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Actress Lillian Gish joins Studs Terkel to talk about her role in the play “Passage to India.” Gish connects the play based on a book by E. M. Forster to “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” and discusses the relevance and importance of historical works like those mentioned. Studs asks Gish about working with D. W. Griffith, and the two praise Griffith’s impact on the world of film; Gish comments on her experience with working with Charles Laughton too.
Lilli Palmer, actress and writer, discusses her life and her book, "The Red Raven." She talks about growing up in Germany, some of her film and play work, and her personal life.
Although she came from a family with a musical background, Lila Kedrova went into acting. A friend of her father, Feodor Chaliapin, played a part in influencing Kedrova into performing. Kedrova said she's been acting since she was eight. After her role as Madame Hortense, Kedrova said she wanted to play many other types of roles.
Interviewing actor Larry Gelman.
When asked what she thought of Dame Sybil Thorndike, British actress Joyce Grenfell said Dame Sybil has a great sense of discovery. The Grand Dame of the British Theatre, Dame Sybil Thorndike said the greatest thing that ever happened to her was George Bernard Shaw's "Saint Joan". Thorndike also spoke of her politics and of being anti-war. Frances Cucka said working with Dame Sybil Thorndike was an extraordinary experience. Cucka, voted one of the most promising actresses of the west, said she also learned to sing and to dance for future roles.
Eleanor Bron explained that audiences want something new from actors all the time. Bron said she was leery of all the newness because people would get bored. John Bird added that at times, it's difficult to be creative. In the end, they both spoke of their looking around for a two-person show to do together.
Eleanor Bron said television provided its audience with too many facts. Bron also said it’s dreadful to hear about all the misery and tragedy going on in today’s world. In contrast, John Bird said the television offered its audience an opportunity to learn more about world affairs. Switching to the topic of theatre, Bron said she preferred working in the theatre because, as an actor, she has more control over what’s done at every performance. In contrast again, Bird said he did not like acting on the stage.
In addition to talking about Noel Coward's plays, both Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn talk about the difficulties in acting. Getting rid of her accent is one of Tandy's hurdles. Cronyn revealed being able to give the same performance night after night and get the same reaction from audiences was his difficulty.
Twelve-year-old Marie is the topic covered by Jeanne Moreau and the movie, "The Adolescent (L'Adolescente)". The movie, explains Moreau, is about a girl going through puberty and how she deals with liking the same man that her mother is attracted to.
Interviewing Sir Ralph Richardson star of "Lloyd George knew my father."