The Many Mansions of William Randolph Hearst & Marion Davies

Old Hollywood was full of stars and glamour, but behind the curtain, one man controlled the spotlight—William Randolph Hearst. Join me, Ken, as we delve into the opulent world of Hearst and his mistress, Marion Davies, uncovering the secrets of their grand mansions and the scandalous love story that defined an era. From San Simeon to the shores of Santa Monica, explore the lavish estates where history was made and Hollywood's elite mingled.

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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Mick Lobb / Church and castle - St Donat's, Alex Proimos, Dirk DBQ
CC BY-SA 3.0Photos from: Wikipedia User: Binksternet, Proimos, Fietsbel
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Dani Lavi 0007, Serenewilliams, Redcarguru63
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

0:00 Intro
0:16 Who was William Randolph Hearst?
1:25 Hacienda del Pozo de Verona
4:06 New York Properties
5:24 Who Was Marion Davies?
7:07 Hearst Castle
7:59 Wyntoon
11:15 Buying Spree - St. Donat's Castle, Beacon Towers
11:34 Marion Davies Beach House Ocean Side
13:19 The End of William Hearst
15:18 Marion Davies After Hearst
17:12 What Happened to the Mansions?
18:11 What are your thoughts?

The Many Mansions of William Randolph Hearst & Marion Davies

[debbiesueillinois]

Hearst Castle is a beautiful place, I am glad they saved it, and it survived all the fires

[andrewholl]

Hearst Castle is Such an Amazing and Beautiful Place to Visit

[lindabaker]

Thank you for providing us with these wonderful and often tragic glimpses into "recent" history. You do an excellent job researching and constructing your videos!

[mileshigh]

I love San Simeon! It stands on such much land, that at one time it took 20 minutes to drive from the entrance to the house!

[andreaberryhill]

I love these old homes structural styles- such beautiful workmanship.

[sgjikku]

Hearst was a bit of a disrespectful selfish man building on property that was his mother’s behind her back, Cheating on his first wife . Avery egotistical man . However Hearst Castle is a Beautiful place . As a person he wasn’t what I call nice.

[garryferrington]

Ken, you really outdid yourself with this one. Beautifully told and edited, this might well be your best video yet. Granted, you had a great story to tell, but you really came through.

[jecny]

William Randolph Hearst, the original Rupert Murdoch.

[ji]

Ken that was one of your top 5 best videos.

[mrssam]

Wyntoon. That would be cool to see now. Maybe you could get special access to make a video. Worst case scenario is they say no. Your videos are soothing. From your voice to the old, handcrafted architecture, it's like stepping into a warm bath. ahhhh. Thank you!

[tatumstasney]

Thank you for covering Love all the pictures

[megfuchs]

I'm surprised his mother left him any money in her will!

[lawaynesplace]

Her home in santa monica is now a private beach club with only the main part of the home remaining.

[asylumlover]

KEN THIS IS ONE SICKENING AND SORDID BUNCH OF TABLOID ORIENTED BUT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, AT LEAST WE STILL HAVE SOME OF THESE MANSIONS, AND LONG LIVE THIS

[madjanetramerez]

Crazy when it hits close to home, I live in pleasanton and phoebe played a big part in our towns history and culture

[jonmarc]

Hearst Castle: What God would have built if he had the money

[rayn]

Ken, I really enjoyed this episode. It's so incredible that so many of his properties are still standing.
I'm surprised that you made no mention of Orson Welles' amazing film, Citizen Kane. The film is clearly based on Hurst, first and foremost. Even the reference to Rosebud is rumored to have been Hurst's petname for a part of Marion's anatomy. Welles' screenwriter clearly meant it to be a personal attack on Hurst, and even after much rewriting by Welles, he succeeded at enraging Hurst in the end. I'm still not clear if Orson shared Mankiewicz hatred of Hurst or just saw it as a great story.
The portrayal of Marion as devoid of talent must have really scalded Hurst. Marion retired four years prior to the film's release, so she might not have even cared.
Technically, it's an amazing film. Personally, technical accomplishments aside, I much preferred The Magnificent Ambersons.

[terrygibbs]

Marion's Beach House a true wonder of the Jazz Age. What stories it could tell!!

[jefflawrentz]

I’ve been to San Simeon only once. A lot to see there. Phoebe Appleton Hurst was a regent member of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and was very generous in helping preserve the home. I admire her a lot more than her son. Sounds like Marion Davies was the perfect “ husband sitter” for Mrs. Hurst. 😂

[jhash]

Will you do a video of just the New York Penthouse and what became of it. Also one of Wyntoon!