Forgotten Hollywood

Episode 75 - MGM Hollywood's Greatest Backlot with Michael Troyan

In this episode, I discuss with Michael Troyan his book MGM: Hollywood's Greatest Backlot. His book is an illustrated history of the soundstage and outdoor sets where MGM produced many of the world's most famous films. Many iconic films such as The Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain and Be-Hur to name a few films. Doug Hess Is the host!

In this episode, I discuss with John DiLeo his latest book, There are No Small Parts 100 Outstanding Film Performances with Screen Time of 10 Minutes or Less. We cover films from 1935 to 2019 spanning 85 years of film history. These 100 artists create full-blown characterizations within minimal screen time. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, we discuss with Tobert Welch his grandfather A. Arnold "Buddy" Gillespie who was the Head of the Special Effects Department at MGM. His career spanned 40 years at the studio working on such hits as WIZARD OF OZ (1939) with Judy Garland, BEN HUR (1959) with Charlton Heston, BEN HUR - A TALE OF THE CHRIST (1925) with Ramon Novarro, FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956), and well over 400 other titles.
We also have Warren Croom who runs several Wizard of Oz Facebook pages and is a wealth of knowledge about the film.
Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss July's TCM Star of the Month Dana Andrews. He was a leading man in the 1940s and 1950s starring in such roles as Laura (1944) and The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Andrews suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years and spent his final days in a nursing facility. He died of congestive heart failure and pneumonia in 1992, aged 83. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss the career of Gene Kelly with a special guest Mrs. Gene Kelly (Patricia Ward Kelly). Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, we discuss with Scott McGee of TCM's regarding his latest book Danger on the Silver Screen: 50 Films Celebrating Cinema's Greatest Stunts. We will revisit some of the films that spotlight the underappreciated craft that is a must in filmmaking. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss with Mrs. Anthony Quinn the career of her husband Anthony Quinn. We discuss everything from his film career to his love of books, to his writing and paintings. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss with Don Sanders the June TCM Star of the month Judy Garland. She was one of the biggest, most tragic movie stars of Hollywood's Golden Era. Judy was a much-loved character whose warmth and spirit, along with her rich and exuberant voice, kept theatre-goers entertained with an array of delightful musicals. Doug Hess is the host! Don Sanders stars in several JLJMedia Audio Dramas!

In this episode, we have Tom Barns President of Retroformat Silent Films which promotes education and enthusiasm about the art of silent film. It is believed that roughly 85-90% of all films made from 1896 to 1929 are lost forever. Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode, I discuss the life of film star Paul Muni with a special guest Elsi who runs a fan account on Twitter. We discuss his youth in Yiddish vaudeville to his nominations for the Academy Awards. Doug Hess is the host!