The essayist and biographer discusses her book, Mabel: Hollywood's First I-Don't-Care Girl, and how she attempted to separate the myth from the reality of the life of Hollywood actress, director, and screenwriter Mabel Normand.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

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.

Film director King Vidor discusses his films, their themes, and where film was heading at the time of his interview with Studs Terkel. Columbia College’s Bob Edmonds joins them and further discusses Vidor’s work.

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!".