American Castle: The Secret World of William Randolph Hearst - Episode 1
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Episode 1: Gateway to Xanadu
Media mogul and Democaratic US Congressman William Randolph Hearst once owned and operated the world's most powerful media empire.
The real-life inspiration behind Orson Welles' classic film "Citizen Kane," Hearst built an extravagant retreat in the hills of San Simeon, CA, to entertain the wealthy elite of his time. US Presidents, business tycoons and Hollywood movie stars frequented his mansion in its heyday.
The estate was donated to the state of California by Hearst Corporation in 1957. It is currently maintained by the state as a museum and historic park.
American Castle: The Secret World of William Randolph Hearst - Episode 2
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Episode 2: Days of Valor
In this episode, we visit Hearst Castle's magnificent Medieval-themed banquet hall where VIP guests would dine in splendor in the company of their peers.
In the aftermath of their sumptuous repast, guests would retire to the billiards room to indulge in recreational pastimes such as pool and billiards while admiring the castle's tapestries, wall-hangings and sculptures.
Later on, guests would make their way to the castle's in-home theater to watch Hearst's home movies, featuring his many celebrity guests enjoying the castle's amenities and ambience. Watch for a cameo by famous comedian Charlie Chaplin at the very end!
American Castle: The Secret World of William Randolph Hearst - Episode 3
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Episode 3: Celluloid Menagerie
In this episode, we begin with glimpse into Hearst Castle's glamorous history as we view scenes from W. R. Hearst's private home movies screened in the castle's in-home theater. We view scenes of his celebrity guests enjoying themselves, followed by images of Hearst himself managing his estate.
We then catch glimpses, on celluloid, of Hearst's private menagerie -- the exotic animal species from around the world that roamed (and still roam) the grounds of the Hearst estate -- a territory half the size of the state of Rhode Island. We catch glimpses of rare and exotic animals like kangaroo, zebra, bison and polar bears enjoying the ambience of the Hearst estate.
Finally, we take a tour of the grounds surrounding the main castle, enjoying the greenery, the extravagant sculptures and artifacts on the grounds and the breathtaking architecture, finally making our way to the Neptune pool, which we will experience more fully in the next episode.
American Castle: The Secret World of William Randolph Hearst - Episode 4
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Episode 4: Neptune's Palace
In this episode, we visit Hearst Castle's fabled "Neptune Pool." Its lavish Greco-Roman and Neoclassical architectural style inspired the famous director Stanley Kubrick, who shot some scenes for the film "Spartacus" on location at Hearst Castle's Neptune pool. In particular, scenes depicting the villa of the ruthless Roman senator Marcus Crassus, played in the film by Laurence Olivier, were shot at this location.
The striking main centerpiece of the pool is the actual façade of an authentic Roman temple purchased in Europe by media magnate William Randolph Hearst and subsequently relocated to his estate in San Simeon, CA.
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