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Marian Anderson recalls singing on stage for the first time at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1957 and how it was the realization of a dream come true. Marion's nephew, James DePreist remembers being able to conduct a piece of music he had never conducted before because his aunt Marion had exposed him to it when he was a child. James said when his aunt Marion sung spirituals, he couldn't help but feel religious and he's an atheist.
Marcel Marceau, world renown mime, talks about when he performed in prisons in France, Germany, and Chicago, including death row inmates who he could not see. He also discusses moments where he met famous silent actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Harpo Marx, and Stan Laurel. They then discuss childhood and aging. Content Warning: This conversation has the presence of outdated, biased, offensive language. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion.
Marcel Marceau, a French mime, discusses the art behind mime including silence, humanity, and astonishment. Parts of an earlier interview with Marceau are also played.
Marion Anderson, soloist, and James DePreist, conductor, sit down with Studs Terkel prior to their Grand Park Weekend Concert where "Berjack Symphony No. 2 or 7" will be played with the 'Copland Preamble for Solemn Occasion" as well as a group of Negro Spirituals with "Ava Maria". Marian Anderson begins the interview by singing "Erlkonig" and concludes with "Ava Maria". She discusses the early influence of the first Negro arts singer, Roland Hayes had on her in Philadelphia and his "He Never Said a Mumberlin' Word" is played. Both Anderson and DePreist discuss how song becomes drama.
Recorded live on Chicago's South Side. Robeson is ill at the time of recording. Speakers: Earl Dickerson, Etta Moten Barnett, Judge Sidney Jones, J. Mayo "Ink" Williams, Joan Brown (possibly Abena Joan Brown), Charles Hamilton, Margaret Burroughs, [John Gray's sister], [Stevens?]
Frederick Ritter, professor, preforms musical numbers from Austria. He also discusses the history of baroque theater and Volk's Theatre, along with Viennese culture. He is joined by Sabine Roupp, Joseph Gardner and David Miller on piano during the performances. Ritter also compares Bertolt Brecht with earlier writers, Johann Nestroy and Ferdinand Raimund. Selected pieces includes works by Mozart and Ferdinand Raymond and Johann Nestroy.
Studs Terkel continues to interview actress and singer Eartha Kitt. Part 3 of the interview begins with Kitt discussing the following; her career; her international travels; and linguistic abilities.
Studs Terkel continues to interview actress and singer Eartha Kitt. Part 2 of the interview begins with the song "Üsküdara", and ends with "Mountain High, Valley Low", both sung by Kitt. Kitt discusses the following; her career; her desire to entertain; her autobiography, "Thursday's Child"; her mothers death; the art of interacting with the audience; the femme fatale; her time with the Katherine Dunham Dancers; and her portrayl of Helen of Troy.
Studs Terkel interviews actress and singer Eartha Kitt. The program begins with a musical selections sung by Kitt, "C'est Si Bon". Kitt discusses the following; her career; how the songs she sings are interpreted and preferred by people of different nationalities; what led her to be an international star; her childhood; her meeting with Albert Einstein;
When he was a child, Dudley Moore first wanted to study the violin. He's grateful to his mother for insisting that he first study the piano. Moore said his influences include Bach and Garner. Unlike other musicians, Moore's main focus has always been on the beat, both the cultivation and the presence of the beat of a song and of music.
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!".
Carol Channing discusses the following with Studs Terkel: her early career; her growth as actor/comedian; her approach to her work; her performance in "Lorelei" as Lorelei; her performance in "Wonderful Town" as Ruth; the job of the understudy; and breaking performance barriers and type casting.
Carlotta Monti discusses W.C. Fields and her book "W.C. Fields & Me".
Burl Ives, actor and singer, discusses his life including childhood, schooling, early career, married life and some of his most popular songs. Ives also talks about his books and writing.