A Hollywood deal transforms Hedy Kiesler into Hedy Lamarr - her greatest invention yet? After a daring escape from her husband and the advance of Hitler’s Nazis into Austria, Hedy Lamarr arrives in London broke and alone. She still has a plan to hit the big time. After a last-minute dash to France she blags her way onto the Normandie, a luxury liner bound for New York. She’s trying to persuade a fellow passenger - the movie mogul Louis B. Mayer - to sign her up to MGM. It’s a glamorous voyage, complete with Oscar winners and industry insiders, but when Hedy makes her entrance in the dining room, all eyes are on her.

What makes someone a “true legend”? Untold Legends gives legendary status to those who deserve it – and tells their story.

Untold Legends is from the BBC World Service, Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

An earlier version of this episode contained factual and editorial errors. This episode was updated on 22 July 2025 to correct them.