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12 Episodes 1986 - 1986
Episode 1
Mon, Jun 23, 1986 90 mins
Joanne Woodward introduces this study of the 1985 filming-for-TV of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Death of a Salesman." Dustin Hoffman (reprising the Willy Loman role he played in a 1984 Broadway revival) relates the play to his upbringing; and director Volker Schlondorff discusses the play's mixture of fantasy and reality.
Episode 2
Mon, Jun 30, 1986 60 mins
A profile of architect Philip Johnson, who discusses his work: New York City's AT&T building with its elevated lobby; the IDS building in Minneapolis with its glass honeycomb; and the mirror-sided Transco Tower near Houston. Host: Joanne Woodward.
Episode 3
Mon, Jul 7, 1986 60 mins
The Texas childhood of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Katherine Anne Porter---and its impact on her work---is examined. Included are dramatized sequences from three of her short stories; and interviews with Eudora Welty, Robert Penn Warren and Porter's nephew Paul Porter. Host: Joanne Woodward.
Episode 4
60 mins
"Unknown Chaplin" explores the comic genius of Charlie Chaplin in a three-part documentary. Part 1 offers glimpses of the artist rehearsing on film, without a script; and shooting gags and stunts as he developed them. Included: clips from "The Cure" and "The Floorwalker" and outtakes from his 1917 classic "The Immmigrant." Narrator: James Mason.
Episode 5
60 mins
Part 2 of "Unknown Chaplin" examines Charlie Chaplin's golden era as an independent filmmaker, when he produced "The Kid" (1921), "The Gold Rush" (1925) and "City Lights" (1931). Included: comments by Jackie Coogan, Georgia Hale and Virginia Cherrill. Narrated by James Mason.
Episode 6
Tue, May 22, 2018 60 mins
"Unknown Chaplin" concludes with outtakes from such Charlie Chaplin features as "The Circus" (1928) and "City Lights" (1931). Also: footage from "The Professor," an abandoned 1923 film, which Chaplin hoped would get him away from his classic Tramp character.
Episode 7
Sun, Jul 2, 2017 90 mins
A 1984 profile of jazz great Billie Holiday, who died in 1959 of complications resulting from drug abuse. Included: reminiscences by her friends, including bandleader Artie Shaw; and rare footage of her in performance. Songs include "Don't Explain," 'Fooling Myself," "Fine & Mellow" and "Strange Fruit."
Episode 8
Mon, Aug 11, 1986 60 mins
A profile of James Levine, artistic director of the Metropolitan Opera, includes glimpses of him coaching singers, conducting rehearsals and discussing his profession. Also: comments from colleagues, including Placido Domingo, Leonie Rysanek, Jean-Pierre Ponnelle, Lynn Harrell and Marilyn Horne.
Episode 9
Sun, Feb 24, 2019 60 mins
A profile of painter Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) features dramatizations and interviews with biographer Sylvan Schendler, art historians and two Eakins models. Also: views of his works, including "The Gross Clinic" and "Max Schmitt in a Single Scull."
Episode 10
Mon, Aug 25, 1986 60 mins
A 1977 portrait of painter Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986). The New Mexico desert is seen as both home and inspiration to O'Keeffe, whose renderings of terrain, flowers and skies have been called mysterious and sensuous. Also: O'Keeffe talks about her marriage to photographer Alfred Stieglitz; and the early years of the modern-art movement.
Episode 11
Mon, Sep 1, 1986 150 mins
The tortured, prolific genius of playwright Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953) is explored via archival footage, interviews and dramatized segments. Also: commentary from actors portraying the writer's wives and colleagues, including Jason Robards, Colleen Dewhurst, Zoe Caldwell, Frank Converse, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Blythe Danner and Tom Hulce.
Episode 12
Mon, Sep 8, 1986 60 mins