Documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee and editor Marilyn Levine. He made the film, "Sherman's March," in which he set out to trace William Tecumseh Sherman's march to the sea -- but it really traces his entanglements with Southern women along the way. During the editing of that film, he and Levine fell in love. McElwee's new film, "Something to Do With The Wall," began as a story about the eternal presence of the Berlin Wall, but ended up a story of the wall's breaking down.
In 1960, Curtis starred in the film, "Spartacus," about a leader of slaves revolting against Republican Rome. A restored version of the film is being released that includes previously cut scenes, including a homoerotic exchange between Curtis and co-star Laurence Olivier.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the "Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series," a three-CD set which covers three decades of Dylan's career. Tucker says it's interesting, but doesn't match Dylan's official albums.
We examine how the Gulf War has changed the arms race with journalist James Adams. He's the Defense Correspondent and Associate Editor of The Sunday Times of London, and the author of "Engines of War: Merchants of Death and the New Arms Race."
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new French film, "Daddy Nostalgia," starring Dirk Bogard as a man at the end of his life reconnecting with his daughter.
Fresh Air producer Amy Salit talks with Indian writer Gita Mehta. Mehta wrote the best-selling novel, "Raj," which has just been released in paperback.
Faith Sale of PEN, the international writers group, and Christine Serfaty, whose husband is the Moroccan writer, Abraham Serfaty. He's been in jail for 17 years because of his writing. PEN just gave Serfaty its "Freedom to Write" award to call attention to his plight.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two recent recordings of American composer Elliott Carter's works. Now in his 80s, Carter is still composing, and shows no sign of slowing down.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Sarah Maitland's new novel, which masterfully weaves together real dragons, the end of childhood, cancer, and Christian symbolism in a narrative that somehow leads to salvation.
Michael Jackson (No, not THAT Michael Jackson). He's a beer expert who's written the "Pocket Guide to Beer (The Connoisseur's companion to over 1000 Beers of the World)," by Simon & Schuster. He lives in England and has also written "The New World Guide to Beer.
Vietnamesse-American Pham Thanh and American filmmaker Elizabeth Farnsworth. As a child, Thanh was seriously injured when the Americans bombed his village. He eventually was brought to America and raised by foster parents. Farnsworth has made a documentary about Thanh's life, and the legacy of the Vietnam war on that country's children. It's called "Thanh's War," and it's being shown this week on PBS.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The 90s," public television's weekly, quirky, sprawling and enjoyable show featuring bizarre news stories, essays, and occasional music performances.
Terry talks with ethnomusicologist Steven Feld. His new record, "Voices of the Rainforest," captures the songs of the Kaluli people of Paupa New Guinea. Feld also works for preservation of the world's rain forests, since if the forests are eliminated, so will much indigenous music.
McCorkle is a favorite of Fresh Air, and Terry thought it's been too long since she's been on the show. Today, McCorkle is joined by pianist Ben Aronov and bassist John Goldsby.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan review Kitty Kelley's salacious Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography. Corrigan, who is no fan of the former first lady, says it's perversely entertaining.
We discuss free speech on college campuses with ACLU counsel Ed Chen, Nat Hentoff, University of Wisconsin legal counsel Pat Hodulik, and Brown University President Vartan Gregorian.
