Mike Wallace Movies
Forever associated with the 60 Minutes Sunday-night news magazine on CBS -- which he anchored for an astonishing 38 years (1968-2006) -- Mike Wallace became synonymous with on-air trustworthiness and reliability, and the nation's preeminent guide to outstanding, documentary-style probes of contemporary issues and global phenomena. Born May 9, 1918, in the posh Boston suburb of Brookline, MA, Wallace attended the University of Michigan as a young man, and later accepted a job as announcer at WOOD-AM radio in nearby Grand Rapids (in 1939). Wallace segued from this into a stint manning radio commercials and announcing serialized radio dramas at stations in Detroit and Chicago. Within a decade, Wallace leapt into the then-nascent medium of television with full abandon, working in any and every capacity allowed him, including dramatic roles, game shows, and the occasional assignment hosting a talk show, such as the now-forgotten Mike and Buff.In 1963, Wallace grew sick of non-news interests and reported to CBS News president Richard Salent, asserting that he had "sanitized" himself of all television matters unconnected to nonfiction reportage. Salent allegedly hired Wallace with a 65-percent pay deduction, but the burgeoning newsman persisted, and in time received title credit on the CBS morning news broadcasts; The CBS Morning News With Mike Wallace ran from 1963 through 1966 and garnered enormous popularity. But Wallace's greatest legacy was still at least two years away. On Tuesday evening, September 24, 1968, 60 Minutes premiered at 10:00 p.m., with Wallace as its chief anchor and Harry Reasoner as his co-host. According to Broadcasting magazine, the format itself developed out of Night Beat, a local talk program hosted by Wallace in 1956, in which he had exhibited a trademark "adversarial style" of journalism. 60 Minutes producers' strategy involved counterbalancing this aggression with Reasoner's genial "nice guy" approach. The plan worked, and the program's ratings shot up to astronomical levels, qualifying it as nothing less than a national phenomenon. As noted, Wallace remained on 60 Minutes for decades, but even after he retired, he returned from time to time to man periodic interviews.
In addition to his role on 60 Minutes, Wallace occasionally dabbled in acting, with a cameo in Elia Kazan's shattering indictment of television, A Face in the Crowd (1957), as well as a humorous 1993 guest appearance on Murphy Brown (a series that a number of his colleagues also appeared on). Wallace hosted the popular documentary series The 20th Century With Mike Wallace (1994-2000), which investigated everything from the Gulf War to celebrity murders to gun control and hurricanes. He also appears as an interviewee in the documentaries Vietnam: Chronicle of a War (1981) and Watergate: The Secret Story (1992). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a close look at one of the most recognized symbols of Communism and the Cold War: the Berlin Wall. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode begins with the history of the wall and its creation after WWII to prevent Germans from fleeing the Communist east side to the free west side of Germany. When the Wall came down in 1989, it also brought down Communism and the threat of the Cold War, freeing not only Germans from continual fear but the rest of the world as well. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features CBS News footage of the fall of the Wall and interviews with historians and experts, including Vernon Walters, the U.S. ambassador to West Germany. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, investigates the real victories and defeats of the Persian Gulf War. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at the events in 1990 and how American troops quickly and forcefully defeated Saddam Hussein's army in Iraq and completed the mission to liberate Kuwait from Hussein's control. For many, it was a sure victory, but with Hussein still in power in Iraq, many political and military insiders consider it to be closer to a defeat. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with political analysts and strategists who discuss why leaving Hussein in power was a catastrophic mistake, not only for America, but also for the entire world. Reporters, historians, and other experts also share their opinions on the true outcome of this short war. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace reports on the past, present, and future of global warming and how it affects the Earth. This episode heads back to the first indications of any warming of the Earth and then how global warming became a household term. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with meteorologists and environmental experts who talk about what global warming means to our future and to the future of the planet. Scientists, who are working on ways to prevent continued warming, talk about their findings. There is also a look at some of the ways companies and even individuals can help "cool" off the weather by changing their environmental practices. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, goes inside the volcano, one of nature's most deadly and feared forces. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at some of the most deadly and destructive volcanic events throughout history, including the total annihilation of the city of Pompeii, Italy. In more modern times, volcanoes remain active, especially those in Hawaii and the famed Mount St. Helens in Washington state. The 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens killed 55 people and destroyed millions of acres of land. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features an interview with noted Smithsonian Institute scientist Dick Fiske, who talks about his extensive research on the volcano Kilaeua in Hawaii. Footage of both the damage of Mt. St. Helens and of volcanic action underwater complete this picture of Mother Nature as a deadly force. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, delves into the heart of the manhunt for one of the most elusive serial bombers of the century: the Unabomber. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode starts at the beginning of the Unabomber's criminal activities, with a letter bomb explosion in 1978. From then on, federal authorities searched for this person, who, over the years, sent more fatal bombs through the mail. Finally, in 1996, the FBI tracked the source of the bombing to Ted Kaczynski, who lived in seclusion in the Montana wilderness. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with criminologist Michael Rustigan, FBI Serial Crimes Unit Agent John Douglas, and other law enforcement professionals who helped bring the Unabomber to justice. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, investigates the horror and the confusion behind the Kent State attack in 1970. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at how the entire scope of the Vietnam War changed on the Kent State campus, when the Ohio National Guard opened fire on groups of war protestors, leaving four American students dead and nine wounded. Using extensive footage from the CBS News archives, reporters and witnesses talk about their experiences on this day in 1970 and how Kent State brought the violence and death of war onto American soil. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with reporters sent in to cover the event, in addition to both supporters and protesters of the war in Vietnam. There is also a look at how the Kent State attack affected the Nixon presidency. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a close look inside the decades-old conflict between the Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode first gives background history of the Irish Republic Army (IRA) and of other groups embroiled in this age-old series of conflicts. Spilling over into London with attacks on English citizens and landmarks, the IRA is a group known around the world for their belief in their cause and the violent means they use to get their point across. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features exclusive interviews with reporters who have covered this heated controversy from the beginning. There are also interviews with experts on these Irish/British relations, including Paul Arthur, Seamus Deane, and John Hume, all of whom share their opinions on these conflicts and what the future holds. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, delves into the Iran-Contra scandal that almost ruined President Ronald Reagan's second term in the White House. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode spans from the heyday of President Reagan's popularity to the first uncovering of the plot of funding freedom fighters in Nicaragua with moneys from illegally sold weapons to staunch-enemy Iran. 20th Century With Mike Wallace includes CBS News footage of the Iran-Contra Congressional investigation and a variety of different governmental employees and reporters talking about the impact of the scandal on the Reagan administration and on the entire nation. There are also interviews with some key players in politics and in the scandal, including Oliver North, George Schultz, and John Poindexter. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace explores the details and the motives behind the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. This episode first uses CBS News footage to show the actual events from that day in February, where nine people died and hundreds were injured. Wallace and a team of CBS News reporters delve into what happened and who was responsible for this deadly attack. There are interviews with FBI agent James Fox, who led the investigation of the bombing and reveals how lucky breaks in the case led to tracking down suspects. 20th Century With Mike Wallace also talks with the Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Fouad Ajami, who shares his opinions on the culture and mentality of the Islamic terrorist groups who were behind the attack. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace delves into terrorist attacks on American soil. This episode uses the 1993 World Trade Center bombing by an Islamic terrorist group and the attack of the Achille Lauro as two cases of terrorist activities in Americans' own country, rather than in foreign lands. Americans had become used to hearing about terrorism in other countries, but now Americans are faced with fears of attacks right in their own backyards. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features an exclusive interview with the Director of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Fouad Ajami, who gives some background of terrorist groups and how terrorism will continue to be a threat not only abroad, but also in the United States. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a behind-the-scenes look at the events of the 1967 uprising at Con Thien and Khe Sahn in Vietnam. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode tells the harrowing story of these two incidents, both of which proved the resiliency of the American military. U.S. governmental and military officials were counting on more battles out in the open as opposed to the preferred guerilla warfare of the Vietnamese fighters. These two encounters were both the open types of encounters the U.S. was hoping for, but still the victories were not clear. 20th Century With Mike Wallace shows how neither of these battles had a decisive winner nor loser, and how both of these encounters were a foreshadowing of the indecisive outcome of this war. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, delves into the details and horrors of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker disaster and shows how it should have been predicted. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode tells of how two oil spills in 1967 and 1978 should have forced tankers to have tighter regulations and more safety features. The 1989 Valdez spill forces officials to reexamine the idea of tankers carrying thousands of tons of oil. Oil industry insiders talk about whether the oil companies have done enough to prevent an accident like the Valdez from happening again. 20th Century With Mike Wallace also uses CBS News footage of the actual Valdez spill and the tremendous cleanup efforts that followed in the years after the accident. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a look at these two events involving the tense relations between the United States and Cuba. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode uses extensive footage from CBS News archives to document these historical and chilling events from the early '60s. 20th Century With Mike Wallace shows how the strained relations with Cuban leader Fidel Castro was intensified by the heat of the Cold War and Cuba's alliance with the Soviet Union and Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev. Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense under President John F. Kennedy, talks in an exclusive interview about the days prior to and after both the Bay of Pigs failure and the Cuban missile crisis. Historians and scholars also take a look at the repercussions of these events in subsequent years. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, explores the phenomenon of aliens and creatures from other worlds coming to Earth. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at some of the most infamous alleged alien landings including the Roswell, NM, incident, which continues to draw heated debate about the question of its validity. Scientists who both believe and do not believe in these landings offer evidence that back up their opinions. Some of these scientists report of unexplained signals from space that cannot be identified even with the vast technology of today. 20th Century With Mike Wallace also features an interview with Don Berliner, head of the Fund of UFO Research, who talks about how he and many others feel that we are not alone in the universe. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a look at men and women who have killed or attempted to kill public figures. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode examines the lives of John Hinckley, who attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan, James Earl Ray, who shot Dr. Martin Luther King, and Sirhan Sirhan, who killed Senator Robert Kennedy. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features an interview with Mark David Chapman, the man who shot John Lennon and therefore created a notorious place in American history for himself. Past and present CBS correspondents Walter Cronkite, Charles Kuralt, and Dan Rather share these opinions on why these men seek out high-profile figures and why these assassinations or attempts have propelled them all into notoriety. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a look at murder cases where one member of a family is killed by another. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at some of the most famous family murder cases in recent memory, including the two Menendez brothers and Susan Smith, who drowned her two children in her car. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with reporters who covered these cases and others, in addition to some law enforcement professionals who have worked on family killings. There is also a close look at the case of Dr. San Sheppard, who was convicted of killing his wife but eventually was vindicated, mostly as a result of the continuous work of his son. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, looks at the horrors of the Vietnam War through an examination of the air conflict and a look at the prisoners of war (POWs). Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode shows how the U.S. military thought that victory would be assured in going up against the third world nations of Southeast Asia. Soon, the U.S. discovered that they had underestimated the powers of the North Vietnamese. By showing classic footage from CBS News archives, this program shows some of the surviving U.S. pilots talking about the brutality and failure of the air fights, from the beginning to the very end of this bloody war. 20th Century With Mike Wallace also features an interview with Senator John McCain, who talks about his experiences as a POW in Vietnam. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a close look at the history and the war in Entebbe, a city in South Central Uganda in Africa. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode uses footage from CBS to document these six days in 1976 that began after a French airplane, en route from Israel to France, was hijacked and diverted to Entebbe. An Israeli commando squad finally stopped the Palestinian hijackers and freed all 103 Israeli hostages aboard the plane. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with some of the former hostages and an examination of the leadership of Yitzhak Rabin, who commanded the Israeli forces during that six-day war. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, examines the controversial topic of school desegregation. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at two landmark cases, one from the late '50s in Arkansas and one from the mid-'70s in Boston that show how fierce an issue desegregation is in all parts of the country. 20th Century With Mike Wallace details each event, both of which are filled with racial hatred and bitterness that have caused strife in this country for centuries. Historians speak out about why desegregation has been such a heated topic since the Supreme Court ruling on integrated schools in 1957. Justice officials talk about this topic from the legal point of view and speak out about the progress, or lack of progress, America has made in accepting integration within schools. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, goes behind the scenes for a look at the dark, secret world of crooked police officers. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode highlights some of the notorious police corruption cases in history and shows how the level of corruption has changed through the years. Today, police are becoming bolder in their criminal activities, no longer settling for just stealing money or drugs, but at times becoming the drug dealers. 20th Century With Mike Wallace looks at the police forces around the country where officers have pulled off extensive cases of corruption, including New Orleans, New York, Miami, and Philadelphia. There is also an interview with former police officer and professor of criminal justice Jim Fyfe who talks about how cops succeed in committing crimes and what makes criminal activity so tempting. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, examines the 1979 fall of the Shah of Iran and the hostage situation that arose from the turmoil. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at the preceding and following events of the fall of the Iranian leader, with a detailed study of the 444-day hostage crisis where many of the hostages were Americans. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features footage of interviews with many of the people who were intricate players in these events, including President Jimmy Carter, Ayatollah Khomeini, Anwar Sadat, and the Shah. Historians and political experts talk about how those events of the late '70s and early '80s are still affecting relations between Middle Eastern countries and America's relations with the Middle East. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, examines the cases of airplane crashes that are left unresolved. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode looks at two crashes in particular where no conclusion was drawn on why the crashes occurred: USAir Flight 427 in Aliquippa, PA, in 1994 and United Flight 585 in Colorado Springs, CO, in 1991. Aviation officials talk about how these crashes share remarkable similarities, including no problems reported until the planes suddenly nose-dived and crashed near landing. There are conversations with members of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) who have worked tirelessly to find a conclusion to these two deadly mysteries. Family members of the lost passengers are also interviewed for a look at what it is like to lose someone without knowing the why and the how of what happened. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, takes a close look at the new world of computer-related crime. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode documents how this form of technological crime was not around ten years ago and how it varies from day to day as technology changes. Computer experts talk about how some of these cyber-crimes are carried out and how it does not take much computer know-how to commit crimes via the Internet. Law enforcement professionals talk about what they are doing to stop these crimes and how hard it is to control and monitor technological crimes. They also talk about the potential for much more serious crimes, such as terrorist attacks, started just by having access to a computer and the Internet. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 1996
While the numbers of Americans suffering from depression is high, many of its victims do not seek help of any kind. Many suicides result from depression. Treatment and therapy can alleviate the symptoms, and this program offers resources that viewers can contact. Doctor Is In: Depression and Manic Depression interviews several individuals who have dealt with either depression or manic depression. These include Mike Wallace of CBS, Robert Boorstin of the State Department, author and psychiatrist Kay Redfield-Jamison, and artist Lama Dejani. ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace gets an up-close look at the crash of TWA flight 800. This episode closely examines why the 747 went down on that day in 1996, looking at all suspected theories, such as a terrorist attack, and finally the real cause of the crash. 20th Century With Mike Wallace features interviews with experts from the Federal Aviation Administration and with Jim Kallstrom, a former FBI head who was leading the flight 800 investigation. The real cause of the crash, a flaw in the 747's center fuel tank, is scrutinized and FAA officials talk about what they have done to prevent something like this from happening again. There are also interviews with some of the family members of the perished, who tell the story of the crash from a more personal side. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
