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The Documentary: The Californian Century: California: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley

The Californian Century

24/06/2020 GMT

California: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley

BBC World Service - The Documentary, The Californian Century, California: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley

The story of preacher Aimee Semple McPherson who vanished in 1926 and Hattie McDaniel

The story of preacher Aimee Semple McPherson who vanished one day in 1926. And, Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar in 1940 for her role in Gone With The Wind.

Actor Stanley Tucci imagines the story of modern California as a movie screenplay, tracing the dramatic history of the state from Hollywood to Silicon Valley. 
In this episode, he tells the story of celebrity revivalist preacher Aimee Semple McPherson who vanished one day in 1926. And he remembers Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Oscar in 1940, criticised by civil rights groups for her role in Gone With The Wind.

Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester
Producer: Laurence Grissell

The Documentary: The Californian Century

Stanley Tucci imagines the story of modern California as a movie screenplay.

Stanley Tucci imagines the story of modern California as a movie screenplay, tracing the dramatic history of the state from Hollywood to Silicon Valley. California wants to dazzle you with its endless sunshine and visions of the future – but that’s just a mirage. Tucci plays a hard-boiled screenwriter uncovering the full truth.

In this episode, the first man to direct a full movie in California meets a dramatic end. In 1911, 41 year old Francis Boggs was on the up, a pioneering movie director. But his luck was just about to run out. And the story of William Mulholland and the lies that made Los Angeles possible. Mulholland first brought water to arid LA, with much double dealing.
Also in the series, the men who lied and lied and lied again to bring water to arid LA, and the story of the superstar revivalist preacher who was as big as Chaplin – before she disappeared without trace. We'll also hear about the genius who first brought silicon to Silicon Valley, right before he became a passionate eugenicist - Silicon Valley's dirty little secret.

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