Seasons & episodes
S17 · E8The Education of Gore Vidal 2003-07-30 · 90 min
A spotlight on the eclectic and often humorous American writer and his many accomplishments.
S18 · E1Arthur Miller, Elia Kazan and the Blacklist 2003-09-03 · 90 min
The dispute between one of America's most influential playwrights and a respected movie director over actions taken during the "red scare" of the 1950s.
S18 · E2James Brown: Soul Survivor 2003-10-29 · 90 min
The highs and lows of the life of James Brown, the colorful and controversial "Godfather of Soul".
S18 · E3Cary Grant: A Class Apart 2004-01-07 · 90 min
“Eternally elegant” screen superstar Cary Grant (1904-86) is profiled. Included are clips from his films and interviews with ex-wife Betsy Drake and widow Barbara Grant. There are also comments from biographers and film critics, and costars Eva Marie Saint and Martin Landau. Helen Mirren is the narrator, and Jeremy Northam provides the voice of Grant.
S18 · E4Balanchine 2004-01-14 · 90 min
A retrospective on the life and work of George Balanchine, a founder of American ballet.
S18 · E5Judy Garland: By Myself 2004-02-25 · 90 min
A detailed examination of the celebrated vocalist's career, from her amazing successes to her self-doubts and personal problems.
S18 · E6Henry Luce and Time-Life's America: A Vision of Empire 2004-04-28 · 90 min
No episode summary available yet.
S18 · E7Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues 2004-06-23 · 90 min
The brief but impressive career of the man most responsible for defining what is modern "country music".
S18 · E8Julia! America's Favorite Chef 2004-08-18 · 57 min
Through an interview with Julia herself, filmed in her fabled kitchen, and rare images from the photo collection of Paul Child and from family photo albums, Julia Child is revealed as few have seen her before in this tribute and testament to a great American icon.
S19 · E1James Dean: Sense Memories 2005-05-11 · 90 min
The brief but bright career of the cinema star who inspired an entire generation.
S19 · E2Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice 2005-06-29 · 90 min
A profile of the musical group of African-American women who uniquely blend many cultural and historical themes in their work.
S19 · E3George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey 2005-07-13 · 90 min
The life of the famous movie director as told through the eyes of his son (who is also a director).
S19 · E4Bob Newhart: Unbuttoned 2005-07-20 · 90 min
A chronicle of the famed comic's life and success, from humble accountant to world-famous funny man.
S19 · E5Willa Cather: The Road is All 2005-09-07 · 90 min
An analyis of the writings of the early 20th century prairie writer and the inner conflicts they exposed.
S19 · E6Ernest Hemingway: Rivers to the Sea 2005-09-14 · 90 min
The famous author and his colorful life as told through his writings, letters, and interviews with family and scholars.
S19 · E7Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (1) 2005-09-26 · 90 min
A journey through the poetry and music of Bob Dylan.
S19 · E8Bob Dylan: No Direction Home (2) 2005-09-27 · 90 min
No episode summary available yet.
S20 · E1John Ford/John Wayne: The Filmmaker and the Legend 2006-05-10 · 90 min
John Ford and John Wayne — a friendship and professional collaboration that spanned 50 years, changed each others’ lives, changed the movies, and in the process, changed the way America saw itself. It was a relationship that reflected all the elements and all the paradoxes of 20th century America — generosity of spirit, abuse of power, a sense of loyalty, and a restless nationalism that didn’t quite know what to do with itself.
S20 · E2The World of Nat King Cole 2006-05-17 · 90 min
Archival performances, home movies and interviews illustrate singer Nat King Cole's achievements during a 30-year music and television career.
S20 · E3Woodie Guthrie: Ain't Got No Home 2006-07-12 · 90 min
The life and times of the hard traveling music-man Woody Guthrie.
S20 · E4Marilyn Monroe: Still Life 2006-07-19 · 90 min
No episode summary available yet.
S20 · E5Walter Cronkite: Witness to History 2006-07-26 · 90 min
Walter Cronkite was the man who gave us the news for two tumultuous decades in the late 20th century. As historian, journalist and author David Halberstam says in praise of the great CBS newsman: "Most Americans really learned of the evening news and learned of Vietnam and learned of the civil rights movement and learned of Watergate with Walter Cronkite as the man who ushered it into their homes. And did it with great professionalism over a very long time and was I think absolutely true to himself." In AMERICAN MASTERS Walter Cronkite: Witness to History, a documentary narrated by Katie Couric, historians, fellow journalists and CBS colleagues appraise the career of the man who was called "the most trusted man in America." CBS writer and commentator Andy Rooney, legendary producer/director Don Hewitt, correspondents Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Lesley Stahl and Barbara Walters, columnists Molly Ivins and Helen Thomas, Senator John McCain and President Jimmy Carter guide the viewer from Cronkite's early days as a foreign correspondent in World War II through his thirty-year career at CBS News.
S20 · E6Andy Warhol: A Documentary (Part 1) 2006-09-20 · 113 min
Ric Burns' absorbing profile of Andy Warhol (1928-87) traces the pop icon's rise from poverty to an artist who, said art critic Dave Hickey, “changed the world”.
S20 · E7Andy Warhol: A Documentary (Part 2) 2006-09-21 · 115 min
Ric Burns' absorbing profile of Andy Warhol (1928-87) traces the pop icon's rise from poverty to an artist who, said art critic Dave Hickey, “changed the world”.