About this episode
The episode explores the complexities of divorce through the story of opera singer Mary McCormic and her tumultuous settlement with Prince Serge Mdivani.
Divorces come in several stages – physical, financial, legal, and emotional. The latter might be the hardest if ever to achieve. As one reporter learns with a slap in the face. November 1933, opera singer Mary McCormic and Prince Serge Mdivani are officially divorced. But when Mdivani biographer Grace Williams tries to expose the terms of the settlement, Grace faces Mary’s wrath. Other people and subjects include: Prince Alexis Mdivani, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Louise Van Alen – formerly Princess Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Mae Murray – formerly Princess Mdivani, Princess Nina Mdivani Huberich, Princess Roussadana “Roussie” Mdivani Sert, Pola Negri – formerly Princess Mdivani, Samuel “Sam” Insull, Michael Luddy, city editor, photographer, William K. Vanderbilt III, Virginia “Birdie” Graham Fair Vanderbilt, William K. Vanderbilt II, Brooke Hart, Northwest Mounty, slap, million dollar lawsuit, Faust opera, taxi, secondhand automobile, United Airlines, Assistance League Tea Room, Cocoanut Grove, Hollywood club, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times building, Liberty Magazine, Pacific Shore Oil Company, pawnshop, Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Omaha, Detroit, Arkansas…
People in this episode
Host: Nicki Woodard
Topics covered
- divorce
- financial settlement
- historical figures
- media
- scandal
- opera
Keywords
- divorce
- Mary McCormic
- Prince Serge Mdivani
- Grace Williams
- financial settlement
- historical scandal
- 1933
- Los Angeles Times
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Los Angeles Times, UCLA, Pacific Shore Oil Company
Books & works: The Mdivani Saga, Poor Little Rich Girl, “Who Cares”
Places: Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Omaha, Detroit, Arkansas, Texas
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