Howard Hughes Blows Up Hollywood | Author Jeffrey Richardson explores Howard Hughes’s impact on Hollywood and the American film industry | 5

Business Movers

Wondery

History, Business, Entrepreneurship

4.8 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 August 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Author Jeffrey Richardson discusses Howard Hughes’s career in Hollywood, and evaluates how far he changed the American film industry.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Want to get more from business movers?
0:02.2	Subscribe to Wondry Plus for early access to new episodes,
0:05.7	ad-free listening, and exclusive content you can't find anywhere else.
0:09.6	Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
0:14.3	Wonderly.
0:15.0	The Wondry! It's December 1957 at a film studio on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
0:35.3	31-year-old Ron Kistler knocks on the door of a darkened screening room.
0:39.8	Takes a steadying breath as he waits for a response from his boss, Howard Hughes.
0:45.1	Howard is notorious for his unpredictable temper and his volatility has only worsened since
0:50.0	selling RKO pictures.
0:51.8	Ron's learned that the best way to handle Howard is to keep his head down,
0:55.4	follow instructions, and ask no questions. Come in. Ron picks up two large shopping bags and
1:01.5	steps inside. A western is playing on the screen in the darkened room. Howard looks entranced by the
1:06.9	movie. Good morning, Mr. Hughes. How are you today? Howard's eyes remain locked on the screen. Did you bring what I asked for? Yes, sir. A case of Hershey bars, three cartons of milk, and six boxes of Kleenex. And all unopened. Yes, everything is sealed. Can I get you anything else? Howard doesn't answer. Instead, he sorts through a bowl of pecans, lifting each one to the light.
1:28.8	Those with cracked shells are discarded on the floor. Finally, one nut passes inspection and then banishes into his mouth.
1:35.9	Ron tries again. Mr. Hughes, do you have any further instructions?
1:40.5	Ron takes a step closer, and Howard suddenly pivots in his seat.
1:43.9	You stay back! Ron freezes near the doorway. Mr suddenly pivots in his seat. You stay back!
1:45.2	Ron freezes near the doorway.
1:47.3	Mr. Hughes, don't speak unless I ask you a question.
1:50.0	Now listen carefully.
1:51.2	Every morning and evening, you will bring me one fresh bag of halved pecanes,
	...

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