Stuff You Missed in History Class: Behind the Scenes Minis – Dorothy and Strawberries
Production of iHeartRadio | Release Date: April 4, 2025
Introduction
In the Behind the Scenes Minis episode titled "Dorothy and Strawberries", hosts Tracy V. Wil and Holly Fry delve into the fascinating life of Dorothy Arzner, a pioneering woman in Hollywood, and explore the intriguing history of strawberry domestication. This episode seamlessly intertwines historical exploration with personal anecdotes, offering listeners a rich and engaging narrative that uncovers lesser-known facets of both Dorothy's life and the beloved strawberry.
Section 1: Spotlight on Dorothy Arzner
Research and Discovery
Tracy and Holly begin by revisiting Dorothy Arzner, a trailblazing female director in early Hollywood. Tracy recounts her initial research experience, mentioning, "I loved reading everything about Dorothy Arzner. I love all the pictures of Dorothy Arzner. I find her personal style to be great" [03:26]. Holly echoes this sentiment, highlighting Dorothy’s unique themed dressing, such as her iconic cowboy suit on film sets.
Dorothy’s Reserved Nature
A significant portion of their discussion centers on Dorothy's reluctance to engage in self-promotion and her desire to remain private despite her success. Tracy reflects, "I do think that's one of the reasons that she just didn't want to talk about herself and she didn't even want to talk about her work" [03:51]. Holly relates this to their podcasting process, emphasizing the importance of not dwelling excessively on past work: "I feel like once you've put a thing out into the world... talking about it a whole bunch just gets you hung up in it" [04:59].
Notable Quotes
Dorothy's own words provide profound insight into her mindset:
"As far as I'm concerned, they are ancient history. The latest picture of mine, Craig's Wife, happens to be a hit. But why should I talk about it and think about it now? It's finished. I'm through with it. There's nothing more I can do about it, so why should I dwell on it?" [03:51]
Holly adds a personal touch to Dorothy's perspective:
"I don't want to talk about it. That feels weird and self-indulgent and gross." [06:31]
Speculations and Speculations
Tracy speculates on Dorothy's motivations, pondering whether her avoidance of an autobiography might be linked to her personal life and relationships, particularly her connection with Marian. This reflection opens up a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by women in early Hollywood.
Section 2: Strawberry Domestication
Historical Context
Transitioning from Dorothy Arzner, Tracy and Holly delve into the history of strawberry domestication. Tracy notes, "Some aspects of this reminded me a little bit of when we did that episode on Nick's versus Hedden and the decision of whether tomatoes were a fruit or a vegetable" [10:28], drawing parallels between botanical classifications and historical narratives.
The Great Herbal
A humorous moment arises when discussing the archaic spelling of "The Great Herbal":
"Every time I came across it, I called it The Great Hairball and made myself giggle." [11:10]
This reflects the challenges historians face when interpreting historical texts with outdated language.
Modern Strawberry Cultivation
Holly shares her enthusiasm for growing strawberries, inspired by English gardener Simon Aykroyd:
"I'm in the middle of propagating [strawberries], which is very exciting." [11:27]
They discuss contemporary methods of strawberry cultivation, including hydroponics, and the environmental impact of transporting produce, with Holly stating:
"I don't love the idea of all of the travel that fruits and vegetables have to go through and how long they are sitting in survival climate..." [13:34]
Statistics and Consumption
The hosts critically examine the statistic that "each person eats an estimated 4.85 pounds of strawberries annually," with Tracy humorously questioning its accuracy:
"Both. Okay. And I think it's because there are years of my life where I'll be like, yeah, strawberries, and I eat a ton of them, and then I could go two years without eating a strawberry." [12:30]
Section 3: Personal Anecdotes and Plant Stories
Gardening Challenges
Tracy shares personal stories about her attempts at gardening, including an unfortunate incident where her plants died after she broke her leg:
"All of my plants died. And I have never since then made the same level of attempt at, like, growing food plants at home." [14:19]
Holly relates this to her own experiences, mentioning the necessity of keeping plants safe from their mischievous cats:
"She's very curious and likes to interact with the plants, which means we have to be very careful." [16:02]
Cat Antics
The duo lovingly recount their cats' playful interference with their plants. Holly describes how their cat manages to open doors and disrupt their carefully curated spaces:
"One of the new ladies... walked right into his office like it was a minor annoyance." [17:06]
Tracy humorously narrates an incident involving their cat biting a succulent:
"She foamed at the mouth. And I was like, maybe you took the one minute I was not in the house to go take a bite out of this plant." [16:19]
Conclusion
In this episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, Tracy and Holly offer an engaging blend of historical exploration and personal storytelling. From the enigmatic life of Dorothy Arzner to the intricate journey of strawberry domestication, they provide listeners with insightful perspectives and relatable anecdotes. The episode concludes with a heartfelt message encouraging listeners to savor delicious moments, whether through enjoying strawberries or sharing meals with loved ones, especially during challenging times.
"If this is your weekend coming up, I hope you eat something delicious... And then maybe you share a meal with somebody because... meeting friends for dinner or having people over for drinks or whatever we gotta do to keep the faith." [19:52]
Listeners are left with a sense of connection to both history and the simple joys of everyday life, exemplifying the podcast's mission to uncover the "greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class."
Stay Tuned
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