The video player is having some growing pains. Please —Download Link— to listen
::video will likely begin muted. click the volume icon in the lower right to unmute::
This is a departure from our normal premium audiobooks.
Why The Waldorf Conference Matters:
This fictional reenactment of the real-life meeting on November 24, 1947 exposes a pivotal moment in Hollywood history. Set against the backdrop of post-war America, this dramatization brings to life the tense and transformative meeting of industry leaders that—like the Hayes Code—forever altered the landscape of film and entertainment.
As you immerse yourself in this exceptional audio experience, you’ll be transported to the heart of the 1940s, a time marked by innovation, political intrigue, and the struggle for creative freedom. This talented cast and excellent dialogue will—I hope—make up a bit for the sound quality.
I recorded this off the radio, on my tape recorder (remember those?*) the night it aired. The hiss you hear is both from the tape recorder and the reception I was getting.
“The Waldorf Conference” is more than just a historical recount; it’s a story of courage, conflict, and the enduring quest for artistic expression and it’s only with the benefit of hindsight that we can see how complex a question—and how important the decisions turned out to be. Some saw how devastating those decisions might be, some not so much.
I invite you to sit back, listen closely, and enjoy this riveting exploration of a defining chapter in cinematic history.
- More on our hero Dore Schary.
- Here’s a bit about the man who was discussed but not in attendance at the conference: Donald Trumbo (and whose daughter, Mitzi, dated a young Steve Martin).
- Reminder: this is a NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN audio. Please do not share this audio—I mean, feel free to sit around your laptop and listen with friends and family, but please do not copy, duplicate, or share electronically. Several years back I tried to find who – if anyone – holds the rights to this and I came up empty-handed. Thank you for being respectful on this matter.
* Hey you whippersnappers, “tape recorders” were small-ish, portable devices that could write and playback audio captured on magnetic tape. This is what mine looked like:
Trust me. This was cutting-edge technology.
