Transcript
Tracy Patton (0:00)
Wondery plus subscribers can binge all episodes of Hollywood and Crime the Cotton Club Murder early and ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
Josh Lucas (0:12)
Wondery.
Tracy Patton (0:23)
Robert Evans opened his eyes against the overcast morning light. He blinked as his surroundings came into focus. Evans was sprawled in a giant bed at a house in Miami. Laney Jacobs house, to be specific. Apparently her old one prior to moving to L. A. It was late April 1983. He sat up, shirtless and ran his hand through his hair, then looked at the spot next to him. No Laney, just the imprint she'd left on her white silk pillow. Evans smiled, thinking back to how this thing between them had started. He sensed a spark when they first met, back in March. Then Evans launched his charm campaign by sending extravagant bouquets to Laney's house. It worked. He might be getting older, but Evans could still hook a woman as elegant as Laney. Not that he ever doubted himself just then. Laney glided into the room wearing a pale pink robe. She carried a silver tray holding two demitasse cups of espresso and two smooth lines of coke. Rise and shine, she said, presenting Evans with the tray. Evans snorted his line, then downed his espresso. Coke with a caffeine chaser. Best way to start the day. Laney slid into the bed, then draped herself next to Evans. Looks like the weather isn't our friend today. What do you say we move up the meeting with my attorneys? Evans sat up straighter.
Josh Lucas (2:01)
Sure. Whatever you think. I'm ready to bring in some new blood.
Tracy Patton (2:05)
They were supposed to charter a yacht and enjoy the peaceful ocean, but there were storm clouds gathering. The ominous weather seemed a fitting metaphor for the turbulence unfolding over the Cotton Club. That's why they were in Miami, to find other investors for the film. Laney and Roy Radin were fighting over the partnership arrangement. Evans didn't want to be caught in the middle, but now it seemed there wasn't much choice. Laney put her espresso cup on the tray, her voice charged with energy. My lawyers think we can rope in a big fish to invest in Cotton Club American Express. Then we can say farewell to Roy. Any mention of money, especially if it was connected to a giant like Amex, made Evans perk up. Pre production on the Cotton Club project continued to hemorrhage money, and Roy had stepped in with the promise of 35 million from the Puerto Rican government. Not exactly pocket change, but lately Evan started to have serious doubts about working with him. The closer he got to Roy, the more the more he could see his inexperience. And Roy seemed to think he was going to have creative control on the film. The thought made Evans cringe. And it wasn't just that Roy was green. Evans had learned from his own brother, Charles, that Roy had been embroiled in an unsavory scandal. An actress named Melanie Haller was raped and beaten at a party in Roy's Long island house a few years ago. Charles warned him to steer clear of Roy Raiden. The press would have a field day if they heard he had ties to a producer. With an incident like that on his record, Evans was eager to hear what Laney's attorneys had to say about new investors. A few hours later, after the meeting and the storm clouds cleared, Evans was genuinely impressed. One of the lawyers turned out to be a tax whiz with a deep understanding of investments. It was decided they'd make a play for American Express. Forget what Roy said about cutting Laney out. Evans wanted her in. But that night in bed, his mind was racing. He looked over at Laney, who was sound asleep. Yes, her American Express idea was potentially very lucrative, but tossing aside $35 million would be reckless. Evans just wasn't sure he could deal with Roy's baggage. And at the very least, Laney deserved half of Roy's percentage in the agreement. Evans rolled over inside. He'd be in New York soon to meet with Roy. He would decide then. But it just might be time to cut ties with his new partner. This episode is brought to you by Audible, your destination for best selling audiobooks, exclusive Audible originals and more. New members can try audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com cotton or text cotton to 500.
