Hollywood Is Yours

The Secret History Of Hollywood is far larger than you may realise…

Get the whole story now - hundreds more hours of Hollywood stories, plus much more - by going to www.patreon.com/attaboysecret where CARY: PART 3 has already begun!

Shadows, the Val Lewton story, and Cary, are only the tip of the iceberg. Also available right now are nine more complete series, containing hundreds more hours of history, drama and storytelling.

The Game Is Afoot - the tale of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s Sherlock Holmes series

Sex In Monochrome - the story of Pre-Code cinema

Hunting Witches With Walt Disney - the terrifying true story of the House Unamerican investigations that tore Hollywood to pieces

A Universe Of Horrors - the complete story of the Universal Horror movies

Queens Of Cinema - an anthology series devoted to cinema’s founding mothers

Death On Alvarado Street - investigating the mystery of who killed silent film director William Desmond Taylor

The Adventures Of Alfred Hitchcock - the complete life and times of the twentieth century’s most influential and controversial film maker

Audrey, The Girl Before The Girl - the shocking untold story of Audrey Hepburn’s life long before the fairytale

Bullets And Blood, the sprawling, dramatic tale of the Warner Brothers, their extraordinary rise and their devastating fall, as well as the thrilling life of their biggest star, James Cagney.

All ELEVEN series are now instantly available, along with much more, including:

Blueprints, the bite-sized version of the Secret History of Hollywood - over fifty mini stories adding more colour and context to the stories you’ve already heard.

Memoirs in Minutes - the all new regular ten minute biography series about the most beloved supporting players of Hollywood’s Golden Age

eBook versions of the Secret History shows, specially recorded movie commentaries to listen to as you watch some classics of cinema, a weekly invitation to a special online Film Club, where we watch the films you vote for, access to my personal classic movie library, plus weekly review show where I’ll point you towards the Classic movies that have been lighting me up.

You’ll also have your name featured in the credits of every episode, and you’ll be helping towards making sure these remarkable stories can be told.

You can gain access to all of this immediately, and have it safely and swiftly delivered to your podcast app of choice.

Get the whole story now - hundreds more hours of Hollywood stories, plus much more - by going to www.patreon.com/attaboysecret

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Cary: Part 3 - Vol I

Cary Grant has found love with society heiress, Barbara Hutton. But Barbara comes with her own set of personal demons, and the road to happiness is growing ever more complicated.

Meanwhile, his cinematic roles are beginning to more-and-more resemble the characters that he has played in real life; including would-be father, society plaything, and... American citizen?

Elsewhere, there's the small matter of the war and how the world will view a man who does not take up arms, as well as the ever-nearing circle of gossip-hungry sharks...

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A quick warning - this episode does contain some strong language

Cary: Part 2 - Vol II

After a devastating personal tragedy, Cary Grant has begun to focus upon his career as an escape, still in search of the elusive hit that will prove his worth to the world. Fortunately, success and superstardom are on the horizon…

Meanwhile, Barbara Hutton has begun a very dangerous romance, one that will involve her with a family renowned for preying upon those with wealth. How will she escape? And will the rescue turn out to be worse in the long run?

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to aid in its creation, then please consider becoming a patron of the shows! You’ll earn hundreds more hours of bonus content, including NINE more complete series’ of The Secret History of Hollywood, as well as bonus documentaries, movie commentaries, and much more!

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A quick warning - this episode does contain some strong language, so please be advised. Also, some later developments in one of the story threads does feature some rather upsetting situations, including domestic violence. If you'd like further guidance on these parts, then please do contact me at adam@attaboyclarence.com

Cary: Part 2 - Vol I

After discovering that the mother he thought was dead is actually alive, Cary Grant must reconcile his own guilt, the effects of the revelation upon his own relationships, and the fact that his star in Hollywood seems to be fading.

Elsewhere, a shocking new saga has begun among the heights of privilege. But as the story unfolds, it will soon become clear that endless wealth does not necessarily guarantee happiness…

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to aid in its creation, then please consider becoming a patron of the shows! You’ll earn hundreds more hours of bonus content, including NINE more complete series’ of The Secret History of Hollywood, as well as bonus documentaries, movie commentaries, and much more!

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Cary: Part 1

Please see content warning below

Once upon a time, from the midst of normality, an extraordinary story began...

In a time when the world was being shaped on the fields of war, a boy named Archie dared to find his own path by looking to the stars.

In Part One of Cary, hear the incredible journey of Archie Leach; one that stretched from broken beginnings, all the way to the heavens of Hollywood itself...

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CONTENT WARNING BELOW (contains spoilers): This episode begins with scenes including dramatisations of infant death, domestic conflict and physical abuse. These scenes are not glamourised, but they are essential in that they explain the motivations behind certain people’s actions. However, if you feel that you may be triggered by these subjects, you may wish to proceed with caution, as they could be considered upsetting.

If you'd like more information about anything before you proceed, please don't hesitate to contact me through Patreon's messaging service, or by email at adam@attaboyclarence.com

Shadows: Midnight Is Come

Following the success of The Body Snatcher, Val Lewton has become one of RKO's most valuable and lauded producers.

As well as the many opportunities now being presented to him, Lewton has also embarked upon his first true "A-Picture", a dark tale of madness and cruelty set within the walls of the most notorious asylum in the world.

But as Hollywood itself begins to change, the shadows upon the screen will not be the only ones closing in on Lewton...

With Mark Gatiss

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Shadows: The Resurrection Men

RKO's latest horror movie, 'The Body Snatcher', based upon a dark legacy of crimes from another time, is proving to be Val Lewton's most challenging project yet.

Seemingly determined to have his way, Lewton's boss, Jack Gross has agreed to finally give Lewton and his team an "A-List" budget. But this promise comes with a set of conditions...

It isn't long before Gross's demands are dragging Lewton's possible masterpiece into exploitation territory. With the budget as a bargaining chip, will Lewton be forced to ruin his own reputation in order to get the film made? Or will a solution present itself from the most unlikely of places?

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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CONTENT WARNING BELOW

A significant part of the episode deals with the story of Burke and Hare. This was necessary to the overall story, as the film this episode deals with, 'The Body Snatcher', was based, in part, upon their crimes.

It was important to tell their story honestly, as there has been an unfortunate tendency in recent years to paint Burke and Hare as a pair of somewhat goofy miscreants instead of the abominable creatures they were in reality.

As such, there are certain details that some may find upsetting or disturbing. Burke and Hare murdered many people of all ages. The details of these crimes are more than likely unsuitable for younger ears, and may also cause distress to you, the listener. If you feel that you would like to skip over this section, then it begins at 52:12 and runs through to 1:36:00.

The episode also contains a brief history of the science of anatomy, which is not particularly graphic, but it still might not be something you feel easy listening to. It begins at 29:51, and runs to the end of the Burke and Hare section at 1:36:00

Shadows: The Silent Land

Val Lewton’s salvation has arrived in the form of Universal Horror star, Boris Karloff, a long-time admirer of Lewton’s new brand of horror cinema.

For their first project together, Lewton must draw upon the darkest piece of his childhood; the place where his imagination grew up.

And so begins a journey into the past, and to a place where dreams go to die…

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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Shadows: The Rebellious Ones

Val Lewton's chance to prove himself outside the horror genre has arrived.

If he and his team can turn the nationwide problem of juvenile delinquency into a dramatic hit, then it may mean his graduation from the "B-Division", and his escape from the oppressive executive producer who seems intent on thwarting his creative freedom.

But as the pressure begins to mount, Lewton will find himself facing a new threat; one that may put an end to not just his career, but his life...

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Special thanks to Mark Gatiss and Brook Darnell

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Shadows: The Lost Child

Val Lewton has finally agreed to create a sequel to his biggest hit, 'Cat People'. But rather than produce a conventional continuation, Lewton has decided to delve into his own past, and to tell his most personal story yet, that of a childhood cut short by an over-zealous guardian.

But in doing so, will he repeat the mistakes of his own past?

Aiding him in his quest is a new director, whose meticulous plans for the film may be at odds with his own...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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Special thanks to researcher Brook Darnell

Shadows: Blood On The Water

It is a time of change at RKO.

Val Lewton's horror movie unit is being widely imitated by Hollywood at large, all hoping to attract the kinds of audiences flocking to Lewton's modern brand of horror. But Lewton himself is facing an insurmountable problem: how to create RKO's first "Monster Rally".

The answer will come from the most unlikely of places: the Lewton family's private collection of letters...

At the same time, RKO boss Charles Koerner is demanding an interim movie, a horror set upon the seas to be called 'The Ghost Ship'. In order to bring it to life, Lewton will have to circumvent the attentions of an uncompromising new supervisor, as well as survive the eccentric excesses of his new technical advisor...

Meanwhile, at the Pasadena Playhouse, two writers have just staged an original play that will have a devastating effect on Lewton's career...

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A very special thanks to the peerless Mark Gatiss, and to Brook Darnell of the Library Of Congress for her tireless research into the private papers of Val Lewton.

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Shadows: The Devil In The Village

Val Lewton's wildly ambitious plan for his fourth film, 'The Seventh Victim', is to create a New York fairytale; a fractured picture of his beloved Greenwich Village distorted by underlying evil and populated by an eclectic assortment of bruised characters.

But in order to find the right story, Lewton will have to send his writer, DeWitt Bodeen, into uncharted, and somewhat Satanic territory...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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Shadows: The Black Hearted

WARNING: This episode contains stories, descriptions and details that some listeners may find upsetting or disturbing. If you would like further details about the subjects discussed in this episode, please refer to the guide at the bottom of these show notes. These subjects are discussed between and 0:31:10 and 1:19:07. Please proceed carefully.

'The Leopard Man', Val Lewton's third horror film for RKO Studios, is to be an adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's shocking murder mystery novel, Black Alibi. But in Lewton's hands, the project has become an opportunity to not only express his dark creativity, but also to tap into the childhood fears of its director, Jacques Tourneur, and to introduce the serial killer into American cinema.

But Lewton's team has more at stake than a simple movie.

Should the film become a success, then the creative partnership at the helm of their endeavours will be broken apart.

And should that happen, Val Lewton will be forced to make a terrible choice...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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EPISODE GUIDE: Some of the subjects discussed in this episode include descriptions of crimes carried out by real-life serial killers. This includes assault, murder, violence, child murder and sexual violence. These subjects are discussed between and 0:31:10 and 1:19:07. Please proceed carefully.

Shadows: Song Of The Dead

Following the success of 'Cat People', Val Lewton has been assigned to create a film entitled 'I Walked With A Zombie'. 

RKO's B-movie boss, Lew Ostrow, is insistent that the film should follow the formula being employed by the horror department at Universal Pictures.

But Lewton's plans for the film are far more ambitious...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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Shadows: The Cat Strikes

Val Lewton has been hired by RKO Studios to oversee the creation of their new horror division. However, the job has come with a set of curious conditions...

Having had the name of his first movie, 'Cat People' decided for him in advance, Lewton must assemble a story that fits the title. But perhaps the solution to the problem lies in an almost forgotten story from Lewton's past.

As well as adhering to RKO's peculiar directives, Lewton must also contend with the demands of his new boss, Lew Ostrow, who is expecting an altogether different type of horror movie...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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Shadows: The Boy From The Black Sea

Once upon a time, horror cinema was changed forever by the fiercely inventive imagination of a remarkable man...

In Part One of 'Shadows: The Val Lewton Story', hear the curious beginnings of a cinematic legend, whose uniquely terrifying creations were influenced by the dark brand of folklore upon which he was raised...

Featuring Mark Gatiss

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