Episode 1: Box Office Poison episode artwork

EPISODE · May 1, 2025 · 18 MIN

Episode 1: Box Office Poison

from She Paid the Bills: The Women Who Made the Movies · host She Paid the Bills Pod

In 1938, some of the biggest Hollywood stars were labelled Box Office Poison by The Independent Theatre Owners' Association. The gist? The likes of Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford weren't bringing in enough money to warrant their huge salaries. In this first episode, we'll look at the ad that started it all, why it had the impact it did, and introduce the women it singled out: Mae West, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Kay Francis. For more info and to subscribe to this podcast, head to She Paid the Bills Pod on Substack. Credits: "Mining by Moonlight" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Kool Kats" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shepaidthebillspod.substack.com

In 1938, some of the biggest Hollywood stars were labelled Box Office Poison by The Independent Theatre Owners' Association. The gist? The likes of Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford weren't bringing in enough money to warrant their huge salaries. In this first episode, we'll look at the ad that started it all, why it had the impact it did, and introduce the women it singled out: Mae West, Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Kay Francis.For more info and to subscribe to this podcast, head to She Paid the Bills Pod on Substack.Credits:"Mining by Moonlight" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Kool Kats" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shepaidthebillspod.substack.com

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Episode 1: Box Office Poison

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This episode is 18 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 1, 2025.

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In 1938, some of the biggest Hollywood stars were labelled Box Office Poison by The Independent Theatre Owners' Association. The gist? The likes of Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford weren't bringing in enough money to warrant their huge salaries. In...

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