Studs Terkel

Eight Men Out (1988)

ClassicDramaticRealDepressing

A dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Sayles
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Charlie Sheen  •  D.B. Sweeney

A dramatization of the Black Sox scandal when the underpaid Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to deliberately lose the 1919 World Series.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Sayles
CAST:  John Cusack  •  Christopher Lloyd  •  Charlie Sheen  •  D.B. Sweeney

The Big One (1997)

The Big One is an investigative documentary from director Michael Moore who goes around the country asking why big American corporations produce their product abroad where labor is cheaper while so many Americans are unemployed, losing their jobs, and would happily ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Moore
CAST:  Michael Moore  •  Elaine Bly  •  Jim Czarnecki  •  Brian Danitz

The Big One is an investigative documentary from director Michael Moore who goes around the country asking why big American corporations produce their product abroad where labor is cheaper while so many Americans are unemployed, losing their jobs, and would happily ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Moore
CAST:  Michael Moore  •  Elaine Bly  •  Jim Czarnecki  •  Brian Danitz

The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time (1982)

Documentary about the blacklisted folk group, "The Weavers," and the events leading up to their triumphant return to Carnegie Hall.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Brown
CAST:  Ronnie Gilbert  •  Arlo Guthrie  •  Lee Hays  •  Fred Hellerman

Documentary about the blacklisted folk group, "The Weavers," and the events leading up to their triumphant return to Carnegie Hall.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Brown
CAST:  Ronnie Gilbert  •  Arlo Guthrie  •  Lee Hays  •  Fred Hellerman

A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin (2005)

On May 8th, 1945, writer, director Norman Corwin broadcast ON A NOTE OF TRIUMPH, an unforgettable homage to the end of war in Europe. This film shines a light on a lost work of genius, and examines it's haunting resonance to today's current events.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eric Simonson
CAST:  Robert Altman  •  Norman Corwin  •  Walter Cronkite  •  Norman Lear

On May 8th, 1945, writer, director Norman Corwin broadcast ON A NOTE OF TRIUMPH, an unforgettable homage to the end of war in Europe. This film shines a light on a lost work of genius, and examines it's haunting resonance to today's current events.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eric Simonson
CAST:  Robert Altman  •  Norman Corwin  •  Walter Cronkite  •  Norman Lear

The Good Fight: The Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War (1984)

This documentary examines the experiences of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, using interviews with survivors more than 50 years later. First, the film sets the context with the rise of Fascism. Then, in 1936, Spain's military revolts against the elected government, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mary Dore  •  Noel Buckner  •  Sam Sills
CAST:  Studs Terkel

This documentary examines the experiences of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, using interviews with survivors more than 50 years later. First, the film sets the context with the rise of Fascism. Then, in 1936, Spain's military revolts against the elected government, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mary Dore  •  Noel Buckner  •  Sam Sills
CAST:  Studs Terkel

Working (1982)

This musical adaptation of the Studs Terkel book examines the average worker's viewpoint--showing that he or she is anything but average. Based on a series of interviews with real working people--construction workers, waitresses, firemen, secretaries, and cleaning ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kirk Browning  •  Stephen Schwartz
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Barry Bostwick  •  Scatman Crothers  •  Barbara Browning

This musical adaptation of the Studs Terkel book examines the average worker's viewpoint--showing that he or she is anything but average. Based on a series of interviews with real working people--construction workers, waitresses, firemen, secretaries, and cleaning ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kirk Browning  •  Stephen Schwartz
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Barry Bostwick  •  Scatman Crothers  •  Barbara Browning

Anthem (1997)

When twenty-six-year-olds Shainee Gabel and Kristin Hahn quit their Hollywood jobs, packed up a borrowed car and hit the road, it was with the deeply felt conviction that somewhere, shrouded in the din of talk shows and tabloid headlines, they'd discover the real ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shainee Gabel  •  Kristin Hahn
CAST:  Hunter S. Thompson  •  Michael Stipe  •  Willie Nelson  •  Studs Terkel

When twenty-six-year-olds Shainee Gabel and Kristin Hahn quit their Hollywood jobs, packed up a borrowed car and hit the road, it was with the deeply felt conviction that somewhere, shrouded in the din of talk shows and tabloid headlines, they'd discover the real ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shainee Gabel  •  Kristin Hahn
CAST:  Hunter S. Thompson  •  Michael Stipe  •  Willie Nelson  •  Studs Terkel

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)

The story of Jack Johnson, the first African American Heavyweight boxing champion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Burns
CAST:  Keith David  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jack Johnson  •  Adam Arkin

The story of Jack Johnson, the first African American Heavyweight boxing champion.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ken Burns
CAST:  Keith David  •  Samuel L. Jackson  •  Jack Johnson  •  Adam Arkin

Algren (2021)

Algren will spotlight the hard-knock life and authentic creative legacy of one of the most underrated writers of the twentieth century, Nelson Algren. Algren's brutally honest portrayal of the American underclass and his hard-nosed lifestyle became his pathway to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Caplan
CAST:  Nelson Algren  •  Russell Banks  •  Billy Corgan  •  Andrew Davis

Algren will spotlight the hard-knock life and authentic creative legacy of one of the most underrated writers of the twentieth century, Nelson Algren. Algren's brutally honest portrayal of the American underclass and his hard-nosed lifestyle became his pathway to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Caplan
CAST:  Nelson Algren  •  Russell Banks  •  Billy Corgan  •  Andrew Davis

Studs Terkel: Listening to America (2009)

For over 60 years, Studs Terkel elevated the voices and experiences of everyday Americans through his skillful interviews on radio, in books and on TV. This documentary takes a fond and illuminating look back at one of America's most influential authors and media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eric Simonson
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Bill Clinton  •  David Schwimmer  •  Beverly Younger

For over 60 years, Studs Terkel elevated the voices and experiences of everyday Americans through his skillful interviews on radio, in books and on TV. This documentary takes a fond and illuminating look back at one of America's most influential authors and media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Eric Simonson
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Bill Clinton  •  David Schwimmer  •  Beverly Younger

The Dollmaker (1984)

During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie, a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Daniel Petrie
CAST:  Mike Bacarella  •  Etel Billig  •  Phyllis Boyens  •  Nikki Creswell

During World War II, hard-luck farmer Colvis Nevels leaves his rural Kentucky home to take a factory job in bustling Detroit. Reluctantly accompanying Colvis is his long-suffering wife, Gertie, a talented woodcarver set in her traditional ways. When the perils of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Daniel Petrie
CAST:  Mike Bacarella  •  Etel Billig  •  Phyllis Boyens  •  Nikki Creswell

To Write and Keep Kind (1992)

A PBS documentary on the life and work of writer Raymond Carver. It features interviews with his family and friends, and provides an insightful look at his short stories and poems.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Ed Sampson  •  Studs Terkel  •  Tess Gallagher  •  Raymond Carver

A PBS documentary on the life and work of writer Raymond Carver. It features interviews with his family and friends, and provides an insightful look at his short stories and poems.  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Ed Sampson  •  Studs Terkel  •  Tess Gallagher  •  Raymond Carver

Nelson Algren: The End Is Nothing, the Road Is All... (2015)

An in-depth feature length documentary of one of America's greatest and least understood authors, Nelson Algren. This never before told compelling life story reveals a unique literary voice through rare interviews, archival footage and the gritty noirish voice of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Denis Mueller  •  Ilko Davidov  •  Mark Blottner
CAST:  Nelson Algren  •  Kurt Vonnegut Jr.  •  Studs Terkel  •  Denise DeClue

An in-depth feature length documentary of one of America's greatest and least understood authors, Nelson Algren. This never before told compelling life story reveals a unique literary voice through rare interviews, archival footage and the gritty noirish voice of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Denis Mueller  •  Ilko Davidov  •  Mark Blottner
CAST:  Nelson Algren  •  Kurt Vonnegut Jr.  •  Studs Terkel  •  Denise DeClue

Chicago Blues (1972)

Harley Cokeliss's Chicago Blues filmed in 1972 was a remarkable film; remarkable in that it was not just a competent documentary but a film crafted with care by professionals with a love and understanding of music and a respect for its history and artists. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Harley Cokeliss
CAST:  Muddy Waters  •  Dick Gregory  •  Buddy Guy  •  Studs Terkel

Harley Cokeliss's Chicago Blues filmed in 1972 was a remarkable film; remarkable in that it was not just a competent documentary but a film crafted with care by professionals with a love and understanding of music and a respect for its history and artists. The ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Harley Cokeliss
CAST:  Muddy Waters  •  Dick Gregory  •  Buddy Guy  •  Studs Terkel

Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory (1997)

Documentary narrated by Paul Winfield, this documentary follows the course of Mahalia Jackson's extraordinary life - from her humble beginnings as a sickly child singing in New Orleans churches to her breakthrough with Columbia Records and her ascendancy to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Scheftel
CAST:  Mahalia Jackson  •  Jesse Jackson  •  Horace Clarence Boyer  •  John Sellers

Documentary narrated by Paul Winfield, this documentary follows the course of Mahalia Jackson's extraordinary life - from her humble beginnings as a sickly child singing in New Orleans churches to her breakthrough with Columbia Records and her ascendancy to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Scheftel
CAST:  Mahalia Jackson  •  Jesse Jackson  •  Horace Clarence Boyer  •  John Sellers

Ridin' the Dog (1989)

The world-famous Greyhound bus is almost as old as the Wild West. It is a symbol of North America, of progress, and of nostalgia. Reporter Stud Terkel travelled 2,000 miles across the United States by Greyhound. From Seattle to Chicago, he observes his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carina Cooper
CAST:  Studs Terkel

The world-famous Greyhound bus is almost as old as the Wild West. It is a symbol of North America, of progress, and of nostalgia. Reporter Stud Terkel travelled 2,000 miles across the United States by Greyhound. From Seattle to Chicago, he observes his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Carina Cooper
CAST:  Studs Terkel

Quearborn & Perversion: An Early History of Lesbian & Gay Chicago (2007)

Quearborn & Perversion: An Early History of Lesbian & Gay Chicago (2009, 109 min) is a documentary on LGBTQ life in Chicago from 1934 to 1974. Moving from the speakeasys and Henry Gerber’s founding of the Society for Human Rights in the 1930s, to the underground ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Pajak
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Chuck Renslow  •  Valerie Taylor  •  Marge Summit

Quearborn & Perversion: An Early History of Lesbian & Gay Chicago (2009, 109 min) is a documentary on LGBTQ life in Chicago from 1934 to 1974. Moving from the speakeasys and Henry Gerber’s founding of the Society for Human Rights in the 1930s, to the underground ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Pajak
CAST:  Studs Terkel  •  Chuck Renslow  •  Valerie Taylor  •  Marge Summit

Harry Bridges: A Man and His Union (1992)

Harry Bridges: A Man and his Union chronicles the life of one of America's most important and controversial left-wing labor leader. He headed the International Longshoremen and Warehouseman Union from the 1930's to the 1970's and was a champion of workers' causes ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Harry Bridges  •  Studs Terkel

Harry Bridges: A Man and his Union chronicles the life of one of America's most important and controversial left-wing labor leader. He headed the International Longshoremen and Warehouseman Union from the 1930's to the 1970's and was a champion of workers' causes ...  (more)

DIRECTION: 
CAST:  Harry Bridges  •  Studs Terkel