Joanne Woodward

Even in a city whose population serves as the textbook definition of "eclectic," no one could have foreseen the remarkable resident that chose New York City as a new home back in 1991. Never in recorded history had a red-tailed hawk chosen to settle in the Big Apple, and when the affectionately dubbed "Pale Male" opted to build his nest in a luxurious Fifth Avenue apartment complex, the unexpected new resident showed not only courage, but extravagant taste as well. In the years that followed, Pale Male became a celebrity to rival the city's brightest stars, and when he began to build a family in the city skyline, the population watched in amazement and breathless excitement. Now viewers can join Oscar-winning actress Joanne Woodward as she narrates this Emmy-winning installment of the popular PBS Nature series that will give nature lovers a newfound hope for the animal kingdom's ability to adapt and survive under even the most modern and inhospitable of circumstances. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

According to this made-for-cable documentary, stage and film star John Garfield set the standard for naturalistic acting that blazed the trail for such future "method" types as Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro. Lovingly narrated by Garfield's actress daughter, Julie Garfield, the film details the early childhood of Julius Garfinkel in the mean streets of New York, his fascination with acting, his absorption into the influential Group Theatre, and his ultimate journey to Hollywood, where as John Garfield, he earned an Oscar nomination for his first starring feature film, Four Daughters. From there, Garfield's star continued to ascend, unaffected by his internal battles with the studio bosses and his many marital infidelities. Yet for all his fame and fortune on the silver screen, Garfield was frustrated at being typecast as a "tough guy," yearning for more substantial, three-dimensional roles. With rare exceptions, such roles would elude him in Hollywood, compelling him to return to New York at the height of his movie popularity to star in Clifford Odets' Broadway hit The Big Knife -- ironically the story of a movie idol who had "sold out." Though extremely liberal in his politics, Garfield was never a Communist, but this didn't stop him from being persecuted by the HUAC in the late '40s, which led to his being blacklisted in Hollywood. Hounded and tormented by the anti-Red witch hunt of the era, Garfield's health suffered mightily, and by age 39 he was dead. In addition to an abundance of precious film clips (including rare footage of the actor's only TV appearance), The John Garfield Story features interviews from Garfield's co-worker's, friends, family members, and modern-day fans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Women have always been at special risk of heart disease. Studies have shown a link between the presence of heart disease in women who also have a high level of female hormones in their system due to birth control pills. A Woman's Heart explores the occurrence of heart disease in women and what we can do to try to prevent its onset. This program is an excellent resource for medical students, hospitals, and women concerned with protecting their health and future. ~ Laura Mahnken, All Movie Guide

In this drama based on Anne Tyler's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the long marriage of a couple en route to a funeral is seen from the viewpoint of those they encounter during the trip. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A tough congresswoman tries to keep her family together after her son-in-law dies in a car crash. This Emmy-nominated made-for-television drama follows her efforts and her reaction when she learns that drugs were involved. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel, romance between an upper-class gentleman and an ostracized lady is doomed by 19th century New York society. Shortly after his engagement to blandly genteel May Welland (Winona Ryder), Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is reacquainted with May's scandalous cousin Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). As the head of an esteemed family, Archer initially uses his standing to try to rehabilitate Ellen's reputation, but he finds himself increasingly drawn to her disregard for the codes of New York manners. Bound by ingrained society mores and his peers' insinuations, Newland tries to dodge his growing passion by rushing his marriage to May, but he cannot keep himself from confessing his love to Ellen. Recognizing that Newland could never abandon his sense of honor and be happy, Ellen pushes Newland to May and leaves town. The marriage proceeds as dictated, but when Newland unexpectedly sees Ellen again, he yearns for the affair to come to fruition. However, he underestimates not only what May knows but also her ability to uphold the rules of propriety. Sumptuously shot by Michael Ballhaus, the film offers meticulously designed costumes and settings that evoke a culture as seductively beautiful in its surfaces as it is stifling in its rituals. Unspoken emotions are expressed through such details as yellow roses or a clipped cigar, a fade to red or a single camera move. Using Wharton's original prose to comment on the setting's hypocrisies, Joanne Woodward's voiceover narration suggests how much decisive power is buried beneath dainty femininity. The Age of Innocence received five Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Ryder and Best Screenplay for Scorsese and Jay Cocks, and a win for Best Costumes. Although The Age of Innocence seemed like a departure from Scorsese's prior work, Newland is as much at the mercy of his circle's Byzantine structure (and his own conscience) as are Scorsese's more familiar mobsters; Newland's persecutors just wear white tie and tails. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide

A collection of videos on various Hollywood stars and their lives. ~ All Movie Guide

A dance instruction series from the Fred Astaire Studios, with instructors Lee and Peggy Santos. ~ All Movie Guide

This 1986 video directed by Ken Harrison is part of PBS's American Masterworks series. The program presents a general overview of the life of 20th century American author Katherine Anne Porter, a complex and deeply psychological writer. It includes interviews with Porter contemporaries Robert Penn Warren and Eudora Welty, as well as with other friends and family members. Interwoven with these interviews are dramatizations of two of Porter's better-known short stories, The Grave and The Circus. ~ Brendan Walsh, All Movie Guide

Given the credibility of the story and the sincerity of the players, it is surprising to learn that the made-for-TV Do You Remember Love? is not based on a true story. Joanne Woodward stars as a brilliant college professor and poet, struck down in her prime by Alzheimer's disease. Her husband Richard Kiley tries to cope, but is ultimately disheartened by Woodward's degenerating condition. Even sadder is the fact that Woodward, in her cogent moments, is fully aware that she is losing her ability to function. Written by Vickie Patek, this potentially depressing drama has a logically conceived uplifting finale. Do You Remember Love? was first telecast May 21, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Harry (Paul Newman), a middle-aged hardhat, has trouble communicating with his teenaged son Howard (Robby Benson). While Harry wants Howard to find a bread-and-butter job, the sensitive boy would rather pursue a writing career. Howard tries his best to please his dad, but ultimately realizes that he must march to his own beat if he's to find lasting happiness. The best scenes in this by-the-numbers domestic drama are those between Howard and his pregnant girlfriend (Ellen Barkin). Adapted from The Lost King, a novel by Don Capite, Harry and Son represents one of the rare occasions that star Paul Newman directed himself (at least officially!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Crisis at Central High is the sort of film that fully justifies the existence of made-for-TV movies. This superior effort is a dramatization of the court-ordered integration of Little Rock, Arkansas' Central High School in 1957. With threats of violence mounting (and some carried out), it becomes necessary for the government to send in Federal troops to escort the nine black teenagers who have been chosen to break the color barriers. Covering events from the beginning of the scholastic year to the graduation exercises, the film is based on the journals of Central High teacher/administrator Elizabeth Hucksby, who is here played by Joanne Woodward. Adapted (with precisely no political axes to grind) by Richard Levinson and William Link, Crisis at Central High made its triumphant debut on February 4, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide