It's Hedley!
Director Mel Brooks recounts how the antagonist of his 1974 classic Blazing Saddles ended up with a name conspicuously close to that of Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr.
Hedy Lamarr and Howard Hughes' Relationship
Hedy Lamarr and aviation tycoon Howard Hughes were romantically involved and bonded over their love of invention. Hughes gave her complete access to his team of scientists to help her execute her inventions. Lamarr designed a new wing shape for Hughes' planes to make them more aerodynamic. This, as revealed in the film, is only the tip of the iceberg when it came to Lamarr’s pre-war inventions.
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story - Trailer
Hedy Lamarr never publicly talked about her life as an inventor and so her family thought her story died when she did. However, in 2016, director Alexandra Dean and producer Adam Haggiag unearthed four never-before-heard audio tapes of Lamarr speaking on the record about her incredible life, finally giving her the chance to tell her own story.
Itzhak in theaters March 9 in New York City
Itzhak, a film centered on the life of musician Itzhak Perlman, opens in theaters March 9. Alison Chernick’s enchanting documentary looks beyond the sublime musician to see the polio survivor whose parents emigrated from Poland to Israel, and the young man who struggled to be taken seriously as a music student when schools saw only his disability.
Against All Odds: Meet the Woman Behind American Masters
Susan Lacy, creator of American Masters, reflects on the beginnings of the series, and how she secured a primetime slot in the summer of 1986. As a young, tenacious staffer at WNET, she saw the promise of telling the compelling stories of artists and “those who create and achieve against all odds.”
Lorraine Hansberry speaks out against injustice
As "A Raisin in the Sun" broke new ground on Broadway, Lorraine Hansberry raised her voice for activism. Hear Lorraine Hansberry's speech of "sighted eyes and feeling heart" against injustice and racism.
Lorraine Hansberry on being young, gifted and black
With her health failing, Lorraine Hansberry left the hospital to speak to the teenage winners of a national writing contest. She described the young writers as "young, gifted and black" - the words that inspired the Nina Simone song of the same name - and urged them to represent their community in their work.
Lorraine Hansberry's Inspiration for "A Raisin in the Sun"
Lorraine Hansberry drew inspiration from personal experience when she sat down to write a play about a working class family on the South Side of Chicago. See how she worked to find the words to describe their hopes and struggles, and how she pressed on to complete "A Raisin in the Sun."
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart - Trailer
Explore the inner life and works of the activist, playwright and author of "A Raisin in the Sun," Lorraine Hansberry. Narrated by actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson and featuring the voice of Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose as Hansberry.
The Groundbreaking Broadway Casting of "A Raisin in the Sun"
Sidney Poitier, Lloyd Richard and Ruby Dee reflect on the unprecedented casting of black actors in the Broadway debut of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun."
Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Visual Artist
Visual artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh created "Stop Telling Women to Smile," an international street art series that tackles gender-based street harassment. She shares the source of her inspiration and how she works across artistic mediums as a fine artist, illustrator and muralist.
Rakia Reynolds, Founder & CEO: Skai Blue Media
Rakia Reynolds, founder and CEO of PR company Skai Blue Media, has worked with and been inspired by clients such as Serena Williams, Ashley Graham and the hashtag #1000blackgirlbooks. She shares strategies and insights on being a mother, breaking through as an entrepreneur and embracing her identity as a black woman.
Learn how Bob Hope came up with his iconic standup routines
Journalist Richard Zoglin, comedy writer Robert Mills, and America's most beloved amphibian, Kermit the Frog, discuss Bob Hope's groundbreaking improvisational style. His fast-paced monologues were flexible, and allowed him to bring current events into his comedy act.
This Is Bob Hope... Trailer
Explore the entertainer’s life with unprecedented access to his personal archives including writings voiced by Billy Crystal, clips from his body of work, and interviews with Woody Allen, Margaret Cho, Conan O’Brien, Tom Selleck and Brooke Shields.
Five Reasons Bob Hope is a Comedic Genius
Get to know Bob Hope in this short video highlighting his incredible career and his groundbreaking contributions to the entertainment industry.
Bob Hope, a model for public service in Hollywood
Bob Hope's commitment to philanthropy changed the way Hollywood viewed the responsibility of fame. "Many years he did from 100 to 150 benefits a year," says his daughter Linda Hope. He made it part of his identity to give back to the communities he entertained, most famously, the armed forces with his frequent USO tours.
How Bob Hope transformed monologue misfires
Bob Hope was known for his off-the-cuff comedic style and quick wit. Comedian Conan O'Brien and actor Tom Selleck discuss how Hope was a master of improvising when a joke didn't land or he fumbled a line.
Molly Soda, Digital Performance Artist
Best known for her book “Pics or It Didn’t Happen: Images Banned From Instagram” which looks at Instagram and corporate social media image censorship, digital performance artist Molly Soda explores the boundaries of reality, performance and physical space. In this episode, she talks about the blurring of the line between what we present to the public and what we experience off-screen in our lives.
Sara Chipps, JavaScript Developer: CEO of Jewelbots
As co-founder of the non-profit Girl Develop It and co-founder and CEO of Jewelbots, technology-enabled jewelry for tween and teen girls, JavaScript developer Sara Chipps is actively working to increase the number of women and girls becoming web and software developers and entering STEM fields.
Inspiring Woman: Political Strategist Ana Navarro
Learn about the woman who pushed Ana Navarro to be the person she is today. Also, she's got some great advice from other women who may be interested in politics.
Supported by
