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California: From Hollywood to Silicon Valley

Stanley Tucci tells the story of Francis Boggs, the first man to direct a full movie in California and who met a dramatic end. Plus, how William Mullholand brought water to LA.

Stanley Tucci imagines the story of modern California as a movie screenplay, tracing the dramatic history of the state from Hollywood to Silicon Valley. In this episode, the first man to direct a full movie in California meets a dramatic end. In 1911, 41-year-old Francis Boggs was on the up, a pioneering movie director. But his luck was just about to run out. And the story of William Mulholland and the lies that made Los Angeles possible. Mulholland first brought water to arid LA, with much double dealing.

Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester
Producer: Laurence Grissell

(Photo: Actor Stanley Tucci. Credit: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 21 Jun 202021:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 17 Jun 202010:32GMT
  • Wed 17 Jun 202012:32GMT
  • Wed 17 Jun 202015:32GMT
  • Wed 17 Jun 202019:32GMT
  • Wed 17 Jun 202021:32GMT
  • Wed 17 Jun 202022:32GMT
  • Sun 21 Jun 202017:32GMT
  • Sun 21 Jun 202018:32GMT
  • Sun 21 Jun 202021:32GMT