History

American Masters

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

Weaving Nature

18m 39s

Maryland artist David Bacharach creates "The Mounds," an outdoor arts installation that confronts global climate change. Bacharach employs traditional weaving and metalsmithing techniques to build sculptures that reflect environmental problems that impact land, air and water. This synthesis of art and nature illustrates the interconnectedness of human activity and environmental degradation.

Episodes

  • Groucho & Cavett: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Groucho & Cavett

    S36 E8 - 1h 21m

    Discover the enduring friendship between television personality Dick Cavett and his mentor iconic comedian Groucho Marx. Their relationship is chronicled through interviews with Cavett, archival footage and interviews with George Burns and others.

  • The Adventures of Saul Bellow: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Adventures of Saul Bellow

    S36 E7 - 1h 22m

    Explore Nobel Prize winner Saul Bellow's impact on American literature and how he navigated through issues of his time, including race, gender and the Jewish immigrant experience. Featuring interviews with Philip Roth, Salman Rushdie and others.

  • Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On

    S36 E6 - 1h 29m

    Experience the story of the Oscar-winning Indigenous artist from her rise to prominence in New York’s Greenwich Village folk music scene through her six-decade groundbreaking career as a singer-songwriter, social activist, educator and artist.

  • Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road

    S36 E5 - 1h 23m

    Explore the life and career of the singer, songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys. The film traces the legendary performer’s journey of reflection on a drive through Los Angeles with his longtime friend and Rolling Stone editor Jason Fine. It includes interviews with Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Nick Jonas, Linda Perry, Jim James, Gustavo Dudamel and Al Jardine.

  • Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha

    S36 E3 - 1h 23m

    Narrated by Jason Momoa, discover the inspiring story and considerable impact of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku. He shattered swimming records and globalized surfing while overcoming racism in a lifetime of personal challenges.

  • Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands

    S36 E2 - 1h 53m

    Discover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. Watch rare archival footage and hear audio recordings exploring her life and career from the Metropolitan Opera to the State Department.

  • Ailey: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ailey

    S36 E1 - 1h 23m

    Discover the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. Featuring previously unheard audio interviews with Ailey, interviews with those close to him and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today.

Extras + Features

  • Marian Anderson overcame discrimination with Danbury farm: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Marian Anderson overcame discrimination with Danbury farm

    S36 E2 - 1m 34s

    Anderson bought her beloved farm in Danbury, CT, with her husband, Orpheus Fisher. Despite her reverence and Fisher being able to pass as white, the couple still encountered racism while attempting to buy the farm. The couple persevered and expanded their purchase to 100 acres of land they later dubbed Marianna Farms.

  • Ailey dancers reflect on company's scrappy beginnings: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ailey dancers reflect on company's scrappy beginnings

    S36 E1 - 1m 51s

    In this outtake from "Ailey," former Ailey dancers recall how Alvin Ailey worked hard to raise money for the company. There was a "burden that was on him to keep us all working and to make sure that [his] dancers [felt] cared for and loved," recalls Judith Jamison, Ailey dancer (1965-1979) and Artistic Director (1989-2011).

  • Rennie Harris on the power of the choreographer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rennie Harris on the power of the choreographer

    S36 E1 - 57s

    Rennie Harris, PureMovement choreographer, describes how choreographers are responsible for their dancers. "Mr. Ailey, he used to train moving through spaces and shifting geographies and people and we needed that bullet train."

  • Choreographer Rennie Harris on channeling Ailey: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Choreographer Rennie Harris on channeling Ailey

    S36 E1 - 1m 51s

    Rennie Harris was tapped by Robert Battle, Ailey Artistic Director, to choreograph a piece about Ailey for the 60th anniversary of the company. To prepare, the two reviewed archival footage of Ailey discussing his process. "I just sit there and watch to find out what made Mr. Ailey, Mr. Ailey," said Harris.

  • Alvin Ailey on Chauncey Green, the friend who saved his life: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Alvin Ailey on Chauncey Green, the friend who saved his life

    S36 E1 - 2m 56s

    Ailey describes his "blood memories" and growing up during the Great Depression in Texas, where he met a friend who had a lasting impact on his life. "Chauncey saved my life. ... Chauncey Green, I shall never forget him."

  • Bill T. Jones remembers the first time he met Alvin Ailey: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Bill T. Jones remembers the first time he met Alvin Ailey

    S36 E1 - 2m 11s

    In this outtake from "Ailey," Bill T. Jones, guest choreographer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recalls telling Alvin Ailey that he did not want to be considered a "Black choreographer," and Ailey reacting with compassion. "Now I can say it with confidence, but I was lonely," said Jones. "I was lonely for colleagues who were people of color."

  • Ailey: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ailey

    S36 E1 - 1m 1s

    Discover the legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey whose dances center on the Black American experience with grace, strength and beauty. Featuring previously unheard audio interviews with Ailey, interviews with those close to him and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today.

  • Ailey's "Revelations" draws on African American spirituals: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ailey's "Revelations" draws on African American spirituals

    S36 E1 - 2m 24s

    Ailey described "Revelations" as "an evening-long saga about the Black experience," and the performance had a huge impact on Black dancers when it premiered in 1960. "I was moved to tears seeing 'Revelations,'" said Mary Barnett, Ailey's rehearsal director from 1975 to 1979.

Schedule

  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Thursday
    Apr 25

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Friday
    Apr 26

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Friday
    Apr 26

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Ailey

    Saturday
    Apr 27

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Ailey

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Sunday
    Apr 28

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: Jerry Brown: The Disrupter: TVSS: Banner-L1

    American Masters

    Jerry Brown: The Disrupter

    Monday
    Apr 29

    2 Hours

    The political and personal journey of California Gov. Jerry Brown, the longest serving governor in California history, and his work on issues including climate change and inequality.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Tyrus Wong

    Saturday
    May 4

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Tyrus Wong

    Sunday
    May 5

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Tyrus Wong

    Sunday
    May 5

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Tyrus Wong

    Sunday
    May 5

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Tyrus Wong

    Monday
    May 6

    1 Hour 30 Minutes

    The art, life and impact of Chinese-American painter Tyrus Wong as seen through new and never-before-seen interviews, movie clips and art.

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