Ridiculous History The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part Two: Things Don't Always Work Out
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Jan 16, 2025 The podcast dives into the dramatic highs and lows of the world's fairs, revealing not all expositions shine. Unexpected disasters in California and Louisiana show how ambition can sometimes crumble. Listeners are treated to a blend of early Hollywood scandals and the trials of iconic figures, exploring the quirky legacies they left behind. The discussion shifts to the commercial evolution of fairs, contrasting innovation with modern challenges, while humorous anecdotes keep the tone light. It's a wild ride through history's most ambitious missteps!
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Hollywood's 1923 PR Crisis
- Hollywood faced a PR crisis in 1923 due to scandals like the murder of William Desmond Taylor and Fatty Arbuckle's manslaughter charge.
- These scandals, along with Mabel Normand's drug habit and her chauffeur's shooting of an oil tycoon, caused a moral panic and decreased movie ticket sales.
The Motion Picture Exposition
- In response to the crisis, major film studios formed the MPPDA and organized the Motion Picture Exposition in Los Angeles.
- Aiming for wholesomeness, they included art exhibits, pageants, morality lectures, and tied the event to the Monroe Doctrine centennial.
Exposition Fails to Capture Public Interest
- The MPPDA bribed Congress to mint commemorative coins for the exposition, but most were unsold and returned to circulation, becoming less valuable.
- Opening on July 2nd, 1923, the exposition featured historical exhibits and demonstrations of filmmaking technology.