American Masters

Leaving Hollywood for Broadway

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."

Leaving Hollywood for Broadway

1m 15s

  • Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around

    S38 E6 - 52m 55s

    Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

  • Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]

    1h

    This version contains extended audio description and large open captions. Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today.

  • Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]

    52m 55s

    This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation. Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today.

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