic pink terrazzo stars honor the achievements of thousands of actors, musicians, directors, and other...

"MARK STEVENS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH" The name MARK STEVENS probably doesn’t ring a bell with moviegoers today. However, he’s one of those actors who once you see him on screen, you say, “Oh, yeah, THAT guy!” Still, at one time, he was a very in-demand leading man who was always compelling and had a tough-guy likability that brightened up many a hum-drum movie. He may not have reached t...

FBTHS #089 - "Steve & Nan Explore the Wild, Wild West of Old Hollywood" In this episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, hosts Steve and Nan saddle up for a lively conversation about their favorite Western films. From dusty saloons to sweeping desert vistas, they explore the iconic imagery, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes that make the Western genre a cornerstone of American cinem...

“OLD HOLLYWOOD’s TOXIC TRIANGLE” - 5/19/2025 (088) Hollywood in the mid-20th century was a world of glitz and glamour, a realm where dreams could be made or destroyed in an instant. It was an era when the silver screen crafted illusions of romance and perfection, yet behind the scenes, the personal lives of its stars often unraveled into chaos, scandal, and tragedy. Few stories exemplify this dark...

EPISODE 87 -  “2025 TCM FILM FESTIVAL WRAP UP” - 5/12/2025 For the second year in a row, Steve and Nan were honored to be invited to cover the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival as part of the press corp. After four glorious days of non-stop film action, this episode is dedicated to the Festival and the fantastic movies shown this year. Steve and Nan will be discussing their favorite films, as we...

EPISODE 86 -  “ANNA MAY WONG: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 5/5/2025 Anna May Wong was once the most famous Chinese woman in the world. The trailblazing actress, philanthropist, and fashion icon appeared in over 60 films and was a celebrated star, yet, at the time, she was not allowed to kiss a Caucasian man on screen, which limited the roles she could take, and she was not allowed to buy a...

EPISODE 85 - “THE MAKING OF MAGIC: BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE WIZARD OF OZ - PART 2” - 4/28/2025 There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home! As we continue our discussion of the making of “The Wizard of Oz,” this week we explore the score, the songs, the vocals, the transition to television, and some of the many urban legends that surround this classic film. (...

EPISODE 84 - “THE MAKING OF MAGIC: BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE WIZARD OF OZ - PART 1” - 4/21/2025 Perhaps one of the most beloved movies of all time, the MGM classic The Wizard of Oz debuted in that magical year of 1939. Based on the popular children’s books by Frank L. Baum, it tells the story of a Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale, who, along with her devoted dog Toto, is transported to the magical la...

EPISODE 83 - “TCM FILM FESTIVAL 2025 PREVIEW” - 4/14/2025 It’s that time of year again. Time for the 2025 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival, which takes place April 24-27 in Hollywood California. This year, the theme is “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.” This week, Steve and Nan offer a fun preview of the highlights of the upcoming festival and they discuss the films they are most exci...

“The Tragic Life of Classic Cinema Star Gail Russell” (082) - 4/07/2025 Hollywood legend has it that ethereal beauty GAIL RUSSELL was discovered after a Paramount Studios talent manager picked up two hitchhiking Santa Monica high school boys who told him all about the "Hedy Lamarr of Santa Monica High School." Allegedly, he then tracked down Russell at school and arranged for a screen test. The re...

“RICHARD CARLSON: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” (081) - 3/31/2025 Tall, dark-haired, and handsome, RICHARD CARLSON was always a welcomed addition to any cast. From the beginning, when he was playing preppy college students opposite LANA TURNER, to his reign in the 1950s as the King of Sci-Fi thrillers, Carlson brought believability and authority to each role but also a sense of introspective t...

"IT'S FATAL: WHAT IS FILM NOIR?" (PART III) (080) 3/24/2025 Welcome to the third and final installment of our series on Film Noir. As we have previously discussed the technical elements of noir and met the typical character’s of noir, we will now take a look at the creative aspects of the genre that help create that special brand of dark, sexy, deadly movies. We’ll discuss dialogue, and clever dev...

"STRANGE CHARACTERS: WHAT IS FILM NOIR? (PART II)" (079) Welcome to the second episode of our special 3-part series on Film Noir. In this episode, we’ll explore the iconic character types that define the genre—characters who live in the grey areas of morality, driven by desire, deceit, and danger. From the hard-boiled detective to the femme fatale, we’ll unpack the timeless archetypes that give fi...

EPISODE 78 - “FILM NOIR - Part 1 - WHAT IS NOIR?” - 3/10/2025 Have you ever wondered what exactly is film noir? TCM’s EDDIE MULLER describes it this way: “Film Noir is all about treachery, deceit, and paranoia. You’re never quite sure what is going on, who you can trust, or what dreadful pitfall waits around the corner.” This dark and twisted film genre popped up after WWII as a quiet cynicism beg...

"MARY BETH HUGHES - CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH" - 3/03/2025 For those of you who don't know the charms of MARY BETH HUGHES, when she was under contract at MGM, she was dubbed "the poor man's LANA TURNER." It was a rather unfair assessment since MGM gave Lana all the plum roles, and Mary Beth got her hand-me-downs. But still, Mary Beth had great comic chops, and no one played bitchy, hard-boi...

EPISODE 76 - “MEMORABLE OSCAR SPEECHES OF THE GOLDEN ERA OF HOLLYWOOD” - 2/24/2025 Winning an Oscar is a dream for most people who work in Hollywood. But you can’t just win the Oscar; you must have a good speech once your name is called to the podium. There have been some great ones — OLIVIA COLEMAN’s funny and cheeky speech hit the right tone, and who can forget JACK PALANCE’s one-arm push-ups or...

EPISODE 75 - “MEHAR BABA BRINGS SPIRITUALITY TO OLD HOLLYWOOD” - 2/17/2025 During the 1920s and 1930s, a spiritual movement swept through Hollywood. It seems the Hollywood elite were about more than just speakeasies, flappers, and decadence. Some were searching for inner-peace and often found it -- at least temporarily -- in these various religious movements that popped up. One spiritual leader wh...

EPISODE 74 - “SWEETHEARTS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD" 2/10/2025 As Cupid sharpens his arrows, and the candy and greeting card companies prepare to make bank, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. In this episode, we take a loving look at some of Hollywood’s most enduring real-life love stories. From JOEL McCREA and FRANCES DEE to JEAN HARLOW and WILLIAM POWELL, join us as we discuss their lives, fil...

"THE NICHOLAS BROTHERS: CLASSIC CINEMA STARS OF THE MONTH" The Nicholas Brothers, FAYARD and HAROLD, are arguably two of the greatest dancers to ever hit Hollywood. Born to musician parents, they learned their craft working the vaudeville scene and appearing at the famous Cotton Club during the Harlem Renaissance before landing in Hollywood. In Tinseltown, they made movie magic dancing in some of...