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- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
Want to get more from business movers? Subscribe to Wondery for early access to new episodes, ad free listening and exclusive content you can't find anywhere else. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts. It's late April 1948. On a ranch in Indio, California. 56 year old business tycoon Floyd Odlum floats in an inner tube, drifting slowly across his heated pool. Floyd spends hours every day in the water, chasing relief from the chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis. But just because he's floating doesn't mean that he's idle. Floyd made a fortune during the Great Depression, buying, selling and breaking up companies. Who? And he doesn't like to waste a single minute of the working day. A few years ago, he had a poolside phone installed and now he often takes calls on the water. He kicks off the wall and glides toward the phone. Hello, Floyd Odlum? Mr. Odlum, this is Howard Hughes. Hello, Mr. Hughes. I assume you have a new offer for me. For months, Howard Hughes has been circling Floyd for the chance to buy RKO Pictures, a major Hollywood film Studio. Floyd owns 24% of RKO's stock, making him the biggest shareholder. And Howard's herd that he's willing to sell. Cutting to the chase as usual, Mr. Odlum. I respect that. As it happens, I do have a new offer, and I hope it's one that'll please you. Well, we'll see, won't we? I'm willing to pay $9.50 a share. Floyd quickly runs the numbers in his head. Howard's offer is a dollar a share over the market price and adds up to more than $9 million. Well above valuation for a studio in slow decline. It's a great offer, but Floyd narrows his eyes. Either Howard knows something he doesn't, or this is some kind of game. And Floyd has no patience for games. So he hangs up on Howard. But it quickly rings again. Floyd Odlum. I think we got cut off. Hopefully you heard the offer first. Yeah, $9.50 a share. That's right. I was expecting something a little more serious. Well, I know it's above the market rate, but I'm done haggling. I want to make movies out. Let's make a deal, Mr. Hughes. Far be it from me to run down my own company, but RKO is not growing. You'll never get funding at that price. But I don't need any outside investors, Mr. Odlum. I have the cash myself. Look, the bankers might think I'M overpaying, and maybe you do too. But I know what I'm doing. And when I'm done with rko, it'll seem like the bargain of the century. Floyd shakes his head. You really want a major studio, don't you, Mr. Hughes? Well, I guess you better come on up to India. We'll sign the papers. On May 1, 1948, Howard Hughes bought Floyd Odlum's 24% share in RKO Pictures for $8.8 million, almost $120 million today. It was enough to give him a controlling stake in one of the major studios in Hollywood. But while RKO was once a jewel in Hollywood's crown, Howard would soon discover what Floyd Odlum already knew. RKO Shine was fading fast. Business Movers is sponsored by FIGS In 2013, FIGS set out to change something that hadn't changed in scrubs. While medical technology kept advancing, healthcare professionals were still wearing boxy, scratchy scrubs that didn't do much for the people wearing them. But Figs thought they deserved better. So they reimagined scrubs entirely, creating modern designs with performance fabrics that are moisture wicking, antimicrobial, and ready to go straight from the dryer. Today, Figs are worn by hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals across hospitals, clinics, dental offices, even vet practices. You'll see them everywhere once you start looking. So if you work in healthcare or know someone who does, check out Figs. Right now you can get 15% off your first purchase with code FIGS rx@wearfigs.com that's figsrx for 15% off your first set at wear figs.com you know that.
- [04:12]
Howard Hughes
Person in your life who just can't stand Mayo? Call them dramatized. Call them close minded.
- [04:17]
Lindsey Graham
Call them.
- [04:17]
Howard Hughes
We get it. They're stuck in their ways. But here's the thing. They just haven't tried Hellman's Flavored Mayo. We're talking bold flavors that will flip even the biggest skeptics. Spicy mayo that adds the perfect kick to your burger. Garlic aioli that transforms ordinary fries into something extraordinary. Chipotle mayo that turns your basic wrap into a smoky sensation. So to all the mayo haters out there, yes, we're looking at you. It's time to eat your words. Because with Mayo this flavorful, any hater is just a Mayo lover waiting to be convinced. Hellman's Flavored Mayo get ready to eat your words.
- [05:02]
Lindsey Graham
From Wondery I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is Business Movers. Two years before buying RKO Pictures, Howard Hughes nearly died at the age of 40. He took the controls of a prototype reconnaissance plane personally piloting the first test flight of a new model being developed by his aviation firm, the Hughes Aircraft Company. But during the flight, an oil leak caused the plane to lose altitude rapidly and it crashed into a Beverly Hills neighborhood. Howard dragged himself from the burning wreckage, but he was badly wounded. He had a crushed collarbone, cracked ribs, a collapsed lung and third degree burns over much of his body. But Howard survived and so did his ambition. Even from his hospital bed, wrapped in bandages and racked with pain, Howard monitored his business interests. He kept track of the crash investigation and he also plotted how to return to his first love movies. Back in the 1920s and 30s, Howard made a name for himself as an independent film producer. And his approach to moviemaking was like nothing Hollywood had seen before. He spent big producing some of the first blockbusters. Despite being unaffiliated with any major studio. He embraced sensationalism and controversy, using sex and violence to create a stir and attract audiences. But for all the buzz, one thing eluded him. Making a reliable profit. Howard blamed his financial losses not on his films, but on interference. He believed that censors, regulators and the studio establishment had sabotaged his movies. And according to Howard, they did it because he was an outsider. And as an outsider, Howard could work around the system or buy into it, taking over Hollywood from the inside. So when rumors began to circulate that Floyd Odlum wanted out of RKO Pictures, Howard was quick to pounce. But owning a major studio wasn't the easy solution that Howard hoped. It was the opposite. And it would open the door to a whole new set of problems. This is the third episode in our four part series on Howard Hughes and Hollywood selling scandal. It's 1pm on a day in late June 1948 in Beverly Hills, California. Less than two months after Howard Hughes took control of RKO, 42 year old Dorie Sherry stands awestruck at the door of a sprawling mansion. Dorey is a major figure in Hollywood, the head of production at rko, known for his sharp eye and creative instincts. But a house like this one is far out of his reach. Dory's been summoned here by his new boss, Howard Hughes. And the grand setting feels more like a power move than a welcome. The door opens and Dory recognizes Howard instantly. His face was all over the papers when he shattered a host of aviation records a few years ago. Since then, Howard's grown a mustache to hide the scars from his plane crash. But he still has the Same twinkle in his eye. Howard gestures to Dory to enter. Ah, thanks for heading over, Mr. Sherry. Come on in. Come on in. Dory follows Howard into the lavish entrance and down a polished hallway. As they pass a side room, he catches sight of a half dressed woman fastening her bra. Dorie pretends not to have seen her. A beautiful home you have here, Mr. Hughes. Oh, it's not mine. Belongs to a friend. I'm just looking after it for a while until I find my own. Well, you must have friends in high places, Mr. Hughes. Well, as a matter of fact, I do. Cary Grant owns this house. Howard leads Dory into a richly furnished parlor. Emotions for him to sit. And that's somewhat related. I'd like to get Carrie involved with Archaeo Pictures. Big studio needs big stars. Right? But I understand you have some concerns about my casting decisions. Well, I'm afraid I do, Mr. Hughes. I've been making movies for 15 years and I think I know what works and what doesn't. So I didn't appreciate finding out that you went to fire my leading lady. Barbara Bel Geddes. Yeah, she's a rising star. Well, Ms. Bel Geddes is a fine actress, but she's too plain to take the lead. No star quality. I've personally approved all her roles so far. I think she's perfect. No, she's inexperienced. Breakout stars always are. She just needs the right direction. Well, she's not the only one. I'm not sure I follow. Well, I'm starting to wonder if you can follow directions, Mr. Sherry. Because it seems like you don't really want a boss. Well, Mr. Hughes, if I worked in one of your airplane factories, I would follow your orders to the letter. But we're not making fuselages, we're making films. And I know a lot more about the movie business than you do. Howard arches his eyebrows. Well, I'd like to think I know a thing or two as well. So I tell you what. I'll go find a new lead actress for you and she'll be 10 times better than Barbara. Oh, I see. Well, I think I may have seen one of your candidates getting dressed when I came in. Howard leans in. Now, Mr. Sherry, let's not say something we may both regret. Right. I appreciate that. I am a newcomer at rko, but I am no stranger to Hollywood. And let me be clear. Things around here are going to change whether you're part of it or not. That's up to you. A few days later, head of production Dori Sherry resigned from rko. But Howard Hughes didn't regret the departure. He was determined to reshape RKO and its approach to moviemaking. And anyone who didn't share his vision was free to walk away. But as Howard molded RKO in his own image, Dory was not the only voice of resistance. In 1948, 42 year old Howard Hughes was no longer a Hollywood rookie. He'd produced a dozen films and even directed two himself. But despite that track record, Howard's arrival at RKO raised suspicions among its staff. The board of directors was packed with executives with decades of experience in Hollywood. And they saw Howard as a disruptor who didn't really understand the movie industry. And whatever success he had had stemmed more from good luck than good judgment. But in the beginning, the board was not really worried about Howard. He may have been the largest shareholder with a quarter of RKO stock, but that alone did not give Howard the power to push through sweeping changes. But Howard had a plan. To him, the equation was simple. Control the board and you control the company. So over the next few weeks, Howard worked behind the scenes to build support among RKO's other shareholders. His fame as a record breaking aviator helped get many on his side. So too did the bold claims he made about his success in film. Claims that didn't always align with reality. And for those still on the fence, Howard's reputation for combativeness helped tip the scale. Most investors didn't want a drawn out battle with a man known for fighting long after others would have walked away. So fairly quickly, Howard had enough shareholders on his side and then turned his attention to the boardroom. He began picking fights with the directors he wanted to leave. And he began at the top. Nathaniel Peter Rathman had been president of RKO for six years and publicly stated that Howard would best serve RKO as a silent partner. But Howard had no intention of staying quiet and instead he engineered a confrontation with Rathfeld. At the time, major studios routinely tied their stars to exclusive contracts. But Howard saw an opportunity to cash in. When a rival studio struggled to cast a leading role. Howard offered them the services of one of RKO's top contracted actors for a fee. But Howard made this deal behind Rathven's back. And the RKO president only discovered the arrangement after it was too late to call off. Rathven immediately saw the move for what it was, a direct and deliberate challenge to his authority. Howard had made it clear that he wasn't just a silent investor. He wanted to run the show. Knowing that he had been undermined and sensing that Howard would continue to agitate until he was removed. Rathven resigned a few days later. Rathfin was followed at the door by the man who'd appointed him. Floyd. Odlum had asked to stay on the board after selling his stock to Howard. But with the departure of his main ally, Rathven, Floyd realized that his position was untenable too. Now Howard could get to work reshaping rko. He began by scrutinizing the books, and he was troubled by what he saw. RKO was a shadow of the studio that had enjoyed lucrative box office success with King Kong and Citizen Kane in 1947. Profits were down, and 1948 looked even worse. Initial figures suggested that the studio would barely break even, and several films were trending toward a loss. Howard responded swiftly and ruthlessly with a dramatic cost cutting campaign. Three quarters of the workforce were fired, mostly writers, publicists and administrative workers. And production was abruptly halted on dozens of films that Howard designated as message pictures. Inexpensive movies designed to confront social issues like race and class in their plays. Howard wanted something flashier. A smaller slate of big budget blockbusters. The kind of movie he gained a reputation for making as an independent producer. He started with a familiar title. Eight years earlier, Howard had begun shooting the Outlaw, a western that ran into problems with the censors thanks to steamy scenes in promotion featuring lead actress Jane Russell. The film had been restricted to a limited release in cities with looser censorship rules. But Howard still believed in it. He used RKO's cash to buy the distribution rights from Kato, his old film company, for $1.6 million, or $20 million today. Next, Howard instructed his producers to scour RKO's Archive for Forgotten scripts with blockbuster potential. But digging through the slush pile was a slow process. RKO typically released around 30 movies a year, but by the fall of 1948, only 12 movies had been approved for production and only three had begun shooting. To offset lost revenue, Howard auctioned off the rights to 50 old RKO movies. Some were among the studio's best loved classics, and Howard allowed them to be licensed as radio plays or for the stage, even to be remade by rival studios. But selling these rights did not bring in the windfall he needed. Markeo earned just $1.5 million, not even enough to cover the cost of a corner. Acquiring the Outlaw, Howard concluded that changes to production and distribution alone did not go far enough. If he was going to turn around RKO's fortunes, he needed to completely modify the studio's business model. Ten years earlier, the Department of Justice had launched antitrust proceedings against Hollywood's big five major studios, including rko. As far as the federal government was concerned, the major studios wielded too much power in the movie industry. They made movies, they distributed movies. And since they also owned theaters, they supplied movies to the end customer. Together, they collaborated to carve up the country's movie theaters by region, each one holding a virtual monopoly in its own territory. RKO's power base was New York, America's largest market. And this business model was one that federal antitrust prosecutors deemed to be anti competitive. But for the last decade, the major studios had stuck stonewall the Department of Justice. They responded slowly to requests from antitrust lawyers. They dragged their heels when it came to implementing new rules and regulations, hoping that constant delays might drag out the case until a more pliable administration came to Washington. But Howard never had much in common with major studios. And he saw an opportunity in breaking ranks with the rest of Hollywood. He was already under scrutiny for antitrust violations in the aviation industry. And he had hoped that offering an olive branch in Hollywood might help his cause elsewhere. Besides, Howard saw RKO's theater business as a distraction that was dragging the parent company down. He thought that RKO would be leaner and more profitable if it concentrated solely on production. Not to mention he could cash in if the theater business was spun off into a separate company and sold. So Howard embarked on secret talks with the Department of Justice and after just four months, their agreement was was made public. RKO was the first of the major studios to agree to sell off its theater business. This announcement sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Howard Hughes had smashed through one of the pillars of the studio system and in so doing weakened the united front that the major studios had maintained for years. He wasn't finished yet. He had no intention of just tweaking the system. He wanted to blow it up. Business Movers is sponsored by prizepix. Preseason football is underway and college football is just starting. But you can already make season long, more or less. Picks for the 2025 season on prizepix. Enter your picks before Week 1 kicks off. I checked in with James, my long suffering sports obsessed employee, about his thoughts on the upcoming football season. And as expected, he remains Chiefs focused, hoping they can maintain their absurd level of excellence for another year. But there are some players he's watching. Saquon Barkley. If he stays healthy, he'll go over 1,475.5 yards. Josh Allen, more than 27.5 passing touchdowns as he's improved as a passer every year. But Aaron Rodgers less than 23.5 passing touchdowns this season as I don't think he has much left. But those are James picks. You can make your own easy. Just pick more or less on two to six player stat projections. 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- [19:05]
Robert Mitchum
Hey.
- [19:05]
Lindsey Graham
Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice. This place isn't bugged, is it? Bugged? Wait, Jamie, what's going on?
- [19:11]
Robert Mitchum
It's just you're my only lawyer friend.
- [19:13]
Lindsey Graham
And I need your professional opinion. Do you see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there? Yeah, that's all I paid for it.
- [19:20]
Howard Hughes
I think I need to get back.
- [19:21]
Lindsey Graham
To you on that. Do you know what you want?
- [19:23]
Ingrid Bergman
Yeah, I do now.
- [19:25]
Dorie Sherry
Deal. So right it almost feels wrong. Get the car or SUV you've always wanted plus America's best warranty at the Hyundai Getaway sales event. The guilt is real, but so is the savings.
- [19:36]
Lindsey Graham
Listen, I don't want to get in your business, but if that's all she paid for it, I'll have what she's having.
- [19:42]
Dorie Sherry
It's a great day for a new Hyundai at the Hyundai Getaway sales event.
- [19:45]
Lindsey Graham
Going on now.
- [19:46]
Dorie Sherry
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- [20:14]
Lindsey Graham
It's the night of September 1st, 1948 at a police station in Hollywood, California, three months after Howard Hughes bought a controlling interest in RKO. A police officer unclips a set of handcuffs from the wrists of actor Robert Mitchum and waves him toward the booking desk. Just an hour ago, the 31 year old Robert was lounging in a friend's house sharing a joint with a 20 old year year old actress. Sent a few hangers on. Then out of nowhere, the front door was kicked in and cops flooded in. Now, under the harsh lights of a police station, Robert worries that his career is in danger. He stands fidgeting in front of the booking officer. Barely seems to notice him. All right. Full name Robert Charles Derman Mitchum. The officer glances up and pauses as recognition slowly dawns on him. Mitchum. You're that actor guy, right? Yeah, that's me. What was that movie you were in? The one with the private eye? Out of the past. That's it. I saw it with the wife. You were pretty good. The officer chuckles as he pecks at the keys of a typewriter with two fingers. So, Robert Charles Dermen Mitchum. Age 31. Marital status. Married. The officer smirks and arches an eyebrow. Your wife know whose company you were keeping tonight? I was with friends. In the privacy of their home. I didn't think that was a crime. I'm told the house reeked of marijuana. And around here we call that a Schedule 1 narcotic. Do you understand the nature of the charges? I know two cops burst down the door like they found the Black Dolly. A murderer. Well, let me spell it out. You're under arrest for possession of narcotics and conspiracy to possess. You got a lawyer? No, not yet. Well, get one. I assume you can afford it. You really don't want the public defender on a celebrity case. And your mugshot's gonna be in every paper by sunrise. Maybe we can get wardrobe and makeup to freshen you up before they take the picture, huh? Robert sighs and the officer turns his attention back to the typewriter. One last thing. Occupation. What should I put here? Screen star? Actor? Or do you prefer thespian? Robert hesitates, thinking about tomorrow's headlines and the fallout that's sure to follow. Well, I guess you. You better make that. Former actor being arrested for drug possession was enough to end most actors career. But Robert Mitchum had luck on his side. He was contracted to RKO and Howard Hughes was his boss. In the past, Howard had used controversial depictions of on screen criminality to sell tickets to his movies. And now he'd use Robert's off screen brush with the law in the exact same way. In the year before his arrest, Robert Mitchum had broken into the big time. He'd been grinding away in show business for almost a decade, but rarely landed anything more than a supporting role. That changed in 1947, when he was cast as the lead in two movies. The moody Western Pursued and a gritty crime drama out of the past. Both were box office hits, and Robert's brooding charisma finally got the recognition it deserved. He was rewarded with a seven year exclusive contract at RKO, earning $3,000 a week, the equivalent of $2.3 million a year today. But Robert's dream job seemed to be over almost as soon as it began like most studio deals, his contract contained a morals clause. And if the star was caught in a compromising situation, the studio had the right to rip up the agreement and walk away without paying a dime. And in post war Hollywood, where studios usually played it safe in their efforts to avoid government oversight, getting busted for drug possession was just the kind of scandal that condemned an actor to exile. But RKO couldn't afford to fire Robert. The studio already had two films in the can with Robert in major roles. Cutting him loose would mean writing off the modern equivalent of $30 million in sunk production cost costs. Given that Howard had already shelved most of RKO's output in a cost cutting measure, the extra expense of canceling Robert's films could send RKO to the brink. But where other studio bosses would have gone into crisis management mode, Howard saw opportunity. He knew reporters would swarm the story of Robert's arrest. So rather than fire his star, Howard decided to capitalize on the controversy. At the time that Robert was taken into custody, one of his movies was close to completion. Rachel and the Stranger was a western romance in which Robert had third billing behind co stars Loretta Young and William Holden. But now that Robert's name was dominating the headlines, Howard promoted Robert to the top of the bill. And rather than wait for the movie's planned Christmas release, Howard brought it forward and ordered post production to wrap immediately. So within days of the scandal breaking, Rachel and the Story Stranger was ready for audiences. But RKO executives warned Howard that the public wouldn't tolerate seeing an alleged drug user on the big screen so soon after his arrest. Howard thought they were just being too prudent. But to ease their concerns, he agreed to test the waters in seven cities. And despite the small number of screenings, Rachel and the Stranger went straight to the top of the national box office chart. Howard was right. Americans couldn't wait for Roberts next movie. And the following week, Rachel and the Stranger retained the top spot when it went national. It stayed in the top for 10 weeks, bringing in $2.4 million and becoming one of RKO's top performing movies of the year. Two months later, Roberts other movie, Blood on the Moon, also shot to number one and quickly recouped its costs. Now Robert Mitchum's films were out and RKO had a clean exit point. His upcoming trial gave the studio a fresh reason to cut ties. But Howard still had no intention of distancing himself from his troubled star. Public sentiment was clear. Most Americans were standing by Robert. Crowds packed the courthouse steps at every hearing, and he signed autographs for those lucky enough to get a seat inside. So Howard doubled down in his support of Robert and gave him the best defense money could buy. Jerry Giesler, a defense attorney. Bernie notorious for getting celebrity clients off the hook. Over the past few years, Geesler had defended Errol Flynn against charges of statutory rape. Busby Berkeley in a vehicular manslaughter case and Charlie Chaplin in a federal sex trafficking trial. If anyone could make trouble disappear, it was Geasley. But the evidence against Robert was damning. He'd been caught red handed and had made no attempt to deny the charges when questioned. That left Geesler only one avenue to dismiss the case. Legal procedure. He questioned the veracity of the police reports, cast doubt over whether smoking marijuana in private was a public offense, and even challenged the constitutionality of American narcotics laws. But after the judge rejected every one of Giesler's motions, Robert Mitchum had no choice but to plead no contest. He was sentenced to 60 days in prison. For Robert, it meant two months of drudgery in a state prison. But for Howard, the sentence was a disruption to his carefully laid plans. In order to take full advantage of the blaze of publicity surrounding Robert's case, Howard had fast tracked pre production of his next movie. The Big Steal was a crime thriller in which a US army lieutenant chased down a double crossing thief. Fellow RKO actor George Raft was originally cast for the lead role, but he was booted in favor of the new face of the of the studio, Robert Mitchum. But filming was due to begin in February 1949, right when Robert was locked behind bars. A two month pause would delay the Big Steel's release date, by which time the public interest in Robert may have moved on. Howard tried to intervene, urging attorney Jerry Giesler to petition the court to postpone the sentence, claiming that dozens of cast and crew would be unduly impacted by Robert's absence. But the judge refused. According to him, if RKO couldn't wait, they could simply recast the part. But Howard had no intention of doing that. Instead, he ordered production to begin without the main star. The cast filled in as best they could, shooting scenes that Robert wasn't in, using stand ins and body doubles or rewriting dialogue to fill the gaps. Meanwhile, Howard did all he could to keep Robert Mitchum's name in the papers. Robert gave interviews from inside prison and photographers snapped pictures of him mopping floors, making cement blocks and working in the prison fields. Some outlets slammed RKO for exploiting the story, But Howard knew better. No publicity was bad publicity. All that mattered was that the papers were writing about Robert Mitchum and fanning the flames of the story. Then, after 50 days of his 60 day term, Robert was released for good behavior. By then, the shooting of the Big Steel was behind schedule, and since co star Jane Greer was newly pregnant, they had to get the final scenes in the can before she started to show. And after the disjointed and fragmented shooting finally wrapped, the Big Steel's director faced the tough task of stitching together a coherent story using footage that was often filmed months apart. Continuity issues were unavoidable. During one chase scene, Robert ran through lush green jungle foliage while his pursuer ducked bare branches. All the director could do was make the best of a bad job and hope audiences didn't notice. In the end, they didn't. When the Big Steel hit theaters, it was another hit. And by the end of the year, it had grossed $1.6 million, more than 20 million today. The big Steal earned back more than double the production cost and gave RKO a sizable return on investment. At a time when Hollywood shied away from scandal, Howard Hughes had done the unthinkable, transforming RKO's infamous star into its most bankable asset. And after severe cutbacks, Rachel and the Stranger and the Big Steal set RKO back on the right path. Howard had trusted his instincts and once again they paid off. And it wouldn't be the last time he bet big on a tarnished star in the spotlight.
- [30:13]
Robert Mitchum
Searching for a romantic summer getaway escape with Rich Girl Summer, the new Audible original from Lily Chiu, the exquisitely talented Philippa Hsu. Returning to narrate her fifth Lily Chu title. This time Philippa is joined by her real life husband, Steven Pasquale. Set in Toronto's wealthy cottage country, AKA the Hamptons of Canada, Rich Girl Summer follows the story of Valerie, a down on her luck event planner posing as a socialite's long lost daughter. While piecing together the secrets surrounding a mysterious family and falling deeper and deeper in love with the impossibly hard to read and infuriatingly handsome family assistant, Nico. Caught between pretending to belong and unexpectedly finding where she truly fits in, Valerie learns her summer is about to get far more complicated than she ever planned. She's in over her head and head over heels. Listen to Rich Girl Summer now on audible go to audible.com richgirlsommar how hard.
- [31:08]
Ingrid Bergman
Is it to kill a planet? Maybe all it takes is a little drilling, some mining and a whole lot of carbon pumped into the atmosphere. When you see what's left, it starts to look like a crime scene.
- [31:19]
Lindsey Graham
Are we really safe? Is our water safe? You destroyed our tap.
- [31:23]
Ingrid Bergman
And crimes like that, they don't just happen.
- [31:25]
Lindsey Graham
We call things accidents. There is no accident. This was 100% preventable.
- [31:32]
Ingrid Bergman
They're the result of choices by people. Ruthless oil tycoons, corrupt politicians, even organized crime. These are the stories we need to be telling about our changing planet. Stories of scams, murders and cover ups that are about us and the things we're doing to either protect the earth or destroy it. Follow Lawless Planet on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes of Lawless Planet where early and ad free right now by joining Wondry plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- [32:18]
Lindsey Graham
It'S spring 1949 at RKO Pictures in Hollywood, California, almost a year after Howard Hughes took a control of the studio. Howard opens a drawer and rummages through a messy stack of papers. Across from him, 33 year old actress Ingrid Bergman and 42 year old director Roberto Rossellini wait in polite silence. Howard grumbles and pulls open another drawer, scattering paperclips and memos across his desk. Aha. I knew it was in here. Here we go. Howard plucks a script from the pile and slaps it down. The pristine cover shows no sign of being open. Howard squints at the unfamiliar title. Stromboli. Ingrid leans forward. It's Stromboli, Mr. Hughes. A volcanic island off the coast of Sicily. Ah, and you're actually planning to shoot there? Sounds like a logistical nightmare. Well, the location is very important, Mr. Hughes. All right, but remind me, what's the story again? Angridge sighs. It's obvious that Howard hasn't read a word, but he's the one holding the purse strings. And? And she has no option but to humor him if she wants her film to be made. Well, I play a refugee who marries a local fisherman. I'm ready to start a new life. But are you beautiful in it? Excuse me? I mean, do we see you in the sun? On the beach? In something that'll sell tickets? Ingrid's eyes narrow. She glances at Roberto, who subtly shakes his head. She returns her attention to Howard. No, it's not that kind of picture. This is about real people living simple, difficult lives, seeking comfort in a hostile world. It's raw. It's intimate. Sounds grim. Look, we don't make brooding pieces here. RKO makes crowd pleasers. Where's the action? Where's the danger? The spark? Well, I Can't promise spark, but it does have substance. Something that matters. All right, what's the competition say? The competition? Mgm, Warner. What they offer. What do I need to be? Ingrid pauses and Howard laughs out loud. Okay, so everyone's passed. You're only here because you're out of options. Well, maybe. Or maybe I came here first because RKO is the only studio still willing to take artistic risks. Howard grins. Alright, I see you have some guts. I like it. Okay, okay. But back to your moody Italian movie. I've got two conditions. And what would they be? One, I get to have final cut. And two, you make your next movie with rko and I get to pick the script. Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini's passion project was totally different from the usual fare that Howard Hughes produced. But Howard went ahead not because he thought Stromboli would be a hit, but because he wanted to secure Ingrid Bergman for rko. But as it turned out, Stromboli was the movie that everyone would remember. Because when scandal erupted on that volume Volcanic Island, Howard again didn't flinch. He fanned the flames. By 1949, Ingrid Bergman was one of the biggest movie stars in the world. After her Hollywood debut in 1939, she'd starred in a string of classics, including Casablanca and For Whom the Bell Tolls. And she'd won an Oscar for her portrayal of an opera singer's slow descent into insanity and gaslight. As an actress, she was poised and elegant and off camera. She projected an image as a caring wife and mother beyond reproach. But that mask had already slipped. More than once. She'd had flings and affairs with several co stars and crew, including fellow A listers Gregory Peck and Gary Cooper, although the press never caught on. But on the isolated volcanic island of Stromboli, Ingrid's indiscretions became more than just rumor. Working on difficult material in a difficult location with no creature comforts drew Ingrid and director Roberto Rossellini together. And this time, the world noticed. First whispers appeared in gossip columns, and then Life magazine published photos of Ingrid and Roberto holding hands. The relationship continued even after shooting wrapped and the film entered post production. Shortly after, Howard saw the finished product and hated it. In his eyes, Stromboli was slow paced, dull and completely unremarkable. So he set to work re editing the movie for the American market. He cut 35 minutes of the most ponderous scenes and added a prologue to spell out the film's deeply hidden meaning. But even with his drastic alterations, Howard doubted whether American audiences would go For Stromboli, he needed a hook, a selling point to base the movie's promotion around. And a few weeks before the scheduled release, one fell into his lap. Howard received a visitor from Ingrid's publicist, who said that he had important news. After swearing Howard to secrecy, he revealed that Ingrid was pregnant and the baby was Roberto's, conceived on the set of Stromboli. The publicist begged Howard to release Stromboli early, before Ingrid started showing and before news of the scandal broke. But Howard had other ideas. The very next day, the shocking pregnancy revelation appeared in America's newspapers. The source of the leak was obvious. Howard had again decided to use Scandal to drum up publicity for one of his films. Then Howard changed Stromboli's release date, but instead of bringing it forward, he pushed it back until February of 1950. Ingrid would be heavily pregnant during the film's rollout, and posters advertising the movie movie used a racy tagline that didn't bear much resemblance to its plot. Raging Island, Raging Passions. Stromboli hit theaters on February 15, 1950, less than two weeks after the birth of Ingrid and Roberto's son. It was a box office bomb, and rko suffered a $200,000 loss, the equivalent of more than 2.5 million today. But Howard never had great expectations for it. He suspected Stromboli would have performed even worse had he promoted the movie rather than the scandal. And in the end, he thought it was a price worth paying. Stromboli was a necessary loss in order to gain Ingrid Bergman for a movie of his choosing. But the star actress that Archaeo would get was now damaged goods, at least by 1950s standards. Thanks to the fallout from her extramarital affair, Ingrid was castigated by church group groups and women's organizations. Several state legislators called for her movie to be banned in their local districts. And a US Senator even took to the floor to denounce Ingrid as a powerful influence for evil. Still, Howard Hughes didn't mind. He saw a little reputational damage as something to be exploited for profit. But after two years under Howard Hughes control, RKO was not making a profit. The studio was bleeding dry with with $12.4 million in losses, more than $165 million today. Its share of box office revenue was down 77% too. And for the first time in years, it was no longer one of the top five grossing film studios. Howard Hughes had hoped that buying into the studio system would be his ticket to prosperity. But his maverick approach to moviemaking was no more successful from the inside as it was as an independent. And RKO was supposed to be his entry to the big time from Wondery. This is episode three of Howard Hughes Blows Up Hollywood for Business Moves. On the next episode, Howard embarks on an obsessive search for Communists that sends RKO into a nosedive. And as lawsuits mount and allies abandon him, Howard's historic Hollywood studio edges closer to the brink. If you like Business Movers, you can unlock exclusive episodes found nowhere else on Wondery and access new episodes early and ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a survey@wondery.com survey if you'd like to learn more about Howard Hughes's time in Hollywood, we recommend Howard His Life and Madness by Donald L. Bartlett and James B. Steele Howard Hughes and the Creation of Modern Hollywood by Jeffrey Richardson and Seduction, Lies and Stardom and Howard Hughes Hollywood by Karina Longworth A quick note about our dramatizations in most cases, we can't know everything that happened, but all our reenactments are based on historical research. Business Movers is hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Mohammed Shazi sound design by Molly Bach Our supervising sound designer is Matthew Filler. Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Reuben Abrams Brosby senior producer Scott Reeves. Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Aaron o', Flaherty, Jenny Lauer Beckman and Marshall Louie for Wondery.
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Narrator
Before the Internet ruled our lives, AOL brought America Online with email and Instant messenger. By 2000, AOL was so powerful it bought media giant Time Warner. This was a deal that was supposed to bring us into the future, revolutionize media, but instead it became one of the messiest corporate disasters in history. So what went Wrong? The.com crash? Culture clashes? Or something deeper? Business wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business and how they shape our world. Because when your flight perks disappear, your favorite restaurant chain goes bankrupt, or new tech threatens to reshape everything overnight, you can bet there's a deeper story behind the headlines. Make sure to follow Business wars on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts, and you can binge all episodes of Business. The AOL Time Warner Disaster early and ad free right now on Wondery.