
Hollywood Gets its Start
Clip: Episode 2 | 1m 22sVideo has Closed Captions
This clip looks at some of the anecdotes and myths about the origin of the Hollywood.
Film historian Jonathan Kuntz describes some of the anecdotes and myths surrounding the origin of the Hollywood film industry.
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Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive...

Hollywood Gets its Start
Clip: Episode 2 | 1m 22sVideo has Closed Captions
Film historian Jonathan Kuntz describes some of the anecdotes and myths surrounding the origin of the Hollywood film industry.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Our Symbols and Stories
David Rubenstein examines the history of America through some of its most iconic symbols, objects and places, in conversation with historical thinkers, community members and other experts. Together, they dive deep into each symbol’s history, using them as a gateway to understanding America’s past and present.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- It's not too surprising that Hollywood also has a lot of anecdotes and myths about its own origins.
Cecil B. DeMille, who worked on the stage, but turned himself into one of the first famous film directors, was working on his very first feature film, a Western called The Squaw Man.
And he came out West, the producer was Jesse Lasky, who stayed in New York City and DeMille was looking around in Arizona and Flagstaff, didn't find locations he liked.
By legend, DeMille sent a telegram back East to Jesse Lasky in New York City, claiming that he couldn't find the right spot in Arizona.
And so, how about this obscure barn in this obscure town called Hollywood?
Would that be acceptable and could they afford to rent that facility?
Some people would say, this is kind of an origin story of Hollywood, that they needed a barn to shoot a Western and Hollywood was the best looking and really cheapest place where they could find that.
I don't know if that's true.
I didn't think about that.
Okay, I've actually seen a picture of that telegram.
I wonder if it's real.
- What's the truth?
What are we looking for?
Do we know anything that's truthful about Hollywood?
(chuckles) I mean, it's kind of what you want it to be.
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipIconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein is a production of Show of Force, DMR Productions, and WETA Washington, D.C. David M. Rubenstein is the host and executive...