Episodes
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One of the most intriguing tales in history is that of the man who invented the way we see films today. A man who, one day, vanished from the face of the earth. But was it murder? Or something even more sinister?
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Who shot William Desmond Taylor? That's the mystery at the heart of this - the first part of my special, exclusive mini-series - Death On Alvarado Street...
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Episodes manquant?
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Cary Grant and Barbara Hutton's wedded bliss begins with an adventure upon a lake, and a very starstruck pastor, but it isn't long before the shadows of doubt begin to cast across their happiness, made all the worse by the threat of war, and the spiralling effects of Barbara's vices...
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And for those of you who are waiting - THIN: PART 2 officially releases exclusively on Patreon in November 2024!
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Unlock a treasure chest of Old Hollywood storytelling! Every series of the Secret History Of Hollywood unlocks when you sign up at https://www.patreon.com/attaboysecret
But that's not all!
The Secret History Of Hollywood will now be arriving with you far more frequently! Hear the chapters of these epic stories as they're produced, by becoming a Co-Producer at https://www.patreon.com/attaboysecret
You'll get access to the complete Secret History of Hollywood catalogue, including THIN: The Thin Man Story, The Adventures Of Alfred Hitchcock, The Game Is Afoot, A Universe Of Horrors, Bullets And Blood, and much more...
Queens Of Cinema Series 1, plus instant access to Series 2, which has just begun with the two-part story of Ida Lupino!
An ALL-NEW Classic Movie Library, designed from scratch - a whole new experience created to allow you to get the best out of Old Hollywood, including trailers, deeper information, and even curated playlists of films!
Small Tales - short fiction with a sinister edge...
Bonus review shows!
Blueprints - a bitesize version of The Secret History Of Hollywood - extra chapters that help to further enhance the stories you've already heard!
The Seventh Heaven Radio Hour - a bi-weekly music show in which I present the best in Golden Age music as well as the film scores that became legend
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Cary Grant's relationship with the troubled, self-destructive Barbara Hutton has taken on a disturbing new shape in the wake of her father's death. Will Grant be able to live up to the promise he has made to Lance - Barbara's son?
In his professional life, Grant is about to reunite with a co-star who may mean more to him than any other...
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A quick warning - this episode does contain some strong language
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Cary Grant has found love with society heiress, Barbara Hutton. But Barbara comes with her own set of personal demons, and the road to happiness is growing ever more complicated.
Meanwhile, his cinematic roles are beginning to more-and-more resemble the characters that he has played in real life; including would-be father, society plaything, and... American citizen?
Elsewhere, there's the small matter of the war and how the world will view a man who does not take up arms, as well as the ever-nearing circle of gossip-hungry sharks...
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A quick warning - this episode does contain some strong language
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After a devastating personal tragedy, Cary Grant has begun to focus upon his career as an escape, still in search of the elusive hit that will prove his worth to the world. Fortunately, success and superstardom are on the horizon…
Meanwhile, Barbara Hutton has begun a very dangerous romance, one that will involve her with a family renowned for preying upon those with wealth. How will she escape? And will the rescue turn out to be worse in the long run?
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After discovering that the mother he thought was dead is actually alive, Cary Grant must reconcile his own guilt, the effects of the revelation upon his own relationships, and the fact that his star in Hollywood seems to be fading.
Elsewhere, a shocking new saga has begun among the heights of privilege. But as the story unfolds, it will soon become clear that endless wealth does not necessarily guarantee happiness…
(Cary: Part 2 - Vol II will be released on the 20th September, 2021)
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Please see content warning below
Once upon a time, from the midst of normality, an extraordinary story began...
In a time when the world was being shaped on the fields of war, a boy named Archie dared to find his own path by looking to the stars.
In Part One of Cary, hear the incredible journey of Archie Leach; one that stretched from broken beginnings, all the way to the heavens of Hollywood itself...
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CONTENT WARNING BELOW (contains spoilers): This episode begins with scenes including dramatisations of infant death, domestic conflict and physical abuse. These scenes are not glamourised, but they are essential in that they explain the motivations behind certain people’s actions. However, if you feel that you may be triggered by these subjects, you may wish to proceed with caution, as they could be considered upsetting.
If you'd like more information about anything before you proceed, please don't hesitate to contact me through Patreon's messaging service, or by email at [email protected]
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Following the success of The Body Snatcher, Val Lewton has become one of RKO's most valuable and lauded producers.
As well as the many opportunities now being presented to him, Lewton has also embarked upon his first true "A-Picture", a dark tale of madness and cruelty set within the walls of the most notorious asylum in the world.
But the shadows upon the screen are not the only ones closing in on Lewton...
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RKO's latest horror movie, 'The Body Snatcher', based upon a dark legacy of crimes from another time, is proving to be Val Lewton's most challenging project yet.
Seemingly determined to have his way, Lewton's boss, Jack Gross has agreed to finally give Lewton and his team an "A-List" budget. But this promise comes with a set of conditions...
It isn't long before Gross's demands are dragging Lewton's possible masterpiece into exploitation territory. With the budget as a bargaining chip, will Lewton be forced to ruin his own reputation in order to get the film made? Or will a solution present itself from the most unlikely of places?
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CONTENT WARNING BELOW
A significant part of the episode deals with the story of Burke and Hare. This was necessary to the overall story, as the film this episode deals with, 'The Body Snatcher', was based heavily upon their crimes.
It was very important to me to tell their story honestly, as there has been an unfortunate tendency in recent years to paint Burke and Hare as a pair of somewhat goofy miscreants, instead of the abominable creatures they were in reality.
As such, there are certain details that some may find upsetting or disturbing. Burke and Hare murdered many people of all ages. The details of these crimes are more than likely unsuitable for younger ears, and may also cause distress to you, the listener. If you feel that you would like to skip over this section, then it begins at 52:12 and runs through to 1:36:00.
The episode also contains a brief history of the science of anatomy, which is not particularly graphic, but it still might not be something you feel easy listening to. It begins at 29:51, and runs to the end of the Burke and Hare section at 1:36:00
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Val Lewton’s salvation has arrived in the form of Universal Horror star, Boris Karloff, a long-time admirer of Lewton’s new brand of horror cinema.
For their first project together, Lewton must draw upon the darkest piece of his childhood; the place where his imagination grew up.
And so begins a journey into the past, and to a place where dreams go to die…
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Val Lewton's chance to prove himself outside the horror genre has arrived.
If he and his team can turn the nationwide problem of juvenile delinquency into a dramatic hit, then it may mean his graduation from the "B-Division" and his escape from the oppressive executive producer who seems intent on thwarting his creative freedom.
But as the pressure begins to mount, Lewton will find himself facing a new threat; one that may put an end to not just his career, but his life...
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Special thanks to Mark Gatiss and Brook Darnell
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Val Lewton has finally agreed to create a sequel to his biggest hit, 'Cat People'. But rather than produce a conventional continuation, Lewton has decided to delve into his own past, and to tell his most personal story yet, that of a childhood cut short by an over-zealous guardian.
But in doing so, will he repeat the mistakes of his own past?
Aiding him in his quest is a new director, whose meticulous plans for the film may be at odds with his own...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
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It is a time of change at RKO.
Val Lewton's horror movie unit is being widely imitated by Hollywood at large, all hoping to attract the kinds of audiences flocking to Lewton's modern brand of horror. But Lewton himself is facing an insurmountable problem: how to create RKO's first "Monster Rally".
The answer will come from the most unlikely of places: the Lewton family's private collection of letters...
At the same time, RKO boss Charles Koerner is demanding an interim movie, a horror set upon the seas to be called 'The Ghost Ship'. In order to bring it to life, Lewton will have to circumvent the attentions of an uncompromising new supervisor, as well as survive the eccentric excesses of his new technical advisor...
Meanwhile, at the Pasadena Playhouse, two writers have just staged an original play that will have a devastating effect on Lewton's career...
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A very special thanks to the peerless Mark Gatiss, and to Brook Darnell of the Library Of Congress for her tireless research into the private papers of Val Lewton.
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Val Lewton's wildly ambitious plan for his fourth film, 'The Seventh Victim', is to create a New York fairytale; a fractured picture of his beloved Greenwich Village distorted by underlying evil and populated by an eclectic assortment of bruised characters.
But in order to find the right story, Lewton will have to send his writer, DeWitt Bodeen, into uncharted, and somewhat Satanic territory...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
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'The Leopard Man', Val Lewton's third horror film for RKO Studios, is to be an adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's shocking murder mystery novel, Black Alibi. But in Lewton's hands, the project has become an opportunity to not only express his dark creativity, but also to tap into the childhood fears of its director, Jacques Tourneur, and to introduce the serial killer into American cinema.
But Lewton's team has more at stake than a simple movie.
Should the film become a success, then the creative partnership at the helm of their endeavours will be broken apart.
And should that happen, Val Lewton will be forced to make a terrible choice...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
WARNING: This episode may contain stories that some listeners find upsetting or disturbing.
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Following the success of 'Cat People', Val Lewton has been assigned to create a film entitled 'I Walked With A Zombie'.
RKO's B-movie boss, Lew Ostrow, is insistent that the film should follow the formula being employed by the horror department at Universal Pictures.
But Lewton's plans for the film are far more ambitious...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
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Part 2
Val Lewton has been hired by RKO Studios to oversee the creation of their new horror division. However, the job has come with a set of curious conditions...
Having had the name of his first movie, 'Cat People' decided for him in advance, Lewton must assemble a story that fits the title. But perhaps the solution to the problem lies in an almost forgotten story from Lewton's past.
As well as adhering to RKO's peculiar directives, Lewton must also contend with the demands of his new boss, Lew Ostrow, who is expecting an altogether different type of horror movie...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
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Once upon a time, horror cinema was changed forever by the fiercely inventive imagination of a remarkable man...
In Part One of 'Shadows: The Val Lewton Story', hear the curious beginnings of a cinematic legend, whose uniquely terrifying creations were influenced by the dark brand of folklore upon which he was raised...
Featuring Mark Gatiss
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