Before Toddlers in Tiaras, there were the mothers of Vaudeville in the early 1910s, Rose Thompson Hovick had her dreams of stardom cut short, and became obsessed with turning her own children into stars.
Parcasters - Theodosia Burr Alston is more than a character in a song from Hamilton! Find out about her life and mysterious disappearance this week on Gone! ... Show More
Jun 2019
Hollywood: Johnny Stompanato & Lana Turner, The Gangster and The Film Star
After a childhood struggle with poverty, 16-year-old Lana Turner became a world famous movie star in 1937, praised for her grace, and talent. Her public life seemed like a fairy tale, but over the next 20 years, her private life was plagued with toxic relationships. Sponsors! Dai ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 2019
Hollywood: Peg Entwistle, "The Hollywoodland Sign Girl"
By 1932, budding Hollywood starlet Peg Entwistle had everything: money, a successful Broadway career, accolades, and undeniable charm. But none of that stopped her from throwing herself off the Hollywood sign, plummeting to her death. Parcasters - Bob Champion was an accomplished ... Show More
57m 38s
Jun 2019
Hollywood: The Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle Trial
In 1921, Arbuckle was the king of Hollywood. The highest-paid actor of the day, surpassing even the likes of Charlie Chaplin. But one booze-filled, wayward hotel party would leave Arbuckle accused of murder, as every friend he had in town abandoned him to a media feeding frenzy. ... Show More
54m 58s
May 2024
Let's Go Back to the Beginning...with Mama Rosa (Part 1)
In a special mother daughter episode of Let's Be Clear, Shannen remembers her early years as a child actor with the help of her guiding light, Mama Rosa.Together they laugh about the ups and downs of child stardom, and the rigorous studying that happened behind the scenes.Shannen ... Show More
47m 16s
Nov 2020
"The Scandalous Screen Siren" Pt. 1: Mae West
When one of the most famous entertainers in America couldn’t find another good role, she wrote one for herself. The result was a play titled “Sex,” and it became a Broadway smash in 1926 — but moral reformers couldn’t handle its heat, and took drastic action. Learn more about you ... Show More
42m 14s
Oct 2023
Stage Parents, Toxic Socialization, and Poor Life Skills
For the FULL story, preorder my memoir “Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything” here: https://bit.ly/semiwelladjusted
Stereotyped as living vicariously through their children, stage parents are demanding and competitive, prizing their child as the best talent in the indu ... Show More
22m 59s
Jun 2021
EP 34: Family Bonds, Hollywood Genius, and the Cuban Coors Lite Story
On this episode of the Our American Stories podcast, Edie Hand tells us the story of the her brothers, the Blackburn boys, and the tragedy that struck not once, but three times; also, Author Richard Rhodes shares the amazing story of Austria-born turned Hollywood movie star, Hedy ... Show More
57m 45s
Apr 2021
E244: “Silenced Starlet” Thelma Todd Pt. 2
Thelma Todd's ex-husband and business partner, Roland Hughes, was quick to name the starlet's 1935 death an accident. But as the years went on, his story began to crumble, leaving those close to Thelma wondering: Did Roland’s rumored ties to the mob get her killed? Learn more abo ... Show More
34m 26s