Stars of the Golden Age: An Old Hollywood Podcast

Bob Hope: This man gave the world over 80 years of entertainment greatness. He rose the ranks from vaudeville to radio to movies to television to everything else in between. Most importantly, though, he devoted an astonishing amount of time to US troops, having supported and entertained troops overseas with his USO tours in every war and conflict that occurred between WWII to the Gulf War. He was...

LENA HORNE— sensory sensitive (no transition/background music) Lena Horne was a trailblazer in the film industry. She was the first black American to be signed to a long-term contract with a major Hollywood film studio. Her childhood was heartbraking, she was forced into a life she didn't want, and she came out a hero. A highly entertaining hero. Her career spanned 8 decades. She was unstoppab...

LENA HORNE: Lena Horne was a trailblazer in the film industry. She was the first black American to be signed to a long-term contract with a major Hollywood film studio. Her childhood was heartbreaking, she was forced into a life she didn't want, and she came out a hero. A highly entertaining hero. Her career spanned 8 decades. She was unstoppable. Listen to her inspiring story now! Lena Horne...

Actor Robert Mitchum graced movie and television screens from the 1940s into the 1990s. He had such a cool and unique presence, and just wait until you hear about the wild life he led! Robert Mitchum was no ordinary man. His story is quite a wild tale... listen now! PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge Episode Sources: A book titled Ro...

The conclusion of Lucille Ball's amazing life story. Make sure to listen to Part One before you dive into this episode! In this episode I talk about Lucy and Desi's marriage, their children, I Love Lucy, and all of the amazing projects Lucille Ball conquered after I Love Lucy. PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge Episode Source...

The one, the only LUCILLE BALL!! Who doesn't love Lucy?! She was strong, bold, talented, intelligent, and hilariously funny. In this episode I discuss Lucille Ball's early life, her first years in Hollywood, and the making of her famous marriage and their television empire. Make sure to check back next week for the rest of Lucy's story! PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgeP...

Ida Lupino: As we recognize Women’s History Month, we’ll talk about Ida Lupino in this episode. She was a pioneer for women in filmmaking… women in all industries, really… when she wanted to reach farther than acting. She wanted to write and direct. So she did. A truly inspirational story. PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast Episode Sources: A book titled Ida Lupino: A Biography by Wil...

Mary Pickford: She was managing her household at the age of 6, theatrical actress by the age of 7, silent film superstar by 16. Silent film star, producer, script writer, studio head, women's rights activist, philanthropist, founder of many programs and foundations. Known as America's Sweetheart, but really she was America's Badass Female Trailblazer. The story of a remarkable woman wh...

Paul Robeson: Football legend, lawyer, classical singer, actor, social activist. Paul Robeson was ALL of those things. When the US banned him from leaving the country for 9 years, he took action and spoke up for inequality. He fought for the inequality throughout the nation, making huge personal sacrifices in doing so. A true hero. Episode Sources: A book titled The Undiscovered Paul Robeson: An A...

Louise Beavers: One of the most famous black actors of the 1930s and the star of one of the most influential and groundbreaking movies of the 1930s in terms of race relations. Patreon: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge Episode Sources: an article from Immortal Ephemera from March 11, 2013; an article from the Cincinnati Enquirer from March 2...

Ambassador Satch himself! The truest of true jazz legends. He rose up from a childhood in one of the poorest neighborhoods in New Orleans to be one of the most beloved musicians in the world. But he faced the harsh reality of racism every day, fame or no fame. He even went up against the President of the United States over the issue of segregation in schools. Not only was Louis Armstrong a jazz ic...

Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues. She rose from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential blues singers of all times. She fought through racism, abuse, attacks, and even a standoff with the KKK. She was tough, and she fought the fight for those who came after her. As we recognize Black History Month, Bessie Smith's story is the first in my 4-week installment of influential black...

The life of actress Evelyn Keyes. She spent decades searching for love and happiness, and it turned out to be much closer than she ever imagined. Listen to her story now! Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: Scarlett O’Hara’s Younger Sister by Evelyn Keyes; an interview of Evelyn Keyes with Tom Snyder on the Late Late Show from June 22, 1998; an interview with Merv Griffin from 1977; a television i...

Marlene Dietrich: A stunning beauty on the silver screen, a vibrant cabaret performer for decades, a woman who didn't care what anyone thought of her choices, and a powerful asset to the U.S. government during WWII. She lived a complex life, and she lived it her way. Listen now! Patreon: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign...

The amazing Master of Suspense! There is nobody like Alfred Hitchcock. He has a wonderful story. Listen now! Patreon Support & Bonus Content: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: a documentary titled Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense direct...

She did radio, she did Broadway, she did films, she did a one-woman stage show, and she was the coolest witch to ever grace the television screen. And she was simply just an awesome person. Listen now! Patreon Support & Bonus Content: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink Image S...

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Buckle up for this one! Errol Flynn lived life his way... which was usually not a great idea. Buy he had a BLAST doing it. His life was one big party. Listen now! Image Source: IMDB Episode Source: Errol Flynn: Gentleman Hellraiser by David Bret; a documentary titled Tasmanian Devil: The Fast and Furious Life of Errol Flynn from the Australian Flaming Star Film and Lowland Media; a BBC documentary...

One of the most versatile actors of the Golden Age. James Stewart could do it all! And of all he did, the role of George Baily in It's a Wonderful Life was his all-time favorite. Listen to his story now! Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: James Stewart: A Biography by Donald Dewey; The Jimmy Stewart Museum website jimmy.org; An ABC Nightline Special Report episode from July 2, 1997; The Biogr...

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas! Bing Crosby gave us both the song and the movie White Christmas, plus a TON more. Listen now to hear his life's story. Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: A book titled Bing Crosby: A Life from Beginning to End, part of the Hourly History Series; a documentary titled The Hollywood Greats: Bing Crosby written by Barry Norman; a PBS documentary titled Ameri...

Do you want to go on a wild ride? Then listen to this episode! The life of Steve McQueen is unbelievable. He lifted himself from rock bottom to the highest pedestal. Listen now! Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: A book titled Steve McQueen by Marc Eliot; a book titled My Husband, My Friend by Neile McQueen-Toffel; a TV biography titled Steve McQueen: Desert Racer; The Los Angeles Times; historic...

Ingrid Bergman: She sustained extreme heartache as a child and slipped into a land of make-believe as a way to cope. And that led her straight onto the stage and screen. She was always reaching for something else. Always looking for adventure. She lived life fully. Listen now! Image Source: IMDB Episode sources: A book titled Ingrid Bergman: A Life From Beginning to End by the Hourly History Serie...

This episode is dedicated to my grandma, who turns 90 years old this week! In honor of her birthday, I am covering the Best Actress Oscar winner from the year of her birth... 1934. Listen now to hear the story of Academy Award winner Claudette Colbert! Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: Legends of Hollywood: The Life of Claudette Colbert by Charles River Editors; More Forgotten Movie Stars of the...

Louis B. Mayer: He rose from poverty to become one of the richest and most powerful men in the country. He was the king of his own empire. Of his grand land of make-believe on the sprawling MGM lot. He was a tough boss, he was unfair, and he was downright abusive. But he gave us some of the most iconic film stars in the history of Hollywood. Listen now! Image Source: IMDB Episode Sources: Louis B....

Jayne Mansfield, one of the most iconic blonde bombshells in the history of Hollywood. She aimed for fame her whole life, loved everything pink, and had a kind and loving heart. Her life ended in a tragic way and way too young. Listen now. Image Source: IMDB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy