History Daily Podcast Summary
Episode: Saturday Matinee: Business Movers
Release Date: August 9, 2025
Host: Lindsey Graham
Producer: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

I. Introduction: The Golden Era of Hollywood

On this episode of History Daily, host Lindsey Graham transports listeners back to 1925, a pivotal year on the cusp of Hollywood's golden age. Graham sets the stage by illustrating the allure of Los Angeles, where aspiring talents flock to the shimmering beacon of the motion picture industry, unaware that the advent of "talkies" in 1927 will revolutionize cinema forever.

"Imagine for a moment that it's not 2025 but 1925. Hollywood is brimming with stars and starlets with more to come." [00:00]

II. Howard Hughes’ Entrance into Hollywood

The spotlight shifts to Howard Hughes Jr., an 18-year-old millionaire thrust into inheritance after his father's untimely death in 1924. Unlike his predecessors, Hughes is not interested in maintaining the family tool business. His ambitions are grand: to become a master pilot, an exceptional golfer, and most importantly, to carve out a niche in the movie business.

"I want to find success on my own terms in Hollywood." [19:03]

III. Early Ventures: Swell Hogan and the First Setbacks

Hughes’ initial foray into filmmaking begins with "Swell Hogan," a heartfelt project co-produced with actor Ralph Graves. Despite Hughes’ financial backing, the lack of Graves' directorial expertise leads to a flawed production. The film’s sentimental plot fails to resonate with the mid-1920s audience, resulting in critical panning and financial losses.

"Swell Hogan could have survived its weak script had it come under the wing of a capable director." [07:45]

IV. Learning from Failure: Everybody's Acting

Undeterred by his first setback, Hughes restructures his approach by founding the Caddo Company, a dedicated film financing and production entity. Partnering with Marshall Nealon, an experienced writer and director, Hughes invests $125,000 into "Everybody's Acting." This strategic collaboration pays off, earning critical acclaim and a modest profit, marking Hughes' first taste of success in Hollywood.

"Everybody's Acting was well received by critics and turned a small profit." [12:30]

V. Collaboration with Louis Milestone: Two Arabian Nights and The Racket

Seeking to push boundaries, Hughes partners with the volatile director Louis Milestone. Their collaboration on "Two Arabian Nights," a World War I romance-turned-comedy, showcases Hughes’ willingness to embrace risk. Despite significant budget overruns, the film garners critical praise, with Milestone winning the Academy Award for Best Comedy Director.

Following this, "The Racket," a crime drama mirroring Al Capone’s exploits, becomes a nationwide hit despite being banned in Chicago. The film’s success solidifies Hughes' reputation as a determined and innovative producer.

"He'd become a record-breaking filmmaker, even if some of those records were based on fabrication." [22:15]

VI. The Mating Call: A Costly Flop

Hughes’ ambition leads him to tackle "The Mating Call," which controversially portrays themes akin to the Ku Klux Klan under a fictional guise. The film's muddled narrative and controversial subject matter result in widespread criticism and financial failure, serving as a harsh reminder of Hollywood's unforgiving nature.

"In the end, the Mating Call was a flop and a timely reminder that in Hollywood you're only as good as your last film." [17:50]

VII. Hell's Angels: Ambition Meets Adversity

Undeterred by previous failures, Hughes embarks on his most ambitious project yet, "Hell's Angels." Initially produced as a silent film, the emergence of talkies forces Hughes to pivot, dramatically increasing the production budget to $3 million—a staggering sum for the time. The film's production is plagued by technical challenges, dangerous stunts, and Hughes’ relentless perfectionism.

"He'd spent the last two years and more than $2 million making a silent film. But he wasn't going to let the equivalent of $40 million today go to waste." [26:45]

VIII. Transition to Talkies and Production Challenges

The release of "The Jazz Singer" ushers in the era of sound in cinema, rendering Hughes' silent "Hell's Angels" obsolete. In a bold move, Hughes transforms the film into a talkie, reshooting vast portions and integrating synchronized sound. This transition not only inflates the budget but also ushers in new challenges, including the tragic death of a crew member during a dangerous stunt.

"Filming on Hell's Angels fell far behind schedule. Howard had initially told distributors that the film would be ready for release in the fall of 1928... But a turning point in the movie industry delayed it even further." [24:50]

IX. The Premiere and Aftermath

Premiering "Hell's Angels" in May 1930, Hughes orchestrates a grandiose event filled with star power and aerial displays. Despite meticulous publicity efforts and strong initial box office performance, the film recovers only half of its massive investment. The astronomical budget sends shockwaves through Hollywood, leading major studios to criticize Hughes’ extravagant filmmaking approach.

"Industry insiders saw this film as a dangerous precedent... Executives at major studios feared that moviegoers would develop a taste for these expensive blockbusters." [33:20]

X. Conclusion and Legacy

Though "Hell's Angels" fails to recoup its costs, Hughes' audacious vision cements his role as a pioneering figure in Hollywood. His willingness to take risks and push technological boundaries lays the groundwork for future blockbuster productions. The episode concludes by teasing the next installment in the series, which will delve deeper into Hughes' contentious relationship with Hollywood's regulatory bodies.

"Howard was not cowed by the critics. Again, he doubled down on his moviemaking, continuing to brag about the cost of Hell's Angels and claiming that its supposed $4 million budget was the most expensive in Hollywood history." [35:10]

Notable Quotes

• Lindsey Graham:
  "In Hollywood, success is never guaranteed." [05:50]
  "Hell's Angels might not have turned a profit, but it was proof of concept." [32:05]

• Ralph Graves:
  "I think I know what I'm doing." [09:15]
  "You can't skimp if you want to make it in Hollywood, Howard." [10:40]

Recommended Reading

For those interested in exploring more about Howard Hughes’ influence on Hollywood, Lindsey Graham recommends the following books:

• "Howard His Life and Madness" by Donald L. Bartlett and James B. Steele
• "Howard Hughes and the Creation of Modern Hollywood" by Jeffrey Richardson
• "Sex, Lies and Stardom and Howard Hughes, Hollywood" by Karina Longworth

Next Episode Preview:
In the next episode of History Daily, titled "Howard Embraces Voices, Sex, and Violence," Lindsey Graham examines Hughes’ continued quest to dominate Hollywood, his clashes with industry regulators, and the high-stakes battles over artistic freedom and public morality that would shape the future of American cinema.

Credits:

• Host: Lindsey Graham
• Written and Researched by: Reuben Abrams Brosby
• Senior Producer: Scott Reeves
• Executive Producers: William Simpson (Airship), Aaron O’Flaherty, Jenny Lauer Beckman, Marshall Louie (Wondering)
• Audio Editing: Mohammad Shazib
• Sound Design: Molly Bach
• Supervising Sound Designer: Matthew Filler
• Music: Thrum

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the podcast episode "Saturday Matinee: Business Movers" from the History Daily series. All dramatizations are rooted in historical research, though certain liberties may have been taken for narrative purposes.