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Actor and director Sidney Poitier offers his reflections about his autobiographical memoir, "This Life". Poitier explains how he never had ambitions to be an actor and yet he stumbled into acting when looking through the clasisfied ads. There's a story about his agent trying to settle a negotiation on Poitier's behalf. Poitier's agent told the others involved that Poitier was offered a film in Hollywood. Believing it was a cheap ploy, the agent was told to tell Poitier to go onto Hollywood, and the rest is history for Sidney Poitier.
Burl Ives was born in Jasper County, IL and he attended Eastern Illinois State Teachers College. While in college, he played some football and then he wanted to become a football coach. Ives spent time in Terre Haute, IN, where he played records and sang songs on the radio. To be a great singer, Ives said he knew he had to add dramatization to certain songs.
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."
Garry Wills, writer and historian, discusses his book "John Wayne's America: The Politics of Celebrity." He explores the popularity of John Wayne that took him from an actor and made him into an American symbol. He explores how the symbol of John Wayne is used by white male politicians to influence their decisions and how that affected the Vietnam War. Wills gives a biography of John Wayne, including the many influential people in his life such as his working partner, John Ford.
Tallulah Bankhead thought she would become an aerialist when she grew up. At 16, after she saw some plays, Bankhead decided to go into acting. Bankhead never received any formal training and yet some experts in the theatre world called her “a natural”. In a surprise revelation, Bankhead said she does not attend the theatre as an audience member. She went on to say she likes to read books, watch television, and she loves her San Francisco Giants.
The Irish actress joins Studs to discuss some of her roles and to perform some dramatic readings.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations
The Mexican-born American actor joins Studs to discuss his life and career.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations
Studs and guest Helene Rosenberg discuss the life and career of French singer-actor Yves Montand. The program was rebroadcast after Montand's passing in 1991.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations
Studs and guest Helene Rosenberg discuss the life and career of French singer-actor Yves Montand. The program was rebroadcast after Montand's passing in 1991.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations
The Irish actress joins Studs to discuss some of her roles and to perform some dramatic readings.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations