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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.
Through an interpreter, Madame Ida Kaminska discusses her role in the film "The Shop on Main Street." Both her mother and father were actors, too. Madame Kaminska explains she comes from a family of actors from 100 years ago.
Studs interview with Hildegard Knef, actress and writer. They discuss her life in Nazi Germany during the war and her experience as an actress when she came to America. Studs and Hildegard read together from her book, "The Gift Horse." Knef describes her family, Nazi Germany, survival, and her experience as a German in American post WWII. Her husband, David Anthony Palastanga, also reads an excerpt from her book.
Being discovered by Charlie Chaplin, Claire Bloom always felt like the luckiest actress around. Bloom's favorite roles were Nora in a "Doll's House" and Hedda in "Hedda Gabler". Mary Tyrone of "Long Day's Journey Into Night" is a part Bloom would like to play in the future.
Charles Dance, English actor, talks about his work in the British TV show "The Jewel in the Crown," based on the novel series, "The Raj Quartet," by Paul Scott. Dance also discusses his work on the play, "Thunder Rock" and film, "Plenty," and the TV shows, "The Secret Servant," and "Rainy Day Women."
This interview features singer and actress Carol Channing which discusses: the film "Shinbone Alley"; production of "Lorelei"; her grandmother; and her career. It begins with a musical excerpt from the animated movie "Shinbone Alley" featuring Channing singing as the alley cat Mehitabel. It also includes excerpts from the Broadway production called "Lorelei", examples of her character acting/comedy (as Cecilia Sisson), her reading of "Madeline and other Bemelmans", and a portion of the song "So Long Dearie" from the play "Hello, Dolly!".
Comedian and actor Bob Newhart discusses his career and his life before becoming a comedian; excerpt from his stand-up performance is played.
Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."