In The Movies | Sondheim & Golden Age Hollywood

About this episode

The episode explores how Golden Age Hollywood influenced Stephen Sondheim's worldview and work, featuring personal anecdotes and rare recordings.

In this unprecedented exploration, hosts Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones discover – in Sondheim’s own words – how Golden Age Hollywood profoundly shaped his personal world view in addition to his work. Featuring never-before-released emails between Steve and Martin, a 1953 letter from Steve in Hollywood, and the premieres of two unknown Sondheim songs in their first official recordings. "Did I tell you about the silent movie stars, all ladies, who I grew up with as they played Mahjong etc in our living room?" – Stephen Sondheim to Martin Milnes Steve and Martin’s mutual encyclopaedic knowledge of old movies sparked ‘a beautiful friendship’ unlike any since Steve’s college days with his movie-mad chums. From playing chess with Humphrey Bogart and imitating Bette Davis, to being star-struck around obscure character actors, Martin and PJ affectionately celebrate Steve’s unexpected love of camp and glittering life among the stars. With special appearances from renowned Script Supervisor Angela Allen (who met Sondheim in 1952 on the set of a notorious camp classic) and Broadway legend Patti LuPone, who recalls how Steve shared with her the original musical version of Sunset…

People in this episode

Hosts: Martin Milnes, Peter E. Jones

Guests: Angela Allen, Patti LuPone

Topics covered

• Sondheim
• Hollywood
• musical theatre
• film history
• camp culture

Keywords

• Sondheim
• Hollywood
• musical
• emails
• camp
• film
• Broadway
• Patti LuPone
• Angela Allen

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hollywood

Books & works: Sunset Boulevard

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