In a recent episode of Big Blend Radio, host Lisa D. Smith sat down with Stonewall Book Award-winning author and screenwriter Samuel Garza Bernstein to discuss his latest biography, "RODDY McDOWALL: AN ACTOR’S LIFE—From How Green Was My Valley to Lassie to Planet of the Apes." Published by Citadel Press in time for Pride Month, this comprehensive book marks the first time the breathtaking, sixty-year career of one of Hollywood’s most versatile and beloved stars has been fully illuminated.

Watch the podcast episode below or download/listen to it on Podbean.

For years, a rumor circulated through the entertainment industry that Roddy McDowall’s vast personal archives at Boston University were embargoed for a century after his death. Sam cleared up the mystery, revealing that the 520 boxes of correspondence, scripts, photographs, and memorabilia were actually held back for 25 years, finally becoming available to researchers in 2023.

McDowall—who seemingly never threw away a single piece of paper—preserved an unparalleled history of Hollywood. Yet, Sam emphasizes that anyone looking for cheap, earth-shattering bombshells won't find them. Instead, the timeline reflected McDowall’s deep commitment to kindness and protecting the privacy of his legendary inner circle, which included lifelong friends like Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, and Lauren Bacall.

Born in London in 1928, McDowall was evacuated to America during the Blitz. Within weeks of arriving, he was thrust into the spotlight, anchoring the Oscar-winning film How Green Was My Valley at just twelve years old. He carried the emotional weight of being the face of British War Relief on his young shoulders, channeling that intense real-world pressure into brilliant on-screen performances.

To cope with a world where he had zero control over his own life, a young Roddy constructed an incredibly elaborate, miniature fantasy movie studio, acting as the "God" of his own creative slate.

When he eventually grew up and faced the brutal transition out of child stardom, McDowall handled it with unique entrepreneurial resilience. He moved to New York, trained seriously, won a Tony Award, starred in Camelot, and later anchored the massive Planet of the Apes franchise. He even leaned into his childhood roots with a biting, sarcastic sense of humor—putting "EX MOPPET" on his license plate for the rest of his life and famously joking that he wanted his obituary to read: "Ex Moppet Ankles Life."

One of the most refreshing aspects of Sam's research was discovering the complete normalization of McDowall's love life within his inner circle. Navigating Hollywood as a gay man, he lived in a state of "open privacy." His family, coworkers, and studios all knew and acknowledged his partners, giving him a level of freedom that traditional romantic leads of the era were rarely afforded.

In true show-business fashion, Sam shared a wild, funny story from his time writing the book. While living in Portugal, a spiritualist friend who knew nothing about classic Hollywood suddenly asked Sam if McDowall smoked heavily and wore scarves (both legendary traits of the actor). The friend claimed McDowall's presence had visited his bedroom to deliver a very specific message for Sam, who had temporarily paused the project to promote a previous book: "Please get back to my story."

Beyond celebrating the release of Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life, Sam is keeping busy in the media world:

Learn more about Samuel Garza Bernstein and grab your copy of the book by visiting his official website: samuelgarzabernstein.com