Stars of the Golden Age: An Old Hollywood Podcast

Edward G. Robinson: A tough guy on the silver screen but a surprisingly different character in his real life. He immigrated to the land of dreams at the turn of the century, and he succeeded at making those big dreams come true. Best yet, he used his success to help others.

BONUS CONTENT: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Legends of Hollywood: The Life and Legacy of Edward G. Robinson by Charles River Editors; an article from the Library of Congress titled Immigration and Relocation in U.S. History: The Lower East...

Jeanne Crain: A beloved presence on the silver screen in the 1940s and 1950s, Jeanne Crain brought joy to millions. But behind the scenes, her life was often filled with heartache and tragedy. She may have had one of Hollywood's longest-lasting marriages, but that doesn't mean it was easy. Listen now to hear all about it!

BONUS CONTENT: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Episode Sources: A book titled Girl Next Door: The Life and Career of Jeanne Crain by Rupert Alistair; IMDB<...

George Burns: Together with his soul mate, Gracie Allen, George Burns provided the world with decades of laughs. He entertained audiences from the age of 7 to 100. The best years of his life and career were spent alongside his comedy partner and wife, Gracie. Their brand of humor and chemistry was beloved by everyone who heard or saw them. They worked their way up the vaudeville circuit, they did radio, they did television, and they did movies. This is a story of strength, endurance, determination, positivity, humor, and most of all... love.

BONUS CONTENT: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast...

Thelma Todd (Part Two:)

She was one half of one of the funniest comedy duos of the early 1930s and the positive energy behind Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Cafe. She was beautiful, unique, funny, and kind. But she endured unimaginable tragedy in her life, too. Please visit PART ONE before indulging in this episode, where you will hear about her early life, her road to stardom, her film career, and her romances. In this episode, you will hear about her life as a proud restauranteur, her tragic death, and the circumstances and theories surrounding it. And, of course...

Thelma Todd (Part One:)

She was one half of one of the funniest comedy duos of the early 1930s. She was beautiful, unique, funny, and kind. But she endured unimaginable tragedy in her life, too. In this episode, you will hear about her early life, her road to stardom, her film career, and her romances. In part two, you will hear about her life as a proud restauranteur, her tragic death, and the circumstances and theories surrounding it. And, of course, the legacy she left behind.

SUPPORT THE SHOW & Receive Bonus Content: https://patreon.com...

Boris Karloff: The original Monster of Frankenstein! He departed from the path his family wanted for his life and set forth into the world of acting. But it wouldn't be until he was in his 40s when he saw success and fame. He never lost faith in his dreams, and as a result he went down as one of the most iconic horror stars of all time.

SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Boris Karloff: The Biography by Brian Schell; a documentary titled Boris Karloff: The Man...

Bea Arthur: She built a very successful theater career and transitioned to television in the 1970s and 1980s, starring in two of the most popular shows of those decades... Maude and The Golden Girls. Her talent was strong and her heart was big, and that showed in her generous advocacy work.

BONUS CONTENT: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: Lifetime Intimate Portrait of Bea Arthur from 2002; an article from the Reserve & National Guard Magazine by Kari Williams from 2021; an article from Biography by Sara Kettler from March 16, 2020; an article from the New York Post by...

Theda Bara: Part Two

Please listen to Part One before listening to this episode. In this episode, you will hear about the second half of Theda Bara's silent film career and what her life held after it was over, including the legacy she left behind.

BONUS CONTENT: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Source: A book titled Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara by Eve Golden

Image Source: IMDB; Vamp by Eve Golden

Theda Bara: One of the biggest stars of the silent film era... until she wasn't. In this episode, you will hear about her childhood, the chase to her dreams, her overnight fame, and the careful image the studio curated for her.

SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara by Eve Golden; rottentomatoes.com; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB; Vamp by Eve Golden

This is a special crossover episode with The Wanted Files Podcast. Two shows come together to discuss the life and mystery of Marilyn Monroe. Erin brings you through Marilyn's early life, rise to stardom, struggles, and her last days. A.C. talks about the events of the day of her death and the theories surrounding her death.

You can expect a deeper dive of Marilyn's Life from Stars of the Golden Age sometime in the future.

Episode Sources: A book titled Marilyn Monroe: A Life from Beginning to End (Hourly History Series;) a Netflix documentary...

James Cagney: A kid from a large poor family in turn-of-the century New York City who made it to the big time in Hollywood. In his time there, he continually stood up to the studio and made sure he was being compensated fairly for what he was providing for them. And then he did the same for others. Listen to his story now!

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled American Legends: The Life of James Cagney by Charles River Editors; sagaftra.org; an article from Martha’s Vineyard Magazine by Karla Ar...

RITA HAYWORTH: The Love Goddess... The stunning femme fatale. She was raised in a world of dance and made it big as a huge Hollywood movie star. But she was stripped of choice, love, peace, and her Spanish heritage. Most people probably thought she had it all... but Rita Hayworth never felt she had the simplest things she wanted.

RAINN: https://rainn.org/

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/

Alzheimer's Association: https://www.alz.org/

PATREON Bonus Content: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled...

MYRNA LOY: One of MGMs biggest stars of the 1930s, Myrna Loy brought a wide range of characters to life on the big screen. But it was her pairings with William Powell in the Thin Man movies that really made her stand out. Aside from her work on the silver screen, Myrna Loy was a fierce advocate for the causes she believed in and held strong her political beliefs. She was a woman who made things happen. Listen now to hear her amazing story!

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: Being and Becoming: A...

RICKY NELSON (Sensory-sensitive... NO background/transition music)

One-fourth of the beloved Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet show, Ricky Nelson grew up in the spotlight. America loved his boyish charm on the family show, and teenage girls went wild for him when he became a pop star as a teenager in the mid-1950s. What may be most talked about, though, is his death. A death that was clouded in misinformation. Listen now to hear Ricky Nelson's story!

If you would like to listen to this same content with a slight musical flair, check out the standard...

RICKY NELSON: One-fourth of the beloved Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet show, Ricky Nelson grew up in the spotlight. America loved his boyish charm on the family show, and teenage girls went wild for him when he became a pop star as a teenager in the mid-1950s. What may be most talked about, though, is his death. A death that was clouded in misinformation. Listen now to hear Ricky Nelson's story!

PATREON: https://patreon.com/StarsoftheGoldenAgePodcast

Episode Sources: An A&E Biography special from June 21, 1998; Episode 250 of Flight Safety Detectives from December 18, 2024;; caseygerry.com; Wikipedia<...

SPECIAL EPISODE! (Sensory-Sensitive... no background/transition music)

This episode is a fun sneak peak into what kind of content you can find in our Stars of the Golden Age Patreon community! Learn all about the history of ocean liner travel, and how the race for speed and luxury impacted transatlantic travel from the mid-1800s through the 1950s. Hear about Cunard, White Star Line, and more... and get a sneak peak into how some of our favorite golden age stars traveled abroad and even what they may have eaten on one of these luxury liners!

...

SPECIAL EPISODE! This episode is a fun sneak peak into what kind of content you can find in our Stars of the Golden Age Patreon community! Learn all about the history of ocean liner travel, and how the race for speed and luxury impacted transatlantic travel from the mid-1800s through the 1950s. Hear about Cunard, White Star Line, and more... and get a sneak peak into how some of our favorite golden age stars traveled abroad and even what they may have eaten on one of these luxury liners!

If you want to hear more interesting...

GINGER ROGERS (Sensory-Sensitive... no background/transition music added)

The story of the dance goddess, Ginger Rogers. Part of the hottest dance duo of Hollywood's golden age. Her childhood was far from typical, and she began working years before adulthood. Her life was devoted to her career, her faith, and her beloved mother. Listen to the story of Ginger Rogers now!

If you would like to enjoy this episode without background/transition music, please visit the "sensory-sensitive" version, which is released the day following this episode.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources...

GINGER ROGERS: The story of the dance goddess, Ginger Rogers. Part of the hottest dance duo of Hollywood's golden age. Her childhood was far from typical, and she began working years before adulthood. Her life was devoted to her career, her faith, and her beloved mother. Listen to the story of Ginger Rogers now!

If you would like to enjoy this episode without background/transition music, please visit the "sensory-sensitive" version, which is released the day following this episode.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: Ginger Rogers’ autobiography, My Story by Ginger Rogers; an...

Clark Gable, Part Two (SENSORY-SENSITIVE--no background/transition music)

The finale of his story.

This episode dives into the success of Gone with the Wind and Clark's life and career afterwards. Visit Part One before enjoying this episode.

If you want to hear this same episode with soft musical flare added in to enhance the story, please see Clark Gable PART TWO on the show feed.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: Clark Gable: Portrait of a Misfit by Jane Ellen Wayne; American Legends: The Life of Clark Gable by...

Clark Gable, Part Two: The finale of his story.

This episode dives into the success of Gone with the Wind and Clark's life and career afterwards. Visit Part One before enjoying this episode.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: Clark Gable: Portrait of a Misfit by Jane Ellen Wayne; American Legends: The Life of Clark Gable by Charles River Editors; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Clark Gable (Sensory-Sensitive... no background/transition music)

Rhett Butler himself! Part one discusses his childhood, early career, and Gone with the Wind. The conclusion of his story is told in part two.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Clark Gable: Portrait of a Misfit by Jane Ellen Wayne; a book titled Gable & Lombard: A Biography by Warren G. Harris; a book titled American Legends: The Life of Clark Gable by Charles River Editors; The National Museum of the United States Air Force; a People Magazine article by Julie Tremaine from...

Clark Gable... Rhett Butler himself! Part one discusses his childhood, early career, and Gone with the Wind. The conclusion of his story is told in part two.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Clark Gable: Portrait of a Misfit by Jane Ellen Wayne; a book titled Gable & Lombard: A Biography by Warren G. Harris; a book titled American Legends: The Life of Clark Gable by Charles River Editors; The National Museum of the United States Air Force; a People Magazine article by Julie Tremaine from August 18, 2024; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB<...

JEANNE EAGELS (Sensory-Sensitive--no background/transition music)

Stage and film actress Jeanne Eagels made the character of Sadie Thompson in Rain wildly popular on Broadway in the early 1920s. She was a famous stage actress and on her way to being a famous actress on the silver screen. But then everything changed. Listen now to hear her story!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed by Eric Woodard & Tara Hanks

Image Source: Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed

Stage and film actress Jeanne Eagels made the character of Sadie Thompson in Rain wildly popular on Broadway in the early 1920s. She was a famous stage actress and on her way to being a famous actress on the silver screen. But then everything changed. Listen now to hear her story!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed by Eric Woodard & Tara Hanks

Image Source: Jeanne Eagels: A Life Revealed

One of the most successful directors of Hollywood's silent film era, William Desmond Taylor was killed under a cloud of mystery. His whole life was somewhat of a mystery. There were suspects and there were theories... but who killed William Desmond Taylor, and why? Listen to hear the story of his life and his death, in this special collaboration episode with A.C. Roberts of The Wanted Files podcast.

Episode Sources: Hollywood Homicide by Patrick Auerbach; Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood by William J. Mann; Wikipedia; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB<...

Eva Marie Saint (Sensory-Sensitive... no background/transition music)

Happy Birthday to Eva Marie Saint! She turned 101 years old on July 4th, 2025. In this episode, you can learn all about her incredible life and career. She is an inspiration to us all!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Eva Marie Saint, A Biography by Jane Bryan; an interview from the 2013 TCM Film Festival with Robert Osborne; an interview from the Santa Barbara Independent from January 1st, 2010; Wikipedia; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Happy Birthday to Eva Marie Saint! She turned 101 years old on July 4th, 2025. In this episode, you can learn all about her incredible life and career. She is an inspiration to us all!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Eva Marie Saint, A Biography by Jane Bryan; an interview from the 2013 TCM Film Festival with Robert Osborne; an interview from the Santa Barbara Independent from January 1st, 2010; Wikipedia; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

MARY ASTOR (Part 2:) SENSORY-SENSITIVE (no background/transition music)

Part two of Mary Astor's story. The dramatic trial that rocked Hollywood and threatened to destroy the lives of many high profile celebrities. What happened, and the effect it had on the lives involved. And Mary's life AFTER the scandal.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s by Joseph Egan; The Mary Astor Collection at themaryastorcollection.com; and of course, IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

MARY ASTOR (Part 2:)

Part two of Mary Astor's story. The dramatic trial that rocked Hollywood and threatened to destroy the lives of many high profile celebrities. What happened, and the effect it had on the lives involved. And Mary's life AFTER the scandal.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s by Joseph Egan; The Mary Astor Collection at themaryastorcollection.com; and of course, IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

MARY ASTOR (Sensory-Sensitive) PART ONE:

A popular silent film actress who survived the transition into talkies... only to be thrown into one of the most salacious scandals of 1930s Hollywood. Here about her early life and career, and the events that led up to the public scandal.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s by Joseph Egan; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

MARY ASTOR (Part 1:)

A popular silent film actress who survived the transition into talkies... only to be thrown into one of the most salacious scandals of 1930s Hollywood. Here about her early life and career, and the events that led up to the public scandal.

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled The Purple Diaries: Mary Astor and the Most Sensational Hollywood Scandal of the 1930s by Joseph Egan; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

BETTY GRABLE (sensory-sensitive--no background/transition music) THE WWII pinup girl. She was pushed into a life in show business, never able to choose her own path in life. And she rose to the top in Hollywood. Her image became one of the most recognizable and significant images from WWII. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Betty Grable: The Reluctant Movie Queen by Doug Warren; a book titled American Legends: The Life of Betty Grable by Charles River Editors; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

BETTY GRABLE--THE WWII pinup girl. She was pushed into a life in show business, never able to choose her own path in life. And she rose to the top in Hollywood. Her image became one of the most recognizable and significant images from WWII. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A book titled Betty Grable: The Reluctant Movie Queen by Doug Warren; a book titled American Legends: The Life of Betty Grable by Charles River Editors; IMDB

Image Source: IMDB

Patsy Kelly (sensory-sensitive...no background/transition music) One-half of one of the 1930's most popular comedic duos whose name was forgotten within a decade... but she was never gone. She didn't fit the mold of the perfect 1940s actress, so she just kept herself busy in other entertainment avenues until Hollywood was ready for her again. She lived life her own way, and she was strong. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A documentary titled "This Is… Patsy Kelly" by Lori-Suzanne Dell; Wikipedia; IMDB.

Image Source: IMDB

Patsy Kelly: One-half of one of the 1930's most popular comedic duos whose name was forgotten within a decade... but she was never gone. She didn't fit the mold of the perfect 1940s actress, so she just kept herself busy in other entertainment avenues until Hollywood was ready for her again. She lived life her own way, and she was strong. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: A documentary titled "This Is… Patsy Kelly" by Lori-Suzanne Dell; Wikipedia; IMDB.

Image Source: IMDB

Enjoy this special release of a Stars of the Golden Age bonus episode! Please visit patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast to learn more about the bonus content available. Next week we'll be back to our regular episodes covering fantastic golden age stars!

This is a special extra episode commemorating one year of Stars of the Golden Age! No biographies in this episode... Just me talking about the journey of this podcast and my goals for the future.

Burt Lancaster (sensory-sensitve...no background/transition music)

The dashing leading man with the mad trapeze skills. Circus performer turned actor turned circus performer turned actor again... and producer. The man could do it all. He was hard-working, determined, and put his heart into the causes he believed in. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: a book titled Burt Lancaster: An American Life by Kate Buford; a documentary titled Burt Lancaster: Daring to Reach from The Hollywood Collection; an interview of Burt Lancaster with Dick Cavett from July 21, 1969; a New York Times a...

Burt Lancaster: The dashing leading man with the mad trapeze skills. Circus performer turned actor turned circus performer turned actor again... and producer. The man could do it all. He was hard-working, determined, and put his heart into the causes he believed in. Listen now!

PATREON: patreon.com/starsofthegoldenagepodcast

Episode Sources: a book titled Burt Lancaster: An American Life by Kate Buford; a documentary titled Burt Lancaster: Daring to Reach from The Hollywood Collection; an interview of Burt Lancaster with Dick Cavett from July 21, 1969; a New York Times article from October 22, 1994; IMDB

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