From Oz to the moon, Yip Harburg’s lyrics captured America’s hopes and dreams.
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When his brother had a stroke, Alvin Straight headed across the Plains to see him. On a lawnmower. (As seen in “The Straight Story.”)
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Classical was a bore until Leonard Bernstein aired his “Young People’s Concerts.” (As seen in “Maestro.”)
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Hearst and Pulitzer refused to play fair, so the Newsies walked off the job. And won America’s hearts. (As seen in “The Newsies.”)
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F.O. Stanley needed a place to die. Stephen King needed a plot. Together they haunt the Stanley Hotel. (As seen in “The Shining.”)
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Ma Rainey sang, lived, and became the blues. But there was more to her than that “Slow, Drivin’ Moan.” (As seen in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”)
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Gertrude Ederle not only swam the English Channel. She swam it faster than anyone — man or woman. (As seen in “Young Woman and the Sea.”)
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It took years of detective work, to “find” Vivian Maier. What we found was the eye of a master. (As seen in “Finding Vivian Maier.”)
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It was another night in prime time, 1977, and then “Roots” broke the bonds of denial. (As seen in “Roots.”)
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When the “bad break” ended his career — and soon his life — he stepped up to the plate and showed true class. (As seen in “The Pride of the Yankees.”)
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Coast-to-coast? Done that. So Matt Green set out to walk New York. Every borough. Every street. Every pier and park. Eight years and 8,000 miles later. . . (As seen in “The World Beneath My Feet.”)
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“Network" did not predict populist anger -- it foresaw a network using anger to boost ratings. Sound familiar?
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Students called Jaime Escalante “Kimo.” He called them his “burros.” But the key to his success was ganas — the drive to succeed. (As seen in “Stand and Deliver.”)
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Silent film was dead. Scandal tainted his career. His mother died. The Depression began. And Charlie Chaplin made “City Lights.”
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A half century ago, Hollywood was still fighting World War II. Then came M*A*S*H.
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Divorce was in high season when two divorcees, director and screenwriter, took a chance on love — onscreen. Thirty years later, “When Harry Met Sally” remains “the greatest romcom of all time.”
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