Arena

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Arena

Documentary about the life of Frankie Howerd, with help from friends and colleagues and including highlights from his TV and film career.

2024
Documentary looking at the short but brilliant career of legendary rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly. Features interviews with contemporaries and fans including Paul McCartney.
Peggy Sue Gerron Rackham, the inspiration behind two Buddy Holly songs, tells how they both came to be written and provides some fresh insights into Holly's tragically short career.
Painter and author John Byrne's diverse and inventive autobiography, in which he travels from his youth, through his art school years, his stage and TV plays and on to his death.
Profile of Orson Welles, looking at films including The Trial, Chimes at Midnight, The Immortal Story and F for Fake and discussing his unfinished projects, including Don Quixote.
Profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film. This part deals with his work up to Touch of Evil.
Episodes 2023
An investigation of the appeal and power of the popular song My Way, which was written by Paul Anka and was recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra.
1:35:00
Arena profiles crooner Frank Sinatra, acknowledged as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, from his early family background to overwhelming showbusiness success.
Once dubbed the 'king of cool', a look at the man behind the silky voice as Tony Bennett - civil rights activist, jazz enthusiast, painter and New Yorker - takes a tour around his native city.
Director Billy Wilder discusses his career with German film-maker Volker Schlondorff.
Dame Beryl Bainbridge takes an idiosyncratic tour of the last 20 years of writer and poet Samuel Johnson's turbulent life, focusing on his relationship with Hester Thrale.
Second of three in-depth conversations with the film director and writer Billy Wilder. He recalls his memories of the great Hollywood stars, including Mae West and Humphrey Bogart.
Film exploring the life of one of the most celebrated icons of early cinema. Louise Brooks talks about her days in Paris and Berlin and the harsh retribution exacted by Hollywood.
1:00:00
Documentary about the early female movie stars: Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe - immortal goddesses made by Hollywood to reign over the silver screen.
Writer Peter Shaffer talks about his plays, his life and the theatre. With an extract from the 1976 stage production of Equus, starring Colin Blakely and Gerry Sundquist.
1:30:00
Martin Scorsese continues to explore Bob Dylan's early career. At 23, Dylan confounds expectations and finds a new musical vocabulary to capture the seismic cultural shift.
1:55:00
The story of Bob Dylan, from a rock 'n' roll-loving kid in the Midwest to his arrival as a major force in the world of folk music. Including unseen footage and rare recordings.
Director Billy Wilder discusses his career with German film-maker Volker Schlondorff, reminiscing about his early years in Hollywood and his emotional return to postwar Berlin.
1:00:00
A tribute to Liverpudlian comic Ken Dodd, in which he discusses his career and influences. Featuring clips of his early performances and footage of him on tour in recent times.
Writer Armistead Maupin tells the story behind his Tales of the City novels and introduces some of the San Franciscans who provided the inspiration for his characters
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