Thomas Blubacher is a Swiss theater director and author on theatrical subjects who’s published a new book about European emigrés in Los Angeles called Weimar Under the Palms. Many of the artists who fled Hitler in the ’30s and ’40s — including Lion Feuchtwanger and Thomas Mann, Helene Weigel and Bertolt Brecht — came to the West Coast for the studio paychecks and the sunshine. They contributed in sometimes invisible ways to the culture of California, but found something besides pure political freedom. There should be more from me on this topic in the near future. But this is a name-dropping episode, so you’ll find an index of names at the bottom of this email. MEANWHILE don’t forget about our beach-noir reading this Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Hermosa Beach Museum. A new Kelp Books anthology called The Savage Waves of Spring will be launched into the stratosphere, and Mike will read from a story. It’s free, but reserve a seat. Space is limited, and these evenings are popular. If you’re in California, consider a trip to the watery fringe of L.A., and if not, order the anthology at your favorite bookstore, online or otherwise. Or straight from Kelp. Upgrade to a paid subscription to Radio Free Mike Platforms: Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Pocketcasts Resources: Weimar Under the Palms, by Thomas Blubacher Thomas’ biography in English A link to his new novel, Aufgelöst, in German Sweetness and Blood, by Michael Scott Moore, for more on surfing in Bali in the 1930s radio free mike is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. An index of names in Episode 30:Friedrich W. Murnau, director Walter Spies, painter and musician Berthold Viertel, director Salka Viertel, screenwriter and actress Emil Jannings Ernst Lubitsch, director Charlie Chaplin Vicki Baum, author and screenwriter Lion Feuchtwanger, author Marta Feuchtwanger, author Bertolt Brecht, playwright Helene Weigel, actress and cabaret singer Thomas Mann, author Greta Garbo, actress Christopher Isherwood, author Aldous Huxley, author Fritz Lang, director Arnold Schönberg, composer This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelscottmoore.substack.com/subscribe
