– CBS Radio – George Fisher’s Hollywood – July-August, 1953 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection. –
As a reminder that Hollywood has always been at least slightly skewed, here is a 1950s radio equivalent of TMZ, as presented by veteran Hollywood gossip columnist George Fisher – and a 10 minute capsule of goings on, broadcast once a day over KNX in Los Angeles. This broadcast is from late July/Early August of 1953.
News of a swank Hollywood Party, staged at one of Millionaire Construction mogul Hal B. Hayes designed homes. For once, the house became topic of conversation, rather than the partygoers, but it was a star-studded affair, even if the house was being touted as one of the strangest. Hollywood has never been a stranger to strange – and the description does oddness at least partial justice.
Finished in 1953, the house was a congealed mess of gimmicks, tricks of technology, Bond villain luxuries and “safety features” that make sense only to one with a profoundly paranoid mind and an overflowing bank account. Hayes, the home’s owner, designer and builder, was just such a man. He expected an imminent nuclear attack on the United States and outfitted his home accordingly.
But there was actual Hollywood news to be had on this day. A review of the latest Marilyn Monroe vehicle, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was given a tepid response by George Fisher, calling it “pleasant nonsense”.
Another point Fisher brings up is his disdain for the Oscars, saying getting an Academy Award was tantamount to the kiss of death for most actors – and he cites a list of Academy Award winning actors who went on to achieve obscurity after winning the fabled statuette.
But just to give you an idea that, maybe the names, faces and films change – the gossip, intrigues and politics are just the same. Here is that episode of Let’s Go Hollywood with George Fisher, as heard over KNX in Los Angeles, the last week of July, 1953.
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