Fame in Classic Hollywood was dazzling, but it rarely came without sacrifice. Beneath the glamour, the studio system demanded perfection—at a high personal cost to the people who lived in its spotlight.

In this episode, we dive into the untold side of Hollywood’s Golden Age with historical fiction author Martin Turnbull. Through his meticulously researched novels, Martin brings to life the emotional truth behind the silver screen—where image was everything, and authenticity often came at a price.

Key Highlights

· Martin's journey from Australia to Los Angeles and his fascination with Hollywood.

· The meticulous research behind the Garden of Allah series.

· Insights into the personal and professional lives of Hollywood legends.

· The high cost of perfection in the studio system.

· Martin's upcoming projects and where to find his work online.

Martin Turnbull Biography

From his beginnings in Australia to his deep immersion in the history of Los Angeles, Martin shares how his love for Old Hollywood became a mission to uncover the lives, myths, and struggles behind the dream factory. We explore how the studios tightly controlled their stars, how truth and fiction blur in storytelling, and why understanding these histories still matters today. You’ll hear about the real people who inspired his fiction, the emotional toll of fame, and the legacy of an era that shaped American celebrity culture as we know it.

This episode is a reflection on myth, ambition, and the human cost of building legends.

Martin Turnbull is a historical fiction author and Classic Hollywood expert. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Martin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1990s, where his lifelong passion for travel, storytelling, and classic cinema came to life. With a background as a private tour guide and researcher—including work with the Los Angeles Conservancy and Warner Bros.—Martin developed a deep knowledge of Hollywood’s Golden Age. His novels, including The Garden of Allah series, bring to light the emotional and cultural layers of classic Hollywood while honoring the people whose stories were often hidden behind the screen.

Martin’s Links

Website: https://martinturnbull.com/

X: https://x.com/TurnbullMartin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinturnbullauthor/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/martinturnbull.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardenofallahnovels

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/turnbullauthor/

Garden of Allah Novels

https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Sunset-Golden-Era-Hollywood-Hollywoods-ebook/dp/B006NYKTNU/

Holley’s Links

Email: sayitwithhistory@gmail.com

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/sayitwithhistory

Website: www.holleysnaith.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holleysnaith/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holleysnaith.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holleysnaith/

Medium: https://holleysnaith.medium.com

Substack (Newsletter): https://substack.com/@holleysnaith

Historic preservation is more than saving buildings—it’s about honoring stories, communities, and the legacies that shaped who we are.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of the Eleanor Roosevelt School—the last of the Rosenwald Schools, born from a visionary partnership between philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and educator Booker T. Washington.

Located in Warm Springs, Georgia, this historic institution was built with the support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the local community. We explore its origins, its impact, and the remarkable efforts of Voncher and her brother Debron, who are working tirelessly to preserve this vital piece of Black history.

You’ll hear about the challenges they’ve faced, the rich legacy of the Rosenwald School movement, and the enduring influence of Eleanor Roosevelt’s advocacy for human rights and education.

This episode is a tribute to resilience, community, and the power of preserving our shared history.

Key Highlights

· Voncher Walker shares her passion for historic preservation and the significance of the Rosenwald Schools.

· The role of Eleanor Roosevelt in supporting Black education during the Jim Crow era.

· Insights into the challenges and triumphs of restoring the last Rosenwald School.

· The importance of community investment and strategic partnerships in transforming communities.

Voncher Walker Biography

Voncher Walker is an entrepreneur and investor who, along with her brother Debron Walker, purchased the historic Eleanor Roosevelt School in Warm Springs, Georgia in 2020. This National Registry landmark is one of the original Rosenwald Schools built with funding from the Julius Rosenwald Fund and personal contributions from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As the owner of The Eleanor Roosevelt School, Walker is transforming the 1936 school into a museum, event space, and educational tourism destination while preserving its legacy as part of the network that educated over 660,000 Black children across the South.

Links

Eleanor Roosevelt School: http://erso1936.com

YouTube Video: Siblings acquire a National Treasure, Eleanor Roosevelt - Last Rosenwald School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zkE-Sh2bfY

Voncher’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_voncher/

Voncher’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@its_voncher

Holley’s Links

Email: sayitwithhistory@gmail.com

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/sayitwithhistory

Website: www.holleysnaith.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holleysnaith/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holleysnaith.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holleysnaith/

Medium: https://holleysnaith.medium.com

Substack (Newsletter): https://substack.com/@holleysnaith

I am Holley Snaith—historian, writer, and your host. Say It With History is a show about the people, stories, and unexpected threads of the past that shape how we think, create, and connect today.

In each episode, I sit down with authors, artists, podcasters, educators, and creatives whose work is rooted in history—but always speaking to the present. From overlooked historical figures and cultural movements to the way history shows up in books, films, classrooms, and everyday conversations, we’ll explore it all with curiosity, depth, and a little bit of fun.

If you love a good story, enjoy thoughtful conversations, and want to see how history lives in the world around us, you’re in the right place.

Follow or subscribe so you never miss a conversation. Thanks for being here—I cannot wait to explore the past with you.

Website: www.holleysnaith.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holleysnaith/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/holleysnaith.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holleysnaith/

Medium: https://holleysnaith.medium.com

Substack (Newsletter): https://substack.com/@holleysnaith

Email: sayitwithhistory@gmail.com