13 Surprising Facts About Old Hollywood

TL;DR

Old Hollywood reveals shocking scandals and behind-the-scenes drama.

Transcript

if you're a movie lover you can probably picture the scene from the wizard of oz where a blanket of snow falls over dorothy lying in a poppy field but did you know that the snow dumped on dorothy and friends was actually asbestos the carcinogenic material was a common substitute for snowflakes and filmmaking until shortly after world war ii a stagg... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Hollywood's early days saw the use of hazardous materials like asbestos for special effects.
• 🇹🇫 Southern California became a hub for filmmaking due to favorable conditions and patent disputes.
• 👶 Child actors like Shirley Temple endured controversies and questionable treatment.
• 🤩 Feuds between stars like Crawford and Davis added drama behind the scenes.
• ⌛ Joan Crawford's stage name origins reveal industry practices of the time.
• 😥 The Rat Pack's name origins point to impromptu origins and debauched times.
• 👨‍💻 Hollywood's censorship codes influenced romantic scenes, limiting on-screen displays of affection.

Questions & Answers

Q: What role did asbestos play in early Hollywood films?

Asbestos was used as fake snow, exposing actors and crews to health risks due to its carcinogenic nature.

Q: Why did filmmakers move to Southern California in the early 20th century?

Filmmakers relocated to Southern California to escape East Coast patent monopolies and to take advantage of the region's favorable weather and landscapes.

Q: How did Shirley Temple's career come under scrutiny?

Rumors circulated that Shirley Temple was an adult due to missing baby teeth on screen, leading to investigations and unconventional methods to maintain her childlike appearance.

Q: What infamous feud existed between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis?

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis had a notorious feud that escalated during the filming of "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" resulting in on-set tensions and personal animosity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Asbestos was used as fake snow in early Hollywood films, posing health risks.

• Hollywood's origins in Southern California were a response to East Coast patent monopolies.

• Famous stars like Shirley Temple and Joan Crawford faced scandals and feuds behind the camera.