Seasons & episodes

S20 · E8Sketches of Frank Gehry 2006-09-27 · 86 min＋

Frank Gehry loves to sketch. It is the beginning of his architectural process. From Gehry’s sketches flow the models, one after another, each a refinement, that will eventually become finished buildings unlike any others in the architectural world. It is this sketch quality, what he calls the “tentativeness, the messiness,” that Gehry clings to as a way of guarding against formula or repetition. And it is this sketch quality that Sydney Pollack was so keen to explore in the film SKETCHES OF FRANK GEHRY.

S20 · E9Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens 2007-01-03 · 79 min＋

This film traces the artistic self-realization of Annie Leibovitz, from childhood through the death of her beloved friend, Susan Sontag, and includes snippets of Leibovitz's last visual memories of Sontag. The film traces the arc of her photographic life, her aspirations to artistry, and the trajectory of her career through phases that included the tumultuous sixties in Berkeley, CA., touring with the Rolling Stones, a mentorship by Hunter S. Thompson, and, later, capturing the last candid moments of John Lennon's life with Yoko Ono. It closes with her reflections on life, children, and the the wake of her relationship with Sontag. The archival material presented here is invaluable for framing an understanding of this immeasurably influential visual artist.

S21 · E1Novel Reflections on the American Dream 2007-04-04 · 90 min＋

Contemporary scholars and novelists give fresh perspectives on some of the great American written works of the 20th century.

S21 · E2Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built 2007-04-11 · 90 min＋

How Ahmet Ertegun built a recording industry empire in the decades after World War II.

S21 · E3Les Paul: Chasing Sound 2007-07-11 · 90 min＋

The musical career and startling technical innovations of a 20th century guitar and sound recording master.

S21 · E4David Hockney: The Colors of Music 2007-07-18 · 90 min＋

The story of an internationally renowned production and set designer for the greatest opera houses in the world, a music lover who is going deaf.

S21 · E5John James Audubon: Drawn From Nature 2007-07-25 · 90 min＋

A documentary on the wildlife art of an early American naturalist who achieved long-lasting acclaim.

S21 · E6Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends 2007-09-12 · 90 min＋

The musical career of one of America's most enduring popular singers.

S21 · E7Orozco: Man of Fire 2007-09-19 · 90 min＋

A portrait of the dramatic work of a Mexican-born muralist and artist, Jose Clemente Orozco, as he made his mark on the United States.

S21 · E8Good Ol' Charles Schulz 2007-10-29 · 90 min＋

The motivations behind the man who created one of America's most beloved comic strips.

S21 · E9Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character 2007-11-05 · 90 min＋

The career of funny woman Carol Burnett, from Broadway to television stardom.

S22 · E1Pete Seeger: The Power of Song 2008-02-27 · 90 min＋

The folk music of a world-famous performer as interested in social change as in the history of American roots music.

S22 · E2Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun 2008-04-09 · 90 min＋

A recounting of the versatile and controversial work of one of the most flamboyant African-American writers from the first half of the 20th century.

S22 · E3Marvin Gaye: What's Going On 2008-05-07 · 90 min＋

An in-depth profile of the talented but troubled star who brought more contemporary issues to soul music.

S22 · E4You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet (1923-1935) 2008-09-23 · 90 min＋

Clint Eastwood narrates the history of Warner Bros., which opens with "You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet (1923-35)," about the studio's first years, when its biggest star was Rin Tin Tin. Also remembered is its move into gritty fare, featuring James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck, and its musicals. Included: "The Jazz Singer," "Public Enemy," "42nd Street," "Baby Face" and "Little Caesar"; interviews with Busby Berkeley, Alfred Hitchcock, Robinson and William Wellman.

S22 · E5You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950) 2008-09-23 · 90 min＋

"Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-50)" focuses on how Warner Bros. responded to the Great Depression and World War II, when such stars as Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis and Errol Flynn graced its pictures. Also: the post-war film noirs are explored. Included: "Casablanca," "Now, Voyager," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "Kings Row" and "White Heat"; interviews with James Cagney, Howard Hawks, Ronald Reagan and Alexis Smith. Clint Eastwood narrates.

S22 · E6You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: A New Reality (1950-1970) 2008-09-24 · 90 min＋

"A New Reality (1950-70)" details how Warner Bros. fought back against TV with such innovations as CinemaScope and 3-D, as well as with such new stars as Doris Day and James Dean. Also: how a battle between Jack and Harry Warner changed the studio's direction. Included: "A Streetcar Named Desire," "East of Eden," "Cool Hand Luke," "A Face in the Crowd" and "My Fair Lady"; interviews with Warren Beatty, Elia Kazan, Kim Hunter, Arthur Penn and Carroll Baker. Clint Eastwood narrates.

"Woodstock Notions (1970-89)" recalls the creative renaissance of Warner Bros. during the 1970s and '80s. Included: "Mean Streets," "The Exorcist," "Superman: The Movie," "The Shining" and "Body Heat"; interviews with Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson and Robert Redford. Eastwood narrates.

"The Big Tent (1980-Present)" chronicles the success of Warner Bros. during the 1980s, '90s and 2000s, including Clint Eastwood's Oscar winners, "The Matrix" franchise and the Harry Potter films. Included: "The Color Purple," "Unforgiven," "Mystic River," "Michael Clayton" and "The Departed"; interviews with Tim Burton, George Clooney, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Eastwood narrates

An intimate portrait of the four Warner brothers and their rise to movie-making greatness.

S23 · E1Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About 2009-02-18 · 90 min＋

The work of the American dance pioneer and choreographer who brought ballet techniques to the Broadway stage.

S23 · E2Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts 2009-04-08 · 90 min＋

Scott Hicks' acclaimed 2007 film on a year in the life of the modern experimental composer.

S23 · E3Hollywood Chinese 2009-05-27 · 90 min＋

From the first Chinese-American film produced in 1916, to Ang Lee's triumphant Brokeback Mountain nine decades later, this films brings together a group of actors, writers, directors -- and iconic film images -- to examine Chinese contributions to an industry that was often ignorant and dismissive about race. Such artists as Wayne Wang, Joan Chen, David Henry Hwang, Nancy Kwan and Amy Tan share their experiences of being "the other." These stories and film clips from more than 90 films -- some dating back to the 1890s -- weave a rich tapestry and complex history.

S23 · E4Neil Young: Don't Be Denied 2009-06-10 · 90 min＋

The work of the legendary rock musician and his artistic and intellectual transitions over the decades.