From Beneath the Hollywood Sign

From Beneath the Hollywood Sign

If the Golden era of Old Hollywood is your thing, our podcast is for you! If you want TYRONE POWER instead of TOM HARDY, JENNIFER JONES instead of JENNIFER LAWRENCE, or ROBERT MITCHUM rather than ROBERT PATTINSON, then FROM BENEATH THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN is the gin joint for you. Each week, writer and producer STEVE CUBINE and actress and writer NAN MCNAMARA explore, discuss, and dissect the magical, mysterious, amusing, and sometimes bizarre tales of Old Hollywood. So sit back and revisit a time when the pictures were still big and everyone was ready for their close-up.

Episodes

October 6, 2025 41 mins
EPISODE 108 -  “HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY: GLENN FORD & ELEANOR POWELL, REMEMBERED BY SON PETER FORD” - 10/06/25 PETER FORD was born into Hollywood royalty. As the son of MGM dancing sensation ELEANOR POWELL, and rugged leading man GLENN FORD, he was born into a world stat few can imagine. He lived in a mansion in Beverly Hills with a staff of 8. He called RITA HAYWORTH “Aunt Rita,” was babysat by JAMES MASON, had his first martini (at ...
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EPISODE 107 -  “SUSAN PETERS: A CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD TRAGEDY” - 9/29/25 SUSAN PETERS was a rising star in Hollywood’s Golden Age, a gifted actress whose poise, talent, and beauty quickly earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. With a promising career ahead of her, she seemed destined for lasting stardom—until a devastating accident abruptly changed everything, marking the beginning of a long, painful decline. H...
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EPISODE 106 -  “FROM THE BAD SEED TO THE WONDER YEARS: PATTY MCCORMACK AND DAN LAURIA IN CONVERSATION” - 9/22/25 This week, we are thrilled to welcome two celebrated actors —  PATTY McCORMACK, who made an indelible mark on cinema as the unforgettable child star of “The Bad Seed,” and Dan Lauria, beloved for his role as the father on “The Wonder Years” and his extensive work on stage and screen. Patty and Dan share personal stori...
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EPISODE 105 -  “LOUELLA AND HEDDA: THE GOLDEN AGE’S GOSSIP GIRLS” - 9/15/25 This week, we explore the legendary rivalry between Hollywood gossip columnists LOUELLA PARSONS and HEDDA HOPPER. Parsons, backed by media tycoon WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST, became a powerful figure in the 1920s with close ties to the studios. Hopper, a former actress, entered the scene later with a more aggressive style and strong political views. The two ...
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EPISODE 104 -  “MEMORABLE MINUTES: JOHN DILEO ON ACTORS WHO MADE THE MOST OF LESS” - 9/08/25 Back by popular demand! This week we welcome author and friend of the podcast JOHN DILEO who will talk about his 2022 book THERE ARE NO SMALL PARTS: 100 OUTSTANDING FILM PERFORMANCES WITH SCREEN TIME OF 10 MINUTES OR LESS, a fun, insightful look at the incredible actors who made the most with the limited screen time they were given. From...
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EPISODE 103 - “ELEANOR PARKER: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 9/01/25 This week, we celebrate our Star of the Month: the extraordinary ELEANOR PARKER. Known as “the woman of a thousand faces,” Parker built a remarkable career defined by range, subtlety, and strength. From her Oscar-nominated turn as a wrongly imprisoned woman in Caged, to her quietly powerful presence as the Baroness in The Sound of Music, she consistently...
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EPISODE 102 -  “TALKIES, GANGSTERS, & BUGS BUNNY: THE WARNER BROTHERS JOURNEY” - 8/25/25 In this week’s episode, we’re turning the spotlight on the incredible journey of the Warner brothers—Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack—four ambitious siblings who rose from modest immigrant roots to create one of the most influential movie studios in the world: Warner Bros. Studios. Their story begins in the early 20th century, with a hand-cranke...
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EPISODE 101 -  “UNCOVERING URSULA PARROTT: DR. MARSHA GORDON ON THE LOST LITERARY STAR” - 8/18/25 This week, we are thrilled to welcome film professor and author DR. MARSHA GORDON to discuss the life, career, and lost legacy of early feminist writer URSULA PARROTT. Parrott was a colorful character — a prolific and best-selling author, Hollywood screenwriter, and consistent headline-grabber during her avant-garde, unconventional ...
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EPISODE 100 -  “LIGHTS! CAMERA! KARGER! TCM’s DAVE KARGER HELPS US CELEBRATE 100 EPISODES” - 8/11/25 We're thrilled to celebrate the 100th episode of FROM BENEATH THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN with a very special guest: DAVE KARGER, beloved host of Turner Classic Movies and one of the most respected voices in entertainment journalism. In this milestone episode, Dave joins us to discuss his fascinating new book, 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Star...
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EPISODE 99 -  “GRANT WITHERS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 8/04/25 The name GRANT WITHERS is usually met with blank stares and shrugs these days, but back in the late 1920s and 1930s, he was a much-in-demand leading man who capitalized on his boyish good looks, athletic, 6-foot-3-inch frame, natural charisma, and effortless acting ability. And as dynamic as his screen persona was, his personal life was just as juicy! From...
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See J.P.'s thirty second version of "The Birds" here: https://youtu.be/kjiSyts0xnk?si=1KZK5e7fOymLmtLU EPISODE 98 -  “BEHIND THE SCENES: GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM BEHIND FBTHS” - 7/28/25 As they say, it takes a village. And that is very true here at FROM BENEATH THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN podcast. This week, we decided to pull the curtain back and reveal two unsung heroes of the show who work tirelessly behind the scenes at the pod...
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EPISODE 97 - “BEHIND THE GLAMOUR: DRUG USE IN OLD HOLLYWOOD” - 7/21/25 As the Roaring 1920s kicked in, America’s backlash against prohibition brought forth a boozy, fun-loving era where alcohol and the use of recreational drugs like cocaine and opium became a fashionable part of the hedonistic lifestyle. This was never more true than behind the hallowed gates of old Hollywood’s studios. In fact, drugs became a common tool of th...
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“LEGENDS IN CEMENT: THE STORY OF THE GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE” - 7/14/25 (096) There is no landmark in Hollywood that elicits such awe and wonder as the beautiful Chinese Theatre. The brainchild of impresario SID GRAUMAN, who made a name for himself creating opulent, grand movie palaces, the theatre became a symbol of movie magic. Join us this week as we discuss the rich and wonderful history of this great theatre and how it ev...
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EPISODE 95 -  “VIRGINIA GREY: Classic Cinema Star of the Month” - 7/07/25 If VIRGINIA GREY is remembered at all, the blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty is probably best remembered as the caustic perfume counter girl in The Women (1939), who sees right through the gold-digging ways of Crystal Allen, played by JOAN CRAWFORD. In these brief scenes, she is so charismatic and saucy, she really shows how to deliver a zinger of a line. Sh...
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"SECOND ACT: REDISCOVERING OVERLOOKED MUSICALS" (094) - 6/30/25 In this episode of the podcast, Steve and Nan dive into some of their favorite classic Hollywood musicals that they feel do not get their due. They share fond memories and behind-the-scenes tidbits about timeless films like Summer Stock, State Fair, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. With infectious enthusiasm, they discuss the charm of Gene Kelly’s choreography, Judy G...
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"EDITH HEAD: OLD HOLLYWOOD'S QUEEN OF FASHION" (093) EPISODE 93 -  6/23/25 With eight Academy Awards to her name — more than any other woman in history — EDITH HEAD wasn't just a costume designer; she was a storyteller in fabric, silhouette, and sparkle. From BETTE DAVIS to GRACE KELLY to AUDREY HEPBURN, she dressed the biggest stars of the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on both fashion and film. In this episode, we e...
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EPISODE 92 -  “BORN TO BE BAD - Old Hollywood's Favorite Brats" - 6/16/25 This week, we’re getting into the pint-sized punks, the tantrum-throwers, the eye-rollers, and the sharp-tongued little legends who strutted across the silver screen like they owned the studio. That’s right—we’re talking about our favorite bratty kids in classic movies. You know the type: too smart for their age, too bold for their britches, and way too ...
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FBTHS #091 - "STARS BENEATH OUR FEET- THE HISTORY OF THE WALK OF FAME" 6/09/25 The Hollywood Walk of Fame holds a unique allure as both a glamorous symbol of celebrity and a living monument to the history of entertainment. Stretching along 10 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, its iconic pink terrazzo stars honor the achievements of thousands of actors, musicians, directors, and other entertainment pioneers. Since it...
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"MARK STEVENS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH" The name MARK STEVENS probably doesn’t ring a bell with moviegoers today. However, he’s one of those actors who once you see him on screen, you say, “Oh, yeah, THAT guy!” Still, at one time, he was a very in-demand leading man who was always compelling and had a tough-guy likability that brightened up many a hum-drum movie. He may not have reached the upper echelon of fame like c...
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FBTHS #089 - "Steve & Nan Explore the Wild, Wild West of Old Hollywood" In this episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, hosts Steve and Nan saddle up for a lively conversation about their favorite Western films. From dusty saloons to sweeping desert vistas, they explore the iconic imagery, unforgettable characters, and timeless themes that make the Western genre a cornerstone of American cinema. Whether you're a fan of clas...
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