When They Were Making It, hosted by Patrick Rankin, explores the human stories behind classic Hollywood films and legends such as Marilyn Monroe, Casablanca and Charlie Chaplin. It has 22 episodes released weekly on Tuesdays, typically 80 to 100 minutes long. Estimated 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode, a sponsor rate of about $40 to $200 per episode. Distinctive for its multi-part biographies.
Weekly classic Hollywood biographies with a loyal, highly rated listener base
- 435 Apple ratings averaging 4.7 stars, with 374 five-star reviews
- Consistent weekly Tuesday releases with episodes around 90 minutes
- Covers iconic films and stars, attracting history and film enthusiasts
Brand fit report
Content
- Formats
- solo monologue, narrative, multi-part biography
- Tone
- informative, engaging
- Language
- English
- Production
- Clean, edited audio
- Typical length
- 80 to 100 minutes
Audience
Commercial
- Brands seen
- None yet
- Categories promoted
- None yet
- Affiliate links
- Yes
Patreon funding link present in the feed (patreon.com/WhenTheyWereMakingIt); no sponsor mentions found in the feed.
Suitability GARM Brand Safety Floor + Suitability
Family friendly
Episode titles cover sex and censorship (Mae West), scandal and private life, but no explicit flag is set and the show is marked not explicit.
We classify content, never people. No age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political views are inferred about the creator. Audience figures are estimates unless marked verified. Creators can correct anything on their profile.
Where to listen
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| Website | www.whentheyweremakingit.com |
| Apple Podcasts | podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1896753997 |
| RSS feed | feeds.transistor.fm/when-they-were-making-it |
Benchmark score: 89 / 100
Public rule, same for everyone. How it works.
Recent episodes
| Episode | Date | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred Hitchcock, Part 1: Becoming the Master of Suspense — Fear, Powe | 2026-10-13 | 1 h 26 min |
| Fay Wray & King Kong (1933): The Making of the Original Scream Queen — | 2026-10-06 | 1 h 36 min |
| Edward G. Robinson: Hollywood's Literal OG — Little Caesar, the Blackl | 2026-09-29 | 1 h 26 min |
| Judy Garland's A Star Is Born (1954): Hollywood's Most Complicated Com | 2026-09-22 | 1 h 33 min |
| Veronica Lake: The Making and Unmaking of a Movie Star — Film Noir Sta | 2026-09-15 | 1 h 16 min |
| Charlie Chaplin, Part 2: The War Against Hollywood's Most Famous Man — | 2026-09-08 | 1 h 39 min |
Last six episodes from the show's feed, latest 6 days ago, a new one about every 7 days.
The real human stories behind classic Hollywood's greatest films and legends. Marilyn Monroe. Casablanca. Audrey Hepburn. The Wizard of Oz. Charlie Chaplin. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Alfred Hitchcock. Sunset Boulevard. What do they all have in common? They had to make it first. Each week, we go beyond the legend to explore classic Hollywood's biggest icons and most beloved films. Not the myths. Not…
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About When They Were Making It
When They Were Making It is a weekly podcast hosted by Patrick Rankin that explores the human stories behind classic Hollywood films and legends, from the silent era to the early 1960s. Its episodes, often grouped into multi-part biographies, cover figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and Dorothy Dandridge. According to the show's feed, episodes release every Tuesday, with 22 episodes published so far and a median length of about 90 minutes.
The show's Apple Podcasts listing shows 435 ratings averaging 4.7 stars. Listeners are likely to be film and history enthusiasts, and these audience figures are estimates based on rating counts rather than published download data. The feed shows no sponsors, but it does link a Patreon page for listener support.
Brands in film, streaming, home entertainment and classic-film merchandise may find the show a good fit. Estimated at 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode, it could justify a sponsorship rate of roughly $40 to $200 per episode.
Written from the show's public RSS feed, its Podcast Index listing and episode titles. Numbers updated 2026-10-19. When They Were Making It can edit or remove this page at any time.
Questions about When They Were Making It
How much does When They Were Making It charge for a podcast sponsorship?
Based on an estimated 2,000 to 8,000 downloads per episode, the host-read rate is roughly $40 to $200 per episode. Rates are estimates derived from listener signals, not a published price list.
What is When They Were Making It about?
The show explores the human stories behind classic Hollywood films and legends, from the silent era to the early 1960s. Episodes cover iconic movies and stars, often in multi-part biographies.
How do I contact When They Were Making It about sponsoring an episode?
The show's contact email unlocks on Starbooked for $0.80. Boosted shows can also be booked through Starbooked, so you can reach the host without searching for a separate address.
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