Forgotten Hollywood

Episode 469: Capra: A Life with Author Sam Wasson

From the author of the beloved Fifth Avenue, Five A.M. and The Big Goodbye comes the definitive account of one of the quintessential American artists, Frank Capra, visionary behind the iconic and timeless It’s a Wonderful Life.Frank Capra, the director of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It Happened One Night, and, supremely, It’s a Wonderful Life remains one of the great chroniclers of the American heart, how we love, lead, dream, hope, and fight for our individuality. But Frank Capra was a more complex artist than is usually reckoned and a more complicated man than anyone knows. As his most famous collaborator Jimmy Stewart put it, “the best Frank Capra story is the story of his own life. It’s got more highs and lows than a roller coaster. It’s heartwarming. It’s kind of hard to believe, really. And it could only happen in America.”Like many great American stories, this story begins in Ellis Island where a penniless family of Sicilian immigrants arrives in 1903. Frank Capra’s life goes on to take in the explosive growth of Southern California and the film industry, the depths of the Depression, the enormity of the Second World War, and America’s uneasy post-war as an empire riven by a loss of unity. It is a life as shot through with both “moonbeams” and melancholy as that of his greatest creation, George Bailey. Capra is both the exemplar of American ideals, as in his truly vital work for Roosevelt’s war effort, and of American failings, as in his informing during the McCarthy period.This extraordinary book, making full use for the first time of Capra’s own archives, including deeply personal writings from his later years, has brought this seminal artist into urgent life. At the same time, in its epic richness, it offers a dazzling portrait of both a lost America and an enduring one.Doug Hess is the host. 

Episode 468- Bad Columbus Movies

In honor of Columbus Day/Indiginous Peoples Day, James Lott Jr talks about two films that came out in 1992 that depicted Christopher C's journey to America. Included is some of the music from Vangelis for one of the films, 1492. (We do not own the rights)Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

FH Mini Spotlight :Alan Ladd Jr

He won his Oscar in 1996 for Braveheart and died on March 2, 2022, at age 84. His daughter Amanda Ladd-Jones made the documentary Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies about his career. And more.....James Lott Jr is the host.Follow Forgotten Hollywood on Facebook! 

Episode 467 -RIP Eva Marie Saint (1924-2026)

looking at the two ends of Eva Marie Saint's extraordinary acting career, there are a few ways to define “first” and “last”:First professional screen work: Saint appeared on NBC's early live television program Campus Hoopla (1946–47), where she worked as a performer/commercial spokeswoman. This was during television's infancy. WikipediaFirst movie: On the Waterfront (1954) — Saint made her feature-film debut as Edie Doyle, opposite Marlon Brando. Remarkably, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her very first movie. Turner Classic MoviesLast theatrical movie: Winter's Tale (2014) — she played the older Willa Penn, appearing at age 89. It is generally identified as her final newly produced theatrical film role. WikipediaHowever, she continued acting afterward. Her later credits include voice work as Katara in The Legend of Korra and podcast/audio drama performances. Her last credited acting performance appears to be the 2022 Radio Play Revival podcast, in which she voiced Osric Dane. People.comSo her professional screen/audio career effectively stretches from 1946 to 2022 — about 76 years. That's an astonishing run.At the beginning of this episode is (I do not own the rights): Wonderful scene between Terry (Marlon Brando) and Edie (Eva Marie Saint) from On the Waterfront.James Lott Jr is the guest host.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

FH 466- Guns of the Timberland (1960) and Alana Ladd

Guns of the Timberland (1960) is a 91-minute Western starring Alan Ladd, Jeanne Crain, Gilbert Roland, and Frankie Avalon, directed by Robert D. Webb and released by Warner Bros. It’s based on Louis L’Amour’s novel Guns of the Timberlands.Alan Ladd’s 16-year-old daughter, Alana Ladd, made her screen debut, playing Avalon’s love interest.Alana Ladd (1943–2014) was an actress and the daughter of Alan Ladd and actress-turned-agent Sue Carol. Born in Hollywood on April 21, 1943, she had a brief screen career, mainly around the early 1960sJames Lott Jr is the guest host of this episode.Follow Forgotten Hollywood on Facebook

FH Mini Spotlight- John Wayne’s 10 Least Known Films

Hosted by James Lott JrJohn Wayne played some very interesting characters before he became famous! Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

Episode 465- Dakota (1945)

Dakota (1945) is a Western adventure with romance, comedy, and some surprisingly serious themes about land, settlement, and corruption. Starred John Wayne!Guest hosted by James Lott Jr.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook.. Follow us! 

Episode 464-I'm a Believer: My Life of Monkees, Music, and Madness with Co-Author Mark Bego

In fascinating, star-studded anecdotes, original Monkee Micky Dolenz takes readers from his starring role at age 12 as TV's "Circus Boy," to the open casting call that brought the Monkees together, through the creative conflicts that finally drove them apart. Along the way you'll find hilarious anecdotes about his adventures as a Monkee―the girls, the parties, the celebrities―as well as the harder-edged realities of a life lived in front of a camera. The Monkees 60th anniversary edition contains a new introduction, two new chapters, updated discography and filmography, and ten new photos. More importantly, Micky Dolenz offers his thoughts on Monkees mania in its 60th year, as well as pays tribute to his departed band-mates Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork.Doug Hess chats with Mark Bego.The book is out NOW! Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

FH Mini Spotlight: 10 Facts about Susie Singer Carter

Episode 463 is an interview with her and Doug Hess. Check this out and then that episode. Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

Episode 463-Susie Singer Carter

Susie Singer Carter is an American writer, director, producer, actress, and podcast host whose work often explores family, caregiving, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. Drawing from her experience caring for her mother, she created the acclaimed short film My Mom and the Girl, starring Valerie Harper. She also co-hosts the podcast Love Conquers Alz, which focuses on Alzheimer’s, dementia, caregiving, and the people whose lives are affected by them.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook.

FH Mini Spotlight- My Fav Twilight Zone Episode

James Lott Jr shares his favorite Twilight Zone Episode. Check out the interview with Doug Hess and Alan Sepinwall here on Forgotten Hollywood.Forgotten Hollwyood is on Facebook! 

Episode 462- Alan Sepinwall And His Book, "Serling: A Journey Into The Twilight Zone"

Doug Hess talks with famed TV Critic and Commentator Alan Sepinwall about his new book on Rod Serling and the classic TV show The Twilight Zone! 

Episode 461- More Than Nostalgia

Forgotten Hollywood stands for so many things. James Lott Jr shares what we mean and what we showcase on this show!Forgotten Hollywood is on FacebookForgotten Hollywood Books by Doug Hess and James Lott Jr are on Amazon! 

FH Mini Spotlight - 10 Chicago films between 1929-1970

James Lott Jr is IN Chicago this weekend and lists 10 films set in Chicago.

Episode 460- The Forgotten Hollywood Reference Books

Doug Hess and James Lott Jr have 4 Books out on Amazon! Take a listen and then go buy one or all four! 

FH Mini Spotlight- Famous Animals on TV (1950-1970)

Some are super famous. Some are forgotten..until now! 

Episode 459- "The Cinema of Wes Anderson" with author Whitney Dilley

Host Doug Hess talks with author Whitney Dilley and her book "The Cinema of Wes Anderson"

Episode 458- WE Want to Hear From YOU

Doug Hess and James Lott Jr come together and talk to YOU!

Episode 457- The Films of Alfred Hitchcock with author David Stereitt

In this episode I spoke with author David Stereitt about his book "The Films of Alfred Hitchcock."

Episode 456: The Number 5 TV Shows From 1950 to 1969

Being the Number 5 show during a season could mean several things, but does it mean a show becomes iconic? Take a listen to hear the list. James Lott Jr is the guest host. Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook.

FH Mini Spotlight- American soaps from 1950-1975

American daytime network soap operas that aired at some point from 1950 through 1975, it's a surprisingly large group. I'm including shows that began before 1950 if they were still airing during this period, and shows that premiered by the end of 1975. Guest Host James Lott Jr

Episode 455- Forgotten Soap Opera Episodes

It’s one of the saddest parts of television history. Thousands of episodes of American daytime soap operas from the 1950s, ’60s and into the ’70s are gone, and in many cases the networks themselves deliberately erased them. Guest Host talks about the whole debacle. 

Episode 454- Why We Feel Remembering Forgotten Hollywood IS Essential

James Lott Jr talks about the importance of shows like this one.Forgotten Hollywood books on Amazon.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

FH Mini Spotlight- More Meyer Lansky

Episode 453- "Body Horror" with Xavier Aldana Reyes

In this episode I spoke with Xavier Aldana Reyes about his book "Body Horror". Xavier Aldana Reyes provides an engaging introduction to the inner workings of body horror, tracing its evolution from foundational works such as The Fly (1986) and Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) to recent films like Raw (2016) and The Substance (2024).

Episode 452- The Lansky Legacy with Meyer Lansky II

IN this episode I spoke with Meyer Lansky grandson, Meyer Lansky II about his new book "The Lansky Lagacy: The Life and Letters of Meyer Lansky".  Written by Meyer Lansky’s grandson, this definitive portrait of the legendary “Mob’s Accountant” chronicles the singular life of the business entrepreneur who built a gambling empire, perfected money laundering, established a more efficient Mafia, and changed the course of organized crime forever—featuring never-before-seen personal letters, photographs, and firsthand stories.

FH Mini Spotlight- Hollywood's First Native American Filmmaker James Young Deer

James Young Deer (born James Young Johnson; 1876–1946) was one of the earliest Native American filmmakers in American cinema and a true pioneer of the silent film era. He was an actor, director, screenwriter, and producer at a time when the motion picture industry was still in its infancy. Although he was long identified as Winnebago, modern research indicates his ancestry was from the Nanticoke people of Delaware, and aspects of his public identity were later embellished for show business. Young Deer married Lillian St. Cyr on April 9, 1906, after they met in Washington, D.C. Together, they reinvented themselves as "Young Deer" and "Princess Red Wing" and performed in Wild West shows before moving into the motion picture industry. They are widely regarded as one of Hollywood's first Native American power couples

Episode 451- Hollywood's 1st Native American Movie Star Lillian St Cyr

Guest host James Lott Jr spotlights the Silent Film actress.Lillian St. Cyr's career was groundbreaking. She became one of the first Native American women to achieve star status in American motion pictures, working during the silent era alongside her husband, director James Young Deer. Although many of her early films are now lost, she remains a pioneering figure in Hollywood history and is widely recognized as one of the first Native American film star

Episode 450- Tom T Tran from "Good Morning Vietnam"

In this episode, Warren Croom and I spoke with Tom T. Tran the actor who played Taun in the film "Good Morning, Vietnam". Forgotten Hollywood is on FacebookForgotten Hollywood books are on amazon! 

FH Mini Spotlight-the Hollywood Museum Marilyn Monroe Event

On August 5, 2026, Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of The Hollywood Museum) The Hollywood Museum  located the Historic Max Factor Building) and some of our celebrities and personalities that have performed over the past 70 years thru today, will commemorate the 64th Anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death by holding a special event surrounded by the recently unveiled 100th birthday Marilyn Exhibit. Stars of today will read letters they wrote to Marilyn. The Hollywood Museum has re-dedicated the Blondes Only Room that houses many of Marilyn Monroe’s  most personal items, clothing, jewelry, shoes, her delicates & undergarments, her makeup chair & case, her million-dollar honeymoon dress worn on her honeymoon with Joe Dimaggio and to entertain the U.S. troops in Korea, and the bottles of prescription medication found on the nightstand the night she died. Other items include Marilyn's personal clothing, jewelry that Arthur Miller gave her. The Hollywood Museum offers a rare and exclusive look at personal photos of Marilyn. FOLLOW THE MUSEUM:WEBSITE: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.comFACEBOOK: Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseum TWITTER: @HollywoodMuseum  INSTAGRAM: @HollywoodMuseum

Episode 449- Little Caesar

Forgotten Hollywood is on FB!Forgotten Hollywood Books on Amazon.Produced/Hosted by Doug Hess! 

Episode 448- Justin Henry

TO date, the youngest actor nominated for an Academy Award. He co starred at 8 years old in Kramer vs Kramer. 

FH Mini Spotlight: The Top 10 Films 100 Years Ago

JLJ shares the Top 10 grossing films of 1926

Episode 447- "Power Surge: Conglomerate Hollywood and The Studio System's Last Hurrah"

In this episode I spoke with author Thomas "Tom" Schatz about his latest book "Power Surge: Conglomerate Hollywood and The Studio System's Last Hurrah". Between 1989 and 2004, all the old studios either merged with other media giants or were swallowed up by even bigger diversified behemoths, leading to an infusion of money and fast-tracking the digital revolution. Yet even as CGI and piles of cash fueled a new breed of blockbusters―Batman and Titanic, Toy Story and The Lord of the Rings―an indie ethos permeated the industry. And at the crossroads of commodification and aesthetic vision, auteurs ranging from Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino to Sofia Coppola and Ang Lee became household names.

Episode 446- The Number 1 Film 100 years ago

Guest host James Lott Jr talks about the number one of 1926 and its director! 

FH Mini Spotlight- Latina Actress Nominees and Winners Of Oscars Acting Awards

Episode 445- Latino Actors Nominated (and Wins) in the Oscar Acting Categories

Episode 444-" I Wanna Be Loved By You: Marilyn Monroe A Life In 100 Takes".

In this episode, I spoke with author Andrew Wilson about his book " I Wanna Be Loved By You: Marilyn Monroe A Life In 100 Takes". Publishing one hundred years after her birth, Andrew Wilson’s biography of Marilyn Monroe is a kaleidoscopic tour of her life told through 100 captivating snapshots.

Episode 443- But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition

In this episode I spoke with author Kristen Lopez about her latest book "But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition". What makes a good love story endure? Is it the courtship? The obstacles along the way? The happy endings (or in some cases, heartbreaking conclusions)? Author Kristen Lopez explores 40 beloved screen adaptations of the book world's great romances to reveal what makes these works resonate across decades. Out on July 28, 2026

Episode 442 - Looking Back Isn't Always Pretty

Guest Host James Lott Jr talks about looking back at all parts of Forgotten Hollywood! 

Mini Spotlight- The Oz Books

There is more to read than just the WIzard of Oz. James Lott Jr is the host. 

Episode 441- Greta Garbo and the Rise of the Modern Women

In this episode I spoke with the author and grandnephew to Greta, Scott Reisfield. Greta Garbo didn't just change film. She changed what it meant to be a woman. Long before "feminism" entered the mainstream, Greta Garbo was showing women around the world how to live, love, work, and claim independence on their own terms. Her performances felt startlingly real at a time when acting was still theatrical and restrained. Women didn't just watch Garbo. They recognized themselves in her.

Episode 440- The 1st Soundtrack to a Hollywood FIlm

There are two answers! James Lott Jr guest hosts and explains.

Episode 439- Show Updates From Doug Hess

Follow Forgotten Hollywood on Facebook.Buy the books on Amazon.Doug Hess is the creator and producer, he shares some news with you all! 

Episode 438- 1st Film with Gay Characters

For Pride Month June 2026, James Lott JR guest stars. The film most often considered the first major film to feature an explicitly gay character/storyline is Different from the Others (Anders als die Andern), a 1919 German silent film. It starred Conrad Veidt as a gay violinist whose relationship with a male student leads to blackmail and tragedy. It was also made with sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld and is often called the first gay-rights film in history. For American/Hollywood film, it gets more complicated because gay characters were often coded for decades because of censorship. A major milestone is The Boys in the Band from 1970, one of the first mainstream American films to openly focus on gay male characters and gay life.

Mini Spotlight- Sydney Pollack on WIll & Grace

This is the debut of a mini episode called FH Mini Spotlight. For this one we are spotlighting Sydney Pollack (listen to Episode 439) and his time as an actor on the hit TV show Will and Grace for Gay Pride Month. 

Episode 437-"Sydney Pollack: Collected Interviews".

In this episode, I spoke with Patrick McGilligan who was one of the editors of the book "Sydney Pollack: Collected Interviews". Sydney Pollack was a true actor's director―a filmmaker who came up through the ranks, starting as a bit-part TV performer before turning to directing. From his debut feature The Slender Thread (1965) to his final film, The Interpreter (2005), Pollack built a reputation for intelligent, emotionally resonant storytelling.

Episode 436-Warren Croom, Cindy Mitchum & Joe Cornett: The Mitchum Family Legacy

In this episode, Warren Croom joins me for a conversation with Cindy Mitchum, daughter of John Mitchum and niece of Robert Mitchum. We also speak with Joe Cornett, who is developing a limited series about the two Mitchum brothers.

Episode 435- "Jane Fonda: There's a Great Deal to Say" with author Marilyn S. Greenwald

In this episode, I spoke with author Marilyn S. Greenwald about her book "Jane Fonda: There's a Great Deal to Say". Since the late 1960s, Jane Fonda has identified as an activist first and an actor second, using her celebrity as a vehicle to convey her views and her advocacy. Few stars of her stature have been as simultaneously acclaimed and vilified as Fonda.

Episode 434- The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai

In this episode I spoke with authors Taylor Cole Miller and Alfred L. Martin Jr. about their book "The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai". The Golden Girls: Tales from the Lanai is an accessible collection that explores the cultural, industrial, and historical impact of that beloved American sitcom. Edited by Taylor Cole Miller and Alfred L. Martin, Jr., this anthology brings together a diverse range of voices that model different media studies approach to researching and critically analyzing television texts.