Renowned around the world primarily for her legs and good looks, Marlene Dietrich was the other main diva of Old Hollywood and “rival” of last episode’s Greta Garbo. She performed shocking characters on screen, got kicked out an orchestra for her legs, dressed in tuxedos, signed letters as “Daddy Marlene”, and once had her trousersContinue reading "Blue Angel – Ep.35"

A darling of the screen, a famous recluse, the Swedish Sphinx: Greta Garbo. The enigmatic Swedish actress bewitched audiences with her mesmerizing beauty and unparalleled talent during Hollywood’s Golden Age. With a career spanning from the silent era to the advent of sound in film, Garbo left an indelible mark on the silver screen. RenownedContinue reading "Swedish Sphinx – Ep.34"

Mercedes de Acosta has been called many things: the inspiration behind Truman Capote’s game International Daisy Chain, “that furious lesbian”, and our gateway to Hollywood for the podcast. She was notorious for walking the streets of New York in pants, pointed shoes with buckles, a tricorn hat, and a cape. Her slicked back hair, redContinue reading "Gateway to Hollywood – Ep.33"

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is famous for her self-portraits and the fact the world has decided to plaster her face everywhere. But where did her story begin? And why was this woman once accused of murdering her ex lover, Leo Trotsky? Sources (Used/Consulted/Read Along the Way) Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden HerreraContinue reading "Defying Odds – Ep. 32"

Icon of the Jazz Age, WWII resistance member, famous for a banana skirt among other things, today’s episode is Josephine Baker, the American-born French dancer, singer, and actress. She was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture, and at one point, she was the richest black woman in the world. DespiteContinue reading "Black Venus – Ep.31"

Known as a great French writer, Colette shattered societal norms and made her mark on literature and history. From being the first woman to receive a state funeral in the French Republic to causing a scandal with a lesbian kiss in a pantomime performance, Colette’s bold and unapologetic spirit left a lasting impact just asContinue reading "From Riots to State Funerals – Ep.30"

Known more for her relationship with Vita Sackville-West, Hilda Matheson's life was more intriguing than that. We're starting off the year with the original BBC Director of Talks, an MI5 intelligence agent, and one time political secretary to the first woman in British Parliament.

Part 2 of Virginia Woolf sees the rise of the writer and the famous affair with fellow writer Vita Sackville-West. Sources (Used/Consulted/Read Along the Way) Virginia Woolf by Hermione Lee Virginia Woolf: A Biography by Quentin Bell Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West: Love Letters w/intro by Alison Bechdel

Virginia Woolf, most famous woman of this podcast’s world. She’s considered one of the most important modernist 20th-century writers. In fact, even if you don’t know anyone else from this podcast, you’re guaranteed to know of this woman. Her writing is studied at university level, and her life has been portrayed in film. Many haveContinue reading "Woolf of Writing Part 1 – Ep.27"

Vita Sackville-West is best known today for her love affair with fellow writer Virginia Woolf. However, in their day, it was Vita who was the more popular and well known writer, and not because of her scandalous affair with Violet Trefusis. Sources (Used/Consulted/Read Along the Way) Behind the Mask: The Life of Vita Sackville-West byContinue reading "The Real Life Orlando – Ep.26"