Known as the Poet Laureate of Radio, Norman Corwin is one of the greatest writer-producer-directors the Golden Age of Radio ever produced. His plays can be whimsical, musical, poetic, horrific, teeth-rattling, and stomach sinking. He is, quite simply, the master of the art form. His series included “Norman Corwin’s Words Without Music” “Columbia Presents Corwin” “Twenty-Six by Corwin” and “One World Flight.” Mr. Corwin is responsible for perhaps the single greatest radio broadcast ever, V-E Day’s “On a Note of Triumph.”
In December of 2004, filmmaker Michael James Kacey spoke at length with Norman Corwin as part of Mr. Kacey’s documentary project “Radio Changed America.” Following the interview, Mr. Corwin suggested that the video be made available to the public. Mr. Corwin captivates from first to last frame. His insights and memories range from his earliest recollections of radio to topics such as fascism, the obligation of an artist, the art of directing and even William Shatner.
Running Time: Approx. 76 minutes NTSC Not Rated
NOTE: As of January 1, 2017, the DVD is no longer in production. Contact us via email if you are interested in purchasing one of the remaining copies.
Anthracite Films Presents
“THE POET LAUREATE OF RADIO: AN INTERVIEW WITH NORMAN CORWIN”
Music SONIA WISGO
Cinematography CAMERON CUTLER
Produced by DAVE SANFORD & CHRISTOPHER DELIZ
Directed and Edited by MICHAEL JAMES KACEY
“Corwin’s career is the stuff of legend, and to have this chronicle in his own words is priceless.” – Leonard Maltin, Leonard’s Picks (12/28/06)
LIST OF DVD CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 01: EARLY MEMORIES OF RADIO
CHAPTER 02: DISTANCE HUNTER
CHAPTER 03: ENTRY INTO BROADCASTING
CHAPTER 04: W2XR
CHAPTER 05: CBS
CHAPTER 06: HIRED AS A DIRECTOR
CHAPTER 07: “THE PLOT TO OVERTHROWN CHRISTMAS”
CHAPTER 08: ERIC BURROUGHS
CHAPTER 09: “THEY FLY THROUGH THE AIR”
CHAPTER 10: FASCISM
CHAPTER 11: ONE LANGUAGE
CHAPTER 12: DUMBED DOWN
CHAPTER 13: A VERY RICH AND IMPORTANT MEDIUM
CHAPTER 14: OBLIGATION OF AN ARTIST
CHAPTER 15: “WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS”
CHAPTER 16: “THIS IS WAR!”
CHAPTER 17: “AN AMERICAN IN ENGLAND”
CHAPTER 18: “TWENTY-SIX BY CORWIN”
CHAPTER 19: TYPICAL WORK WEEK
CHAPTER 20: COLLABORATION
CHAPTER 21: ART OF DIRECTION
CHAPTER 22: “ON A NOTE OF TRIUMPH”
CHAPTER 23: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
CHAPTER 24: WARS BEGIN IN THE MINDS OF MEN
CHAPTER 25: LESSON YET TO BE LEARNED
CHAPTER 26: “ONE WORLD FLIGHT”
CHAPTER 27: “ONE WORLD FLIGHT” INTERVIEWS
CHAPTER 28: LEAVING CBS
CHAPTER 29: “HOLLYWOOD FIGHTS BACK”
CHAPTER 30: HUAC TESTIMONY
CHAPTER 31: MY WORK WAS LIBERAL
CHAPTER 32: RADIO CHANGED THE WORLD
CHAPTER 33: WILLIAM SHATNER
THE POET LAUREATE OF RADIO (Anthracite Films) — Earlier this year a half-hour short subject, A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin won an Academy Award. As good as it is, it only scratches the surface of this extraordinary man’s life and career, which continues to this day, past Norman’s 96th birthday. Two years ago, filmmaker Michael James Kacey sat down with a video camera to review Corwin’s work in the medium that made his reputation and gave him his greatest opportunities: radio. Now Kacey has made his interview available on DVD.
This is a no-frills enterprise; it consists of Norman sitting in front of a backdrop and talking about his experiences. Believe me, that’s enough. Corwin’s career is the stuff of legend, and to have this chronicle in his own words is priceless.
Norman Corwin is one of my heroes, personally and professionally. If you don’t know his work, I urge you to seek out recordings of his radio plays, especially the celebrated On a Note of Triumph. Or perhaps you should begin your journey with this interview; Corwin’s eloquence and passion may well inspire you.
– – Leonard Maltin, December 28, 2006
Leonard’s Picks from LeonardMaltin.com