While ruminating on my complicated relationship to legacy, I was reading a book about the golden age of Hollywood. My grandfather, Sam Goldwyn is generally included in most cinema history books, but I was surprised to find in this book a disturbing story about his sex life.
The algorithm is chock full of tales of the Hollywood illuminati, (I haven’t received an invite) conspiracy theories, abuse of power, sex scandals and how far back it all goes. Especially these days in the wake of yet another mogul facing a public downfall. I have a closet full of stories about moguls and movie stars and bad behavior I could drop, but either they aren’t mine to tell or I don’t have enough evidence to present a journalistic account of events. I’m not here to make clickbait accusations or participate in cancel culture. Yet, we can all agree that men in positions of power in any industry— entertainment, music, technology, publishing, pharmaceuticals, politics, etc.. have gotten away with some pretty terrible, even illegal behavior for centuries.
It hits different when you hear something that makes you wonder whether some of the behavior happened in your own bloodline.
So I decided to get to the bottom of it.