Next alphabetically on Paramount Plus was "1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Age", a two-part documentary touching on several of the key issues that came to the fore in that year. It feels very much like the sort of documentary that you see on Channel 5 in the UK, enthusiastic, but lacking in genuine expertise.
Two of Hollywood's all time classic films, "Gone with The Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" were released in 1939. The casting on these films, particularly for the lead role of Scarlett O'Hara was a worldwide story, and Vivian Lee, then in an illicit love affair with Laurence Olivier was eventually chosen. Judy Garland, is being micromanaged by the studio, even choosing her commissary meals, and is forced to take amphetamine pills to perform. "Gone with the Winds" phenomenal success is clouded by the Academy's treatment of Oscar Nominee Hattie McDaniels.
These two films are largely the focus of the episodes, though there are also stories related to other elements, such as the gossip columnists Hedda Hopper and Louella Parson or Betty Davis renegotiating her contract. The material they have for telling these stories are really good and there's plenty of footage that I hadn't seen before related to them, but ultimately, I thought I'd rather the series went into greater depth on one subject, rather than skimming (to varying degrees) over a few.
There interviews were, for me, a disappointing element. Obviously, most of the people actively involved in these stories are long gone, so the producers choose to interview the children of the people, Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, for example, or Tarquin Olivier, Laurence's son. It's not like they're lacking an insight, but ultimately, they're speculating too. I accept that Stephen Fry is a big fan of this era of Hollywood, but his involvement (and Tony Head's narration, fine as though it is) was one of the reasons I couldn't shake the shows "Channel 5" feel.
It's fine and I did learn some things, but ultimately I can't say I'll need to watch it again.
