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American-British actress Margaret Webster, talks about the unsophisticated audience members that go to see plays by Shakespeare. Upon seeing a play, they're afraid to go at first but once they are there, they realize how much they are truly enjoying themselves.
Terkel interviews Welsh actor/writer/dramatist Emlyn Williams.
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.
Part Two of this engrossing interview sees Spinetti elaborate on characters from Joan Littlewood's production of "Oh, What A Lovely War!" in England. Includes a reading of "The English Seaside in High Summer" and an a capella performance of the musical's Act I closer, "Good-bye-ee!", both by Spinetti.
Discussing Bertolt Brecht's "A man's a man."
Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.
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!".
Studs interviews Barbara Cook about her work in musical theater from Broadway to opera. Cook speaks about the composers and writers she has worked with. She explains some of her songs such as “Ice Cream” and “Grass Harp” and describes her first Carnegie concert. Studs quotes Leonard Bernstein, who speaks to Cook’s talent. Cook describes how she went from Broadway to opera and shares how she chooses the songs that she performs. She discusses the art of her talent. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.
Austrian actress Helene Thimig-Reinhardt discusses her origins and reflects on a long acting career. As the widow of Max Reinhardt, much of the discussion touches on his work as a theater director, film director, and impresario. 00:50:30- 00:52:29 "Ich Muss Wieder Einmal in Grinzing Sein" by Lotte Lehmann