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- She was a writer at a time when writers were celebrities and their recklessness was admired Lillian Hellman was a smoker, a drinker, a lover, and a fighter. Hellman maintained a social and political life as large and restless as her talent
- 1985– TV-148.8 (65)TV EpisodeThroughout his career, Truman Capote remained one of America's most controversial and colorful authors, combining literary genius with a penchant for the glittering world of high society.
- For more than 30 years, Lucille Ball was one of the most recognized and loved entertainers in the world. Known to all simply as Lucy, she portrayed a scatterbrained housewife with the ability to turn simple chores into humorous disasters.
- Unlike the intellectualized mysteries of earlier detective novels, Hammett's less-than-glamorous realism transformed the genre into a serious response to the urban culture of the times.
- Actress Judy Garland tells her own story through recordings she made while preparing to write her autobiography.
- The journey and legacy of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku, who broke swimming records and popularized modern-day surfing while overcoming racism.
- 1985– 3h 28mNot Rated8.4 (12K)TV EpisodeA chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star.
- He was the man who told us that President Kennedy had been shot, the man who told us that we had put a man on the moon, and the man who told us that we couldn't win the war in Vietnam. For 20 years he anchored the evening news on CBS.
- A profile of journalist Edward R. Murrow recalling his live radio broadcasts and TV programs.
- Explore the remarkable life and legacy of late feminist author Ursula K. Le Guin whose groundbreaking work, including "The Left Hand of Darkness," transformed American literature by bringing science fiction into the literary mainstream.
- 1985– TV-PG8.4 (157)TV EpisodeAt 10pm every Saturday night, in living rooms and bedrooms across the country, Americans watched The Carol Burnett Show. For 11 years, this wacky performer yelled like Tarzan and won our hearts, with her edgy always sympathetic characters.
- A look at the life and work of author Amy Tan.
- Prior to the 1960s, there were virtually no outlets for the wealth of black theatrical talent in America. Playwrights writing realistically about the black experience could not get their work produced.
- 1985– 2h 30mTV-148.3 (107)TV EpisodeEugene O'Neill was one of the greatest playwrights in American history. Through his experimental and emotionally probing dramas, he addressed the difficulties of human society with a deep psychological complexity.
- Through playwright Arthur Miller and director Elia Kazan, the film explores the blacklist: its origins, the key agents of the Red Scare, and the damage done not only to those subpoenaed, but to America's political system as well.
- 1985– TV-148.3 (14)TV EpisodeWhen Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs met in New York City in the 1940's, they had no intention of starting a social revolution. According to Ginsberg, "We were just trying to propose our own souls to ourselves."
- Even in her eighties, the legendary Lena Horne has a quality of timelessness about her. Elegant and wise, she personifies both the glamour of Hollywood and the reality of a lifetime spent battling racial and social injustice.
- 1985– 1h 57mTV-148.2 (152)TV EpisodeLeonard Bernstein was a major force in twentieth century music. His exuberant and dramatic style caught the heart of America, bringing classical music to thousands of people from diverse backgrounds.
- 1985– 1h 27mTV-148.2 (106)TV Episode"American Masters - Raúl Juliá: The World's a Stage" is a Special Presentation of American Masters and VOCES. Produced by Latino PBS, VOCES is an acclaimed PBS documentary series featuring the best Latino arts, culture and history.
- Explore the lives and trailblazing careers of six iconic African-American entertainers; Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier; who changed American culture through their films, fashion, music and politics.
- The life and work of neurologist and storyteller Oliver Sacks, whose work redefined people's understanding of the brain.
- 1985– TV-148.2 (36)TV EpisodeDive into the career of the legendary blues guitarist, a pioneer of Chicago's West Side sound and major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Featuring new performances and interviews with Carlos Santana and more.
- This film illuminates the phenomenon behind Lee's first and only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the 1962 film version, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Offering an unprecedented look into Lee's mysterious life.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-PG8.2 (104)TV EpisodeWith unprecedented access to Norman Lear, his work and his massive personal archives, this documentary combines stories from his turbulent childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success and social activism.
- American Masters looks at one of the most prolific entertainers in history; Bing Crosby. The special looks into his family life and into a career that spanned decades over film, music, and live entertainment.
- 1985– 1h 47mTV-PG8.2 (68)TV EpisodeRic Burns' film on the 75-year history of the preeminent ballet company combines rehearsal footage, virtuoso performances and interviews with ABT's key figures.
- Examine the dramatic life of writer/activist Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple. Her story is told, and includes interviews with Steven Spielberg, Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, Howard Zinn, Gloria Steinem, Sapphire and Walker herself.
- 1985– TV-148.2 (50)TV EpisodeThe life and work of playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry, and her role in the civil rights movement.
- 1985– 1h 55mTV-PG8.2 (83)TV EpisodeThis episode page reflects the reshowing of the original title Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2019) as part of the American Masters Series
- An updated version of Mary McDonagh Murphy's documentary - Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (2010). Renamed and originally aired on American Masters season 26 as 'Harper Lee: Hey, Boo' (2012).
- This inspiring new documentary provides an intimate and unprecedented look into the remarkable life of Itzhak Perlman, widely considered the world's greatest violinist.
- In the 1960's, Paul Simon's moving lyric "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was an anthem for a generation. With Art Garfunkel he made moving testaments to the times, fusing folk and rock music.
- 1985– 2h 35mTV-148.1 (226)TV EpisodeBrilliant pioneer of the feature film and discoverer of Hollywood - yet some say he single-handedly re-awakened the Ku Klux Klan.
- 1985– 1h 37mTV-148.1 (92)TV EpisodeTennessee Williams was brilliant and prolific, he was also troubled and self-destructive, an abuser of alcohol and drugs. He was awarded four Drama Critic Circle Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- A contrarian and wickedly funny man, "The Education of Gore Vidal" explores Vidal's extraordinary life and work, joining him at his cliff-side villa in Ravello, Italy.
- 1985– 2hTV-148.1 (99)TV EpisodeRichard Rodgers' contributions to the musical theatre were extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary He was the recipient of countless awards, including Pulitzers, Tonys, Oscars, and Grammys
- Edited version of an 89 minute UK documentary on the life of the singer with recollections from family, friends, and famous fans.
- A profile of writer-director Billy Wilder.
- The life and legacy of Helen Keller, including how she used her celebrity to advocate for human rights and social justice for women, the poor and people with disabilities.
- 1985– 1h 25mTV-148.1 (150)TV EpisodeHome movies, film clips, and interviews provide insight into the remarkable life and career of jazz trumpeter and bandleader Louis Armstrong.
- 1985– 1h 41mUnrated8.1 (136)TV Episode58MetascoreA musical journey tracing the lives and careers of James Taylor and Carole King, pillars of the California singer/songwriter scene, which converged in and around LA's Troubadour Club in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- 1985– 55mTV-148.1 (77)TV EpisodeA documentary about the life and films of actress Lillian Gish.
- Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the "Moynihan Report," President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty.
- Discover the story of chef Jacques Pépin, a young immigrant with movie-star looks, a charming Gallic accent, and a mastery of cooking and teaching so breathtaking he became an American food icon.
- 1985– 1h 2mTV-148.0 (97)TV EpisodeDanny Kaye was a great American entertainer with an enormous creative range, encompassing dance, popular song, classical music, complicated verse, impersonation and improvisation, which melded together into an utterly unique style.
- 1985– 1h 27mTV-148.0 (224)TV EpisodeProfiles the life and work of author/civil rights activist, James Baldwin.
- Cukor was an American film director. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. Noted films include What Price Hollywood? (1932), A Bill of Divorcement (1932), Our Betters (1933), and Little Women (1933)
- 1985– 1hTV-148.0 (119)TV EpisodeComprised of interviews with Poe scholars, dramatic sequences, and an adaptation of "The Cask of Amontillado", this documentary covers the life of Edgar Allen Poe thoroughly from a number of perspectives.
- George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn in 1898, the second of four children from a close-knit immigrant family. He began his musical career as a song-plugger on Tin Pan Alley, but was soon writing his own pieces.
- They call him the "genius" and they call him the "father of soul." With perfect pitch and an expressive voice, he combines jazz, country, rhythm and blues, and gospel to break your heart or make you dance. His name is Ray Charles.
- American Masters explores the life and career of Cary Grant (born Archie Leach) with celebrity interviews.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-148.0 (93)TV EpisodeThis uplifting musical doc explores the powerful legacy of the beloved African-American female acapella group as they embark on their 30th anniversary tour.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-148.0 (100)TV EpisodeCather had the great good fortune to have lived among the first generation of white settlers in 1880's Nebraska, and she gives witness to their time and place in such a way that American literature will never forget them.
- Julia was a larger-than-life figure who revolutionized the way that Americans ate, talked, and thought about food. She was warm, completely unpretentious and embraced life with an ease and humor that was infectious and irresistible.
- 1985– 1hUnrated8.0 (118)TV EpisodeThe definitive documentary on the life and work of Martha Graham.
- Explores Monroe as the icon of the 20th century via photography, perhaps, her greatest "love affair".
- 1985– TV-148.0 (172)TV EpisodeAhmet Ertegun created a new genre of music that combined the African-American music of 1940s Washington, D.C., with the European sensibility.
- 1985– 1h 23mTV-148.0 (121)TV EpisodeAuthor Zora Neale Hurston died in poverty in 1960 but today her novels are read throughout the world. Her controversial life story is explored in this biopic.
- Director and music journalist Cameron Crowe creates a definitive portrait of the seminal band carved from never-before-seen footage, recent band interviews, and concert footage.
- 1985– 1h 55mNot Rated8.0 (693)TV EpisodeOver the course of 30 years, 4,531 episodes and 23,000 guests, he became a fixture of national life. Johnny Carson: King of Late Night explores his life, career, and complexities.
- This documentary looks back to the 12-year-old southern California girl who played tennis on public courts, observed disparity and unfairness and, as she soared athletically, never stopped trying to remedy both.
- Rare home movies, performances and photos help illustrate the life and career of songwriter-singer Carole King, from 1960s New York to Los Angeles in the 1970s to extensive present-day interviews with King and and those who know her best.
- Film legend Sidney Lumet (1924-2011) tells his own story in a never-before-seen interview shot in 2008. With candor, humor and grace, Lumet reveals what matters to him as an artist and as a human being.
- With access to Wyeth's family members, and never-before-seen archival materials from the family's personal collection and of Wyeth's studies, drawings and paintings, American Masters presents the most complete portrait of the artist yet.
- A tribute to director William Wyler consisting of interviews and excerpts from his many classic films.
- 1985– 1h 55mTV-147.9 (101)TV EpisodeTelevision and radio pioneer Jack Paar has been called the most imitated personality in broadcasting. He virtually created the late-night talk show format as the host of The Tonight Show, one of televisions longest running programs.
- 1985– 1h 45mTV-G7.9 (282)TV EpisodeA film about the career and methods of the master silent comedy filmmaker.
- 1985– 55mTV-147.9 (155)TV EpisodeThe actor discusses his life and career, with recollections from friends and colleagues.
- 1985– 1hTV-147.9 (121)TV EpisodeMan Ray, the master of experimental and fashion photography was also a painter, a filmmaker, a poet, an essayist, a philosopher, and a leader of American modernism. Known for documenting the cultural elite living in France.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.9 (85)TV EpisodeA nice summary of the work of Merce Cunningham, with beautiful clips from old and new dances and an explanation of the way in which he has and continues to revolutionize dance.
- 1985– 51mTV-147.9 (106)TV EpisodeMuddy Waters is the archetypal blues-man. He was raised as a sharecropper in the Mississippi Delta, where he learned to play an acoustic guitar. He went to Chicago in 1943, and the band he assembled established the electric blues sound.
- Considered one of the greatest jazz composers of all time, Duke Ellington had an enormous impact on the popular music of the late 20th century. Today his recordings remain among the most popular jazz of the big-band era.
- 1985– 1h 32mTV-147.9 (271)TV EpisodeA profile of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, and how her music evolved from personal folk into pop, jazz and avant-garde.
- "The most important singer to emerge from the bop era." Ella Fitzgerald called her the world's "greatest singing talent." During a career of nearly 50 years, she was the singer's singer, influencing everyone from Mel Torme to Anita Baker.
- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's life, her works, and the themes she confronted throughout her literary career.
- 1985– 2hTV-147.9 (110)TV EpisodeJerome Wilson Rabinowitz was born in New York on October 11, 1918 and raised in Weehawken, New Jersey. Deprived of a college education by the Depression, he began his career as a dancer in the experimental troupe of Gluck Sandor.
- Pete Seeger helped introduce America to its own musical heritage, devoting his life to using the power of song as a force for social change. With his deeply-held beliefs, Pete went from the top of the pop charts to the top of the blacklist
- 1985– 1h 33mTV-147.9 (55)TV EpisodeBrian Wilson of The Beach Boys reminisces about his career with Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine.
- For much of the 20th century, Sandburg was synonymous with the American experience, a spokesman and writer on behalf of the people.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.9 (80)TV EpisodeConsidered by many to be the greatest jazz vocalist of all time, Billie Holiday lived a tempestuous and difficult life. Her singing expressed an incredible depth of emotion that spoke of hard times and injustice as well as triumph.
- In 60-years in show business, he has earned more awards than any other living entertainer. A comedy giant of our time, Melvin Kaminsky developed his aggressively funny personality on the streets of Brooklyn, and the Catskill Mountains, before landing a writers job on the legendary "Your Show of Shows". The first "2000 Year Old Man" album, recorded with Carl Reiner in the early '60s, unleashed his wacky mind on the world. His brazen satirical film "The Producers" won the 1968 Oscar for best screenplay and such cult classics as "Blazing Saddles", "Young Frankenstein", and "High Anxiety" followed. Brooks has never participated in a biography before and requested that his friends not talk about him - until now - making this film a genuine first.
- 1985– 1h 52mTV-PG7.9 (135)TV EpisodeHer photo Migrant Mother is one of the most recognized images in the world, a portrait that came to represent America's Great Depression. Few know the story, struggles and body of work of the woman who created the portrait: Dorothea Lange.
- 1985– 1h 45mTV-147.9 (61)TV EpisodeThis episode page reflects the reshowing of the original title Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015) as part of the American Masters Series
- Pasty Cline defined modern country music by using her singular talent and heart-wrenching emotional depth to break down barriers of gender, class and genre. In her life she set a standard of authenticity towards which artists still strive.
- 1985– 57mTV-147.9 (138)TV EpisodeTed Williams, the iconic Hall of Fame hitter, fighter pilot and fisherman, will have his life profiled in the renowned American Masters Documentary series on PBS in a documentary that will premiere in the summer of 2018.
- A look at the life and career of Bob Hope.
- The multi-faceted career of pioneering Chinese-American artist Tyrus Wong who overcame prejudice and racism to inspire other Asian-Americans and innovate the craft of movie storyboarding.
- Using film clips and photos, the art and history of vaudeville (1890-1930s) is illustrated.
- 1985– 56mTV-147.8 (145)TV EpisodeBiographical portrait of one of Broadway's most brilliant songwriters. Told through the use of archival material and interviews with the rich and famous that knew him, this portrait concentrates on his career and his public life events.
- Paul Robeson was an exceptional athlete, actor, singer, cultural scholar, author, and political activist. His talents made him a revered man of his time, yet his radical political beliefs all but erased him from popular history.
- 1985– 1h 37mTV-147.8 (581)TV EpisodeFamed and beloved actor Gregory Peck candidly delves into conversation and reflection about his on-screen roles and off-screen life.
- 1985– 55mTV-147.8 (113)TV EpisodeWith its concentration of theaters and publishing houses, New York became the center of the music world and at the center of New York was a small area called Tin Pan Alley where musicians would play their songs for publishers.
- 1985– TV-147.8 (102)TV EpisodeWith clarinet in hand, Benny Goodman was transformed from a child in Chicago's impoverished Jewish ghetto into the king of swing, greeted with near pandemonium wherever his band played.
- 1985– 1h 58mTV-147.8 (262)TV EpisodeGoldwyn's story is a pioneer story, a folk story, a movie fantasy that came true; it is a story about creativity, ambition, money, drive - about a time in America when there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
- 1985– 1h 25mTV-147.8 (377)TV EpisodeA documentary on Gene Kelly.
- 1985– 4hTV-147.8 (423)TV Episode86MetascoreRic Burns unearths rarely seen footage and offers keen observations on the life and artistic influence of Andy Warhol.
- 1985– TV-147.8 (40)TV EpisodeThe life and career of jazz trumpeter Doc Severinsen, leader of the band for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," who continued a schedule of touring and performing into his 90's.
- A look at Buster Keaton, an early star of film comedies.
- 1985– TV-147.8 (42)TV EpisodeDiscover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. Watch rare archival footage and hear audio recordings exploring her life and career.
- Follows the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York's Greenwich Village folk music.
- 1985– TV-PG7.8 (56)TV EpisodeUnprecedented access to Wilson's theatrical archives, rarely seen interviews and new dramatic readings bring to life his seminal 10-play cycle chronicling a century of African-American life.
- Filmmaker Shane Salerno reveals Salinger's private world: how WW II influenced his life and work, his painstaking writing methods, his many relationships with young women, and the literary secrets he left behind after his death.
- 1985– 1h 53mNot Rated7.8 (111)TV EpisodeSinger-songwriter Loretta Lynn balances family and a music career that has spanned 50 years.
- Singer, dancer, activist and writer Maya Angelou inspired generations with boundary-pushing African-American writings. Trace her incredible journey as she unwraps untold aspects of her life with rare footage, photographs and her own words.
- 1985– 1hTV-147.7 (105)TV EpisodeAretha Franklin's recording career is examined through archival footage and interviews with family and prominent figures within the music industry.
- 1985– 1h 25mNot Rated7.7 (137)TV EpisodeThe dramatic story of eminent photographer Edward S. Curtis and the creation of his monumental portfolio of Native American images. Descendants of his photographic subjects tell stories about the photos and reveal their meaning to Indian people today.
- 1985– 1h 27mTV-147.7 (449)TV EpisodeThroughout his career as an actor and a filmmaker, Clint Eastwood has practiced a policy of alternation, seldom repeating a tone, a character, or a genre two films in a row.
- Profile of the life and music of the legendary reggae singer.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.7 (240)TV EpisodeThe life and career of the renowned television writer and creator of the classic science fiction series, "The Twilight Zone."
- Documentary on physicist Albert Einstein which chronicles the experiences that led him to become a great advocate for world peace.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-147.7 (82)TV EpisodeHe's been instrumental in shaping both country and pop music, yet his appeal crosses all social and economic lines. Sometimes he's called an outlaw, though it is Willie Nelson who brings us together.
- Martin Scorsese's uniquely versatile vision has made him one of the cinema's most acclaimed directors. One whose relentless search for the furthest emotional reaches of his genre have led him to the center of the American psyche.
- 1985– TV-147.7 (110)TV EpisodeThe dreams that all came true for Scott Fitzgerald - once he was in his grave.
- The Juilliard School is a performing arts conservatory located in New York City. The school trains about 850 students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the world's leading drama, music and dance schools.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-147.7 (171)TV EpisodeLouisa May Alcott, author of 'Little Women,' leads a literary double life, writing under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard, an identity that remains until the 1940s.
- The life and career of the American cartoonist who created the Peanuts comic strip.
- When Marvin Gaye died in 1984, he left behind one of the great legacies in American music.
- 1985– 3h 48mTV-147.7 (301)TV EpisodeDocumentary about the first 85 years of Warner Bros. Studios, with scenes from hundreds of films that reflect the values, morals and attitudes of several generations, especially in the United States.
- Told in Young's own words, the film weaves hours of exclusive interviews with previously unseen performance footage from the star's own extensive collection.
- American Masters explores fifty years of folk legend and human rights activist Joan Baez
- A look at the period of time musician John Lennon and his family spent living in New York City during the 1970s.
- 1985– 3h 12mNot Rated7.7 (5.3K)TV EpisodeA documentary on Woody Allen that trails him on his movie sets and follows him back to Brooklyn as he visits his childhood haunts.
- John Cassavetes: born in New York City in 1929, by the time of his death in 1989, Cassavetes had directed 12 films, creating a body of work that addressed serious topics and paved the way for a more vibrant American cinema.
- American Masters: Roberta Flack follows the music icon from a piano lounge through her rise to stardom. From "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" to "Killing Me Softly," Flack's virtuosity was inseparable from her commitment to civil rights.
- 1985– TV-147.7 (25)TV EpisodeThis episode page reflects the reshowing of the original title Richard Linklater: Dream Is Destiny (2016) as part of the American Masters Series
- 1985– 1h 26mTV-147.6 (390)TV EpisodeWith Hitchcock's career just beginning and Selznick's on the decline, the final year of their collaboration would mark turning points in both men's lives.
- Mort Sahl revolutionized the world of stand-up comedy. But through it all, Mort Sahl has remained an unflinching critic of American politics, and he has never backed away from his beliefs.
- Virtuoso violinist Isaac Stern is one of the twentieth century's most renowned, celebrated and recorded musicians. He is widely recognized as an influential teacher, emissary, speaker, and humanitarian.
- Plácido Domingo is one of the most loved and listened to opera singers of the 20th century. More than nearly any other performer, Plácido Domingo has earned the respect and love of opera listeners throughout the world.
- 1985– 1h 25mTV-147.6 (147)TV EpisodeHear the story of Woody Guthrie's creative energy, personal imperfections and family tragedy.
- The Authorized biography of Les Paul, " The Wizard of Waukesha". The name Les Paul is synonymous with the electric guitar. As a player, inventor, and recording artist(Paul had two #1 hits with his wife Mary Ford), Paul has been and innovator from the early years of his life. In 1928, thirteen-year-old Les Paul borrowed a phonograph needle from the family Victrola, stuck it under the strings of his Sear Roebuck guitar, and wired the contraption to a telephone mike and two radio speakers, thus achieving not only amplification but a crude stereo effect. The pioneering young musician then went on to invent scores of ingenious recording techniques, including overdubbing and multi-track recorders, as well as the solid-body electric guitar at the heart of the rock and roll revolution. Still spry at age 90, Les Paul tells his own classic rags-to-riches story in a feature-length HD documentary-with a soundtrack of greatest hits from Bing Crosby, Chet Atkins, B.B. KIng, and rock legends Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney.
- 1985– 1h 27mNot Rated7.6 (168)TV EpisodeArchival footage, live performances, and interviews conducted by none other than Clint Eastwood depict the life and career of Tony Bennett.
- The life and career of groundbreaking writer, performer and subversive star Mae West. Over a career spanning eight decades, she broke boundaries and possessed creative and economic powers unheard of for a female entertainer in the 1930s.
- Among major living writers, Norman Mailer is perhaps the most well-known, both in the United States and internationally. No career in our literature has been at once so brilliant, varied, controversial, public, prolific and misunderstood.
- A documentary about American artist Norman Rockwell, featuring his biography accompanied with opinions by the artist's son, movie director Steven Spielberg, two of the artist's models, and art critics.
- The friendship between Emmy Award-winning television personality Dick Cavett and comic Groucho Marx, featuring footage of Marx's visits to "The Dick Cavett Show" and other rare recordings.
- David Geffen's far-reaching influence - as agent, manager, record industry mogul, Hollywood and Broadway producer, and philanthropist - has helped shape American popular culture for the past four decades. Notoriously press and camera-shy, Geffen reveals himself for the first time.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.6 (581)TV Episodethe Definitive documentary about the extraordinary life of the greatest guitarist of all time, features new performance footage, home movies and an archive of unearthed primary documents.
- This episode page reflects the re-showing of the original title A Letter to Elia (2010) as part of the American Masters Series
- A chronological look at The Doors, focusing on lead singer, Jim Morrison (1943-1971), from the formation of the band in 1965, it's first gigs, and first album, to Morrison's death, after years of alcohol and drug use.
- This episode page reflects the reshowing of the original title Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017) as part of the American Masters Series
- Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (The Trocks), an all-male company that for 45 years has offered audiences their passion for ballet classics mixed with exuberant comedy With every step they poke fun at their strictly gendered art form
- 1985– TV-147.5 (141)TV EpisodeThrough fifty-eight years of performing, thirteen Grammys and more than forty million records sold, she elevated swing, bebop, and ballads to their highest potential. She was, undeniably, the First Lady of Song.
- A 100th anniversary tribute to the famous virtuoso pianist, Arthur Rubinstein.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.5 (162)TV EpisodeSome of the most iconic portraits of the 20th and 21st centuries were taken by photographer Richard Avedon. For more than fifty years, Richards portraits have filled the pages of the country's finest magazines.
- Biography of Will Rogers, who, during the generation before World War Two, was one of America's best known journalists, movie actors, stage performers and international ambassadors of good will. The story is told through interviews, photographs, newsreel clips and excerpts from feature films in which he starred. Narrated by Edwin Newman.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.5 (211)TV EpisodeA documentary about the life of famed war photographer Robert Capa.
- "The Hardest-Working Man in Show Business," "Soul Brother Number One," "the Godfather of Soul," - in whatever guise, James Brown is unquestionably one of the most charismatic musical icons of the 20th century.
- 1985– 53mTV-PG7.5 (58)TV EpisodeThe life and times of radio commentator and syndicated newspaper gossip columnist Walter Winchell, who reached an audience of 50 million at his peak.
- The life and work of author Flannery O'Connor, featuring archival footage, newly discovered journals and interviews with Mary Karr, Tommy Lee Jones and Hilton Als.
- This film explores Calloway's musical beginnings and milestones in the context of the Harlem Renaissance and segregationist America. Leading one of the most popular African American big bands during the jazz and swing eras of the 1930s-40s
- Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper's most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for "Nighthawks" and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture.
- Tennis champion Althea Gibson (1927-2003) was the unlikely queen of the segregated tennis world in the 1950s. She was the first African American to play and win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open).
- Director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders spotlights 15 women who define contemporary American culture; included are Madeleine Albright, Margaret Cho, Edie Falco, Betsey Johnson, Alicia Keys, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez and Wendy Williams.
- 1985– TV-147.5 (15)TV EpisodeCo-founder of The Paris Review, George Plimpton (1927-2003) was a fascinated and fascinating journalist who lived fully, strangely and incredibly. With George Plimpton's own narration, the film includes extensive archival footage.
- This film takes the audience on a year-long ride with Joan Rivers in her 76th year of life; it peels away the mask of an iconic comedian, laying bare both the struggle and thrill of living life as a ground-breaking female performer.
- 1985– TV-147.4 (67)TV EpisodeIn 1968, CBS News forever changed the face of broadcast journalism with the premiere of '60 Minutes'. It was a revolution in television programming created by veteran newsman Don Hewitt (1922 - 2009).
- TV clips and highlights profile the 1960's comedy team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May.
- Documentary exploring the life and career of James Dean.
- 1985– TV-147.4 (566)TV EpisodeAnnie Leibovitz enrolled in the San Francisco Art Institute intent on studying painting. It was not until she traveled to Japan with her mother after her sophomore year that she discovered her interest in taking photographs.
- Quincy Jones is an American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and film producer. His career spans over 60 yrs in the entertainment industry with 80 Grammy Award nominations, 28 Grammys, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
- 1985– 1h 26mNot Rated7.4 (145)TV EpisodeWidely admired and regarded as 'a modern day Mark Twain', Garrison Keillor has established himself as one of the most popular personalities in the American entertainment industry.
- The man who would one day rank among the greatest choreographers in the history of ballet came to the United States in late 1933 following an early career throughout Europe.
- The life of activist and singer-songwriter Phil Ochs.
- 1985– TV-147.4 (75)TV EpisodeThe meteoric rise and legacy of Little Richard This portrait of the "King and Queen of Rock n Roll" explores his far-reaching influence, still felt in pop culture today and his advocacy for the rights of Black artists in the music industry
- This is a documentary about the life of conservative writer and founder of the National Review, William F. Buckley.
- The life and 50th-year of director Mike Nichols, one of only two people who have won Peabody, Emmy,Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
- 1985– TV-147.4 (76)TV EpisodeThe New Orleans rhythm and blues of Fats Domino helped aid integration in the South.
- 1985– TV-147.4 (50)TV EpisodeAn oral history of the Mount Rushmore of Country Music.
- 1985– 53mTV-PG7.4 (46)TV EpisodeToday's American food movement can be traced back to one man: cookbook author, journalist, television celebrity and teacher James Beard.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-147.4 (75)TV EpisodeThe life of noted American author and poet Edgar Allan Poe is examined in this PBS documentary.
- One of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, she had over 20 group shows scheduled for 1970 in addition to being chosen for a cover article in ArtForum Magazine.
- This episode page reflects the reshowing of the original title Basquiat: Rage to Riches (2017) as part of the American Masters Series
- 1985– 1h 54mNot Rated7.4 (3.3K)TV Episode76MetascoreMusicians, scholars, family and friends reflect on the life of jazzer Miles Davis to reveal the man behind the legend. Full access to Davis' estate provides rare footage and photos, outtakes from recording sessions and new interviews.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (92)TV EpisodeIn the summer of 1931, three young idealists, Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg, were inspired by a passionate dream of transforming the American theater.
- 1985– 1h 22mTV-147.3 (134)TV EpisodePlaywright Arthur Miller, director Volker Schlöndorff and actor Dustin Hoffman are seen creating the Roxbury Productions and Punch Productions teleplay Death of a Salesman (1985).
- 1985– 1h 13mTV-147.3 (349)TV EpisodeAbout the musician, poet and composer Lou Reed. The rebel who made rock and roll into avant garde.
- 1985– 1hTV-147.3 (121)TV EpisodeA leading acting teacher who trained some of the most famous performers of the stage and screen, Sanford Meisner was a founding member of the Group Theatre a leading force in the theater world of the 1930's.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.3 (96)TV EpisodeFew men can claim to have revolutionized their discipline. R. Buckminster Fuller revolutionized many. "Bucky" as he was known, was a designer, architect, poet, educator, engineer, philosopher, environmentalist, and, above all, humanitarian
- 1985– TV-147.3 (54)TV EpisodeWhen Katherine Anne Porter left her home state of Texas for New York, she brought with her the hard edge of a Western pioneer. Passionate and intelligent, it was this edge more than anything that made her name as a writer.
- 1985– 1h 16mTV-147.3 (261)TV EpisodeConsidered the father of the screwball comedy, Preston Sturges was recognized as one of the great early writers in Hollywood.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (100)TV EpisodeLong regarded as "the First Lady of American Theater," Helen Hayes earned international esteem and affection during a career that spanned more than eighty years on stage and in films, radio, and television.
- 1985– 55mTV-147.3 (89)TV EpisodeIn 1952, David Tudor sat down in front of a piano for four minutes and 33 seconds and did nothing. The piece 4'33" written by John Cage, is possibly the most famous and important piece in 20th century avant-garde.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (39)TV EpisodePlaywright, librettist, scriptwriter and outspoken LGBTQ activist Terrence McNally has long believed in the power of the arts to transform society and make a difference. The film lifts the curtain on the life, career and inspirations of the complicated and brilliant Emmy- and four-time Tony Award-winning writer.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (30)TV EpisodeThe life and career of Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony, founder and artistic director of the New World Symphony and conductor laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra.
- From the sexed-up Suzie Wong to the Kung Fu fighting Bruce Lee, American Masters tackles issues of race and representation in Hollywood.
- From painting to photos to collage, lithographs and set design, it seems artist David Hockney has done it all. The Colors of Music explores the painter's set designs while providing personal and career highlights.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (86)TV EpisodeSouthern-born, Chicago-raised and New York-made. She could play the guitar like nobody else - nobody. Discover the life, music and influence of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
- 1985– TV-147.3 (29)TV EpisodeSaarinen designed National Historic Landmarks such as St. Louis Gateway Arch and General Motors Technical Center and also modernist pedestal furniture. This influential American architect's life was cut short by his sudden death at age 51.
- 1985– 1h 25mTV-147.3 (59)TV EpisodeJames Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist behind the double helix as he confronts his complex legacy. With unprecedented access to Watson and his family, this film explores his life, achievements, controversies and contradictions.
- The complicated history of the American South and its music through the life of country star Charley Pride. Raised in segregated Mississippi, his journey shows the ways that artistic expression can triumph over prejudice and injustice.
- 1985– 1h 22mTV-147.2 (286)TV Episode59MetascoreThe life and work of Allen Ginsberg, the greatest of the Beat Generation poets is put in focus in this film
- 1985– TV-147.2 (207)TV EpisodeAn examination of the life and career of director George Lucas, including interviews with colleagues, cast and crew members from his films.
- 1985– 1h 28mTV-147.2 (123)TV EpisodeBiography of Alfred Stieglitz and his role in the early 20th century American art world.
- 1985– 1h 28mTV-147.2 (179)TV EpisodeThe authoritative documentary on Country Music's most influential figure.
- 1985– 53mTV-PG7.2 (108)TV EpisodeFollow Alice Waters through a year of shopping and cooking, and discover the vision of an artist and advocate, who has taken her gift for food and turned it into consciousness about the environment, nutrition and a device for social change.
- 1985– 1h 37mTV-147.2 (180)TV EpisodeJohn 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.
- The journey of one of the greatest choral music conductors in the world. With no formal training, Robert Shaw achieved success in popular music and later became legendary for his interpretations of classical music's choral masterpieces.
- Considered the greatest Mexican painter of the 20th century, Diego Rivera had a profound effect on the international art world. Rivera is credited with the reintroduction of fresco painting into modern art and architecture.
- 1985– TV-147.2 (56)TV EpisodeThe 70-year career of Rita Moreno, one of a select group of entertainers who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards.
- Theatrical producer and director Joe Papp establishes The Public Theater in Manhattan.
- 1985– TV-147.2 (55)TV EpisodeJohn Hammond was responsible for discovering many top talents in the music business. As a producer, writer, critic, and board member of the NAACP, he was credited as a major force in integrating the music business.
- 1985– TV-147.1 (142)TV EpisodeDocumentary about acclaimed screenwriter Waldo Salt.
- 1985– 1h 27mTV-147.1 (92)TV EpisodeNo matter where, what, or whom he was shooting, W. Eugene Smith drove himself relentlessly to create evocative portraits that revealed the essence of his subjects in a way that touched the emotions.
- 1985– 1h 23mPG-137.1 (1.6K)TV Episode71MetascoreA look at the life and work of the renown architect.
- 1985– TV-147.1 (45)TV EpisodeIn 1940, a young painter named Robert Motherwell came to New York City and joined a group of artists including Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko and Franz Kline - who set out to change the face of American painting.
- 1985– TV-147.1 (92)TV EpisodeBiography of John James Audubon (1785-1851), by the 1830's he was recognized as the foremost American naturalist The self-trained artist and naturalist, is best known for The Birds of America.
- A documentary capturing the life of Sam Cooke.
- Follow Dr. Anthony Fauci as he grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and his 50-year career as the nation's leading public health advocate.
- 1985– 1h 52mTV-147.0 (131)TV EpisodeThe film was to pays tribute to the musicians who formed the foundation of Sun Records and rock and roll. They may not have been famous, but they supported stars like Elvis and Johnny Cash.
- 1985– TV-147.0 (78)TV EpisodeFor the past fifty years, the Old Labor Stage on 44th street in New York City has been home to some of the most inventive acting, directing, and playwrighting in the country.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-147.0 (75)TV EpisodeOne of the most influential publishers of the 20th century, Henry Luce profoundly changed the media landscape. His involvement in politics and professional achievements have made Luce a household name in journalism.
- One of the major American architectural minds of the twentieth century, Philip Johnson has played an enormous role in both understanding and creating the urban skylines of the country.
- What the Stalin-stooges actually said at the time of the Hollywood Blacklist - spoken by some of today's greatest actors.
- Follow the 50-year career of preeminent First Amendment lawyer Floyd Abrams. See how his landmark cases-from the Pentagon Papers to Citizens United to Clearview AI-helped define free speech as it is known today.
- 1985– 1h 3mTV-147.0 (15)TV EpisodeExclusive interview with Mexican-American photographer Pedro E. Guerrero explores his life and work. He collaborated with iconic American artists of the 20th century, becoming one of the most sought-after photographers of the "Mad Men" era
- 1985– 1h 44mTV-146.9 (22)TV EpisodeA probing and in-depth portrait of violinist Yehudi Menuhin as a prodigy, musician, husband, father, and teacher.
- 1985– TV-PG6.9 (92)TV EpisodeAn unlikely author who helped shape American ideas of the frontier. A Midwestern farm woman who published her first novel at age 65, Laura Ingalls Wilder transformed her frontier childhood into the best-selling "Little House" series.
- Harold Clurman: A Life of Theatre profiles the career of celebrated director/producer Harold Clurman.
- This portrait of the magician Ricky Jay delves into the mysterious world of sleight-of-hand and its small circle of devotees. Jay is also a best-selling author, historian, actor and a leading collector of antiquarian books and artifacts.
- The artistry of violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz is examined with help from Itzhak Perlman, students, archival performances and home movies.
- 1985– 1h 24mTV-146.9 (40)TV EpisodeDiscover the man behind the award. A journalist who became a media mogul with an outspoken, cantankerous editorial voice and two best-selling newspapers, Joseph Pulitzer championed what he regarded as the sacred role of the free press in a democracy.
- 1985– 54mTV-146.8 (85)TV EpisodeMark Rothko, a master of abstract expressionism, created 835 paintings during his five-decade career.
- Between 1980-1990, Keith Haring became an art world celebrity and a pop culture icon with his distinctive and recognizable artwork style. We hear Haring's own words from previously unheard interviews recorded by John Gruen.
- 1985– 1h 32mTV-146.8 (46)TV EpisodeLe Clercq's friend describes the lack of respect the former ballerina was shown, most likely because she was in a wheelchair. Le Clercq used humor as a comeback to set the offender straight about her abilities.
- The baby boomer generation (1946-1964) has significantly and uniquely changed our world. 2014 marks an important shift in American culture, as the last boomers turn 50.
- 1985– 57mNot Rated6.7 (89)TV EpisodeThis profile of acting coach Stella Adler includes interviews with Adler and with colleagues, students, and friends, along with clips from her own acting performances as well as from her classes.
- 1985– TV-146.7 (78)TV EpisodeThe American novel is a powerful story. It unifies us, it motivates us, it gives meaning to our lives. It is a story assuring us that we can, indeed, define our own destiny. Yet, experience tells us there is another American story.
- Twyla Moves explores the life of dancer, director and choreographer Twyla Tharp. From historical footage to the present day, the film traces her influential career while providing an intimate look at her famously rigorous creative process.
- 1985– TV-146.7 (94)TV Episode
- Max Roach (1924-2007) - Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach, whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him.
- American Masters explores the life and career of Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning novelist Philip Roth.
- 1985– TV-146.7 (29)TV EpisodeThe mysterious life and mind of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet N. Scott Momaday, a formative voice of the Native American Renaissance in art and literature.
- An outspoken political activist and singer-songwriter, Holly Near's music and life story illustrate how song can have the power to send a clarion call and influence the course of social justice.
- 1985– TV-146.7 (29)TV EpisodeDiscover the life and work of Garry Winogrand, the epic storyteller in pictures who harnessed the serendipity of the streets to capture the American 1960s-70s. His "snapshot aesthetic" is now the universal language of contemporary image making.
- 1985– 56mTV-146.6 (221)TV EpisodeSurely one of the most profound and outrageous influences on the times following World War I, was the group of a dozen or so taste-makers who lunched together at New York City's Algonquin Hotel.
- 1985– 59mTV-146.6 (123)TV EpisodeAt age eleven, he had just begun to play the saxophone. At age twenty he was leading a revolution in modern jazz music. Today, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker is considered one of the great musical innovators of the 20th century.
- 1985– 1h 27mTV-146.6 (98)TV EpisodeThis documentary presents a portrait of African American author Ralph Ellison, one of the great American novelists of the twentieth century.
- Entering the twilight of his career, Pei returns to his ancestral home of Suzhou, China to work on his most personal project do date. He is commissioned to build a modern museum in the city's oldest neighborhood which is populated by classical structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gender and the Jewish immigrant experience. Featuring interviews with Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie and others.
- 1985– TV-146.5 (19)TV EpisodeAllowed unprecedented access to Philip Glass' working process, filmmaker Scott Hicks gives us a singular revelation into the life of the composer.
- The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios.
- Experience the political and personal journey of Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history. First elected at 36 years old and again at 72, explore Brown's 50-year career tackling climate change and inequality.
- In the late 1950's, Jasper Johns emerged as force in the American art scene. His richly worked paintings of maps, flags, and targets led the artistic community away from Abstract Expressionism toward a new emphasis on the concrete.
- Six women trailblazers help shape American politics at the turn of the 20th century; narrator Julianna Margulies.
- 1985– 1h 30mTV-146.2 (119)TV EpisodeHemingway was an American journalist, novelist, short-story writer, and sportsman. His economical and understated style-which he termed "the iceberg theory" had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction.
- The life of Mexican muralist José Clemente Orozco (1883-1949), a life filled with drama, adversity, and triumph, is one of the great stories of the modern era.