FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2011

Please visit the KERA Classics page on kera.org.

Profile: Lillian Hellman (1981) In this first episode of the five-part profile of Lillian Hellman, the brilliant and often controversial writer tells of her early days as a struggling young playwright, her first taste of success and its toll, her experiences writing for the movies in Hollywood and the film Julia. Also featured is a video tour of her New York apartment and photographs from her private collection. Friday, September 2 at 7pm.

Profile: Lillian Hellman (1981) In this second episode of the five-part series on Lillian Hellman, the acclaimed playwright recollects her long relationship with writer Dashiell Hammett. She explains how Hammett influenced her writing and describes the happy years they spent together on Hard Scrabble Farm in Pleasantville, New York. Friday, September 2 at 7:30pm.

New Tastes From Texas with Chef Stephan Pyles (1999) Host Chef Stephan Pyles takes viewers on location in Mexico to sample regional culinary and cultural traditions. Viewers will absorb a new understanding of the Mexican spirit and way of life, while gaining insight into preparing the complementary dishes Chef Pyles creates. Saturdays at 4pm beginning September 3.

With Ossie & Ruby (1981) Conceived by and starring legendary entertainers Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, this variety series reflects America’s multicultural heritage through drama, music, literature and comedy. Davis, Dee and their special guests bring fresh interpretations, through music and spoken word, to the time-tested techniques of the balladeer and blues singer, the kings of the Cotton Club, the vaudevillians and the evangelists.

• “My Daddy Was a Railroad Man” America’s romance with the railroads is recalled as Ossie and Ruby remember their fathers, both railroad men, through poetry, folktales, stories and song. The program offers an overview of the rise and fall of the railroads, their impact on American history and the celebration of the railroad in literature, art and music. Sunday, September 4 at 6pm. 
• “Solo Song for Doc” It’s man versus “the system” in this television adaptation of a short story by Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Alan McPherson. This 1940s era drama is about Doc Craft, a dining car waiter who realizes that the railroad company for whom he has worked for many years wants him to retire in order to hire younger, cheaper help. However, his knowledge of the service and his pride in his work make it impossible for Doc to accept their offer. Sunday, September 4 at 6:30pm.

The U.S. – Mexican War: 1846-1848 Part One (1998) The war between the United States and Mexico was a defining event for both nations— transforming a continent and forging a new identity for its peoples. Although the United States gained almost half of Mexico’s national territory and became a continental power, most Americans have a profound lack of knowledge about this war and our neighbor to the south. This Emmy award-winning series looks at both sides of this conflict and how it affected each side. Monday, September 5 at 9pm.

Profile: Lillian Hellman (1981) In episode three, Lillian Hellman talks freely and frankly of the McCarthy era in American history and of her testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952. She also explains her view that Watergate had its roots in McCarthyism and expresses pleasure at the stand she took before the House Committee. Friday, September 9 at 7pm.            

Frozen Music: The Making of a Concert Hall (1990) This half-hour special follows the creation of Dallas’ Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and Eugene McDermott Concert Hall from conception to completion. Among those featured are the Meyerson’s creators—architect I.M. Pei, acoustician Russel Johnson and concert hall designer Charles Young. Musical notables Van Cliburn, Isaac Stern, Mstislav Rostropovich and Leontyne Price are captured in performance or featured in interviews about the creation and completion of the acclaimed hall. Friday, September 9 at 7:30pm.          

The U.S. – Mexican War: 1846-1848 Part Two (1998) The war between the United States and Mexico was a defining event for both nations—transforming a continent and forging a new identity for its peoples. Although the United States gained almost half of Mexico’s national territory and became a continental power, most Americans have a profound lack of knowledge about this war and our neighbor to the south. This Emmy award-winning series looks at the both sides of this conflict and how it affected each side. Monday, September 12 at 9pm            .

Profile: Lillian Hellman (1981) Hellman talks candidly of the hardships she endured as a result of her stand before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952. She also tells of the mysterious appearance of more than 100 deer outside her study window a few days before she and Dashiell Hammett moved from their 140-acre farm in Westchester County, New York. Friday, September 16 at 7pm.                       

Kimbell Museum: Year One (1974) This documentary is a look at the Fort Worth museum’s first year. Featuring interviews with the museum’s architect Louis Kahn and founding director Richard Brown, this program is a tribute to the Kimbells and their namesake museum, which is regarded as one of the finest architectural achievements of the modern era. Friday, September 16 at 7:30pm.

The Other Side of the Border (1987) An in-depth look at the effects of illegal immigration as experienced by two families from Tiquicheo, an impoverished village in the Mexican state of Michoacan. Hosted by Jimmy Smits, the program explores the personal, cultural and legal aspects of illegal immigration and examines the human side of a problem that has grown to international crisis proportions. Sunday, September 18 at 6pm.       

Bob Wilson and the Early Years of KERA (2011) Lee Cullum hosts the half-hour special about one of KERA’s first chief executives, Robert A. (Bob) Wilson. Cullum is joined by longtime friends and former KERA colleagues Jim Lehrer and Bob Ray Sanders in this retrospective about Wilson’s nascent vision for the burgeoning community television station and his achievements. Wednesday, September 21 at 8pm and Sunday, September 25 at 7pm.            

NEWSROOM (1971) On August 3, 1971, the Dallas Independent School District was court-ordered to desegregate its schools. This historic episode of NEWSROOM features Jim Lehrer, Lee Clark (Cullum) and Harlan Cohen in a frank discussion with elected leaders about the impact the court ruling had on the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. Wednesday, September 21 at 8:30pm and Sunday, September 25 at 7:30pm.

Profile: Lillian Hellman (1981) In this final episode of the series, the writer offers a startling overview of her life, accomplishments and the evolution of her philosophy. She explains her ideas on the women’s movement, abortion, religion, love and courage and offers a self-evaluation of her own success as a writer. Friday, September 23 at 7pm.                        

Little Mexico: El Barrio (1997) This half-hour documentary tells the story of the area where individuals and their families settled to begin their new lives after immigrating to the United States from Mexico. Using interviews, archival photographs, home movies and personal memorabilia, this program creates a historical record of this once-thriving community that encompassed what is now Pike Park, and the Arts and Historic West End districts. Friday, September 23 at 7:30pm.

Contest to Carnegie Hall: 5th Van Cliburn Piano Competition (1978) This hour-long documentary follows the fascinating and exciting process of selecting the winners of the Fifth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in 1977 in Fort Worth, Texas. Contest to Carnegie Hall further depicts the journey of Grand Prize Winner Steven DeGroote from his triumphant achievement at the famed competition to his debut recital at Carnegie Hall. Sunday, September 25 at 6pm.          

South Dallas Pop (2008) This documentary explores the social and musical context surrounding the South Dallas Pop Festival, held in June of 1970 at the height of the youth-oriented pop festival craze. Dallas musicians Wendell Sneed and Roger Boykin recall their efforts to showcase the best African American funk bands in Dallas at the time. Friday, September 30 at 7:30pm.

IMAGES FOR ALL SHOWS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

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CONTACT:

Christopher Wagley

Director, Marketing & Communications

KERA, KXT and Art&Seek

cwagley@kera.org

214-740-9377