Vanguard of Hollywood

Nov 26 2024 84 ep. 32 mins 135

Vanguard of Hollywood Podcast artwork

A Feel-Good Classic Hollywood Podcast | This uplifting Classic Hollywood podcast offers inspirational insights into the films of the Golden Age & the stars who made them great.

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Cool Hand Luke’s Natural Born World-Shaker: An Interview with Joy Harmon

Nov 26 2024 21 mins

Joy Harmon is a baker, actress, author, mother, and grandmother. From her many television and film roles, you undoubtedly recognize Joy best as the beautiful blue-eyed blonde from the iconic car wash scene in the 1967 Paul Newman classic, Cool Hand Luke. Joy left her acting career behind in 1973 to focus on raising her family, and along the way began a successful bakery, Aunt Joy�

Hollywood Royalty: An Interview with Cissy Wellman

Nov 06 2024 49 mins

Cissy Wellman is an actress, director, dancer, and author. She is the daughter of the revered Classic Hollywood director, William Wellman, who directed such films as Wings (1927) and the original A Star is Born (1937). Cissy had the rare opportunity to grow up among the biggest names from the Golden Age, and formed personal relationships with such legends as director Howard Hawks a

Old Yeller to Spider Baby: An Interview with Beverly Washburn

Sep 24 2024 54 mins

You probably know Beverly Washburn best as Lizabeth Searcy in the 1957 Disney classic, Old Yeller, or from the 1967 horror cult classic, Spider Baby, but Beverly’s film and television credits boast countless memorable performances. This Emmy nominated actress has worked with such Classic Hollywood legends as Bing Crosby, Jimmy Stewart, Alan Ladd, Loretta Young, Lon Chaney, Jr., J

Let's Dance: An Interview with Rusty Frank

Aug 22 2024 51 mins

Rusty Frank is a Lindy Hop (swing) dancer, tap dancer, choreographer, producer, teacher, and dance preservationist. She is the author of the critically acclaimed book, TAP! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories, for which Rusty interviewed such tap luminaries as Ann Miller, Donald O’Connor, Shirley Temple, Gene Nelson, and The Nicholas Brothers. Join Shannon and Rusty as

Beyond The Dr. Pepper Girl: An Interview with Donna Loren

Jun 04 2024 47 mins

Donna Loren was the quintessential “It” girl of the 1960’s who caught America’s eye as the one and only Dr. Pepper Girl. But Donna held America’s interest with her impossibly beautiful singing voice. From the Mickey Mouse Club to her roles in the beloved Beach Party films, TV’s Batman, The Monkees, and as a cast member of America’s first live rock n’ roll television

Radiant Beauty: An Interview with Marta Kristen

May 20 2024 63 mins

Blonde and beautiful, you probably know Marta Kristen best as Judy Robinson in the beloved sci-fi classic television show, Lost in Space (1965-1968). From her early years hiding from Nazis in an underground orphanage in Norway, to her versatile performances on the stage and screen, to her nearly 40-year marriage, and a children’s book Marta is currently writing and illustrating h

The Remarkable Gene Kelly: An Interview with Patricia Ward Kelly

Apr 09 2024 56 mins

Shannon joins Gene Kelly’s widow, film historian Patricia Ward Kelly, in the Gene Kelly Archives for this special interview. As Gene’s wife and official biographer, Patricia brings a unique perspective to her work: No one knows Gene like Patricia, and she is the definitive source on all things relating to her legendary husband. Listen as Patricia shares about her life with Gene

A Force of Nature: An Interview with Paul Petersen

Mar 28 2024 42 mins

You probably know Paul Petersen best as Donna Reed's son on The Donna Reed Show, but Paul's show business career began as one of the original sixteen Mouseketeers. In addition to working with Hollywood Legends like Cary Grant and Sophia Loren, Paul also enjoyed a successful music career with Motown. But Paul is most proud of his work to better the lives of kid actors. Listen as Pau

Marilyn Monroe's Little Brother: An Interview with Scott Morrow

Mar 18 2024 40 mins

As one of the most featured child actors of the Golden Age, Scott Morrow has more than 95 television credits and 16 feature films to his name. From Peyton Place to An Affair to Remember and The Donna Reed Show, Scott worked with the best of the best. Listen as Scott shares highlights from his remarkable career, and memories of his sweet brother-sister relationship with Marilyn Monr

Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties with Foster Hirsch

Dec 27 2023 45 mins

In this interview special, Shannon welcomes back film historian Foster Hirsch to discuss his new book, Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties. Listen to discover which mogul saved Hollywood, if the blacklist could have been avoided, and what Jimmy Stewart and Marlon Brando have in common.