Reel 1357F

Debut: John Lithgow hosts an ambitious 16-part series on the history of film in America. The first hour examines how some directors developed their movies by emphasizing strong narrative rather than relying on flashy technique, while others such as Howard Hawks and Orson Welles infused their work with their own distinctive style. Clips are shown from three films that drew their power from their plot: "Casablanca," "A Place in the Sun" and "Scarface." The second hour traces the phenomenon of stardom and the rise of the studios. Included are comments from industry experts and a generous sampling of clips. Narrators: Joe Morton, Kathleen Turner (2:00)

Debut: John Lithgow hosts an ambitious 10-part series on the history of film in America. The first hour examines how some directors developed their movies by emphasizing strong narrative rather than relying on flashy technique, while others such as Howard Hawks and Orson Welles infused their work with their own distinctive style. Clips are shown from three films that drew their power from their plot: "Casablanca," "A Place in the Sun" and "Scarface." The second hour traces the phenomenon of stardom and the rise of the studios. Included are comments from industry experts and a generous sampling of clips. Narrators: Joe Morton, Kathleen Turner. (2:00) Bergman and Bogart in "Casablanca"

Debut: John Lithgow hosts an ambitious 10-part series on the history of film in America. The first hour examines how some directors developed their movies by emphasizing strong narrative rather than relying on flashy technique, while others such as Howard Hawks and Orson Welles infused their work with their own distinctive style. Clips are shown from three films that drew their power from their plot: "Casablanca," "A Place in the Sun" and "Scarface." The second hour traces the phenomenon of stardom and the rise of the studios. Included are comments from industry experts and a generous sampling of clips. Narrators: Joe Morton, Kathleen Turner. (2:00)