Forgotten Hollywood

In this episode, I spoke with author Joseph Hulihan about his book "Vietnam on the Big Screen: How the Vietnam War Changed Hollywood". America, it is said, deals with its trauma through the medium of Hollywood, and few experiences have been more traumatic than its involvement in the Vietnam War. As the last US helicopters fled the American Embassy compound during the fall of Saigon, they left behind a country devastated by twenty years of death and destruction.

In this episode, I spoke with author Robert Guffey about his Book "Hollywood Haunts the World".  In Hollywood Haunts the World: An Investigation into the Cinema of Occulted Taboos, Robert Guffey deconstructs the most powerful taboos of the twentieth century (and the initial decades of the twenty-first century) by analyzing how disturbing and transgressive ideas involving Theosophy, Gnosticism, Freemasonry, Darwinian Evolution, Surrealism, Freudian and Jungian psychology, race relations, paranoia, UFOs, xenophobia, political conspiracies, the JFK assassination, virtual reality, and alternate dimensions have been reflected in films―both American and foreign―throughout the past one hundred years.

In this episode, I spoke with author Carl Rollyson about his book "Marilyn Monroe Day by Day: A Timeline of People, Places and Events." From hefty biographies and fact-based novels to photograph collections and memoirs, more books have been written about Marilyn Monroe than any other female over the past century

In this episode, I spoke with author Matt Browning about his latest book "Gilmore Girls: Pop Culture Reference Guide". Finally understand every single pop culture joke, obscure reference, and witty one-liner that makes Gilmore Girls one of the most reference-packed shows in television history.

IN this episode I spoke with author Kathleen Brady to discuss one of her favorite Lucille Ball films Stage Door. A boardinghouse for female theater actresses gets a new arrival in the form of Terry Randall (Katharine Hepburn), an upper-class woman pursuing her dreams against her wealthy father's wishes. At first, her status makes her unpopular with the other boarders, particularly her roommate, Jean (Ginger Rogers). As Terry becomes better acquainted with the other girls and their shared ambitions, rivalry -- both professional and romantic -- explodes among them

In this episode Robert Ray comes on to discuss Ben-Hur (1959) in 4K for the Easter season.

In this episode I spoke with author Rachel Walther about her book "Born To Lose: The Misfits Who Made Dog Day Afternoon". This is the plot of Dog Day Afternoon, the 1975 film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, and Chris Sarandon. It remains a high-water mark of New Hollywood, where the best acting talent of the day came together on a film that was truly exceptional.

In this episode I spoke with author Karen M. Spence about her recent book "The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family". The Companion Guide to The Godfather Trilogy: Betrayal, Loyalty, and Family offers a fresh perspective, going beyond the surface to uncover the real-life context and historical inspirations behind the story.

James Lott Jr is the guest host.In the golden age of Hollwyood, Actors could not be openly NOT straight. But onscreen, different ways to let that out happened!

Guest host James Lott Jr does something a little contraversial and goes to the newest technology that is spreadung thruout the world, Chat GPT, and asks it: What Is Forgotten Hollywood?

Guest Host James Lott Jr talks about some Oscar winners from the 1970s that may have been forgotten. Congrats to all the latest winners of 2025! 

In this episode I spoke with author Kathleen Brady about the 75th Anniversary of I Love Lucy.  The 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy is October 15, 2026. The iconic sitcom, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, originally premiered on CBS on October 15, 1951. Doug Hess is the host and producer! 

In this episode, I spoke with author Chris Enss about her latest book "Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women". Discover the untold stories of the bold women who rode harder, roped faster, and stole the spotlight in early Hollywood. Since the famous “first” western movie, The Great Train Robbery, starring Broncho Billy Anderson, made its debut in 1903, cowboy heroes have continued their easily won dominance—but little has been written about the cowgirl stars and their fans.

In this episode I spoke with authors Kathy Fuller and Frank Thompson regarding their book "The First Movie Studio in Texas: Gaston Melies's Star Film Ranch".  In 1910, the Méliès Star Film Company of Manhattan set up a moving-picture studio outside San Antonio, the first in Texas. Determined to make the most authentic Westerns possible, the company filmed there for a little over a year. In that brief time, it created more than seventy single-reel films, leaving a lasting mark on moviemaking.

In this episode I spoke with author William J. Mann about his latest book " Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood". The brutal murder of Elizabeth Short—better known as the Black Dahlia—in 1947 has been in the public consciousness for nearly eighty years, yet no serious study of the crime has ever been published.

In this episode I spoke with Suzy Miles, the widow of the late filmmaker Christopher Miles. To be a filmmaker, Miles had to sidestep parental plans to enrol him in the family steelworks. He had already been filming in communist China and Argentina when he escaped to Paris where he made his first professional film.

In this episode I spoke with Anthony Taylor about his book "Classic Monsters, Modern Art." Explore the groundbreaking (and terrifying) pantheon of monsters from the 20th century's greatest films and fiction interpreted by the world's most exciting contemporary artists and illustrators in Classic Monsters, Modern Art!

Ethel Barrymore: Shy Empress of the Footlights unveils the captivating duality of one of America's most revered theatrical legends. Known for her poise, talent, and commanding presence on stage, Ethel Barrymore was paradoxically a woman of deep reserve and quiet introspection. This richly detailed biography offers an intimate portrait of the First Lady of the American Theatre, tracing her journey from the gilded footlights of Broadway to the screens of early Hollywood. This book explores how Barrymore's quiet strength shaped a dynasty―and how her shy soul reigned behind the curtain of fame. A must-read for lovers of theater, classic film, and untold stories of iconic women.

In this episode, I talk about my three favorite films regarding Abraham Lincoln to support "President's Day'.  They are from 1939 "Young, Mr. Lincoln, 140 Abe Lincoln in Illinois and from 2012 Lincoln.

In this episode I spoke with Susan Morrison about her book "Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live". Over the fifty years that Lorne Michaels has been at the helm of Saturday Night Live, he has become a revered and inimitable presence in the entertainment world. He's a tastemaker, a mogul, a withholding father figure, a genius spotter of talent, a shrewd businessman, a name-dropper, a raconteur, the inspiration for Dr. Evil, the winner of more than a hundred Emmys—and, essentially, a mystery

In this episode I spoke with author Brian Raftery about his book "Hannibal Lector: A Life". Drawing from exclusive interviews and previously unseen archival materials, this one-of-its-kind biography of Hannibal Lecter documents the cannibal's journey from terrifying villain to unexpectedly adored antihero

We are talking about the Defiant Ones with Sidney Poitier. James Lott Jr is the guest host this episode!

James and Doug take a look back over 5 years and 399 episodes! thank you everyone!

In this episode, I spoke with author Anthony Uzarowski about his latest book "Lauren Bacall: The Queen of Cool'. Lauren Bacall (1924–2014), or Betty, as she was known to friends, was one of the last great movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her career spanned seven decades and was one of the longest and most distinguished in the history of show business. Yet it wasn't easy.

Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world . . . not one is better than hosting at home.Filled to the brim with history, heart, and hard-crafted drinks, this cocktail book will bring the spirit of Casablanca to life for its legions of fans. Historically accurate recipes, contemporary reinventions, and Moroccan-inspired small bites find common ground rooted in film trivia. Plus, a "bar crawl" through unearthed props and archival material, and rendered in high-resolution photography, will give this classic cocktail book an interactive feel.

n this episode I spoke with author Paul Fischer about his book "EP 397 The Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola * Lucas * Spielberg and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema".  The untold, intimate story of how three young visionaries Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg revolutionized American cinema, creating the most iconic films in history while risking everything, redefining friendship, and shaping Hollywood as we know it.On sale February 10, 2026.  Pre-order your copy today.

In this episode, I spoke with author Robert Hofler about his latest book "A Star Is Born". Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 classic film version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, a riveting, juicy exploration of the history and popularity of Hollywood's favorite story about itself, from its 1937 technicolor drama starring Janet Gaynor and the 1954 version with Judy Garland, through 2018's blockbuster Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper remake.The book will be out on January 27, 2026!

Guest host James Lott Jr talks about the highest paid and most known Hollywood Stars of Asian descent in the 1940s to 1960s and what they had to endure by the studio system.Forgotten Hollywood is on FacebookThe Forgotten Hollywood Boks are on Amazon!

Guest host James Lott Jr tells you the Number 1 Movies of January 1940, 1950, and 1960. These films reached the Top spot of the US Box Office. Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook and the books are on Amazon.

Guest Host James Lott Jr talks about the highest paid actors in Hollywood in the 1940s, both Black and White.

In this episode I spoke with Jeffrey Paul Thompson (one of three authors of the book "Twentieth Century Fox: A Century of Entertainment". Here it is the first-time look at the remarkable American multinational mass media empire and its century of entertainment the story of Twentieth Century Fox (1915–2015). Or, to borrow the title of a classic 1959 Fox film, The Best of Everything.Forgotten Hollywood is on Facebook! 

It's the end of 2025 and Creator/Producer/Host Doug Hess takes a look back with JLJ Media CEO on the almost 6 year old show. Thank you everyone in making this show a huge hit!

Doug Hess is the host!

In this episode I spoke with author Stephn Rötzsch Thomas about his book "Disney's Animated Classics: A Comprehensive Guide." In Disney's Animated Classics, Stephen Rötzsch Thomas explores the iconic features from the studio's first 100 years, from Snow White to Wish. A love letter to storytelling and collaboration, each chapter takes readers behind the scenes of a different movie, uncovering the hidden secrets, creative geniuses, and surprising connections that will enthrall die-hard Disney fans and casual viewers alike.

Guest Host James Lott Jr picks one of his heros to talk about. Flip Wilson: The Groundbreaking King of 1970s Television Clerow “Flip” Wilson Jr.Born: December 8, 1933Died: November 25, 1998Profession: Comedian, Actor, Writer, ProducerClaim to Fame: First Black TV superstar and highest-paid performer of his era Flip Wilson wasn't just a comedian — he was a cultural shift. He opened doors, redefined representation, and proved a Black entertainer could dominate primetime television on his own terms.

In this episode, I spoke with author Thom Shubilla about his latest book "King Kong vs Godzilla -"The Most Colossal Conflict the Screen Has Ever Known". Popular culture in 1962 experienced many notable firsts. That year, The Beatles released their debut single “Love Me Do” in England, The Beach Boys first LP, Surfin' Safari, was stocked on record store shelves, The Rolling Stones played their first shows, Dr. No marked the opening James Bond adventure to hit theaters, Marvel Comics' “The Incredible Hulk” was splashed on the pages of comic books—and two of the greatest movie monsters, King Kong and Godzilla, clashed on the big screen.

In this episode, I spoke with author Scott Eyman regarding his book "Joan Crawford A Women's Face'. Film historian and acclaimed New York Times bestselling biographer Scott Eyman has written the definitive biography of Hollywood icon Joan Crawford, drawing on never-before-seen documents and photos from the Crawford estate.

Guest Host James Lott JR remembers the ground breaking role of Dominque Devereaux on the 80s hit soap Dynasty and the actress who played her. 

In this episode I spoke with author Jeffrey Paul Thompson about his latest book "Miracle on 34th Street: The Making of a Christmas Classic ". Despite having been made into three TV movies, a radio drama, a stage play, a Broadway musical, a feature-film remake in color, and a book adaptation, the 1947 black-and-white film of Miracle on 34th Street still remains the favorite version of this modern Christmas classic. Forgotten Hollywood Fav Christmas Movies is on Amazon.com

In this episode I spoke with Mark Malkoff about his book "Love Johnny Carson". A wildly entertaining book by one of the world's most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host.Doug Hess is producer and hostForgoten Hollywood is on Facebook.The Books are on Amazon

In this episode I spoke with Richard Kirshenbaum about his latest book " The Hollywood Fix".  This masterful and sweeping novel is based on true stories from the studio system era and PR machines which have not only created legends but exposed the dirty business of keeping the stars shiny and clean. 

In this episode, I spoke with author Todd James Pierce about his book "Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of a Classic Film".  Making Mary Poppins reveals the extraordinary true story behind the creation of one of the most beloved films of all time―and the two little-known songwriters who helped make it possible.