BIOGRAPHY

 

VCR 92 A131

BERENICE ABBOT:  Ishtar Films, c1992.

Summary:  Video portrait of one of America’s greatest 20th century photographers.  Includes interviews with Abbot before her death in 1991.  (57 min.)

 

VCR 92 A544ha

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: Nelson Entertainment, c1985.

Summary: Musical movie loosely based upon the life of the famous storyteller. Stars Danny Kaye as Hans Anderson.  (1 hour & 52 min.)

 

VCR 92 A628

SUSAN B. ANTHONY TELLS HER STORY : Society for Visual Education, 1993.

Summary: Introduces the life and thoughts of Susan B. Anthony, whose work led to a Constitutional amendment granting women in the United States the right to vote.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 A957

GOOD CONVERSATION!: A TALK WITH AVI: Tim Podell Productions, [1993?]

Summary: Interview in which Avi talks about his life and writings.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 B296

BARYSHNIKOV: THE DANCER AND THE DANCE: Kultur, 1983.

Summary: A profile of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Includes the complete ballet "Configurations" choreographed by Choo San Goh.  (1 hour & 22 min.)

 

VCR 92 B658

CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, JUDY BLUME: Films Incorporated. c1979.

Summary: Jack Perkins interviews author of  best‑selling books for juveniles Judy Blume, and explores why she is controversial among parents and why young people feel she is filling a need not met by parents or teachers.  (17 min.)

VCR 92 C374

RACHEL CARSON’S SILENT SPRING:  PBS, c1993.

Summary: Discusses Rachel Carson’s book: Silent Spring.  Focusing on the chemical poisoning of the environment.  This is the story of how one scientist’s courage changed the way we think about our world.  (57 min.)

VCR 92 C343po

MARY CASSATT: IMPRESSIONIST FROM PHILADELPHIA: Home Vision, c1977.

Summary: Focuses on the life and work of Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt.  (30 min.)

VCR 92 C555

AGATHA CHRISTIE, HOW DID SHE DO IT?: Horne Vision, c1986.

Summary: This program seeks clues to the elusive character of the writer, Agatha Christie, attempting to discover the secret of her appeal and the motivation behind her prodigious output. Includes an archival film of Christie and her family, plus excerpts from her books, plays, and films.  (55 min.)

 

VCR 92 C563sp

THE SPEECHES OF WINSTON CHURCHILL: MPI Home Video, c1988.

Summary: Program focuses on Winston Churchill as a public orator using excerpts from his addresses to the public, to the House of Commons, and to the United States Congress.  (1 hour)

 

VCR 92 C978

GOOD CONVERSATION! TALK WITH CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS: Tim Podell, 2000.

Summary: Tim Podell interviews Christopher Paul Curtis, 2000 Newbery Award winning author, in his home in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  (22 min.)

 

VCR 92 D143

DALI: Kulter, c1988, c1986.

Summary: Presents Dali's entire work -- painting, sculpting, writing, fashion and film -- in the context of his extraordinary life and career. Constructed through a combination of specially shot location footage, archive film, feature film material and interviews with Dali's friends and colleagues.  (1 hour & 15 min.)

VCR 92 D419

A VISIT WITH TOMIE DE PAOLA: Whitebird, Inc. 1996.

Summary: Tomie de Paola opens his home and 200-year-old barn/studio for a tour and conversation about how he creates his books and artwork.  (25 min.)

  

VCR 92 E12am

AMELIA EARHART: PBS Video, 1993.

Summary: Chronicles the life of Amelia Earhart, as a pioneer in aviation and the remarkable publicity machine that kept her constantly in the limelight.  This film does not focus especially on her mysterious death, but on her life.  (57 min.)

 

VCR 92 G763ul

ULYSSES S. GRANT: Atlas Video,1989.

Summary: Video tells the extraordinary story of Ulysses S. Grant, the one time shop clerk who became commander of the Civil War's victorious Union armies.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 G848n

ALTER, ANN ILAN, 1945-: NO NEED TO REPENT: THE BALLAD OF REV. JAN

GRIESINGER: Asymmetry Productions, 1989.

Summary: A documentary using live footage, home movies, interviews, etc. to present the life and life work of the Rev. Jan Griesinger: lesbian, feminist, peace activist, and ordained minister.  (27 min.)

 

VCR 92 H675

BLACK FOX: THE RISE AND FALL OF ADOLF HITLER: White Star, c1962, [1990?].

Summary: Portrait of Adolph Hitler from boyhood, to soldier in WWI, to drive for power. Narrated by Marlene Dietrich, this story compares Hitler to a 12th century folktale, Reynard the Fox.   (1 hour & 29 min.)

VCR 92 H893

LANGSTON HUGHES: Schlessinger Video Productions, 1994.

Summary: Provides biographical information about his life, thoughts and contributions.  (ca. 30 min.)

 

VCR 92 J13je

JESSE L. JACKSON: Rudolph Video Productions, 1989.

Summary: Videocassette release of the 1988 speech by Jesse L. Jackson at the Democratic National Convention.  (55 min.)

 

VCR 92 J14st

STONEWALL JACKSON: Atlas Video, c1989.

Summary: Tells the remarkable story of the legendary Confederate general, Thomas J. Jackson. From his orphaned youth in the Applachian Mountains to his daring exploits on Civil War battlefields, this powerful documentary presents the life and times of one of America's most brilliant and eccentric military leaders.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 J45

THOMAS JEFFERSON: PBS Home Video, c1997.

Summary: Ken Burns documents life of Thomas Jefferson in two videocassettes that are narrated by Ossie Davis.  (3 hours)

 

VCR 92 J69

SAMUEL JOHNSON: Kultur, c1996.

Summary:  Traces the life and literary career of Samuel Johnson, using photographs and views of Samuel Johnson.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 K35

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY: Films, Inc., 1971.

Summary: From the opening of the film, the landing approach at Love Field in Dallas that fateful day in November, 1963, the film flashes back to the significant points in the life of our thirty‑fifth president. It shows his life and his relation to history, up to his assassination.  (50 min.)

 

VCR 92 K35li

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN F. KENNEDY: White Star, [19--].

Summary: Begins with JFK’s childhood and tenure as a young Naval officer in WWII, and then continues to his immersion into politics, marriage to Jackie and an intimate look at his years in the White House.  (55 min.)

 

VCR 92 K35sp

THE SPEECHES OF: JOHN F. KENNEDY:  MPI Home Video, c1988.

Summary: John F. Kennedy's speeches beginning with the 1960 campaign through the major addresses during his three years in office.  (1 hour)

 

VCR 92 K35th

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT: Worldvision Home Video, Inc., 1984.

Summary: Selects best moments from the televised press conferences of President Kennedy, the first President to hold such meetings. Included are topics such as U.S.--Soviet relations, threat of nuclear war, women's rights, Central America, the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.  (45 min.)

 

VCR 92 K53

KING, MARTIN LUTHER, JR., 1929-1968.: I HAVE A DREAM: MPI Home Video, 1986.

Summary: Recording of Martin Luther King’s televised speech given on August 28, 1963, to the civil rights marchers at the Lincoln Memorial, with additional footage from other demonstrations and King’s funeral.  (28 min.)
 

VCR 92 K53 1977

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: THE MAN AND THE DREAM: A & E Home Video, c1997.

Summary: A look at Martin Luther King, Jr. and his role in the civil rights movement.  (50 min.) 

 

VCR 92 K53 1998

OUR FRIEND, MARTIN: Fox Home Entertainment, [1998].

Summary: Blend of animation and authentic historical footage, this film uses a sixth-grade class project to present highlights in the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.  (1 hour) 

 

VCR 92 L479ro

ROBERT E. LEE: Atlas Video, c1989.

Summary: From his birth in the Virginia aristocracy, to the Civil War, to his presidency of an emerging southern university, this compelling documentary chronicles the remarkable triumphs and dramatic defeats of the legendary Confederate general.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 L728

HAWAII’S LAST QUEEN: PBS Video, c1997.

Summary: Hosted by David McCullough, this video tells of Lili’oukalani’s life, her embattled reign as the queen of Hawaii, and the ultimate betrayal that led to the loss of her kingdom.  (1 hour)

 

VCR 92 L736ab

ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS: Turner Home Entertainment, 1987.

Summary: Views Lincoln's life from his early days as a young woodsman to his election to Presidency in 1860. Includes his first love, his marriage, his early law practice, and his debates with Douglas. Stars Raymond Massey as Lincoln.  (1 hour & 50 min.)

 

VCR 92 M127

BARBARA MCCLINTOCK: PIONEER OF MODERN GENETICS: Sunburst Communications, c1990.

Summary: An interview with Barbara McClintock and an overview of her life and research in genetic coding.  (15 min.)

 

VCR 92 M158

GOOD CONVERSATION!: A TALK WITH THE MCKISSACKS: Tim Podell Productions, 1997.

Summary: Patricia and Fred McKissack share the inspirations for their writings, anecdotes from their lives, and talk about what it was like growing up in the segregated South and how it affected them.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 M379

A VISIT WITH BILL MARTIN, JR.:  Mannick Productions, 1995

Summary:  Bill Martin is a children’s author and an authority on literacy education.  He tells of his struggle to learn to read and other aspects of his life.  Then he reads some of his books.  (24 min.)

 

VCR 92 M515

WHO FOUND THE MISSING LINK?: “A GIFT FROM HEAVEN”: Films for the Humanities

and Sciences, 1991.

Summary: Tells the story of physicist Lise Meitner and her pioneering work that led to the splitting of the atom.  Explains how her work was forgotten and credit was given to chemist Otto Hahn.  In following the progress of the various experiments and measurements, the program traces the paths that led to controlled nuclear fission.  (26 min.)

 

VCR 92 041po

GEORGIA O'KEEFFE: Home Vision, c1977.

Summary: Explores the life and work of Georgia O'Keeffe.  (1 hour)    

 

VCR 92 P252

ROSA PARKS: THE PATH TO FREEDOM: Filmmakers Library, [1996?]

Summary: Documentary contains an overview of the events that took place in Mongomery, AL, Mrs. Parks’ arrest, the bus boycott, and the segregation laws that were finally overturned.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 P367go

A TALK WITH RICHARD PECK: Tim Podell Productions, 1997.

Summary: Richard Peck reads from his writings, talks about his life and shares what he thinks makes a good writer.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 P453

EVITA: THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MYTH: A&E Television Network, c1996.

Summary: Eva Duarte de Peron is one of the most controversial figures in history.  Through rare photographs and films, this documentary tells Evita’s story from her humble birth to her tragic death from cancer.  (50 min.)

 

VCR 92 P762

PATRICIA POLACCO, DREAM KEEPER: Searchlight Films, c1996.

Summary: Author-illustrator Patricia Polacco talks about her childhood, family and sources of inspiration for her stories.  (23 min.) 

 

VCR 92 R684no

NORMAN ROCKWELL'S WORLD ... AN AMERICAN DREAM: Home Vision, c1972.

Summary: A study of Norman Rockwell as man and artist. Shows how he documented American life over six decades in the pictures of the children, families, and friends from his world.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92  R781

FDR:  David Grubin Productions, PBS, c1994.

Summary: Tape 1: The Center Of The World and Fear Itself cover Roosevelt’s early years, early political successes and election to the presidency. Tape 2: The Grandest Job In The World and The Juggler cover Roosevelt’s responses to the Great Depression and his Leadership in the face of a World War.  (2 videos--4 hours & 30 min.)  

 

VCR 92 R781fr

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT: Beacon Films, 1988?.

Summary: A documentary history of the life of  Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the president of 1933-1945, who served during the great depression and most of World War II.  (45 min.)

 

VCR 92 R994cy

CYNTHIA RYLANT: American School Publishers, 1990.

Summary: In an interview from her home in Kent, Ohio, noted children’s book author Cynthia Rylant recalls her childhood experiences and describes how they have become the subjects of her novels and picture books.  (ca. 20 min.)

 

VCR 92 S129so

THE SONG OF SACAJAWEA: Rabbit Ears Productions, 1993.

Summary: Tells the true story of a young American Indian woman who courageously guides the Lewis and Clark expedition across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 S252

SADAKO AND THE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES: Informed Democracy, 1990.

Summary: The story of a girl with leukemia, who races against time to fold 1000 paper cranes to verify the legend, that by doing so a sick person could become well.  (30 min.)

 

VCR 92 S474

SENDAK: Weston Woods Studios, c1986.

Summary: Maurice Sendak, author and illustrator of children’s books, describes the significant events of his life and their impact on his life and work.  He explores the fantasies, fears and familiar happenings of childhood that are roots of great literature for children.  (27 min.)

 

VCR 92 S818

GETTING TO KNOW WILLIAM STEIG: Weston Woods Studios, [1995?]

Summary: Depicts Steig drawing at his desk, in family photos, and reminiscing about childhood where he reveals the importance of trips to the library.  He explains symbolism in his work and how he came to write some of his favorites.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 S819

JOHN STEINBECK: Films for the Humanities, c1996.

Summary: Portrayal of John Steinbeck’s life and work.  Sets Steinbeck’s writings and his life in perspective while providing a new interpretation of his work.  (45 min.)

 

VCR 92 T874

SOJOURNER TRUTH: AIN’T I A WOMAN: Coronet/ MTI, c1989.

Summary: In this dramatization, viewers learn about Sojourner Truth through her own words and the reflections of those who knew her including Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Abraham Lincoln.  (27 min.)

 

VCR 92 T967

BISHOP DESMOND TUTU: APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA: Sunburst Communications c1990.

Summary: Introduces students to Bishop Tutu and his visions of peace in South Africa.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 T969ho

THE HOUSE THAT MARK BUILT: Fenwick Productions, 1972.

Summary: Considers the history of the house built by Mark Twain in Hartford in 1873. Follows the rise and fall of the author's fortunes which ended in the death of his daughter, Susy, and the closing of the house.  (26 min.)

 

VCR 92 W177

ALICE WALKER: Lannan Foundation, c1989.

Summary: Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize and American Book Award winning writer, reads poems and excerpts from her novels at the Los Angeles Theatre Center on January 9, 1989.  (1 hour)

 

VCR 92 W651

ELIE WIESEL: WITNESS TO THE HOLOCAUST: Sunburst Communications, c1990.

Summary: Introduces Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel and acquaints students with the facts of the Holocaust showing how Wiesel bears witness to its truth through his writings.  (20 min.)

 

VCR 92 W949po

THE ARCHITECTURE OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT: Home Vision, c1983.

Summary: "Includes extensive views of his works, photographed from a human perspective to create the sense of a personal tour."  (1 hour & 15 min.) 

 

VCR 92 X1

MALCOLM X, MAKE IT PLAIN: PBS, c1994.

Summary:  This definitive biography weaves together interviews, archival footage, photographs, and an original score to portray the fascinating intellectual journey of a complex man whose ideas resonate today.  (2 hours & 30 min.)

 

VCR 92 X1m

MALCOLM X: El Hajj Malik El Shabazz

Media Basics Video, c1992?.

Summary: A documentary showing the life of Malcolm X, his leadership in the Black Muslim movement, and his influence on black Americans and African nations.  (ca. 1 hour)

 

VCR 920.72 T531

THREE WHO BELIEVED IN FREEDOM: THE HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF ELLA BAKER, SEPTIMA CLARK, FANNIE LOU HAMMER: Council on Interracial Books for Children, 1992.

Summary: Biographical narrative, interviews, news and archival films focus on the civil rights activities in the late 1950’s.  (19 min.)

 

VCR 920.72 W872

WOMEN WHO DARE: EXPLORING THE ENTREPENEURIAL ADVENTURE: Independent Means, Inc., c1998.

Summary: Co-hosted by two young women, this presentation offers the basics of starting a business.  (17 min.) 

 

VCR 920.72 W872la

WOMEN OF HOPE: LATINAS ABRIENDO CAMINO: 12 GROUND BREAKING LATINA WOMEN: Films for the Humanities, c1996.

Summary: Through interviews, news and archival film, music and literature depicts prominent Hispanic American women who made a difference.  Includes Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Miriam Colon, Antonia Amalia Mesa-Bains, Adriana Ocampo, Antonia Pantoja, Helen Rodriquez-Tiras, Ana Sol Gutierrez, and Nydia Velazquez.  (29 min.)

 

VCR 923.1 F527

FIRST LADIES: Eastman Kodak, c1989.

Summary: An excellent survey of well known first ladies using the collection of their gowns at the Smithsonian Institution as a basis.  (1 hour)

 

VCR 928 D548

DICKENS/VERNE/STEVENSON: January Productions, 1987.

Summary: Biographies of Charles Dickinson, Jules Verne, and Robert Louis Stevenson.  (52 min.)

 

VCR 928 L847

LONDON/KIPLING/WELLS: January Productions, 1987.

Summary: Biographies of Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and H.G. Wells.  (54 min.)

 

VCR 928 P743

POE/COOPER/IRVING: January Productions, 1987.

Summary: Biographies of Edgar Allen Poe, James Fenimore Cooper, and Washington Irving.  (55 min.)

 

VCR 928 T969

TWAIN/ALCOTT/MELVILLE: January Productions, 1987.

Summary: Biographies of Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, and Herman Melville.  (58 min.)