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American Masters

  • TV-14
  • 1986–
  • 40 seasons
  • Documentary
  • 7.0

American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.

Episodes

9 episodes
  1. 1Pete Seeger: The Power of Song

    90 minFeb 27, 2008

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

  2. 2Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun

    90 minApr 9, 2008

    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.

  3. 3Marvin Gaye: What's Going On

    90 minMay 7, 2008

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

  4. 4You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet (1923-1935)

    90 minSep 23, 2008

    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.

  5. 5You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Good War, Uneasy Peace (1935-1950)

    90 minSep 23, 2008

    "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.

  6. 6You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: A New Reality (1950-1970)

    90 minSep 24, 2008

    "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.

  7. 7You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: Woodstock Notions (1970-1989)

    90 minSep 24, 2008

    "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.

  8. 8You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story: The Big Tent (1980-Present)

    90 minSep 25, 2008

    "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

  9. 9The Brothers Warner

    90 minSep 25, 2008

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

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Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Hillary ClintonSelf3 episodes
Mike NicholsSelf3 episodes
Gloria SteinemSelf2 episodes
Steve MartinSelf2 episodes
Scarlett JohanssonSelf1 episode
Goran VišnjićRobert Capa (voice)1 episode
Patsy ClineSelf (archive footage)1 episode
Maya AngelouSelf1 episode
Sidney LumetSelf1 episode
Oprah WinfreySelf1 episode
CommonSelf1 episode
Bill ClintonSelf1 episode
Jane AlexanderNarrator1 episode
Graeme MalcomJohn Muir (voice)1 episode
Denis O'HareEdgar Allan Poe1 episode
Kathleen TurnerNarrator (voice)1 episode
Peter FalkSelf1 episode
Billie Jean KingSelf1 episode

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