Forgotten Hollywood

In this episode, I spoke with Joel Brokaw about his book "Driving Marilyn: The Life and Times of Legendary Hollywood Agent Norman Brokaw".
Norman Brokaw was CEO and Chairman of the William Morris Agency from 1989 to 1997, but his legacy may lie in his ascent from mail room clerk to Marilyn Monroe’s personal driver to agent for some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures of the late 20th Century: Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak, Elvis (and Colonel Parker), Natalie Wood, Loretta Young, Clint Eastwood, Danny Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Berry Gordy, Bill Cosby, Donna Summer, Brooke Shields plus many more. 

In this epiosde, I spoke with author Julie Gilbert about her book "Giant Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film". A book that explores the great American novelist and playwright Edna Ferber, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Ficton, whose work was made into many Academy Award-winning movies; the writing of her controversial, international best-selling novel about Texas, and the making of George Stevens’ Academy Award winning epic film of the same name, Giant.

In this epiosde I spoke with Kyle Bandujo and Rick Bryson about their book "Movies With Balls: The Greatest Sports Films of All Time, Analyzed and Illustrated". Movies with Balls celebrates and analyzes more than two dozen of the greatest sports films of all time, with expert play-by-play and color commentary on the movies themselves and the athleticism they portray. You’ll be transported into fictional arenas, stadiums, gyms, fields, and golf courses to relive the climactic moments.

In this episode I spoke with author Joseph Dougherty about his book "Rod Serling at 100: One Writer's Acknowledgement.  The year 2024 marks the centenary of Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. Emmy-winning writer Joseph Dougherty (thirtysomething, Pretty Little Liars) picked this special anniversary to reflect on Serling and his contributions to television drama.

In this episode, I spoke with author Tripp Whetsell regarding his book "Norman Lear: His Life and Times". Beginning in the 1970s, writer and producer Norman Lear forever altered the television landscape with such groundbreaking situation comedies as All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and One Day at a Time.

In this episode I discuss with Emily C. Hughes her book "Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch". A smart, funny crash course in 25 iconic horror movies, from Psycho to Hereditary, for people who love getting the reference but hate being scared.

In this episode, we discuss the career of Richard Dix.

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In this episode, I spoke with author Christopher S. Connelly about his recent book "Helen Morgan: The Original Torch Singer and Ziefeld's Last Star". An emotive soprano voice, heartrending melodies about unrequited love, and a draped-over-the-piano persona made Helen Morgan (1902–1941) the original torch singer, but she was so much more. The versatile actress appeared on Broadway, in film, and on radio. In a number of stage revues, she danced, sang, and excelled in sketch comedy.

In this episode, I spoke with Bethan Jones about her book "The Truth Is Still Out There: 30 Years of the X-Files". In September 1993, a TV show like no other appeared on our screens, asking us to consider the essence of truth and belief, to think about the nature and roles of science and humanity, and to question what we were told by those in power. Combining horror, science fiction, drama, crime, and comedy with cinematic filmmaking, The X-Files transported the paranoia of the sixties and seventies to the technologically savvy nineties as it followed two iconic characters, FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.