The African American film scholar discusses the history of American musical films, especially during the Depression and into the 1950's.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations

Studs Terkel presents The Cradle Will Rock, a 1937 musical play. Includes interview with Marc Blitzstein and Hiram Sherman talking about the challenges of presenting for the first time.

Skip Kennon wrote the music for "Herringbone", a one-man musical where all ten parts are played by the actor David Rounds. Madness, depression and schizophrenia are discussed as possible themes of the play.

Studs interviews Harry Chapin about his music and career. They discuss Chapin’s style of writing songs. Chapin describes some of his songs such as “Cats In the Cradle,” “Sniper,” “WOLD,” and “Mr. Tanner.” He stresses that his songs tell stories and often are influenced by real-life events. For example, “30,000 Bananas Pounds of Bananas” came from a trip he took on a Greyhound bus through Pennsylvania where there was a truck accident.

Ethel Merman, American musical theater performer, discusses her experiences as an actor and singer.

In this interview Carol Channing discusses her work as artist: comedic timing; live/club performing; her connection with the audience as a performer; theater as a "spiritual world"; the concept of "opening nights"; creation of Mehitabel's (alley cat) voice; "Lorelei", and her ability deliver comedic characterizations and impersonations (such as Marlene Dietrich, Sophie Tucker, and Cecilia Sisson). Included in this interview are excerpts from the "Little Girl from Little Rock", "Madeline and Other Bemelmans", "Shinbone Alley".

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.

English actor, director and writer Victor Spinelli discusses several aspects of Joan Littlewood's production of "Oh, What A Lovely War!", including the origin of the songs, slides and quotations used in the musical. The two also discuss the World War War I, blind patriotism and what an Italian drill sergeant might sound like. Includes as a reading of "Watchers Along the Mall" by Spinetti.

The married acting couple joins Studs for a conversation about their stage production of The Waltz of The Toreadors, at the Blackstone Theatre.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations