Hollywood Babylon

1. Hollywood's Early Days: From Innocence to Infamy

For better or for worse, Hollywood would henceforth have to contend with that fatal chimera — the STAR.

Birth of a Dream Factory. Hollywood emerged from humble beginnings, transforming from a sleepy outpost of mission-style bungalows and orange groves into a burgeoning movie town. Lured by the promise of sunshine and cheap land, East Coast Jewish tradesmen established ramshackle open-air stages, laying the foundation for a celluloid bonanza.

The Star System is Born. As nickelodeons gained popularity, movie performers, once considered mere hired help, became ticket-selling assets. The Star System was born, elevating actors to adulation, fame, and fortune. This newfound status created a new royalty, the Golden People, some of whom struggled to cope with their sudden rise.

Halcyon Days and Hidden Vices. The Teens were Hollywood's halcyon days, a time of creativity, money, and fun. However, beneath the surface, "joy powder" (cocaine) became prevalent, leading to a manic movie comedy style. Gossip circulated, even about the "God of Hollywood," D.W. Griffith, but it remained largely behind the scenes.

2. Scandals Erupt: Olive Thomas, Fatty Arbuckle, and William Desmond Taylor

Scandals exploded like time bombs throughout the delirious decade of “Wonderful Nonsense,” as screen career after career was destroyed.

Olive Thomas's Mysterious Death. The shocking news of Olive Thomas's death from poison in Paris marked Hollywood's first major scandal. The investigation revealed a lurid private life that clashed with her "sweet young thing" image, sparking controversy and prompting Cardinal Mundelein to issue a warning about the dangers of Hollywood.

Fatty Arbuckle's Ordeal. Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, a beloved comedian, faced accusations of rape and murder after a party in San Francisco. The ensuing scandal destroyed his career, leading to boycotts, withdrawn films, and three trials. Though acquitted, Arbuckle was forever tainted, serving as a scapegoat for Hollywood's perceived immorality.

William Desmond Taylor's Unsolved Murder. The murder of William Desmond Taylor, a prominent director, in his bungalow sparked panic at Paramount. The investigation uncovered a web of affairs, hidden photographs, and a missing butler, further tarnishing Hollywood's image and prompting calls for a clean-up.

3. Hays Code: Attempting to Clean Up Hollywood's Image

The Hays Office issued its first djktat: films were to be purified.

The Need for Damage Control. The Arbuckle and Taylor scandals forced Hollywood to confront its tarnished image. Facing potential boycotts and public outrage, the movie moguls sought a figurehead of moral rectitude to umpire movie morals.

Enter Will H. Hays. Will H. Hays, a political chiseler with a prim facade, was appointed Czar of the Movies, becoming president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. Hays promised to purify films, eliminate immorality, and enforce morals clauses in contracts.

Hypocrisy and Undercover Investigations. Despite Hays's pious pronouncements, the moguls knew the morals clause wouldn't change the colony's ways. They launched undercover investigations, compiling a "Doom Book" of 117 "unsafe" Hollywood names due to their private lives.

4. Stars' Downfall: Drugs, Debauchery, and Despair

Wally was cured, but terribly debilitated physically. Only a return to the drug under control could have saved him. He refused.

Wallace Reid's Addiction and Death. Wallace Reid, the "King of Paramount," was revealed to be a morphine addict, leading to his confinement in a private sanitarium. His death at thirty, coupled with his wife's public campaign against drug addiction, further exposed Hollywood's dark side.

Heroin Heroines. After Reid's death, "users" in Hollywood learned discretion. Barbara La Marr, Alma Rubens, and Juanita Hansen, among others, succumbed to drug addiction, their careers and lives tragically cut short.

The Price of Fame. The stories of Reid, La Marr, Rubens, and Hansen served as cautionary tales, highlighting the pressures and temptations that led to the downfall of many stars. Despite attempts at reform, the cycle of addiction and scandal continued to plague Hollywood.

5. The New Gods: Living Legends and Lavish Excess

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends — It gives a lovely light!

Defiance and Decadence. Despite the Hays Code and cautionary tales, the revelry in Hollywood's charmed circle continued unabated. The New Gods, determined to live their own legends, engaged in extravagant displays of wealth and pleasure.

Lavish Lifestyles. The stars built opulent mansions, indulged in champagne baths, and threw lavish costume parties. Their lives were characterized by expensive tastes, multiple marriages, and a disregard for conventional morality.

A Candle Burning at Both Ends. The excesses of the stars reflected a cynicism and defiance characteristic of the Jazz Age youth. Bitterness and darkness often lay just beyond, but their attitude seemed to be "So What!"

6. Chaplin's Nymphs: The Dark Side of a Genius

Is it true what all the girls say—that you’re hung like a horse?”

Chaplin's Enigmatic Persona. Charles Spencer Chaplin, a solitary figure dedicated to the Film as Art, remained an enigma amidst Hollywood's excesses. While he attended parties, he never threw them, preferring to focus on his craft.

Scandal Comes to Chaplin. Despite his dedication to art, scandal found Chaplin in the form of his relationships with women. His name was linked to numerous actresses, and his reputation as a "chicken hawk" grew.

Lolita: The Ultimate Nymphet. The most scandalous of Chaplin's relationships was with Lillita McMurray, later known as Lita Grey. Their "shotgun marriage" in 1924, when Lita was sixteen and pregnant, became a Hollywood Scandal of the Year.

7. Hearst's Power: Covering Up Scandal and Protecting Marion Davies

Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”

The Ince Incident. In November 1924, movie producer Thomas H. Ince died on William Randolph Hearst's yacht, the Oneida. Rumors of a cover-up swirled, implicating Hearst in Ince's death due to jealousy over Marion Davies.

Hearst's Influence. Hearst's power and wealth allowed him to suppress the story in his newspapers and magazines. The incident became a sardonic joke in the film colony, with the Oneida known as "William Randolph's Hearse."

The Price of Silence. The Ince affair highlighted the extent of Hearst's influence and the lengths to which he would go to protect his interests and the reputation of Marion Davies. The truth remained shrouded in mystery, a testament to Hearst's control over the press.

8. Valentino's Death: Questioning Masculinity and Mourning a Legend

And now, do I act like a pink powder puff?”

The Death of a Dream Lover. Rudolph Valentino's death in 1926 sparked a wave of scandalous rumors, ranging from arsenic poisoning to syphilis. The public mourning was intense, with women attempting suicide and streets becoming a ghoulish carnival.

Challenging Gender Norms. Valentino's effeminate style and ambiguous sexuality made him a target of ridicule and speculation. The press questioned his virility, contributing to his bitterness and ultimately, his tragic end.

A Legacy of Insecurity. Valentino's death exposed the anxieties surrounding masculinity in the 1920s. His image, both celebrated and mocked, reflected a society grappling with changing gender roles and sexual identities.

9. Von Stroheim's Orgy Scenes: Pushing Boundaries and Provoking Censors

Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”

The Enigmatic Erich von Stroheim. Erich von Stroheim, a stormy individualist, directed notorious "orgy scenes" in his films, pushing boundaries and provoking censors. These scenes, shrouded in secrecy, fueled speculation and rumor.

Deluxe Bordellos and Decadent Excess. Stroheim's sets were known for their extravagance, featuring squab, caviar, real champagne, and hand-picked extras. The resulting footage, often heavily censored, left audiences wondering what truly transpired behind closed doors.

A Battle Against Pygmies. Stroheim's clashes with studio bosses over his artistic vision and extravagant spending led to his downfall. His story became a symbol of the struggle between artistic integrity and commercial constraints in Hollywood.

10. Tabloids and Gossip: Feeding the Public's Appetite for Scandal

Hollywood is the national school of masculinity. Rudy, the beautiful gardener’s boy, is the prototype of the American male.

The Rise of Gossip Columns. Hollywood scandals sold newspapers, and gossip columnists like Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper became powerful figures. They fueled the public's appetite for celebrity dirt, shaping perceptions and influencing careers.

The Graphic and the "Filth Parade." Tabloids like the Graphic painted Hollywood as a modern-day Babylon, filled with wild parties, drug use, and moral decay. These sensationalized stories catered to the public's fascination with the dark side of fame.

The Power of Innuendo. Gossip columnists used innuendo and insinuation to titillate readers, often blurring the line between fact and fiction. Their influence extended beyond entertainment, shaping public opinion and impacting the lives of those they targeted.

11. Clara Bow's Scandals: The "It" Girl's Downfall

Hollywood Must Stop Using San Francisco for a Garbage Can.”

Clara Bow: The Embodiment of the Jazz Age. Clara Bow, the "It" Girl, epitomized the flapper era with her carefree spirit and overt sexuality. However, her personal life became fodder for scandal, leading to her downfall.

Love Balms and Long Lists. Revelations about Bow's numerous affairs, gambling debts, and a scandalous relationship with her secretary, Daisy DeVoe, tarnished her image and damaged her career. The tabloids reveled in her misfortunes, further fueling the controversy.

The End of an Era. Bow's scandals marked the end of an era, as Hollywood tightened its grip on its stars' private lives. Her story served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangers of unchecked excess and the fickle nature of fame.

12. The Crash and Its Aftermath: Hollywood's Reckoning

We are traveling the highway to better things in filmdom ... soon there will be a model Hollywood ... I have faith that unfortunate incidents will be things safely of the past. . . ”

The End of the Golden Age. The stock market crash of 1929 brought an end to Hollywood's "Golden Age," exposing the fragility of its wealth and the excesses of its stars. Many film folk lost their fortunes, and the industry faced a period of austerity.

The Rise of the Hays Code. In response to the scandals and the economic downturn, Hollywood doubled down on its efforts to clean up its image. The Hays Code became more strictly enforced, further restricting creative expression and reinforcing moral conservatism.

A New Era of Uncertainty. The Twenties' exuberance gave way to a more cautious and self-conscious era. The stars who survived the transition faced new challenges, navigating the constraints of the Hays Code and the changing tastes of a Depression-era audience.

Last updated: April 8, 2025