Al Hirschfeld Movies
A showbiz legend whose quirky caricatures were a surefire signal of one's arrival in the entertainment industry, artist Al Hirschfeld's renderings of popular celebrities are held in such high regard that they are displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and numerous other renowned museums. A native of St. Louis who studied at New York's Art Students League, Hirschfeld would later study painting in Paris and London. It was while attending a play featuring Sacha Guitry's American debut that Hirschfeld made a quick doodle of Guitry on his program, and the artist's theatrical press agent friend quickly delivered the drawing to the New York Harold, who in turn printed it. Subsequently finding work with The New York Times, Hirschfeld would eventually win a special Tony for his affectionately tart characterizations. A 1996 documentary entitled The Line King would later celebrate the whimsical doodler's life and success. The artist would frequently inject hidden tributes to daughter Nina in his sketches, and in 2002 it was announced that the popular Martin Beck Theater would be renamed the Al Hirschfeld Theater on Hirschfeld's 100th birthday. Sadly, Al Hirschfeld would not live to see the ceremony. On January 20, 2003, Hirschfeld died of natural causes in New York City. He was 99. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Directed by Rick McKay, who traveled across five continents during the documentary's production, Broadway: The Golden Age is both a celebration of current Broadway stars and a tribute to Broadway legends past. Through a plethora of interviews and vast amounts of archival footage, McKay presents a variety of factoids, anecdotes, and memories from over 100 Broadway actors, writers, and directors. The careers of Laurette Taylor, Kim Hunter, Jessica Tandy, and Marlon Brando are all animatedly retold, as is some of the Broadway "lore of olde," such as Angela Lansbury's struggle to land a role in Mame and the shocked reaction to West Side Story on its opening night. In addition to footage and discussion regarding highly successful Broadway stars, a variety of actors recount their experiences and struggles in finding even a small amount of critical recognition. The cast includes Shirley MacLaine, Bea Arthur, Edie Adams, Alec Baldwin, and Kaye Ballard, and many others. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edie Adams, Bea Arthur, (more)
- 1999
Harry Houdini was performing in a circus with his wife when he began dreaming about an even bigger career. This film recalls the highlights of his career, including his 1912 stunt that established him as the world's greatest escape artist. In that instance, Houdini had himself lowered into New York's East River in a crate that was wrapped in chains. In less than a minute, he escaped and came to the surface as both an admired and famous man. Archival footage and dramatic re-creations performed by professional escape artist Bob Fellows allow viewers to revisit some of Houdini's major stunts. On-camera interviews with such people as illusionist David Copperfield, psychic claims investigator James Randi, and many others shed light on Houdini's performing techniques. Actor Mandy Patinkin narrates this probing looking into this performer's life. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Real-life mother and daughter Carol Burnett and Carrie Hamilton appear in this episode, which also features Burnett's former variety-show costar Tim Conway in a pivotal role--not to mention cameo appearances by musical-comedy favorite Carol Channing) and celebrated caricaturist Al Hirschfeld). Thirty years ago, the singing career of Lillian Bennett (Burnett) came to an abrupt end when she suffered a severe case of stage fright on the opening night of her first Broadway play--whereupon her understudy Amanda (Rita Moreno) went on in her place and subsequently rose to superstardom. Now Lillian is determined that her daughter Amanda (Hamilton) give up her own theatrical aspirations lest her heart be broken in the same manner. Meanwhile, Monica (Roma Downey) discovers that Amanda was actually responsible for ruining Lillian's career--meaning that someone is going to have to confess to something, and that someone else is going to have to find forgiveness in her heart before the Show inevitably Goes On. Carol Burnett sings "I'm Still Here", from the 1971 Broadway musical "Follies." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
