Description: Roger Goodrich interviews Elliot Richardson, Massachusetts Attorney General, on the Frederick Wiseman film, Titicut Follies. He explains his objection film based on it's lack of regard for individual rights and privacy. He talks about the situation under former Attorney General Ed Brooke during which the film was made with the understanding that those individuals not able to give consent would not be featured. Cutaways of reporter asking questions. Footage of the Massachusetts Superior Court hearings on the film. A man who worked at Bridgewater State Hospital, where Titicut Follies was filmed, answers many questions. He mentions that his deputy forbade the cameras from going anywhere near Albert DeSalvo, the alleged Boston Strangler. Corrections Commissioner Gavin also answers questions. Outtakes of reporter standup. Silent courtroom scenes. Exteriors of the Massachusetts State House. Silent footage of Frederick Wiseman in the courtroom, talking to reporter Bill Harrington.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 10/18/1967
Description: Interview with Dr. Alexander on his reaction to the Frederick Wiseman film, Titicut Follies, which he thinks is a genuine depiction of severe mental illness. He discusses censorship of the film. Following the interview there is silent b-roll of the Suffolk County Court House, Superior Court chambers, and court room scenes of the hearings about Titicut Follies.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 11/1967
Description: Interview with judge Elijah Adlow about the obscenity trial on Sister George movie. He talks about female actress' portrayal of lesbians.
Collection: WHDH
Date Created: 03/11/1969
Description: Christopher Lydon reports on the release of the film Cry Freedom, based on the life of Steve Biko (martyred black South African leader). Lydon notes that the film is told from the perspective of Donald Woods (white newspaper editor). Lydon interviews Woods about apartheid and his relationship with Biko. Woods says that the black opposition in South Africa was forced to become violent in response to the brutal tactics of the white regime. Woods talks about his early opposition to Biko and the black movement; he says that he changed his opinion when he realized that Biko's positive message of black self-reliance was not anti-white. Lydon notes that Biko was killed in prison while Woods was exiled from South Africa. Lydon's report is accompanied by footage from the film and from the trailer of the film Cry Freedom. Editor's note: Additional footage from the film and the trailer of the film Cry Freedom, were edited out of the end of the tape.
1:00:00: Visual: Footage from the trailer for the 1987 film, Cry Freedom starring Kevin Kline and Denzel Washington. Christopher Lydon reports that the film Cry Freedom is a the story of Steve Biko (martyred black South African leader) told through the eyes of a white newspaper editor. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom. Lydon notes that the film Cry Freedom takes up where the 1982 film Gandhi left off. Lydon notes that Mahatma Gandhi (Indian leader) was born in South Africa. V: Footage of Donald Woods (South African journalist) being interviewed. Woods says that he has always considered Gandhi more of a South African than an Indian. Woods says that Gandhi was involved in the first attempts at non-violent protest in South Africa. Woods says that non-violent protest does not work very well in South Africa because the government forces are not afraid to use their guns. Woods says that the African National Congress (ANC) was forced to take up arms after fifty years of non-violent struggle. Woods says that the South African government does not respond to non-violent protests; that the South African government has forced the opposition to become violent. Woods says that black South Africans are not allowed to vote; that black South Africans are not allowed to campaign against anything. Woods notes that the South African government refuses to allow free speech or passive protests. Lydon remarks that the irony of the film Cry Freedom is that a white editor tells the story of a black victim. Lydon notes the same irony exists in his interviews with Woods. Lydon reports that Woods never wanted to equate the price he paid with the price paid by Biko. Lydon reports that Woods was exiled and banned from South Africa; that Biko was killed in prison. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom. Shot of Woods being interviewed. Footage of Woods being interviewed by Lydon. Lydon asks if Woods was converted by Biko. Woods says that Biko did not set out to convert him; that Biko set out to neutralize the activities and writings of Woods. Woods says that he had been writing editorials condemning black consciousness. Woods says that he mistakenly considered black consciousness to be racism in reverse at the time. Woods says that he began to realize that Biko's message was a positive message of black self-reliance. Woods says that black racism is not and never has been a factor in black politics in South Africa. Woods notes that the ANC was formed in 1912; that no credible black leader or organization in South Africa has ever been anti-white. V: Footage from the film, Cry Freedom.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 11/06/1987
Description: News story about Coolidge Corner Theater Foundation's efforts to save Coolidge Corner Moviehouse from conversion into retail space after sale of property to developer. Conran's at Exeter furniture store was theater owned by same developer and converted into retail space. Reporter talks about Moviehouse's history and threats to its business including video rental stores and Loews theaters. Richard Fraiman, owner of Capitol Theatre in Arlington, argues for relevance of neighborhood theaters. Shots of Capitol Theatre renovation. shots of Coolidge Corner Theater's art deco interior design. Following edited story are b-roll shots of Conran's at Exeter exterior, Coolidge Corner Moviehouse marquee; interior detail shots of art deco design in Coolidge Corner theatre.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 09/01/1989
Description: Hope Kelly reports that city and state officials held a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House to honor Robert Gould Shaw and the soldiers of the 54th regiment. Kelly reviews the history of Shaw and the African American soldiers of the 54th regiment in the Civil War. Kelly reports that the 1989 film Glory tells the story of the 54th regiment. Kelly's report includes clips from the film. Bill Owens addresses the ceremony. Part of the ceremony takes place in front of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial. Michael Dukakis and Ray Flynn are part of the ceremony proclaiming Glory Day in Massachusetts. Marilyn Richardson, the curator of the Museum of Afro-American History, addresses at audience at the African Meeting House.
1:00:05: Visual: Footage of a re-enactment of civil war soldiers marching in front of the Massachusetts State House. Footage from the 1989 film Glory. Hope Kelly reports that Glory took four years to make. Kelly notes that the film is about African American soldiers in the Civil War. V: Footage of Bill Owens (State Senator) reading a proclamation. The proclamation makes reference to John Andrews (former Governor of Massachusetts) who issued a call to arms for African Americans and to Robert Gould Shaw (US Army colonel) who commanded the Massachusetts 54th Regiment. V: Footage from the film Glory. Kelly reports that the Massachusetts 54th Regiment became the first African American fighting unit in the nation's history; that the Regiment was led by Gould; that Gould was a an upper-class white man from Boston. Kelly reports that army officials at the time did not think that African Americans could be competent soldiers. Kelly notes that the Regiment proved army officials wrong. V: Footage from the film, Glory. Kelly reports that city and state officials held a ceremony outside of the Massachusetts State House; that Thursday has been proclaimed Glory day in Massachusetts. V: Shot of Ray Flynn (Mayor of Boston), Michael Dukakis (Governor of Massachusetts), and other leaders at the ceremony. The leaders stand quietly in front of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial as a trumpeter plays "Taps." Shot of the media at the ceremony. Shot of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial. Kelly reports that the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial has stood on Boston Common for ninety-three years. V: Shot of the face of a soldier carved into the Shaw Memorial. Shot of a group of female singers singing a gospel song. Men in military uniform stand behind them holding flags. Kelly reports that the Shaw Memorial shows Shaw on horseback and the soldiers on foot. Kelly notes that Shaw was on horseback and the soldiers on foot when they charged Fort Wagner in South Carolina in July of 1863. Kelly reports that Shaw and 32 African American and white soldiers were killed in the attack; that Shaw and the soldiers were all buried together. V: Shot of the Shaw Memorial. Footage from the film, Glory. Shot of the re-enactment march in Boston. Kelly reports that today's ceremony started at the Memorial; that the ceremony moved to the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill. Kelly notes that the African Meeting House served as a recruitment center for local African Americans during the Civil War. V: Shot of an African American man in military dress holding an American flag; of a group of African Americans in military dress at the ceremony. Footage from the film Glory. Footage of Marilyn Richardson (Curator, Museum of Afro-American History) addressing an audience in the African Meeting House. Richardson says that society must honor the principles for which the soldiers fought. Footage from the ceremony at the State House. An African American man sings "Glory Hallelujah." A crowd of media and attendees is gathered. V: Footage from the film Glory.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 01/08/1990
Description: Controversial photography of artist Robert Mapplethorpe is compared to provocative fashion advertising and film. Visual comparisons between Mapplethorpe photos and sexually suggestive advertising images follow opening dialogue. Clips from films "Robocop 2" and "Total Recall" used to highlight gratuitous violence in popular culture. Footage from Madonna concert. Clips of professional commentary throughout. Following edited story is b-roll footage panning on suggestive print ads. Various print editorials. Johnnie Walker. Dep hair gel. Guess jeans. Various Calvin Klein ads. Norma Kamali. Revlon. Fruit of the Loom. Maidenform. Tanqueray. Interview Magazine with Madonna on cover. Spiegel. Royal Velvet.
Collection: Ten O'Clock News
Date Created: 08/02/1990