To The Best of Our Knowledge

from Wisconsin Public Radio

 

Most movie stars will do anything to stay in the limelight. But Debra Winger didn't care. Six years ago, she walked out of Hollywood. She even taped her retirement card above her mirror so she'd see it every day. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, Debra Winger talks about the frustrations of show business, and her new comeback film.

Arliss Howard is the co-writer, director and star (along with his wife, Debra Winger) of the film, "Big Bad Love." It's based on short stories by Larry Brown, set in the north Mississippi hill country. Winger and Howard talk with Steve Paulson about Southern culture, the role of music in the film, and why Debra left Hollywood. And we hear clips from the movie and the soundtrack.

Peter Guber founded Mandalay Entertainment and Polygram Entertainment. He was studio chief at Columbia Pictures and CEO of Sony Pictures. Guber tells Anne Strainchamps that most people try to pitch him a business deal, not a creative vision, but says both elements are important. He gives some wonderful examples of what makes stars hard to work with, but acknowledges their positive effect on the bottom line. Peter Guber (and Peter Bart) are the co-authors of "Shoot Out: Surviving Fame and (Mis)Fortune in Hollywood.

Also, former casting director Joanna Merlin talks with Jim Fleming about the auditioning process. Her book is "Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide."

SEGMENT 3:

Les Blank is a much admired documentary film-maker. His subjects have included Polka music, gap-toothed women, and bluesman Lightning Hopkins. Blank talks about each of those films with Steve Paulson. And we hear samples.

Books:

• Joanna Merlin, Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide (Vintage)
• Peter Guber and Peter Bart, Shoot Out: Surviving the Fame and Misfortune of Hollywood (Putnam)

Music:

• Junior Kimbrough: "Junior's Place" from the soundtrack to "Big Bad Love" (Nonesuch)
• Tom Waits: "Long Way Home" from the soundtrack to "Big Bad Love" (Nonesuch)
• Kenny Brown: "Boxcar Blues" from the soundtrack to "Big Bad Love" (Nonesuch)
• Quincy Jones: "A Taste of Honey" from "Big Band Bossa Nova" (Verve)
• Cady Huffman: "When You Got It, Flaunt It" from the soundtrack to "The Producers" (Sony Classical)
• "King of Broadway" from the soundtrack to "The Producers" (Sony Classical)
• Karl and the Country Dutchmen: "Minnesota Polka" from "Deep Polka" (Smithsonian Folkways)
• Lightning Hopkins: "Meet You at the Chicken Shack" from "Lightning Hopkins: Texas Blues" (Arhoolie Productions)
• Wes Montgomery: "Movin' Wes" from "Wes Montgovery's Finest Hour" (Verve)

Distribution dates:

• week of 04/21/2002 - hour 2