American Masters

Marvin Hamlisch: Sweet Smell of Success

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.

Marvin Hamlisch: Sweet Smell of Success

1m 47s

  • Dear Corky: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Dear Corky

    16m 27s

    New Yorker Corky Lee photographed his hometown’s Chinatown and Asian American communities around the country for over 50 years, documenting activists, celebrities and everyday heroes he encountered in over 100,000 photos. While documenting the latest rise of anti-Asian hate crimes, Lee passed away from COVID-19. In his own words and photos, this short documentary reveals the man behind the camera.

  • Jerry Seinfeld on his place in American sitcom history: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Jerry Seinfeld on his place in American sitcom history

    16m 1s

    On August 13, 2008, comedian Jerry Seinfeld discussed his collaboration with Larry David, the evolution of the American sitcom and the lure of stand-up comedy. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).

  • The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (ASL): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Incomparable Mr. Buckley (ASL)

    1h 40m

    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 on-screen ASL interpretation.

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