Ep 154: Lillian Burns, The Most Powerful Woman in Hollywood
Before the Stanislavski 'Method' overtook Hollywood in the 1950s, each studio had their own in-house drama coach to develop talent. The drama coaches were women: Phyllis Loughton Seaton (Paramount), Lela Rogers (RKO), Josephine Hutchinson (Columbia), Helena Sorrell (20th Century Fox), Sophie Rosenstein (Warner Bros.), and Anita Colby was 'feminine director' for Selznick Studio. But the most influential drama coach of all was Lillian Burns. Miss Burns established the drama school in Republic Pictures in 1935. She then did the same for MGM in 1936. She eventually left Metro to work as Harry Cohn's right hand in Columbia. She was a star maker who inspired loyalty among Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Janet Leigh, and Debbie Reynolds that shaped the century of American acting.
10 Nov 2025
Ep 153: Claire Trevor in Born to Kill (1947)
In Robert Wise's Born to Kill (1947), Claire Trevor veers between planning a future with Lawrence Tierney and curating his downfall. She gives one of her best performances in a picture that was initially dismissed as lurid but has since been reclaimed as a classic. Beneath the smart suits, metallic-stud accessories, and mink coat beats the heart of 'the coldest iceberg of a woman' who is utterly compelling to watch.
16 Jun 2025
Ep 152: Kim Novak in Bell Book and Candle (1958)
Kim Novak discusses her experience filming Bell Book and Candle after Harry Cohn's death and reveals the betrayal she experienced from studio publicist Muriel Roberts.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
49 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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