Customer Reviews

Edward R Murrow: The Best of Person to Person [VHS]

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Better known for his radio broadcasts from London during the Blitz, his television show "You Are There," and his confrontations with Joseph McCarthy during the HUAC hearings, Edward R. Murrow was also a fine interviewer. His TV series "Person to Person" gave us home movies of many of the best-known celebrities and public personalities of the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

From 1953 to 1959, Murrow conducted live, remote interviews of famed entertainers and political figures in their apartments or houses, an innovation for the relatively new medium of TV. Lasting 13 or 14 minutes on average, the interviews were carefully staged affairs using multiple cameras and wireless microphones. Interviewees knew the questions to be asked, yet many were obviously nervous about having their inner sanctums invaded by technicians, bulky equipment, and bright lights. As a result, they come across as somewhat stiff at times, but all in all they acquit themselves well. Their imperturbable, chain-smoking interlocutor remains ensconced in his studio, a bit starchy as always but much more relaxed than he was in his role as a hard-hitting journalist.

Murrow's guests, who are simultaneously our hosts, give us choreographed tours of their beautiful homes and prized possessions -- Jonathan Winter's beer steins, Sid Caesar's rifles, Dick Clark's records, Jerry Lewis' paintings, Sammy Davis' suits -- which tell us a lot about their personal hobbies and passions. Winters draws a sketch, Davis does some gunslinging, and both do impressions. Liberace plays a few arpeggios, and Dean Martin performs card tricks. Some of the stars, like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward or Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, come across as completely at ease, revealing why they enjoyed such long-lasting careers and happy marriages.

We meet not only celebrities but also their spouses and, heading to bed, their children, who are invariably coached to greet Mr. Murrow. Certain stars, among them Marlon Brando, Sammy Davis, and Marilyn Monroe, introduce us to their parents, relatives, friends, collaborators, and in the case of Frank Sinatra, his Asian houseboys (who complement his new Japanese-style house).

There are many memorable moments: Liberace and his home are over the top, as is watching him talk about how much he likes women and wants to get married. Marilyn Monroe, on the other hand, seems modest, subdued, and even fragile at the home of her favorite photographer. Watching a young Dick Clark defend rock music and the kids who enjoy it is a great reminder of the social shifts the US was experiencing in the 50s.

The Kennedy brothers display their pre-White-House charisma and talk about their father, Joseph Sr., and brother, Joseph Jr., who was killed in World War II. Jack shows off framed letters by Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, demonstrating his unabashed political ambition. Watching Bobby and Ethel put their tired children to bed is particularly touching. Eleanor Roosevelt is charming as she discusses her work at the UN and presents us with some of the art and souvenirs she collected from her international travels.

These selected interviews are snapshots, so not all of the projects that the featured subjects were working on at the time are of enduring value, nor is every personality scintillating, but they frequently refer to important people and events that should whet the appetite of an attentive viewer for further historical and cultural research. The quality of the film from which these shows are drawn also varies greatly, so the viewer should expect fluctuations in contrast and grain. The images are occasionally overexposed or underexposed, or scratched and dirty, but all of the interviews are clear enough to appreciate.

CBS newsman Bob Schieffer introduces and wraps up each of the DVDs in this 3-DVD set with segments that last a minute or two. Following is a complete alphabetical listing of the personalities on parade in this collection:

Lauren Bacall
Milton Berle
Humphrey Bogart
Marlon Brando
Sid Caesar
Carol Channing
Dick Clark
Tony Curtis
Bette Davis
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Kirk Douglas
Billy Graham
Andy Griffith
Oscar Hammerstein
Helen Hayes
Charlton Heston
Gene Kelley
Ethel Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Janet Leigh
Jerry Lewis
Liberace
Art Linkletter
Sophia Loren
Dean Martin
Marilyn Monroe
Paul Newman
Norman Rockwell
Eleanor Roosevelt
Frank Sinatra
Elizabeth Taylor
Danny Thomas
Mike Todd
Esther Williams
Jonathan Winters
Joanne Woodward

I'm 49 and never saw this show, (which aired during the '50's), but found it most interesting, and so bought a number of copies to make it available to you too. As I watched it I realized that Ed Murrow was the "granddaddy" of the modern day Larry King, et al, shows. He took his cameras right into the homes of the most interesting celebrities of the 50's, gave us a interesting, informal and personal look at them, which we would not have otherwise seen. Interviews included are with: John, Jackie and Bobby Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart & Loren Bacall, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Duke Ellington, Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, Arthur Rubenstein, Sophia Loren, Harpo & Groucho Marx, Kirk Douglas, Jesse Owens, Fred Astaire, Benny Goodman, Milton Berle and Bette Davis. Here's a genuine piece of '50's nostalgia of people we still in our hearts and minds today. Very much recommended!

Edward R. Murrow set a very high standard for what television could and should be. He is known for taking on Joe McCarthy and telling the stories of America's migratory workers ("Harvest of Shame."

But Person to Person was Murrow's softer side. He enabled us to look past the veneer of America's best known people and learn important things about her. As with the Marilyn Monroe interview, we learn as much from body language as from Murrow's insightful questions.

I believe that all the great interviewers of our time learned much of their craft from Murrow. This is a collection of historic proportion.

I grew up with Edward Murrow, back in the 50's. My family never missed his show. He was the first to 'skype' I think, interviewing celebrities around the globe. He was a true pioneer. He made it all look so easy. I was surprised to find that I actually recalled some of the interviews, even though it's been half a century. Good memories.

Tremendous. The great legend Edward R. Murrow could give lessons to many of today's so called "interviewers". This volume provides a rich and informative time capsule of historical leaders, entertainers, and public figures which is fascinating in its simplicity and gives a bit of a time capsule element to the interviews. The interview with Eleanor Roosevelt is superb, and, for me, well worth the price of this volume. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, and both Robert and Ethel Kennedy with their very young children, and, especially, then Senator (and newly married) John F. and Jacqueline Kennedy are all fascinating glimpses into the lives of these figures. Murrow's somewhat "folksy" yet penetrating interviewing style allows his subjects to trust and allow him to "invade" their private lives. It is interesting to view the subjects in their homes and surroundings, commenting on items and various rooms. How quaint to see Eleanor Roosevelt giving Murrow a tour of her home! Marvelous stuff.

What I received was very historically interesting, but it wasn't what I wanted to receive. However, the seller was very nice about it being the wrong item, and apologetic about the mistake. Very nice seller.

EXCELLENT EARLY TV FOOTAGE, I REMEMBER SEEING SOME ON TV IN THE 50'S,RARE BRANDO,MARLYN MONROE,HUMPHREY BOGART,LAUREN BACALL

An outstanding selection of interviews by Edward R. Murrow and a reminder of how fabulous greatness can be!!! So lucky to be a baby boomer and actually be part of the excellence.

Edward R. Murrow - The Best of Person to Person
I GIVE THIS DVD 5 STARS!!!!!!!.
YOU GET TO SEE VERY CLASSY STARS BEING INTERVIEWED BY EDWARD R. MURROW WHO IS TOPS IN HIS FIELD OF INTERVIEWING FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
THIS IS GREAT TV HISTORY AND A CLASSIC BECAUSE YOU GET TO SEE WHERE THE STARS LIVE,SEE INSIDE THEIR HOMES,MEET THEIR FAMILYS & JUST SEE THAT THEY ARE REALLY JUST LIKE US BUT THERE JUST FAMOUS.
YOU GET TO SEE HIM INTERVIEW SAMMY DAVIS JR., FRANK SINATRA,JERRY LEWIS & MANY MORE THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE FAMOUS INTERVIEWS THAT YOU WILL SEE ON THIS DVD.
THIS IS WHAT I CALL HISTORY FROM THE PAST THAT WILL ALWAYS A COLLECTABLE ITEM TO ME.
I LOVE THE INTERVIEWS THEY WERE REALLY WONDERFUL TO SEE JUST GREAT.
I LOVE THIS DVD IT WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE WITHIN THE INTERVIEWS AREA OF MY COLLECTION.
ONCE AGAIN I GIVE THIS 5 STARS!!!!!!!!.