American Masters

History Series / 11 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Watch Latest: S38 E6

52m 55s / TV-14

When Blake Edwards gave filmmaker Rob Marshall his iconic viewfinder

1m 52s

In this outtake from “Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames,” Rob Marshall recounts the touching moment when Blake Edwards gifted him his trusted viewfinder to celebrate the release of Marshall’s first film “Chicago” (2002).

When Blake Edwards cast Bo Derek in “10”

49s

Blake Edwards was looking to cast the “perfect woman” in his film “10” and offered the role to Bo Derek, whose performance shot her to stardom. “Blake changed my life forever,” said Derek.

Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (EAD + OC Trailer)

2m 37s

Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series. This version of the trailer contains extended audio description and open captions.

Blake Edwards: A Love Story in 24 Frames (ASL Trailer)

2m 14s

Explore the story of director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards, known for cinema classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany's,” “Days of Wine and Roses” and the “Pink Panther” series. This version of the trailer contains on-screen ASL interpretation.

American Masters Shorts: Season 1

1m 35s

Explore new documentary shorts about artists who defy the odds to create remarkable work. This ongoing series from American Masters showcases cultural trailblazers through short-form storytelling.

Love, Jamie

1m 21s

Jamie Diaz is a 66-year-old Mexican-American trans woman and self-taught artist who has spent nearly 30 years in a men’s prison in Texas. See how her enduring friendship with Gabriel Joffe, a volunteer who happened upon one of her works, has helped Jamie’s art reach far beyond the prison walls.

5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today

15m 34s

William F. Buckley, Jr. hosted Firing Line for 33 years. During his tenure as host, he debated a number of influential public figures on topics ranging from comedy to imperialism. This compliation shows Buckley in conversation with five of his most memorable guests on matters that are still important today.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (AD + ASL + OC Trailer)

2m 47s

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement. This version contains audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.

The Incomparable Mr. Buckley

2m 31s

Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.

Exclusive Preview: Who was William F. Buckley, Jr.?

10m 12s

Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview. Discover how political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr. galvanized the modern conservative movement. The preeminent public intellectual grew up on a sprawling estate in Sharon, Connecticut, where his father's own idea of pedagogy had a lasting impact on his future ideals.

When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City

2m 56s

In an effort to drive votes away from "liberal Republican" John Lindsay, William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party. The columnist Pete Hamill said of Buckley at the time, "This is the first person we've ever seen in politics with a genuinely original mind."

William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia

2m 5s

William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.

Buckley's Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement

1m 47s

William F. Buckley, Jr. was tapped to speak at the Alumni Day Speech at Yale University in 1950. However, Yale administration feared his outspoken criticism of the university and asked Buckley to pare back his speech. Buckley refused and later wrote a book about his experiences at the school.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot"

2m 40s

In 1963, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and sociologist Nathan Glazer published their book, "Beyond the Melting Pot," which transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America, from a homogenized country to one of jostling ethnic groups.

Moynihan on working with Nixon across party lines

2m 23s

Against the advice of his family and friends, Daniel Patrick Moynihan took a job with the Nixon administration as Richard Nixon's domestic advisor. Although Moynihan didn't necessarily agree with all of Nixon's politics, he felt a duty to serve the American public. His impact as domestic advisor was wide-ranging, including creating the Council on Urban Affairs.

Explaining the "Moynihan Report"

6m 3s

In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released his report on the Black family, titled "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Through structural and cultural analysis, the "Moynihan Report," as it was known colloquially, detailed "the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family." The report caused controversy upon its release.

Moynihan

2m 49s

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.

Moynihan (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)

5m 45s

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. This version contains extended audio description, open captions and ASL interpretation.

Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered

2m 31s

When Edward Hopper first met fellow painter and future spouse Josephine Nivison in 1923, he had not sold a painting in 10 years. Jo, on the other hand, was at her most productive, both showing and selling her artwork. When Jo recommended Hopper's paintings to gallerists, his career began to soar while hers faltered.

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