Robert del Tredici photographer, artist, and author discusses the history of nuclear weapon production plants around the United States and the effects of nuclear radiation.
Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.
Director Steven Robman and actor Brian Dennehy discuss their play "Rat in the Skull". Brian Dennehy performs a passage from Rat in the Skull.
Musicians Jerry Fuller, Jeff Bradetich, and Judi Bradetich discuss their careers and recently released works such as Fuller's Songs, Dances and Fantasy, and Bradetich's latest work, Broadway for All the Hear. Pieces from both of these works are performed during the interview, including Broadway pieces from Cabaret, West Side Story, and music highlighting the double bass's sounds.
Lino Chavez and his Mexican Folk Ensemble discuss, through a translator, Mexican culture and music and perform their song "El Jarabe" at 2:50, "El Tilingo" at 13:50, "Maria Chuchena" at 23:05, "El Cascabel" at 29:31, "La Bamba" at 38:39, and "El Ahualulco" at 47:55. These songs have been removed from this recording.
Writer and critic Walter Kerr discusses his book "The Silent Clowns," about the film era's greats including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Raymond Griffith, and Harry Langdon. Studs begins by reading an excerpt from James Agee's "Death in the Family" with music in the background followed by Kerr reading from his book. They begin talking about how silent films affected the audience, lesser known stars Lloyd Hamilton and Charley Chase, and then analyze several famous Charlie Chaplin scenes to assess the complex nature of his characters.
Interviewing Polish singer Ewa Demarczyk on her career as a multilingual poet singer.
The originator of the Roots ‘N’ Blues series and Grammy winner and nominee Lawrence Cohn discusses his latest work which focuses on the life and times of blues and the musicians that helped the genre become what it is today.
South African Catholic priest Father Basil van Rensburg and Peter Walshe discuss their fights against apartheid. Rensburg pursued his fight through a hunger strike, and Walshe discusses the government's stance on apartheid and religion.
Author Carl Vigeland discusses his latest book, a portrait of the 1986-1987 concert season of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Vigeland focuses on the nexus between art, business, and music, seen through the tense relationship between Kennedy Center Honoree conductor Seiji Ozawa and principal trumpeter Charles Schlueter.