American Masters

History Series / 14 Seasons

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

Watch Latest: S39 E1

1h 23m / TV-14

American Masters: 1990s Highlights

1m 12s

In the 1990s, American Masters turned the lens on those making images themselves: photographer Richard Avedon and filmmakers David Selznick and Alfred Hitchcock, whose collaborations include "Rebecca" and "Spellbound." The series also profiled the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. On January 21, 2014, American Masters premieres its 200th episode: "Salinger," by Shane Salerno.

American Masters: 1980s Highlights

2m 33s

Created and launched in 1986 by Executive Producer Susan Lacy, the American Masters series set the standard for documentary film profiles. Among its first films in the 1980s were "George Gershwin Remembered," "Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul," and "James Baldwin: The Price of a Ticket." On January 21, 2014, American Masters premieres its 200th episode: "Salinger," by Shane Salerno.

American Masters 2014 Season Trailer

33s

Premieres in 2014 include the director's cut of "Salinger," American Masters' 200th episode, the first film biography of writer and activist Alice Walker in "Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth," and "A Fierce Green Fire," the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement. Favorites returning this year are "LENNONYC" and "Johnny Carson: King of Late Night."

Concert Pianist vs. Pop Composer

2m 9s

Marvin Hamlisch was a child prodigy at the piano and was expected to become the next Vladimir Horowitz. But as Hamlisch explains, "at a very early age it became very clear that that would drive me crazy because every time I would go to the concert to play something I would get so nervous."

Writing "The Way We Were"

1m 20s

Hamlisch reveals what inspired the opening notes to "The Way We Were" and his collaborators, the lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, describe the uncanny ability Hamlisch had in putting his thoughts to music.

"I Want to Be Cole Porter"

50s

Though classically trained, Marvin Hamlisch knew he was destined for something different from an early age. "I wanted to be like Cole Porter," Hamlisch explains. Though he did not want to become the next Vladimir Horowitz, he continued his classical studies at Juilliard so he could later apply the skills he learned to what he really wanted to do.

Pianist Kevin Cole Performs Marvin Medley

6m 48s

Pianist Kevin Cole arranged this melody of Marvin Hamlisch songs and performed them before a live audience in tribute to the great composer. The piano medley is made from three Hamlisch songs: "The Way We Were," "At the Ballet" and "What I Did for Love." Kevin Cole was a friend of Hamlisch's and is known as an interpreter of Gershwin.

Trailer: Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love

2m 35s

A musical prodigy accepted to Juilliard at age six, Marvin Hamlisch devoted his talents to musical theater and pop music composition. The composer and conductor earned four Grammys, four Emmys, three Oscars, three Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and a Pulitzer Prize. Barbra Streisand, Steven Soderbergh, Quincy Jones, Christopher Walken are among those who admire Hamlisch as a person and a musician.

Leaving Hollywood for Broadway

1m 15s

Marvin Hamlisch won three Academy Awards in one evening in 1974, making him a film composer star in Hollywood. But he longed to work as a composer in Broadway theater, so he left Los Angeles to work with Michael Bennett on the then Off-Broadway theater production in the works, "A Chorus Line." As the lyricist Marilyn Bergman puts it, "Theater beckoned."

Marvin Hamlisch: Genius at Work

7m 20s

Luminaries of music and entertainment speak to the genius of Marvin Hamlisch, who was a musical prodigy who entered Juilliard, the country's most prestigious conservatory, at the age of six. Attesting to Hamlisch's brilliance and versatility are childhood companions Leslie Uggams and Christopher Walker, and celebrated composers, conductors and musicians.

Marvin Hamlisch, a Mensch

10m 4s

The great composer Marvin Hamlisch is a mensch, a Yiddish term for a person of integrity and honor. He offered his genuine concern, time, and problem-solving skills to everyone in his life from taxi drivers to Broadway cast members to those planning events for the president of the United States and heads of state.

Marvin Hamlisch and The Yankees

1m 43s

Marvin Hamlisch received the gift of going to Yankee Fantasy Camp from his wife, Terre Blair Hamlisch. Former Yankees manager Joe Torre, a Broadway fan, talks about getting to meet the composer.

Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love - Preview

30s

Remember composer, conductor & PEGOT winner Marvin Hamlisch. With new interviews with family, Barbra Streisand, Steven Soderbergh, Quincy Jones, Christopher Walken, Sir Tim Rice, Joe Torre, Woody Allen, John Lithgow, Lucie Arnaz, Ann-Margret, and others.

Marvin's Parents

1m 34s

A look at composer Marvin Hamlisch's parents, professional accordionist Max Hamlisch and "helicopter mother" Lilly Hamlisch, told through family home movies and humorous accounts from his cousin, Paul Kushner.

Marvin Hamlisch: Sweet Smell of Success

1m 47s

Hamlisch's Broadway musical "Sweet Smell of Success," based on the 1950s eponymous film, earned Tony nominations for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score. Its star John Lithgow earned the Tony for Best Actor. Lithgow describes Marvin Hamlisch's score as having hallucinogenic colors. Hear parts of the music and see annotated pages from the score in this film excerpt.

Teaser for Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’

1m 15s

Alongside Jimi Hendrix's sinuous moves while playing guitar, this preview includes Hendrix's thoughts on how he expresses himself, and interviews with Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood and Linda Keith on Hendrix's mesmerizing showmanship on stage. Hear My Train A Comin’, the documentary unveiling previously unseen performance footage such as the 1968 Miami Pop Festival, premieres November 5, 2013.

Preview of Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’

2m 4s / TV-14

Along with clips of Jimi Hendrix performing, this preview includes Hendrix's thoughts on his self-expression, and interviews with Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood and Linda Keith on Hendrix's mesmerizing showmanship on stage. Hear My Train A Comin’, the documentary unveiling previously unseen performance footage such as the 1968 Miami Pop Festival, premieres November 5, 2013. Directed by Bob Smeaton.

Virginia Slims Tour

4m 38s

A look back at the Original 9's Virginia Slims Tour, formed in 1970. Featuring archival photos and footage, and original interviews with Judy Tegart Dalton, Ingrid Löfdahl Bentzer, Rosie Casals, Peachy Kellmeyer, Larry King, Billie Jean King and Julie Heldman.

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