Gossip Girls: Louella Parsons And Hedda Hopper (Witch Hunt, Episode 6) / by Karina Longworth

Louella Parsons, 1953 | Photo from the Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection via the Los Angeles Public Library

Louella Parsons, 1953 | Photo from the Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection via the Los Angeles Public Library

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

During an era in which Hollywood and Washington are shakily aligned in the witch hunting of actual and reputed socialists, Louella struggles to maintain her position as cheerleader for the status quo, while Hedda grabs a torch and tries to burn it all down, using celebrity gossip to further the racist, xenophobic interests of the FBI. There’s also a new competitor in town, who at once subversively spoke to and for Hollywood’s gay community, while also deflecting attention from his own sexuality by attacking others.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Hedda Hopper | The LIFE Picture Collection, via Getty Images

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Hedda Hopper | The LIFE Picture Collection, via Getty Images

Louella Parsons and L.B. Mayer | Time Life Pictures via Getty Images

Louella Parsons and L.B. Mayer | Time Life Pictures via Getty Images

Gary Cooper at the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings, Washington, DC, October 24, 1947 | Photo Via Getty Images

Gary Cooper at the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings, Washington, DC, October 24, 1947 | Photo Via Getty Images

Music:

The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.  

Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode: 

"The Records" by Union Hall

"Undercover Vampire Policeman" by Chris Zabriskie

"Chai Belltini" by Vermouth

"Cocoon Transit" by Origami

"Gin Boheme" by Vermouth

"Where it All Happened" by Cold Case

"Roadside Bunkhouse" by Truck Stop

"I Knew a Guy" by Kevin MacLeod

"ZigZag Heart" by Nursery

"Copley Beat" by Skittle

"Glass Stopper" by Vermouth

Mike Connolly c. 1950s

Mike Connolly c. 1950s

Credits:

This episode was written, narrated, and produced by Karina Longworth.

Our editor this season is Evan Viola. 

Research and production assistant: Lindsey D. Schoenholtz.

Social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.

Logo design: Teddy Blanks.

Special thanks to our special guests. Julie Klausner played Louella Parsons. Julie wrote, created, and starred in Difficult People, which you can watch on Hulu. She and Tom Scharpling also have a podcast, Double Threat, which you can and should find wherever you get your podcasts. Cole Escola played Hedda Hopper. Cole can be seen on Search Party and At Home with Amy Sedaris and their self-produced special Help I’m Stuck.