American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story

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  1. Before the Bunny: Marilyn Monroe

  40m

  The surprising story of how Marilyn Monroe became Playboy's first pin-up.

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  2. Birth of the Centerfold: The Girl Next Door

  43m

  Hugh Hefner convinces his new subscription manager to pose as the magazine's first centerfold and "the girl next door" becomes Playboy's formula for success.

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  3. Becoming Mr. Playboy

  42m

  During the mid-1950s, Hugh Hefner and Playboy gain national success, giving Hefner an opportunity to speak out about social issues while enjoying the perks of being Mr. Playboy.

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  4. Members Only: The Playboy Club

  41m

  To bring Playboy's bachelor lifestyle to the public, Hugh Hefner opens the Playboy Club in Chicago and creates the perfect nightlife hostess - the bunny.

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  5. The Playboy Interview

  41m

  Hugh Hefner creates the Playboy Interview, giving a platform to cultural leaders to discuss pressing social issues, and publishes a controversial interview with Malcolm X.

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  6. Rebel with a Cause: Civil Liberties and Government Crackdowns

  40m

  Hefner becomes addicted to an amphetamine drug that lets him work around the clock, using the pages of the magazine to fight for civil rights and ultimately publish what would become Martin Luther King Jr's final written words.

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  7. Below the Belt: Playboy and the Pubic Wars

  41m

  While Hugh Hefner finds love and success in Hollywood, Playboy fights Penthouse in the pubic wars.

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  8. Sex, Drugs and DEA Investigations

  39m

  Hugh Hefner's secretary and close friend, Bobbie Arnstein, finds herself at the center of a conspiracy to take down the Playboy empire and her loyalty to Hefner proves deadly.

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  9. Down the Rabbit Hole: The Dorothy Stratten Murder

  43m

  After the death of Bobbie Arnstein, Hugh Hefner retreats permanently to his Los Angeles mansion, only to face the murder of Playmate Dorothy Stratten.

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  10. My Way

  47m

  With Playboy on the brink of bankruptcy, Hefner sacrifices friends and leans on family to secure the brand's future.

Cast

Hugh Hefner

Himself

Matt Whelan

Hugh Hefner

Shara Connolly

Barbi Benton

Joy Buckle

Marilyn Cole

No photo

Adam Jonas Segaller

A.C. Spectrosky

Ella Becroft

Millie Hefner

Laura Thompson

Christie Hefner

Ian Bell

Art Paul

Dominique Bela

Betty Conklin

Beth Kayes

Grace Hefner