About this episode

The episode discusses Zane Grey's impact on Australia through his film White Death and the revelations about him explored by author Vicki Hastrich.

In 1936, western author Zane Grey came Down Under to catch giant sharks and film his adventures. The result was White Death, a so-bad-it’s-good monster movie. Vicki Hastrich, author of The Last Days of Zane Grey, joins us to talk about his time on our shores and seas, how we reacted to and were changed by this American celebrity, and how she reckoned with disturbing revelations about him in her book. Watch an excerpt from White Death - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ghdeDVHsE Forgotten Australia is created and hosted by Michael Adams, author of the acclaimed true crime books The Murder Squad, Hanging Ned Kelly and They'll Never Hold Me. He’s also a regular history commentator on ABC Nightlife and the podcast Australian True Crime. Support Forgotten Australia for a few bucks per month for ad-free early and exclusive bonus episodes and the chance to win prizes. Patreon: patreon.com/forgottenaustralia Apple: apple.co/forgottenaustralia Email: forgottenaustraliapodcast@gmail.com Check out my books! They’ll Never Hold Me: https://www.booktopia.com.au/they-ll-never-hold-me-michael-adams/book/9781923046474.html The Murder Squad…

People in this episode

Host: Michael Adams

Guest: Vicki Hastrich

Topics covered

• Zane Grey
• White Death
• Australian cinema
• history
• celebrity culture

Keywords

• Zane Grey
• White Death
• shark fishing
• Australian history
• celebrity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Forgotten Australia

Books & works: White Death

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• A Murder of Note – Part Three: The Villain as Victim · June 29, 2026 · 34 min
• A Murder of Note – Part Two: Shotgun Marriage · June 28, 2026 · 57 min

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