From Beneath the Hollywood Sign

Airwave Media
Airwave Media
  • 4.9 (282)
  • Film History
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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.

  1. 6d ago

    “JACK & MABEL ALBERTSON: IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY” - (153)

    EPISODE 153 -  “JACK & MABEL ALBERTSON: IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY” - 8/17/2026  Hollywood history is filled with famous acting families, but few sibling stories are quite as surprising—or as entertaining—as that of JACK and MABEL ALBERTSON. In the latest episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, we look back at the remarkable lives and careers of a brother and sister who took very different roads to show business success. Jack became one of Hollywood’s most beloved character actors. He won an Oscar for The Subject Was Roses, inspiring generations of fans as Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and won legions of new fans on TV for Chico and the Man. Mabel carved out her own memorable career — appearing in movies such as Barefoot in the Park and What’s Up Doc? before finding fame on television, most famously as Mother Stephens on Bewitched. From vaudeville stages and lean early years to Broadway, movies, television, and finally Hollywood success, theirs is a story of perseverance, talent, an unbreakable bond. Join us as we celebrate this revered brother/sister act, on a brand-new episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Entertainment Awards: A Music, Cinema, Theatre and Broadcasting Guide, 1928 through 2003. 3rd ed. (2004), by Don Franks; Burlesque in a Nutshell: Girls, Gimmicks & Gags (20160, by Dusty Sage; Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. 2nd ed. (2011) by Vincent Terrace; “Jack Albertson, Versatile Star of Stage, Film and TV Series,” November 28, 1981, by Eleanor Blau, The New York Times;  “Jack Spreads a Little Sunshine,” January 7, 1973, by Robert Berkvist, The New York Times; “Jack Albertson Dies of Cancer,” November 26, 1981, by Jack Jones, Los Angeles Times; “Mabel Albertson Enjoys Roles in Variety of Stage Plays,” December 17, 1967, by Russ Leadabrand, Independent Star-News (Pasadena, CA); “Mabel Albertson Is Dead at 81” September 30, 1982, Santa Cruz Sentinel; “Actress Mabel Albertson, Whose Television and Motion Picture Roles…” September 29, 1982, United Press International; “Jack Albertson,” Obituary. December 2, 1981, Variety; Wikipedia.com TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: No, No, Nanette (1940); Springtime in the Rockies (1942); Sweet Rosie O’Grady (1943); The Unseen (1945); Miracle on 34th Street (1947); The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947); Good Sam (1948); Cyrano de Bergerac (1950); Come Back, Little Sheba (1952); The Caddy (1953); About Mrs. Leslie (1954); Black Widow (1954); The Cobweb (1955); The Harder They Fall (1956); Ransom! (1956); The King and I (1956); Man of a Thousand Faces (1957); Teacher’s Pet (1958); The Long, Hot Summer (1958); The Shaggy Dog (1959); Lover Come Back (1961); Days of Wine and Roses (1962); The Miracle Worker (1962); The Ugly American (1963); Kissin’ Cousins (1964); Roustabout (1964); My Fair Lady (1964); Zorba the Greek (1964); A Man for All Seasons (1966); Barefoot in the Park (1967); The Subject Was Roses (1968); On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970); Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971); The Poseidon Adventure (1972); What’s Up, Doc? (1972); Cabaret (1972); Fences (2016); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 10

    “WHO GETS THE LAST DANCE? STEVE & NAN RANK THE ASTAIRE & ROGERS FILMS” (152)

    “WHO GETS THE LAST DANCE? STEVE & NAN RANK THE ASTAIRE & ROGERS FILMS” - 8/10/2026 (152) This week on From Beneath The Hollywood Sign, we're putting on our dancing shoes for one of classic Hollywood's greatest screen pairings: FRED ASTAIRE & GINGER ROGERS. From dazzling Art Deco ballrooms to unforgettable musical numbers, we're attempting the impossible—ranking every Astaire & Rogers film from least favorite to absolute masterpiece. Which classics soar to the top? Which ones deserve another look? And just how heated can a debate about Golden Age musicals get? Whether you're a lifelong fan of classic cinema or just discovering why Astaire and Rogers remain the gold standard for movie musicals, this episode is packed with lively discussion, hot takes, and plenty of love for Hollywood's most iconic dance duo. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Fred & Ginger: The Astaire/Rogers Partnership 1934-1939 (2007), by Hannah Hyam; “Shall We Dance?Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire’s On-Screen Romance,” August 27, 2023, by Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair; “85 Years of Fred and Ginger,” October 15, 2019, by Aurora, Once Upon a Screen Blog; Wikipedia.com TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: Flying Down to Rio (1933) – staring Delores Del Rio, Gene Raymond, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Eric Blore & Franklin Pangborn The Gay Divorcee (1934) – Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Erik Rhodes, Betty Grable, Eric Blore, & Alice Brady; Roberta (1935) – starring Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Helen Westley, Claire Dodd & Luis Alberni; Top Hat (1935) – starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Erik Rhodes, Eric Blore, Helen Broderick & Lucille Ball: Follow the Fleet (1936) – Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott, Betty Grable, Harriet Hilliard, Lucille Ball, & Astrid Allwyn;  Swing Time (1936) – starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore, Betty Furness, & Georges Mataxa Shall We Dance (1937) – Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, Jerome Cowan, & Ketti Gallian;  Carefree (1938) - starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Ralph Bellamy, Jack Carson, Luella Gear, & Franklin Pangborn; The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) – Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, Walter Brennan, & Janet Beecher, & Lew Fields; The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) – Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Billie Burke, Oscar Levant, Gale Robbins, Jacques Francois & George Zucco; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 3

    “VAN HEFLIN: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 8/03/2026 (151)

    “VAN HEFLIN: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 8/03/2026 (151) Some actors become legends because of their larger-than-life personalities. Others earn that status simply because they're so believable that you forget they're acting at all. VAN HEFLIN belonged firmly in the second category. An Academy Award winner and one of the most respected performers of Hollywood's Golden Age, Heflin built an extraordinary career playing ordinary people with uncommon depth, honesty, and humanity. Whether starring in "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers," "Act of Violence," "Shane," "3:10 to Yuma," or dozens of other classics, he brought an authenticity that made every performance memorable. Join us on From Beneath the Hollywood Sign as we explore the life and remarkable career of this often-overlooked Hollywood giant, examining the films, the man behind them, and why Van Heflin remains one of the finest—and most underrated—actors ever to grace the screen. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Van Heflin: A Life in Film (2016), by Derek Sculthorpe; “Van Heflin: A Tribute,” December 12, 2012, Themotionpictures.net; “Van Heflin: An Actors Soul; A Seaman’s Heart,” April 1996, by Eric Niderost, Classic Images;  “Van Heflin, Actor, Dead at 60; Won Fame in Film and on Stage,” July 24,1971, New York Times; TCM.com; oscars.org IMDBpro.com IBDB.com wikipedia.com Films Mentioned: A Woman Rebels (1936); The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1937); Flight from Glory (1937);  Saturday’s Heroes (1937); Annapolis Salute (1937); Santa Fe Trail (1940);  The Feminine Touch (1941); H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941); Johnny Eager (1941); Kid Glove Killer (1942); Grand Central Murder (1942); Seven Sweethearts (1942); Tennessee Johnson (1942); Presenting Lily Mars (1943); The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946); Green Dolphin Street (1947); B.F.’s Daughter (1948); Act of Violence (1948); Madame Bovary (1949); The Prowler (1951); Shane (1953); The Raid (1954);  Count Three and Pray (1955); Battle Cry (1955); Patterns (1956); 3:10 to Yuma (1957); Gunman’s Walk (1958) The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965); Once a Thief (1965);  Stagecoach (1966); Airport (1970); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 27

    "CEDRIC GIBBONS: ARCHITECT OF HOLLYWOOD DREAMS" (150)

    EPISODE 150 -  “CEDRIC GIBBONS: ARCHITECT OF HOLLYWOOD DREAMS” - 7/27/2026  This week, we’re going behind the scenes of Classic Cinema to focus on an artist who had a huge impact on the visual storytelling of film.  You may not even know his name, but he is credited on over 1000 films. What would The Wizard of Oz be without the Emerald City?  What would The Women be without Mary Haines’ divine apartment?   And what would the Oscar statuette be without this man’s design? Of course, we’re talking about celebrated Art Director CEDRIC GIBBONS — one of the most influential artists in film history.  He served at MGM as supervising art director for a record 32 years — from 1925 to 1956.  Winner of 11 Academy Awards, nominated for a total of 39, Gibbons created the look and tone we now think of as synonymous with that MGM sparkle. Join us as we discuss his life and career.   SHOW NOTES:  Sources: MGM Style: Cedric Gibbons and the Art of the Golden Age of Hollywood by Howard Gutner, Simon & Schuster, 2019   Cedric Gibbons and Dolores Del Rio: The Art Director and the Star of Flying Down to Rio in Santa Monica, Architectural Digest April, 1992 Architecture and Film Edited by Mark Lamster, Princeton Architectural Press, 2000 Cedric Gibbons, MGM Artist, 65: Retired Head of Department Dead, Designer of Oscar, Won 11 Academy Awards, The New York Times, July 27, 1960 Designs on Film:  A Century of Hollywood Art Direction by Cathy Whitlock,  HarperCollins, 2010 New Book on Famed MGM Art Director Cedric Gibbons Reveals Over 100 Never-Before-Seen Photos by Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter October 16, 2019 TCM.com; oscars.org IMDBpro.com IBDB.com wikipedia.com brittanica.com Films Mentioned: Trilby (1915); Fields of Honor (1918); Earthbound (1920); Bunty Pulls the Strings (1921); A Blind Bargain (1922); In the Palace of the King (1923); The Rendezvous (1923); True As Steel (1924); Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925); The Trail of '98 (1928); Our Dancing Daughters (1928); The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1929); Anna Christie (1930); Grand Hotel (1932); Red Dust (1932); The Merry Widow (1934); The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934); A Tale of Two Cities (1935); Fury (1936); Marie Antoinette (1938); The Wizard of Oz (1939); The Women (1939); Pride and Prejudice (1940); Presenting Lily Mars (1943); Gaslight (1944); Meet Me in St. Louis (1944); The Clock (1945); The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945); The Yearling (1946); Body and Soul (1947); Little Women (1949); Madame Bovary (1949); An American in Paris (1951); Singin' in the Rain (1952); The Bad and the Beautiful (1952); Julius Caesar (1953); Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956); Summer and Smoke (1961); Period of Adjustment (1962) --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 20

    “DANCING WITH THE STARS AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN” - 7/20/2026 (149)

    EPISODE 149 -  “DANCING WITH THE STARS AT THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN” - 7/20/2026  This week on From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, Steve and Nan step inside one of the most magical places in Hollywood history—the legendary Hollywood Canteen! During World War II, some of the biggest stars in the world traded movie sets for serving trays, dish towels, and dancing shoes, all to give visiting servicemen and women a night they would never forget. Bette Davis, John Garfield, Marlene Dietrich, Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, and hundreds of others volunteered their time—and the stories behind the Canteen are every bit as fascinating, funny, and touching as you might imagine. So grab your dancing shoes and join us as we tell the remarkable story of the Hollywood Canteen. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: The Hollywood Canteen: Where the Greatest Generation Danced With the Most Beautiful Girls in the World (2012), by Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence; “The Hollywood Canteen:Service and the Stars,” February 9, 2024, byBenjamin McVay, CinemaScholars.com; TCM.com; wikipedia.com; IMDBPro.com; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 13

    "CATCH A WAVE: HOLLYWOOD'S BEACH MOVIE CRAZE" (148)

    EPISODE 148 -  “CATCH A WAVE: HOLLYWOOD’S BEACH MOVIE CRAZE” - 7/13/2026  This week on  From Beneath The Hollywood Sign, we dive into the sun-soaked beach movie craze that swept America in the late 1950s and 1960s. From the wholesome charm of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to the cultural phenomenon of Gidget and the romantic drama of A Summer Place, we're exploring the films that made surf, sand, sunshine, slapstick comedy, and catchy music the ultimate recipe for fun. Along the way, we'll revisit the stars, the songs, and the stories behind the genre, highlighting the movies that captured the carefree spirit of an unforgettable era. Grab your sunscreen, wax up your surfboard, and join us for a nostalgic trip back to Hollywood's beach party heyday! SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics (2021), by John Malahy; TCM.com; wikipedia.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: Gidget (1959), starring Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Arthur O’Connell, & Mary LaRoche; Where The Boys Are (1960); starring Delores Hart, Paula Prentiss, Yvette Mimieux, Connie Francis, George Hamilton, Jim Hutton, Frank Gorshin, Chill Wills, & Barbara Nichols; A Summer Place (1959), starring Sandra Dee, Troy Donahue, Dorothy McGuire, Richard Egan, Arthur Kennedy, Constance Ford, & Beulah Bondi; Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), starring Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Harvey Lembeck, Linda Evans, Jody McCrea, Deborah Walley, John Ashley, Buster Keaton, Donna Loren, Marta Kristen, Paul Lynde, Don Rickles, & Timothy Carey; Blue Hawaii (1961), starring Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Pamela Austin, Nancy Walters, Roland Winters, Howard McNear, Steve Brodie & John Archer; Don’t Make Waves (1967), starring Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale, Sharon Tate, Robert Webber, Joanna Barnes, Dave Draper, Mort Sahl, Dub Taylor, Ann Elder & Edgar Bergen; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 7

    “CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH: BARBARA STANWYCK” - 7/06/2026  (147)

    “CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH: BARBARA STANWYCK” - 7/06/2026  (147) Anyone who’s listened to From Beneath the Hollywood Sign for any length of time, knows that BARBARA STANWYCK is the all-time favorite actress of Steve and Nan. This week, we will be discussing the remarkable life and career of this legend. What can you say about Stanwyck? Tough, talented, fiercely independent, and endlessly versatile, she could break your heart in Stella Dallas, make you laugh in The Lady Eve, and leave you breathless in Double Indemnity. Join us as we explore her extraordinary journey from a difficult childhood to becoming one of the most respected actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age. Along the way, we'll share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, surprising moments from her personal life, and reveal why directors, co-stars, and film crews adored working with her. If you're a fan of classic movies—or simply love stories about remarkable people—you won't want to miss this tribute to the incomparable Barbara Stanwyck. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel to True 1907-1940 (2013), by Victoria Wilson; Pieces of My Heart (2008), by Robert Wagner with Scott Eyman; Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line | The Hollywood Collection, 1997 Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire (1991), by Richard Schickel; The Name Above The Title (1971), by Frank Capra; “Barbara Stanwyck, Actress, Dead at 82,” January 22, 1990, by Peter B. Flint, New York Times;  Barbara-Stanwyck.com AFI.com TCM.com biography.com walkoffame.com  wikipedia.com IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: The Locked Door (1929); Mexicali Rose (1929); Ladies of Leisure (1930); Illicit (1931); Ten Cents A Dance (1931); The Miracle Woman (1931); Night Nurse (1931); Forbidden (1932); The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932); Baby Face (1933); Annie Oakley (1935); Her Brother’s Wife (1936); That Is My Affair (1937); Stella Dallas (1937); Golden Boy (1939); Remember The Night (1939); The Great Man’s Lady (1941); Ball of Fire (1941); The Lady Eve (1941); Meet John Doe (1941); Lady of Burlesque (1944); Christmas In Connecticut (1945); The Strange Loves of Martha Ivers (1946); My Reputation (1946); The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947); East Side West Side (1949); Quo Vadis (1951): No Man of Her Own (1950); The Furies (1950); Clash By Night (1952); The Moonlighter (1953); Jeopardy (1953); Executive Suite (1954); There’s Always Tomorrow (1956); Forty Funs (1957); Trooper Hook (1957); The Night Walker (1964); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 29

    "REEL PATRIOTS: AMERICA'S STORY ON SCREEN" Jun 29, 2026 (146)

    “REEL PATRIOTS: AMERICA’S STORY ON SCREEN” - 6/29/2026 (146) As America gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, Steve and Nan take a cinematic journey through some of the most patriotic films ever made in the latest episode of From Beneath the Hollywood Sign. From stirring wartime dramas to inspiring stories of courage, sacrifice, and the American spirit, Steve and Nan share their personal favorites, explore the history behind these beloved classics, and discuss why these films continue to resonate with audiences today. Whether you're looking for viewing recommendations for the Semiquincentennial celebration or simply love classic Hollywood, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to the movies that helped define America on the silver screen. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: Wikipedia.com TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: Sergeant York (1941), starring Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, Margaret Wycherly, June Lockhart., Dickie Moore, George Tobias, Ward Bond & Noah Beery; The Pride of the Yankees (1942), starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Walter Brennan, Dan Duryea, Babe Ruth, Elsa Janssen & Virginia Gilmore; The Human Comedy (1943), starring Mickey Rooney, Frank Morgan, James Craig, Marsha Hunt, Donna Reed, Van Johnson, Fay Bainter, Dorothy Morris, Jackie “Butch” Jenkins, John Craven, Robert Mitchum, Barry Nelson & Don Defore; Mrs. Miniver (1942), starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, May Witty, Richard Ney, Reginald Owens, Henry Travers & Henry Wilcoxon; Since You Went Away (1944), starring Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Shirley Temple, Joseph Cotten, Monty Woolley, Robert Walker, Lionel Barrymore, Agnes Moorehead, Hattie McDaniel, Alla Nazimova, Guy Madison, Craig Stevens & Keenan Wynn; So Proudly We Hail! (1943), starring Claudette Colbert, Pualette Goddard, Veronica Lake, George Reeves, Barbara Britton, Sonny Tufts, Walter Abel, Mary Servoss, Mary Treen; Dorothy Adams, & Ann Doran; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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.

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