The 1940’s was big bands, Hollywood elegance, lunch counters at the 5 & 10, and evenings sitting by the radio, all set to a backdrop dominated by World War II. Women wore gloves, men wore fedoras and the most popular entertainment was escapist with reassuring and patriotic themes. You might have enjoyed film noir, with the release of “Casablanca”, picked up an inexpensive sci-fi or detective “pulp fiction” magazine, or sat home listening to your favorite celebrity or mystery series on the radio.
On October 6, 2018, Author Services, Inc and Galaxy Press presented the 10th anniversary of Stories from the Golden Age at the L. Ron Hubbard Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The 1940’s themed event presented guests with a live, old-time radio theatre performance of “Spy Killer”, which is a mystery pulp noir story from 1936, written by L. Ron Hubbard. “Spy Killer” is one of his most recognized and best mystery books in the mystery genre. The event celebrated 10 years of “Stories from the Golden Age” productions at the L. Ron Hubbard Theatre , and the re-release of 153 of L. Ron Hubbard’s books and audiobooks.
Celebs came out to walk the red carpet and enjoy the evening.
The evening kicked off with a beautiful musical performance of 1940s songs, sung by actress/singer Victoria Summer (“Saving Mr. Banks”).
Ms. Summer’s performance was followed by the live performance of “Spy Killer”, which featured the renowned voice talent of Rajia Baroudi (“Power Rangers,” “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft” voice actor), Jim Meskimen (“There Will Be Blood,” “Magnolia,” George Washington in Geico ads), David Sharp (“Shadows,” “Puncture”), R.F. Daley (“Bridesmaids,” “Vacation”), Johnny Ferretti (“Target,” “Beyond the Game”), Michael Yurchak (“Club Dread,” “Beerfest”), Alies Orozco (“Underdog,” “Megalodon”
The evening concluded with guests being invited to the library for a lavish party that included a three-and-one-half foot tall custom cake designed by Cake and Art for the occasion, containing 153 designer cupcakes representing each of the 153 stories in the series. We all enjoyed being transported back in time for the night. If you want to find information about future performances at the L. Ron Hubbard Theatre , click Here.
On display were plaques commemorating the anniversary received from AudioFile Magazine, True West Magazine, The Strand Magazine, and Library Journal Magazine, and a special recognition from Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, LA City Council 13th District, to “L. Ron Hubbard’s Stories from the Golden Age” for “forwarding the arts with over 2.7 million copies sold and over 300 live theatre performances in Hollywood.”
The Stories from the Golden Age is a line of 80 books and audiobooks launched in 2008 containing 153 stories written by L. Ron Hubbard in the 1930s and ‘40s in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, westerns, and action/adventure. To date, over 2.7 million copies have been sold. Combined, the series has received over 50 major industry awards.
For more information on the Stories from the Golden Age, go to https://galaxypress.com/goldenagestories/
Photo Credit: Linita Sotelo-Masters / LSM Creative / The Hollywood 360
Header Photo: Author Services Inc.
