Vanguard of Hollywood

37

This uplifting Classic Hollywood podcast offers inspirational insights into the films of the Golden Age & the stars who made them great.

Recent Episodes
  • A Disney Original: An Interview with Sharon Baird
    May 14, 2025 – 47:49
  • Elvis’ Leading Lady: An Interview with Cynthia Pepper
    Apr 9, 2025 – 41:54
  • Sweet and Sassy: An Interview with Ann-Margret
    Mar 12, 2025 – 48:31
  • Seven Decades in Hollywood: An Interview with Tim Matheson
    Feb 12, 2025 – 44:59
  • America’s Tap Treasure: An Interview with Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin
    Jan 29, 2025 – 39:26
  • Cool Hand Luke’s Natural Born World-Shaker: An Interview with Joy Harmon
    Nov 26, 2024 – 21:37
  • Hollywood Royalty: An Interview with Cissy Wellman
    Nov 6, 2024 – 49:00
  • Old Yeller to Spider Baby: An Interview with Beverly Washburn
    Sep 24, 2024 – 54:50
  • Let's Dance: An Interview with Rusty Frank
    Aug 22, 2024 – 51:46
  • Beyond The Dr. Pepper Girl: An Interview with Donna Loren
    Jun 4, 2024 – 47:32
  • Radiant Beauty: An Interview with Marta Kristen
    May 20, 2024 – 01:03:17
  • The Remarkable Gene Kelly: An Interview with Patricia Ward Kelly
    Apr 9, 2024 – 56:30
  • A Force of Nature: An Interview with Paul Petersen
    Mar 28, 2024 – 42:35
  • Marilyn Monroe's Little Brother: An Interview with Scott Morrow
    Mar 18, 2024 – 40:58
  • Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties with Foster Hirsch
    Dec 27, 2023 – 45:14
  • A Lucky Interview with Mimi Gibson
    Dec 20, 2023 – 01:01:32
  • The Importance of Thank You Notes: A Lesson from Jackie Robinson
    Nov 23, 2023 – 15:42
  • Joe E. Brown: Hollywood’s Nicest Guy
    Jul 31, 2023 – 19:02
  • Hud (1963), Pat Neal’s Oscar, and Newman’s Villain
    Jun 21, 2023 – 24:38
  • Paul Newman Was Not Mean to Patricia Neal. Here’s Why It Matters
    May 11, 2023 – 11:05
  • The Long, Hot Summer (1958) & The Newmans
    Mar 10, 2023 – 19:52
  • Paul Newman: Old Hollywood Class and Modern Cool
    Jan 26, 2023 – 13:02
  • Was Vera-Ellen Anorexic in White Christmas (1954)?
    Dec 23, 2022 – 24:22
  • They Are Wisest: O. Henry’s ”The Gift of the Magi”
    Dec 22, 2022 – 19:31
  • Meet John Doe (1941) with Introduction by Shannon
    Dec 21, 2022 – 02:14:10
  • It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play and What Happened to Alfalfa
    Dec 20, 2022 – 01:06:15
  • Week Before Christmas: Introduction and Meal Plan
    Dec 19, 2022 – 05:29
  • Bette vs. Joan: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? 60th Anniversary
    Nov 9, 2022 – 18:13
  • Charade (1963) with Introduction by Shannon
    Aug 22, 2022 – 01:59:19
  • Jimmy Stewart Was Not Racist. Here’s Why.
    Jun 27, 2022 – 16:58
  • Platinum Perfection: A Lana Turner Birthday Tribute
    Feb 8, 2022 – 28:10
  • Elegance and Eloquence: A Sidney Poitier Tribute
    Jan 11, 2022 – 13:46
  • Inspiration from Jimmy Stewart, Frank Capra, & It’s a Wonderful Life
    Dec 23, 2021 – 14:51
  • Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King - Interview With Foster Hirsch
    Nov 10, 2021 – 59:52
  • All Heart: Doris Day & Why She Matters
    Oct 8, 2021 – 54:52
  • Inside Marilyn Monroe's Closet: The Classic Hollywood Collection of Greg Schreiner
    Aug 18, 2021 – 41:04
  • Dean Martin: A Few Things You Didn't Know | Special Minisode
    Aug 4, 2021 – 07:03
  • The Costellos: Film's First Family with Terry Chester Shulman
    Jul 21, 2021 – 50:17
  • Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967): A Revolutionary Ride with Tracy, Hepburn, and Sidney Poitier
    Jul 2, 2021 – 52:32
  • A Little Bit of Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, and Jane Russell | Special Minisode
    Jun 16, 2021 – 08:50
  • A Great Adventure: Katharine Hepburn & The African Queen
    Jun 1, 2021 – 47:32
  • Cutting Her Down to Size? Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year
    May 3, 2021 – 46:55
  • Isn't She Yar: Katharine Hepburn & The Philadelphia Story Comeback
    Apr 19, 2021 – 42:19
  • They Say She's a Has-Been: Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant & Bringing Up Baby (1938)
    Apr 2, 2021 – 44:29
  • Katharine Hepburn: A Fierce Hollywood Original
    Mar 18, 2021 – 36:20
  • John Garfield, HUAC, and He Ran All the Way (1951)
    Mar 3, 2021 – 38:19
  • Lana Turner, John Garfield, and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
    Feb 18, 2021 – 41:45
  • John Garfield: Hollywood's First Rebel
    Feb 5, 2021 – 34:57
  • Rear Window (1954), Jimmy Stewart, Hitchcock, and Grace Kelly
    Jan 20, 2021 – 43:22
  • Winchester '73, A New Jimmy Stewart, and Gloria
    Jan 6, 2021 – 30:01
Recent Reviews
  • Kaitlyn31525
    Highly recommend!
    Shannon, the interviewer, uses her detailed research to tell the story of one of Hollywood's greats, Ann-Margret, sometimes sharing things that the interviewee didn't even know! As you listen, you can't help but get wrapped up in both the nostalgia that that Ann-Margret felt remembering her impressive career and the joy Shannon felt talking to one of her family's heroes. This is a fun listen that will make you want to watch forgotten movies and smile!
  • Stacie Stiletto
    Wonderful!
    This is an excellent podcast with great interviews. I really enjoyed the Beverly Washburn interview, thanks!
  • nsosdadpodcast
    Paul Newman series is excellent
    Don’t miss the Paul Newman series. It’s excellent. Thanks for setting the record straight about Paul and Patricia Neal. Thanks again Joe!
  • The Geeks Strike Back
    Fantastic interviews
    Shannon is a fantastic interviewer. She brings the best out of everyone she talks to. Truly an uplifting experience every episode. Be sure to listen to her interviews with Donna, Marta, and Patricia. Fascinating women with great stories to tell.
  • Lisa Anne 55
    Patricia Kelly
    This was a fantastic interview. I particularly was impressed that she documented his life the way she did before and after marriage. Lovely woman.
  • Themissingchao
    Best Gene Kelly Interview
    I've listened to just about every interview Patricia Ward Kelly has given about her late husband and this one is the best. Shannon's questions are well-researched and interesting, and prompt Patricia to share new insights and information about Gene. And, as always, Patricia is interesting and articulate. If you're a Gene Kelly fan, listen to this interview.
  • Aa099623
    Loved it!
    "Vanguard of Hollywood" delivers inspirational insights into Golden Age films and the stars who defined them, making it essential for classic cinema enthusiasts. Looking forward to future episodes!
  • Nubian Lyaness
    Loving the interviews
    The interviews are amazing! So great to hear from stars who were actually there and the people who knew them. Shannon asks all the right questions. Can't wait for more!
  • MJ and Shay
    Jackie Robinson
    Thank you for taking the opportunity to share added insight into the admiration and friendship between these two men. So much to be thankful for number 42. I like to think that baseball can bring out the best. Also, a reminder of the almost lost art of the handwritten thank you note.
  • Virgil Tibbs 1939
    Inspiring podcast. We need more like it.
    I usually don’t write reviews. But I’m inspired by this podcast every time I listen. And after being a regular listener for over a year, I figure it’s time to say something. The host has a talent for finding the inspirational elements from the stories and stars of the golden age. Even if I didn’t love old Hollywood, I would enjoy listening to Shannon’s uplifting take on the lives of these stars. Sidney Poitier, James Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, Doris Day…I’ve never heard their lives presented so factually, and in such an inspirational light. If, like me, you find learning about classic Hollywood’s “deep dark secrets” old hat; if you’re done with all the negative, depressing, and highly political “entertainment” out there, then this is the podcast for you. Listen to be inspired, listen because you love old Hollywood, or both. We need more positive voices out there—we need more podcasts like this one.
  • kaylaPodcasts
    Best early Hollywood podcast
    I love this podcast! The host is knowledgeable and non-biased which I really appreciate. Add this to your weekly commute for an entertaining and educating drive.
  • BlagelM
    10/10 Would Recommend!
    This is one of my never miss podcasts. I look forward to it every week, and it always put me in a great mood! Love it.
  • knzmason
    Really good podcast.
    I’m really enjoying these Katharine Hepburn episodes. The host is knowledgeable and entertaining.
  • NorcalSPF
    Great podcast
    So grateful to learn these behind the scenes stories from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Double Indemnity is one of my favorite classic films. Cinematic details such as “one look at her golden ankle bracelet” makes me feel like I’m watching the film. The host, Shannon, has a nice cadence, an enthusiastic, sexy voice.
  • sulltrain2000
    Knowledgeable Old Hollywood Writer
    I listened to the Vanguard of Hollywood podcast “Some Like it Hot.” The knowledge of the writer Shannon is evident and her love of old Hollywood palpable. It made me immediately go find this movie and watch it that night. My hubby and I loved it and never would have found it otherwise.
  • Lady Tessera
    Love this podcast!
    It’s obvious that the insights and behind the scenes details have been extensively researched, and they infuse even more life into these classic films. I particularly appreciate the personal perspective that Shannon includes in her background information on the stars. To learn that the timing of Some Like It Hot coincided so closely with Marilyn Monroe’s miscarriage and her sad response to it brought me a sensitivity to her situation that I hadn’t had before. I see the film, and Marilyn, with new eyes. To learn that the sensual Jane Russell was religious and sang spirituals on a pop label yet cursed like a sailor; or to hear interesting facts about Doris Day from someone who has actually spoken with her on the phone (Yes, Shannon spoke with Doris!). Shannon shares her contagious passion for these iconic personalities and films in a delightfully knowledgeable way. So glad I found this treasure of a podcast. I’m hooked!
  • K and tillie
    Hollywood comes alive
    SHANNON does a great job giving you background details and humor while keeping you engaged in the stories and lives of the Hollywood stars you know. Can’t wait for the next episode. Thank you SHANNON!
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