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From the Archives: Crime Novelist Elmore Leonard.

Novelist Elmore Leoanrd. The new film "Jackie Brown" is based on his crime novel, "Rum Punch." It's directed by Quentin Tarantino. He's 72 years old and has been called "the greatest living writer of crime fiction" (New York Times). Though he'd been writing for decades, critics didn't take notice of him until the 1980s. Now his work is known for it tight prose, "ear-perfect" dialogue and depiction of lower class life. Leonard's written thirty-two novels, including the bestsellers "Pronto," "Maximum Bob," and "Get Shorty" which was been made into a film, starring John Travolta and Gene Hackman. Leonard's newest novel, "Cuba Libre" is due out later this month. (REBROADCAST from 10/31/95)

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Other segments from the episode on January 2, 1998

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, January 2, 1998: Interview with Pam Grier; Interview with Elmore Leonard; Interview with Curtis Hanson and Russell Crowe; Commentary on the word "cult."
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08:51

From the Archives: Actor Pam Grier.

Actress Pam Grier. She's starring in the new film Quentin Tarantino film, "Jackie Brown." She got her start playing tough, scantily-clad women in black exploitation films, such as "Black Mama, White Mama," "Foxy Brown," and "Sheba Baby." She played a hooker in "Fort Apache: The Bronx," and (REBROADCAST from 5/10/90)

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21:48

From the Archives: Making "L. A. Confidential."

Director Curtis Hanson and actor Russell Crowe from the film "L.A. Confidential." It's about corruption and retribution in L.A. in the 1950s and 60s and is adapted from the 1990 novel by James Ellroy. (James Ellroy is a previous Fresh Air guest whose memoir "My Dark Places" was about his mother's murder in L.A. in 1958) The film won best picture, best director and best screenplay awards from the New York Film critics circle and the LA film critics. It's also been nominated for 5 Golden Globe awards. (REBROADCAST from 9/18/97)

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40:21

Your Guide to Films Opening in December.

Fresh air Film Critic John Powers talks with Terry Gross about many, but not all, of the new Hollywood films that will be open by Christmas day. Powers talks about: “Jackie Brown,” “Kundun,” “Wag the Dog,” “As Good As It Gets,” “The Boxer,” “Deconstructing Harry,” “Good Will Hunting,” “The Sweet Hereafter,” and “After Glow.” Powers is also a film critic for Vogue. His articles have appeared in numerous
publications including, Rolling Stone, New York magazine, The Washington Post, The Nation, Harper’s, Film, and Film Comment and L.A. Weekly.

Interview

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Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Journalist ANNIE LOWREY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers economic policy. Her new book is The Time Tax: How the Government Wastes Our Time, and How to Fix It. She argues that the red tape in American life isn't an accident. It's a policy choice, one that determines who gets food assistance, health care, even the ability to vote. Her previous book is Give People Money about universal basic income. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn says no thanks to a world dictated by groupthink

(2.) Actor RHEA SEEHORN<RAY Seehorn>. The former co-star of “Better Call Saul” is nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in “Pluribus,” the Apple TV series created by Vince Gilligan. Terry Gross spoke with RHEA SEEHORN last year about the “Pluribus”. “Pluribus” is nominated for eighteen Emmys, including one for SEEHORN as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Emmys are scheduled for September 14th. (THIS INTERVIEW ORIGINALLY AIRED 12.09.2025)

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