How 3 iconic Angelenos shaped the idea of LA

In the early 1900s, three Angelenos were instrumental in the huge and sudden growth of the city: engineer William Mulholland, movie director DW Griffith, and charismatic evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson.

In the early 1900s, three Angelenos were instrumental in the huge and sudden growth of the city: engineer William Mulholland, movie director DW Griffith, and charismatic evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson. They’re the subject of the new book “The Mirage Factory.”

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Gina Pollack, Sarah Sweeney, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Christian Bordal, Quinn O'Toole, Yael Even Or

Images of Santa Monica Boulevard and the founders of United Artists: DW Griffith, Mary Pickford, Charles Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks (front row); courtesy of the Library of Congress.