From Amber Heard to Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, our culture has a way of turning real people into cartoon bad guys (or women, as the case may be). Also: How Joan Didion changed everything
She also did a season on Polly Platt, the former wife and collaborator of Peter Bogdanovich, which was incidentally released at exactly the same time as TCM’s season on Bogdanovich on the podcast “The Plot Thickens.” Extremely interesting to listen to in tandem and so revealing about marriage and ambition between a creative couple and what happens when celebrity seduces one and leaves the other behind. Come to think of it, might be interesting to do a double book club with John Gregory Dunne’s “Monster: Living Off The Big Screen” and Joan Didion’s “Play It As It Lays”
Having alpacas or goats come to your block party or birthday party is apparently a relatively normal occurrence in the northern Virginia southern Maryland area. I don't know why but I'm here for it. My daughter (2) is adamant alpacas are puppies. That is all- thanks for another great episode
The dude with the alpacas was VERY casual about having alpacas. He was like, "Virginia has a ton of these." And when I seemed skeptical, he was like, "Google it." -- SH
I can confirm this. We went to a 7 yo’s birthday party last year and they had both alpacas and llamas. I can also confirm they will spit in your face if you blow in theirs. 😀
A Hollywood book club would be fun. But I have to say, Hollywood Babylon is full of myths. To counter that, David Stenn's biography of Clara Bow is wonderful and often heartbreaking. Scott Eyman has written several Hollywood biographies, though I am partial to *Hank And Jim*, the story of the lifelong friendship between Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda. Don't sleep on Robert Matzen, either, who has covered Jimmy Stewart's military service, Audrey Hepburn's work with the Dutch Resistance, and Carole Lombard's fatal plane crash, among other things. One that might be a great place to start is Lulu In Hollywood, a collection of essays and reminiscences by Louise Brooks who, apart from being an icon and very fine actress, also happens to have been a brilliant writer.
It’s been (many!) years since I read it myself, but there’s an excellent novelization of the Fatty Arbuckle story. Sarah’s Hollywood book club selection maybe??
Your conversations are always appointment listening. It is like being a fly on the wall near two very wonderful and thoughtful personalities whom I likely wouldn’t even approach to talk to. I do note that there are lots of recurring topics and issues. I think an enterprising person could make a great game for the podcast audience. It must not be a drinking game (not the least of which is because I don’t drink), but I think bingo would really work (Nancy and Sarah discuss boobs; Nancy mentions true crime; Sarah mentions Johnny Depp; Nancy swears; Sarah swears; Nancy cries; Sarah cries; Nancy and Sarah mention the name of the podcast; Nancy and Sarah eat; The Fifth Column is mentioned; Paloma Media is mentioned; Nancy offers baked goods; etc.). I am way too lazy to make these bingo cards, but I am pretty sure the version we should play is “Blackout” (please forgive me!) Keep the conversation going!
I could listen to you guys every day. I so admire your friendship and the lovely rambling flow of your conversations. This one, though, I think I'll have to (and gladly) listen to again: there is so much in it to absorb, as well as to catch some references to things that aren't in your shownotes. (And Nancy, that teacher who "got you" when you read your Didion essay...God, we need more teachers like that, huh?) 💜
You guys are fun to listen to. I thought I needed to have my views on “agency” being for everyone silenced until the storm passed and you 2 are bringing the sunshine. ☀️ I have followed N for 5+ years (and got me a Paloma hat also) and Sarah I’m new to you but do you really abstain from booze but smoke like Hepburn? Part of me thinks that’s got to be harder than abstaining from both - but hey ok by me. As a subscriber I guess need to catch up on more episodes, but in the meantime please do: keep going!
Karina Longworth did a season subtitled Fact Checking Hollywood Babylon in 2018: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-must-remember-this/id858124601?i=1000447017831
She also did a season on Polly Platt, the former wife and collaborator of Peter Bogdanovich, which was incidentally released at exactly the same time as TCM’s season on Bogdanovich on the podcast “The Plot Thickens.” Extremely interesting to listen to in tandem and so revealing about marriage and ambition between a creative couple and what happens when celebrity seduces one and leaves the other behind. Come to think of it, might be interesting to do a double book club with John Gregory Dunne’s “Monster: Living Off The Big Screen” and Joan Didion’s “Play It As It Lays”
I love Karina Longworth. -- SH
You think you could get her as a guest if you did a book club event on Hollywood Babylon? She would be the perfect person to parse the stories with.
We have the best listeners. Thank you. And: great idea!
Having alpacas or goats come to your block party or birthday party is apparently a relatively normal occurrence in the northern Virginia southern Maryland area. I don't know why but I'm here for it. My daughter (2) is adamant alpacas are puppies. That is all- thanks for another great episode
The dude with the alpacas was VERY casual about having alpacas. He was like, "Virginia has a ton of these." And when I seemed skeptical, he was like, "Google it." -- SH
They are a tax break around here. A pretty significant one apparently
It’s totally true.
I can confirm this. We went to a 7 yo’s birthday party last year and they had both alpacas and llamas. I can also confirm they will spit in your face if you blow in theirs. 😀
A Hollywood book club would be fun. But I have to say, Hollywood Babylon is full of myths. To counter that, David Stenn's biography of Clara Bow is wonderful and often heartbreaking. Scott Eyman has written several Hollywood biographies, though I am partial to *Hank And Jim*, the story of the lifelong friendship between Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda. Don't sleep on Robert Matzen, either, who has covered Jimmy Stewart's military service, Audrey Hepburn's work with the Dutch Resistance, and Carole Lombard's fatal plane crash, among other things. One that might be a great place to start is Lulu In Hollywood, a collection of essays and reminiscences by Louise Brooks who, apart from being an icon and very fine actress, also happens to have been a brilliant writer.
Whoa. Treasure trove of great suggestions. -- SH
It’s been (many!) years since I read it myself, but there’s an excellent novelization of the Fatty Arbuckle story. Sarah’s Hollywood book club selection maybe??
https://www.amazon.com/I-Fatty-Novel-Jerry-Stahl/dp/1582342474/ref=nodl_#
Ah! Written by my friend Jerry Stahl, whose new book I was just sent an advance copy of! Maybe we get him on the show... https://www.amazon.com/Nein-Depression-Psychic-Torment-Holocaust/dp/1636140254
I will read the shit out of that book.
To bring this podcast full circle I need to point out that Johnny did the forks in buns bit in 'Benny and Joon' as a tribute to Chaplin.
Your conversations are always appointment listening. It is like being a fly on the wall near two very wonderful and thoughtful personalities whom I likely wouldn’t even approach to talk to. I do note that there are lots of recurring topics and issues. I think an enterprising person could make a great game for the podcast audience. It must not be a drinking game (not the least of which is because I don’t drink), but I think bingo would really work (Nancy and Sarah discuss boobs; Nancy mentions true crime; Sarah mentions Johnny Depp; Nancy swears; Sarah swears; Nancy cries; Sarah cries; Nancy and Sarah mention the name of the podcast; Nancy and Sarah eat; The Fifth Column is mentioned; Paloma Media is mentioned; Nancy offers baked goods; etc.). I am way too lazy to make these bingo cards, but I am pretty sure the version we should play is “Blackout” (please forgive me!) Keep the conversation going!
I could listen to you guys every day. I so admire your friendship and the lovely rambling flow of your conversations. This one, though, I think I'll have to (and gladly) listen to again: there is so much in it to absorb, as well as to catch some references to things that aren't in your shownotes. (And Nancy, that teacher who "got you" when you read your Didion essay...God, we need more teachers like that, huh?) 💜
I am on chapter 7 of the snake head. Looking forward to book club!
Great!
For Hollywood book club, ever consider The Big Goodbye? Its about the making of Chinatown, but also provides interesting window into the LA and Hollywood of 60s-70s. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Goodbye-Chinatown-Years-Hollywood/dp/1250301823/ref=nodl_
Another good conversation, thank you! And the show notes are excellent each time; I find myself going back to them more than once.
Yay! We love making them/can you tell we’re journalists?
Speaking for the fork roll dance - and Johnny Depp - have you seen this, Sarah? https://youtu.be/tkj3klWMn5E
WHOA, I forgot all about that scene. You just blew my mind. -- SH
I’m going to do that annoying thing and recommend (or mention) a book that I haven’t read. I remember it getting good reviews when it came out.
Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/295452/pictures-at-a-revolution-by-mark-harris/
I don’t care that much about the Depp-Heard trial but I’ll listen to the two of you talk about it all day 😂😎
Yay! Next episode we (also) talk about a slightly different personality...
You guys are fun to listen to. I thought I needed to have my views on “agency” being for everyone silenced until the storm passed and you 2 are bringing the sunshine. ☀️ I have followed N for 5+ years (and got me a Paloma hat also) and Sarah I’m new to you but do you really abstain from booze but smoke like Hepburn? Part of me thinks that’s got to be harder than abstaining from both - but hey ok by me. As a subscriber I guess need to catch up on more episodes, but in the meantime please do: keep going!
It's all true. Haven't had booze in nearly 12 years. Smoked 1/2 a pack of Parliament Lights this morning. -- SH
Where else can you go to hear conversation rife with nuance and an overwhelming passion for journalism and...and...boobs ... Woo Hoo 😂😎
Biscuit dough!!
"Biscuit dough" still makes me laugh out of nowhere. -- SH