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Billy Graham\u2019s Los Angeles Crusade started modestly on 25th September, 1949. But after newspaper giant William Randolph Hearst told his editors to "puff Graham", the nightly revival meetings exploded in popularity, becoming a \u2018sin-smashing sensation\u2019, and Graham soon became America\u2019s favourite preacher.\nHis style was perfect for the Hollywood backdrop. At just 30 years old, Graham had a youthful, energetic presence, dashing good looks, and a flair for the dramatic. His sermons, packed with urgency and fast-paced delivery, connected worldly threats like communism with personal struggles, and always offered a strikingly simple answer: Jesus. By the end of this first eight-week crusade, 350,000 people had attended, with 3,000 recorded conversions.\n\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the skills that set Graham apart from other evangelists; consider his global influence, including a record-breaking run at London\u2019s\xa0 Haringey Arena; and recall how a singing cowboy transformed Graham\u2019s fortunes\u2026\xa0\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018Billy Graham's star was born at his 1949 revival in Los Angeles\u2019 (Los Angeles Times, 2007): https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-02-me-then2-story.html\n\u2022 \u2018How Billy Graham became the most famous preacher in America\u2019 (CNN, 2018): https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/21/us/how-billy-graham-became-famous/index.html\n\u2022 \u2018WEMBLEY: BILLY GRAHAM IN LONDON\u2019 (Gaumont, 1955): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGPQpQb_dDM\n\nLove the show? Support us!\xa0\nJoin\xa0 \U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS\U0001f334to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY\u2026\xa0\n\n\u2026 Plus, get weekly bonus bits, and unlock over 100 bits of extra content.\xa0\nJoin now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show \u2764\ufe0f\n\nTo get an exclusive NordVPN deal, head to https://nordvpn.com/retrospectors to get an extra 4 months on the 2-year plan. There\u2019s no risk with Nord\u2019s 30-day money-back guarantee.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices