A new BBC Archives is being launched to explore the history and impact of cinema.

It will feature a large collection of radio interviews with the stars of the ‘Golden Age’ of American cinema. Hollywood Voices features a mix of broadcasts and unedited interviews with film stars of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s – many available in full for the first time.

This historic collection has interviews with stars from Harold Lloyd to James Cagney, Debbie Reynolds to Rita Hayworth. Further highlights include: a “round table” with Charlie Chaplin; conversations with Buster Keaton and Louise Brooks on the early days of American cinema; a fiery exchange with Bette Davis; and an insight into the power of music courtesy of Alfred Hitchcock.

From the early days of silent movies to the end of the ‘Studio System’, this collection of radio interviews from the BBC Archive uncovers the story of Hollywood movie-making’s formative years.

Combining BBC radio broadcasts and unedited interviews (many available in full for the first time), they take us behind the scenes of Tinseltown and relive some of the greatest adventures of the silver screen.

For more information, visit the BBC Archive site – here.