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

The Californian Century

08/07/2020 GMT

California: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley

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

The story of Kathleen Cleaver. the Black Panther Party and Dianne Feinstein

The story of Kathleen Cleaver. the Black Panther Party and Dianne Feinstein, trailblazing Californian politician who took over as mayor of San Francisco.

Actor Stanley Tucci tells the story of Kathleen Cleaver, a leading light in the short-lived but highly influential Black Panther Party which was born in Oakland, California. And he explores the contribution of Dianne Feinstein, trailblazing Californian politician who took over as mayor of San Francisco after the murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone.

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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