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.

1h 23m / TV-PG

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

King didn't like the idea of a musical about herself until she read the book for the show by Douglas McGrath. The storyline not only covers the work of King and her former husband and writing partner Gerry Goffin, but songs of their best friends and competitors, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. King, McGrath, Mann and Weil recall reactions to the musical's creation.

The Making of Carole King's Album "Tapestry"

2m 24s

Singer-songwriter Carole King recorded the Grammy Award-winning solo "Tapestry" album in 1971 with background vocals and instrumentation by James Taylor and Joni Mitchell among others. The recording of Tapestry is described by King, Taylor, record producer Lou Adler, Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar and others involved with the recording sessions. This excerpt is from Carole King: Natural Woman.

B.B. King's Start in Memphis: WDIA Radio

1m 19s

B.B. King tells the story of how a product jingle got him a gig at WDIA in Memphis, TN, the country's first radio station to program exclusively for African-Americans. King approached the white station owners for an audition, and they asked him for a tune for Peptikon, which King provided on the spot. Peptikon, a so-called medicinal tonic, became the product sponsor for King's own regular show.

B.B. King's Distinctive Guitar Playing

1m 33s

See and hear B.B. King in performance while musicians share the same response to the King of the Blues' artistry: they can recognize B.B. King is playing by hearing just one note of his guitar. This film excerpt includes commentary by Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, John Mayall, Bobby Bland, Bruce Willis, Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, Derek Trucks, Johnny Lang and Carlos Santana.

Making B.B. King: The Life of Riley - Director Interview

Jon Brewer, the director/producer of B.B. King: The Life of Riley, describes how the first documentary on the blues legend came to be, his experience of filming B.B., and how his own background in the music business helps his film work.

B.B. King's Funeral Procession

6m 11s

In this web extra footage from the director of "B.B. King: The Life of Riley," see B.B. King's funeral procession, which traveled from Memphis, Tennessee, to his final resting place in Indianola, Mississippi. The procession included marching bands on Beale Street in Memphis, an escorted motorcade across state lines, and a public viewing at the B.B. King Museum, where he is buried on the grounds.

B.B. King: The Life of Riley - Trailer

2m 23s

B.B. King, born Riley B. King, was one of the most influential and celebrated blues musicians of all time. Director Jon Brewer worked on the film with King, and with the cooperation of The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, MS, for two years, before King died on May 14, 2015. His story of struggle and triumph is told by the man himself, his family, and fellow musicians.

Photography Inspired by Pedro E. Guerrero

6m 14s

In response to the film American Masters - Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey and public television workshops based on Guerrero's work, hundreds of people have shared more than 3,000 photos inspired by the photographer, using the hashtag #PedroPBS. Five public television stations also partnered with local organizations to hold screenings, workshops, exhibitions and architecture tours.

Mike Nichols' Laugh

47s

Director and comedian Mike Nichols was famous for his hearty laugh, which often turned into tears, and is why he always kept a handkerchief nearby. Alec Baldwin, playwright Neil Simon, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Frank Langella recall Nichols' humor and laughter, which is also heard and seen in this excerpt from the documentary.

Mike Nichols and "The Graduate"

1m 17s

Mike Nichols won an Academy Award for directing "The Graduate," his second film, released in December 1967. Nichols learned about directing from Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg. Dustin Hoffman, the young star of "The Graduate," and Paul Simon, whose songs are included on the soundtrack, describe working on the film, which earned many Academy Award nominations as well as Nichols' win.

Season 2016 Overview

30s

The 30th anniversary season of American Masters kicks off with the profile of one of America’s late, great directors Mike Nichols followed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg’s Janis Joplin Documentary; rock legend Fats Domino; and the remarkable story of Maya Angelou -- iconic writer, poet, actress and activist. More films to be announced.

Mike Nichols: An American Master - Preview

39s

Meet one of America’s late, great directors, Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Angels in America), who discusses his life and 50-year artistic career, from the comedy duo Nichols and May to his final film, Charlie Wilson’s War. The documentary includes new interviews with Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and more, plus insights and highlights from Nichols’ acclaimed films. Directed by Elaine May.

Meryl Streep Interview: Working with Director Mike Nichols

Meryl Streep describes working with Mike Nichols, who directed her in his films Silkwood (1983), Heartburn (1986), Postcards From the Edge (1990), and in the HBO miniseries Angels In America (2004). Streep describes his set as a place he himself never wanted to leave. "He would just weep when he had to think, 'Now I have to go into the editing room. No one's there.'"

Mike Nichols: Interview with Producer Julian Schlossberg

5m 2s

See behind-the-scenes footage of producer Julian Schlossberg interviewing director Mike Nichols. The interview became an important part of the film Mike Nichols: An American Master. Schlossberg is a film producer, radio talk show host and representative of the Nichols and May archive.

Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson on Inspiration and Deadlines

1m 18s / TV-14

Betsey Johnson is an award-winning fashion designer known for her whimsical and feminine designs. She began her career in New York City in the 60s and was part of Andy Warhol’s underground scene. In 2012, Johnson celebrated 40 years of her namesake brand. In an outtake from The Women's List, she talks about the pressure of fashion shows and deadlines, and the importance of inspiration.

Rosie Perez: Roles for Women of Color, Over 40

1m 4s / TV-14

Rosie Perez is an Oscar-nominated actress who starred in such films as White Men Can’t Jump, Fearless and Do the Right Thing. Perez started her performance career as a dancer and went on to choreograph music videos and the television series In Living Color. Brooklyn-born and of Puerto Rican heritage, Perez is also an activist who raises awareness for many causes.

Laurie Anderson: On Identity and Her God Complex

1m 28s / TV-PG

"I am a New Yorker one, I’m an artist two, I’m a woman three,” says Laurie Anderson in this excerpt from The Women's List. The artist best known for her pioneering electronic music admits she has a “God complex.” “I like to make things that were not there. And then I put them there. I’m just a control freak, an average American control freak." The film features Anderson and 14 other women.

The Women's List - Trailer

1m 37s / TV-PG

Meet 15 women who define contemporary American culture in Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ new “List” film featuring Madeleine Albright, Margaret Cho, Edie Falco, Betsey Johnson, Alicia Keys, Nancy Pelosi, Rosie Perez, Wendy Williams and more. All trailblazers in their fields, these women share their experiences struggling against discrimination and overcoming challenges to make their voices heard.

Comedian Margaret Cho on Her Parents

2m 18s / TV-14

In an outtake from The Women's List, Margaret Cho speaks about her parents' openness to the gay community and to Cho's bisexuality, and about their distinct accents. Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author and singer-songwriter. She is best known for her stand-up routines that address social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality.

Filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders: The Women's List

3m 53s / TV-14

Photographer-filmmaker Timothy Greenfield Sanders uses a large format Deardorff camera and shoots just six to eight frames for his portraits. For the women in The Women's List, he has created 15 portraits that are distinct, but also flow together. The portrait sitting and filmed interviews take place in his studio, which is also his home, allowing for a warmer atmosphere in which to relax.

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