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The Secret History Of Hollywood

TV & Film Film History

Adam Roche 19 episodes Oct 15, 2026

The Secret History of Hollywood is an ongoing documentary podcast that explores the stories and hidden histories behind cinema. Created by Adam Roche, it brings film history to life through carefully produced narrative episodes. The show examines the people, events, and secrets that shaped Hollywood and the broader movie industry.

Episodes

A Universe Of Horrors Oct 15, 2026 7:19:12 Delving deep into the darkest corners of history’s greatest series of horror movies, this series explores the highs and lows, and the ever-changing fortunes of Universal Horror. From Dracula and Frankenstein, to The Wolf Man and The Black Cat (a movie that even Universal executives deemed "too vile for public consumption”), and beyond to the influences of science fiction and the new breed o

Travel Back In Time: Hollywood Stories Unlocked At Last Nov 11, 2025 5:19 To get the whole story, and experience every Secret History Of Hollywood episode, go on over now to ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/attaboysecret⁠⁠ Signing up only takes a moment, and you'll get instant access to an entire world of storytelling! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cary: Part 4 Oct 30, 2024 3:59:37 Cary Grant and Barbara Hutton's wedded bliss begins with an adventure upon a lake, and a very starstruck pastor, but it isn't long before the shadows of doubt begin to cast across their happiness, made all the worse by the threat of war, and the spiralling effects of Barbara's vices... If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to aid in its creation, then please consider becoming a patron of

Cary: Part 3 - Vol II Aug 13, 2023 3:09:14 Cary Grant's relationship with the troubled, self-destructive Barbara Hutton has taken on a disturbing new shape in the wake of her father's death. Will Grant be able to live up to the promise he has made to Lance - Barbara's son? In his professional life, Grant is about to reunite with a co-star who may mean more to him than any other... If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to aid in i

Cary: Part 3 - Vol I Jun 13, 2022 4:13:33 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 ma

Cary: Part 2 - Vol II Sep 19, 2021 8:35:04 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? A

Cary: Part 2 - Vol I Sep 12, 2021 7:18:43 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 gu

Cary: Part 1 Aug 20, 2020 12:41:29 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 itse

Shadows: Midnight Is Come Oct 26, 2019 6:11:20 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 the shadows upon the screen are not the only ones closing in o

Shadows: The Resurrection Men May 12, 2019 3:39:38 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

Shadows: The Silent Land Jan 8, 2019 4:33:25 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… If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and wou

Shadows: The Rebellious Ones Aug 21, 2018 3:30:49 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

Shadows: The Lost Child Apr 26, 2018 2:48:25 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 meticu

Shadows: Blood On The Water Jan 29, 2018 2:01:11 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 lett

Shadows: The Devil In The Village Oct 31, 2017 1:58:46 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... Fe

Shadows: The Black Hearted Sep 18, 2017 1:52:32 '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 Lewto

Shadows: Song Of The Dead Jul 28, 2017 1:26:40 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 If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to a

Shadows: The Cat Strikes Jun 26, 2017 1:29:37 Part 2 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

Shadows: The Boy From The Black Sea May 31, 2017 2:13:44 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 If you’ve enjoyed this episode, and would like to aid in

The Secret History Of Hollywood

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