Mary Astor’s Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936
Illustrator Edward Sorel and Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer discuss the impact of Astor's love affairs on her movie career and the parallels between the film industry of the early 20th century and the industry of today.
Mary Astor in “Convention City.” (Studio / Public domain)
On the KCRW show “Scheer Intelligence,” Edward Sorel, author and illustrator of book and magazine covers, tells Truthdig Editor in Chief Robert Scheer about the enduring interest that led to his new book, “Mary Astor’s Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936.”
Mary Astor’s Purple Diary: The Great American Sex Scandal of 1936
Purchase in the Truthdig Bazaar—Posted by Alexander Reed Kelly
In 2026, amid chaos and the nonstop flurry of headlines, Truthdig remains independent, fact-based and focused on exposing what power tries to hide.
Support Independent Journalism.
Related Stories
TD Interview
Marc Cooper, Dig Curator and former translator to President Allende, speaks to KPFK Radio's Suzi Weissman about the complex historical forces at work today in Chile.
Dig Scape
Will microdosing finally bring them home?
The class war that gave rise to his campaign is the fault of a long line of corporate Democrats like Joe Biden, and voters know it.
A new book shows how the activist's positions on issues like the Vietnam War and environmental justice helped move civil rights leaders left.
Intelligence expert William Binney discusses the revelation that a widely used encryption service has been in government hands for decades.
“The way you get the guns out of the kids’ hands is to throw them up against the walls and frisk them.”
TD Interview
Marc Cooper, Dig Curator and former translator to President Allende, speaks to KPFK Radio's Suzi Weissman about the complex historical forces at work today in Chile.
Dig Scape
Will microdosing finally bring them home?
The class war that gave rise to his campaign is the fault of a long line of corporate Democrats like Joe Biden, and voters know it.
A new book shows how the activist's positions on issues like the Vietnam War and environmental justice helped move civil rights leaders left.
Intelligence expert William Binney discusses the revelation that a widely used encryption service has been in government hands for decades.
“The way you get the guns out of the kids’ hands is to throw them up against the walls and frisk them.”
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.