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Contrary to what some people believe, Zero Mostel says that being an actor is not that easy of a job. Everything one knows, Mostel explains, becomes apart of who you are. The more one knows, the better his/her work will be.
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.
Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. 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. In a surprising twist, Marlon Brando asks Studs Terkel why he is so obsessed with asking people so many questions and Terkel’s reply was curiosity.
French actor and mime Marcel Marceau discusses the art of pantomime and many of his performances including "The Overcoat" by Gogol and "The Mask Maker". Marceau also discusses the history of pantomime, his inspirations, and how he came to be a mime.
Ethel Merman, American musical theater performer, discusses her experiences as an actor and singer.
Jonathan Miller discusses English society and class post WW2 and his TV movie Alice in Wonderland; part 1.
Jonathan Miller discusses English society and class post WW2 and his TV movie Alice in Wonderland; part 2.
Studs speaks to actress Peggy Nelson, playwright Arnaud d'Usseau, and student Olivier Bernier while he is in France. [Part 2 includes Yves Montand.]
Actor Robert Morley discusses his career and autobiography, "Robert Morley: A Reluctant Autobiography;" part 1.