Terry Gross

Songwriter Hugh Martin co-wrote the Christmas tune that Judy Garland made famous in the 1944 classic Meet Me in St. Louis. Martin, who recently released a memoir, explains how he came up with his famous lyrics.

In 1936, George VI reluctantly ascended to the British throne after his older brother abdicated. Tom Hooper's new film, The King's Speech, tells the true story of George VI's stammer and his relationship with an unconventional speech therapist who helped him speak.

Rolling Stone political correspondent Tim Dickinson says the tax policies pursued by the Republican Party have benefited the top 1 percent of income earners. "The people at the very top of the income [bracket] are taking off like a rocket," he says.