Stars of the Golden Age

Bob Hope: sensory sensitive (no transition/background music)

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 the best emcee in the biz, a generous philanthropist, and just soooo funny. Bob Hope gave the world so much of himself. Listen to his remarkable story now!

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Bob Hope’s Own Story: Have Tux, Will Travel, as told to Pete Martin by Bob Hope; a book titled Bob Hope: A Life from Beginning to End, part of the Hourly History Series; the documentary American Masters: This is Bob Hope from PBS; the United States Army website at army.mil; a People Magazine article from August 22, 2022; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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 the best emcee in the biz, a generous philanthropist, and just soooo funny. Bob Hope gave the world so much of himself. Listen to his remarkable story now!

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Bob Hope’s Own Story: Have Tux, Will Travel, as told to Pete Martin by Bob Hope; a book titled Bob Hope: A Life from Beginning to End, part of the Hourly History Series; the documentary American Masters: This is Bob Hope from PBS; the United States Army website at army.mil; a People Magazine article from August 22, 2022; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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 unstoppable. Listen to her inspiring story now!

Lena Horne in Panama Hattie: https://youtu.be/wBr1getTVrE?si=SnXs4tRLYQLllXfD

Lena Horne American Masters Interview: https://youtu.be/AErWqNBhawI?si=JEISkMbZRO6z_UoY

Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music: https://youtu.be/NxiCjztZPeU?si=9EHf7kAIxtdC72-L

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcastEpisode

Sources: A book titled Goddess Reclaimed by Donald Bogle; a documentary titled Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice from the American Masters series; American Masters: Creative Spark by PBS; IMDB

Image Source: IMDBRead more

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 in Panama Hattie: https://youtu.be/wBr1getTVrE?si=SnXs4tRLYQLllXfD

Lena Horne American Masters Interview: https://youtu.be/AErWqNBhawI?si=JEISkMbZRO6z_UoY

Lena Horne, The Lady and Her Music: https://youtu.be/NxiCjztZPeU?si=9EHf7kAIxtdC72-L

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Goddess Reclaimed by Donald Bogle; a documentary titled Lena Horne: In Her Own Voice from the American Masters series; American Masters: Creative Spark by PBS; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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 Robert Mitchum: Baby, I Don’t Care by Lee Server; a book titled Robert American Legends: The Life of Robert Mitchum by Charles River Editors; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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 Sources: Lucille Ball's autobiography, Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball; a book titled AKA Lucy by Sarah Royal; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

This month's Patreon bonus episode is "History of the Casting Couch"

BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge

Episode Sources: Lucille Ball's autobiography: Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball; the book AKA Lucy by Sarah Royal; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

My laptop crashed so no episode this week 😓 But as we recognize Women’s History Month, please go back and listen to the stories of Hedy Lamarr, Katharine Hepburn, and Luise Rainer. And we’ll be back next week with the story of everyone’s favorite redhead, Lucille Ball! Thanks, everyone!

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 William Donati; Wikipedia; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Edie Sedgwick, Part Two from ArtMuse Podcast. Host Grace Anna concludes the tragic story of 1960s "It Girl" Edie Sedgwick. You can find part one on my episode list or on the ArtMuse show page.

Learn More about ArtMuse at their website https://www.artmusepodcast.com/

You can listen to ArtMuse wherever you listen to your podcasts!

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 who stood strong in a man's world.

As we recognize Women's History Month, I will be sharing the stories of three important women in the history of entertainment.

PATREON: patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge

Episode Sources: A book titled Mary Pickford: Queen of the Movies by Christel Schmidt; a book titled American Legends: The Life of Mary Pickford by Charles River Editors; marypickford.org; eden.com; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

I'm happy to share this special episode from ArtMuse Podcast. Host Grace Anna shares the tragic story of 1960s "It Girl" Edie Sedgwick, muse of Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan. Stay tuned next week for Part Two.

Learn More about ArtMuse at their website https://www.artmusepodcast.com/

You can listen to ArtMuse wherever you listen to your podcasts!

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 Artist’s Journey by Paul Robeson, Jr.; a documentary titled Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist, narrated by Sidney Portier; an article from PBS from August 26, 2006; goldenglobes.com; picturingblackhistory.org; IMDB

Image Source: Paul Robeson House & Museum; blackpast.org; Britannica

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/GoldenAge

Billie Holiday re-release. As we recognize Black History Month, I'm re-releasing the devastating story of Billie Holiday. Because her story is an important look into our history.

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 21, 2016; a book titled Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: Black History in Hollywood by Donald Bogle; blackpast.org; Wikipedia; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

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 icon, but he was known for his optimistic happy attitude and his giving soul. You'll love his story!

As we recognize Black History Month, Louis Armstrong's story is the second in a 4-week installment of influential black Americans in music and film from the 20s, 30s, and 40s who helped pave the way for equality in the entertainment industry.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

BUY ME A COFFEE: buymeacoffee.com/goldenage

Image Source: Louis Armstrong House Museum; IMDB

Episode Source: Louis Armstrong: The Untold Story of Jazz’s Beloved Ambassador by Selene Ashcroft; the Louis Armstrong House virtual exhibits; an episode of ABC’s Nightline called Satchmo’s Blues; IMDB

Louis Armstrong House Virtual Tour:

https://virtualexhibits.louisarmstronghouse.org/virtual-tour/?amp

Hattie McDaniel's story is worth highlighting again! If you haven't listened to her remarkable story, please take the time to do so. Her story is an important look into what black entertainers were subjected to in our past. She was the first African American to win an Oscar, yet that didn't change the fact that she was a black woman in the 1930s and 40s... and she was treated as such. Her life was not easy, but she was TOUGH. And when you hear her father's story in this episode, you'll see where she got it.

Hattie McDaniel's story is a re-release as we recognize Black History Month and give individuals like her the recognition they deserve. Her story is important so we can all understand the hardships Black Americans had to endure and how they helped pave the way for those who came after then.

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 individuals in music and film from the 20s, 30s, and 40s that helped pave the way for equality in the entertainment industry.

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Image Source: IMDB; NRP

Episode Source: Queen of the Blues: The Life and Times of Bessie Smith by Jennifer Warner; a documentary on the 1920s channel on YouTube called Bessie Smith: The Woman Who Sang the Blues; an article from Oxford Magazine titled Everybody Knows You When You’re Down and Out by Amanda Petrusich from December 1, 2013; an article from Rolling Stone by Sarene Leeds from November 15, 2013; an interview with Jack Gee compiled by Robert E. Di Nardo; allaboutbluesmusic.com; geni.com, the BBC; IMDB

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 interview from October of 1978; a New York Times article from February 18, 1973; IMDB.

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=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Image Source: IMDB

Episode Sources: Marlene Dietrich: The Life by Maria Riva; Legends of Hollywood: The Life and Legacy of Marlene Dietrich by Charles River Editors; a documentary from 1984 titled Marlene, written and directed by Maximilian Schell; a documentary titled No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich from 1996, directed by Melvyn Bragg; a radio interview with Marlene Dietrich from 1975 from the UMPC Collection (The Marlene Archives on YouTube;) an article from the United States USO from Thursday, March 5, 2020; a Diane Sawyer interview with Marlene Dietrich’s daughter Maria from a 1993 episode of Primetime Live; a 1965 interview with Marlene Dietrich shared on the We Are Connected channel on YouTube; IMDB