Secrets of Old Hollywood

Sure, Presidents Day is a time to acknowledge those who have shaped the nation’s narrative. But amidst the political fervor, the timeless allure of Hollywood beckons—and why wouldn’t it? The stories of Old Hollywood offer windows into cultural shifts, societal values, and the most influential people of the time.  Below, fall into a world of screen legends and American trendsetters. Discover lives kept hidden, conspiracies withheld, and, of course, the true power that came with such stardom.

Marilyn Monroe’s Final Hours

Nuke fears? Mob spies? A secret Kennedy visitor? Details from an investigative biography shed light on the turmoil swirling around Monroe on the last day of her life.

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Against All Odds

Marlon Brando was the only actor Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola could imagine as Mafia patriarch Don Corleone in The Godfather. There were just two problems: The studio didn’t want Brando, and Brando didn’t want the role.

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The Burden of Brilliance

A classically trained pianist turned “High Priestess of Soul,” Nina Simone never expected to be wholly understood. Still, through her extraordinary gifts, she left a body of work that reveals unflinching, universal truths.

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“Our Souls Did Touch”

Cary Grant’s bond with Randolph Scott has been the subject of nearly a century of speculation, but the truth about their impact on each other’s lives has been hiding in plain sight.

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Love Is Nothing

From a dalliance with Fidel Castro to her blunt assessment of Frank Sinatra’s manhood, juicy anecdotes reveal the wild life—and many loves—of classic Hollywood screen siren Ava Gardner.

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