American Masters
Since its premiere in 1986, American Masters has been the only PBS series committed to developing and producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.
CLIPS (543)
-
Lena Waithe on mixed feelings towards BlaxploitationDespite the mixed feelings that many Black people have towards the genre of ...Despite the mixed feelings that many Black people have towards the genre of film, producer, actor and writer Lena Waithe says that "if Blaxploitation gives us Pam Grier I'll take it any day." -
Halle Berry on how seeing Diahann Caroll on TV changed herIn this outtake from "American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free," actress Halle ...In this outtake from "American Masters: How It Feels To Be Free," actress Halle Berry talks about the television show that "rearranged her" and made her realize that she "had value," demonstrating the ... -
Lena Waithe on why Cicely Tyson's hair is revolutionaryWriter, producer, and actor Lena Waithe explains why the hair of Black women can ...Writer, producer, and actor Lena Waithe explains why the hair of Black women can be revolutionary, and how Cicely Tyson's decision to wear hers naturally was an inspiration to many other Black women. -
The role of women entertainers in the civil rights movementHistorian Ruth Feldstein, author of “How It Feels To Be Free,” talks about ...Historian Ruth Feldstein, author of “How It Feels To Be Free,” talks about the important role that entertainers, and women entertainers in particular, had in the civil rights movement. This clip ... -
Diahann Carroll talks race and makeup while filming "Julia"Carroll tells the story of when she spoke up in an early makeup session for the ...Carroll tells the story of when she spoke up in an early makeup session for the TV show “Julia.” -
Alicia Keys doesn’t mind being compared to Lena HorneThe musician talks about why she admires Horne so much and how one of her dreams ...The musician talks about why she admires Horne so much and how one of her dreams would be to play her. She also explains what she means when she says that she’s “ready to be free.” -
Roxane Gay and others on racist “Little House” depictionsIn this clip from American Masters — Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page, ...In this clip from American Masters — Laura Ingalls Wilder: Prairie to Page, Roxane Gay, Louise Erdrich, Pamela Smith Hill, Linda Sue Park and others discuss Wilder’s racist depictions of American ... -
"Little House" TV stars Alison Arngrim and Dean ButlerTwo stars of the “Little House” TV series, Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) ...Two stars of the “Little House” TV series, Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) and Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder), talk about the international impact of the show, including how it was a favorite of both ... -
The secret mother-daughter collaboration on “Little House”Recent scholarship has shed light on the secret collaboration between Widler and ...Recent scholarship has shed light on the secret collaboration between Widler and her daughter Rose Wilder Lane on the “Little House” series. Rose encouraged her mother to write the books worked ... -
Until she was an author, money was a struggle for WilderLaura and Almanzo Wilder had a fresh start with 40 acres on Rocky Ridge Farm in ...Laura and Almanzo Wilder had a fresh start with 40 acres on Rocky Ridge Farm in Mansfield, Missouri, a place that Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in for 62 years. But until she became a best-selling ... -
The word that Laura refused to say in her wedding vowsLaura's charming courtship with Almanzo Wilder culminated in a wedding ceremony ...Laura's charming courtship with Almanzo Wilder culminated in a wedding ceremony in which Laura refused to say the word "obey" because she didn't want to make a promise she couldn't keep. At this time ... -
Disaster was looming when the Ingalls moved to MinnesotaIn 1874, the Ingalls family moved to Plum Creek in Minnesota. They built what ...In 1874, the Ingalls family moved to Plum Creek in Minnesota. They built what was likely the nicest house they’d ever lived in, the weather was perfect and they expected a perfect crop that would ... -
How the logs of the "Little House" cabin were stolenThe famous little house on the prairie was built by Charles Ingalls on land he ...The famous little house on the prairie was built by Charles Ingalls on land he very likely knew belonged to the Osage Indians, according to Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer Caroline Fraser. The logs he ... -
The letter from NY that changed Laura Ingalls Wilder's lifeAt age 64, Wilder received unexpected news from a New York editor: She was on ...At age 64, Wilder received unexpected news from a New York editor: She was on her way to becoming a children’s author. The manuscript she had mailed had eventually turned into “Little House in the ... -
Keith Haring's brush with celebrity cultureAs Keith Haring became more famous, he got to know the biggest celebrities of ...As Keith Haring became more famous, he got to know the biggest celebrities of the era, referring to them by their first names. It started with Andy (Warhol), and continued with Brooke (Shields), ... -
Meet Keith Haring's art dealer, famous for defacing PicassoOnce Keith Haring's work started to create a buzz in the art world, he needed to ...Once Keith Haring's work started to create a buzz in the art world, he needed to find an art dealer to help him. He chose Tony Shafrazi, a big personality who was infamous for defacing Picasso's ... -
Michael Tilson Thomas on what he learned from James BrownMichael Tilson Thomas talks about the James Brown song that caused him to pull ...Michael Tilson Thomas talks about the James Brown song that caused him to pull the car over as a teenager in Los Angeles and how he uses that song to this day when training young conductors. -
The toy behind Michael Tilson Thomas's love of dissonanceMeet Toodles, the toy behind Michael Tilson Thomas's love of dissonant music. ...Meet Toodles, the toy behind Michael Tilson Thomas's love of dissonant music. The Grammy-winning conductor, pianist and composer helped set the standard that an American orchestra should champion ... -
Walter Winchell and the "trial of the century"In 1932, a child was kidnapped and murdered. It was the son of Charles ...In 1932, a child was kidnapped and murdered. It was the son of Charles Lindbergh, an American hero for being the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic. The resulting trial became one of the ... -
The time Walter Winchell condemned an American Nazi rallyIn 1939, 20,000 Nazi sympathizers staged a rally in Madison Square Garden in New ...In 1939, 20,000 Nazi sympathizers staged a rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City with Nazi imagery displayed next to a portrait of George Washington. Walter Winchell couldn’t allow the ... -
Elton John describes John Lennon's final performanceElton John speaks about a performance he gave with John Lennon at Madison Square ...Elton John speaks about a performance he gave with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, which turned out to be Lennon's last. Elton John describes what he says is "the greatest ovation I've ever ...
