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American Masters: Norman Lear DVD

$24.99 $17.99
5 Reviews Write a Review
Item #: WA7582
Largely responsible for bold American television in the 1970s, Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism, Lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism - laughter - and created some of the greatest moments ... More
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Largely responsible for bold American television in the 1970s, Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism, Lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism - laughter - and created some of the greatest moments in television history.

American Masters: Norman Lear Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom. With unprecedented access to Lear, his work and his massive personal archives, American Masters - Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You combines stories from his turbulent childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism.

The documentary also features colorful stories from Lear's family, friends and collaborators, including John Amos, Mel Brooks, George Clooney, Alan Horn, Louise Lasser, Bill Moyers, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Russell Simmons. Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady show how a poor Jewish kid from Connecticut became one of TV's most successful producers. Bringing provocative subjects like war, poverty, and prejudice into 120 million homes every week, Lear proved that social change was possible through an unlikely prism - laughter - and created some of the greatest moments in television history.

EXTRAS
What do a 92 year old Jew and the world of hip hop have in #Common?
Mary Hartman Breakdown
Mary Hartman Casting
Not Dead Yet
Bill Moyers on Norman Lear
Psychiatry Story 

Producer: Suzanne Hillinger, Brent Miller, Julie Sacks
Executive Producer: Michael Kantor
Production Company: Thirteen
Production Year: 2015
Copyright Year: 2015
Rating: TV-14
Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Talent: Norman Lear
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 90 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English (SDH)
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

5 Reviews
C
Christine
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
01/17/24
Love Norman Lear
Review by Christine on 01/17/24 review stating Love Norman Lear
Outstanding
J
Jan
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/08/21
Norman Lear is my inspiration
Review by Jan on 08/08/21 review stating Norman Lear is my inspiration
How could one man have such positive influence on society? Very few, but Norman Lear is definitely one.
V
Val
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Incredible relook at the 60s and Norman Lear
Review by Val on 07/17/20 review stating Incredible relook at the 60s and Norman Lear
I waited some time to play what I had taped. Wasnt that interested. Knew it all. THEN...50 years later, within a few frames, I simply was blown away by that time, its deep resonance in me, my twenties, our world, made anew through the eyes and incredible insight of this great soul, ironically made palpable through comedy and satire, not preaching. Details of the story behind All in the family. the world around it all. the growth we were all jerked into , left me in tears and joy. The sheer humanity he demonstrated and his crossing this mighty bridge with Blacks so welcome and lived on screen-- showed us all it was just a different version of the same story America became a better place.
K
K. D.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
This is riveting.
Review by K. D. on 07/17/20 review stating This is riveting.
I saw this on the PBS channel. I had used a quote of hers just that day at work, so I wanted to see what it was about. The clips back and forth through her life, with comments from the people who knew her were spellbinding. I have so much more appreciation for her, now. I wish Id been paying better attention when she was alive. I especially loved the comments from her son. It moved me to tears. What an extraordinary woman.
A
Austin T.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
One of the most interesting photographers you never heard of
Review by Austin T. on 07/17/20 review stating One of the most interesting photographers you never heard of
Though Im pretty familiar with the history of photography, this very well made PBS video introduced me to an important photographer of the 20th century, Pedro E. Guerrero. His personal story is moving and interesting and his extended work with Frank Lloyd Wright and Alexander Calder is fascinating as well.

"Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You is time well spent and presents an enlightening and interesting look at the legendary showrunner." - AVS Forum

"Somehow, they've distilled it down and created a beautiful and comprehensive tribute to a man whose resume defies brevity…Get the inside scoop on Mary Hartman Mary Hartman! Watch this exclusive clip below from American Masters- Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You."- Huffington Post

"…beautiful and comprehensive…The perfect gift for TV and nostalgia buffs who like to laugh and discover cool facts and trivia, Just Another Version of You, also reminds us of the important fact that we're cut from the same cloth." - Parade.com

Highlighted Customer Reviews

A
Austin T. reviewed American Masters: Norman Lear DVD
5 star rating
One of the most interesting photographers you never heard of
Review by Austin T. review stating One of the most interesting photographers you never heard of
Though Im pretty familiar with the history of photography, this very well made PBS video introduced me to an important photographer of the 20th century, Pedro E. Guerrero. His personal story is moving and interesting and his extended work with Frank Lloyd Wright and Alexander Calder is fascinating as well.
K
K. D. reviewed American Masters: Norman Lear DVD
5 star rating
This is riveting.
Review by K. D. review stating This is riveting.
I saw this on the PBS channel. I had used a quote of hers just that day at work, so I wanted to see what it was about. The clips back and forth through her life, with comments from the people who knew her were spellbinding. I have so much more appreciation for her, now. I wish Id been paying better attention when she was alive. I especially loved the comments from her son. It moved me to tears. What an extraordinary woman.
V
Val reviewed American Masters: Norman Lear DVD
5 star rating
Incredible relook at the 60s and Norman Lear
Review by Val review stating Incredible relook at the 60s and Norman Lear
I waited some time to play what I had taped. Wasnt that interested. Knew it all. THEN...50 years later, within a few frames, I simply was blown away by that time, its deep resonance in me, my twenties, our world, made anew through the eyes and incredible insight of this great soul, ironically made palpable through comedy and satire, not preaching. Details of the story behind All in the family. the world around it all. the growth we were all jerked into , left me in tears and joy. The sheer humanity he demonstrated and his crossing this mighty bridge with Blacks so welcome and lived on screen-- showed us all it was just a different version of the same story America became a better place.
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