Fishko Files

In 1959, a British-made series was in full swing on American TV. So was the Hollywood Blacklist. Sara Fishko has the story of how the two came together. (Produced in 2010)

March is Women's History Month, a perfect time for this archival Fishko Files - in which Ms. Sara Fishko relates the twists and turns in the story of the honorific "Ms." and how it finally broke through. (Produced in 2012)

Often, dramatic biographical movies about artists can't help but strike a false note. After all - you don't get to see much art being made. WNYC's Sara Fishko points to one film - a documentary - that actually fills the screen with art in progress. (Produced in 2000)

Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1956 documentary The Mystery of Picasso plays at Film Forum March 1-7.

It's 70 years since Oscar Peterson's U.S. debut at Carnegie Hall. Not only that, but we're coming up on the centenary of Nat 'King' Cole. As WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, the two musicians knew - and listened - to each other. More, in this episode of Fishko Files.

Six star pianists pay tribute to Oscar Peterson Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23 at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Nat 'King' Cole's centenary celebrations start March 5 with BMCC Tribeca's Scenes Through the Cinema Lens, followed by 92Y's A Nat King Cole Centennial: The Best Broadway, hosted by Will Friedwald, on March 14.

Film Forum marks the day of Cole's centenary, March 17, with a compilation of films also presented by Friedwald.

As Lincoln's birthday gives way to Presidents' Day, Fishko Files takes you back to the 1930s, when a remarkable partnership between culture and politics sought to inspire a population weakened by the Great Depression. Through movies, music, literature, and drama, America looked back to Lincoln. (Produced in 2017)

Thomas Doherty is a cultural historian, professor of American Studies at Brandeis University, and author of Projections of War: Hollywood, American Culture, and World War II.

John Bodnar is a Distinguished and Chancellor's Professor of History at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1938) and Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) are available to rent or buy on Amazon.

The much praised and multi Oscar-nominated film Roma is about the work and home life of a housekeeper in Mexico City. As WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, that film recalls a moment in Italy in the 1940s - when movies looked for inspiration in the everyday. More, in this episode of Fishko Files.

Rome, Open City (1945), Bicycle Thieves (1948), and The Naked City (1948) are available to rent or buy on Amazon.

Jonas Mekas died at 96 last week after a distinguished, anti-conventional life in movies that began many decades ago in New York. In this archival Fishko Files, Mekas considers, for a very short time, his work with Andy Warhol on a very long film - Empire.

Elaine May was honored, some years ago, at the Film Society of Lincoln Center - and she actually showed up (rare). What's more, Mike Nichols showed up to join her. Sara Fishko was lucky enough to be there, that night, and this Fishko Files is the result. (Produced in 2006)

The film series ELAINE MAY begins this week at Film Forum, with May's films screening Tuesdays and Thursdays through February 12. For tickets and more information, visit filmforum.org.

The New York-born songwriter Johnny Green died 30 years ago. His best known song was "Body and Soul," and as WNYC's Sara Fishko tells us, that tune has charmed and challenged musicians through the ages. More, in this episode of Fishko Files.

60 years ago, in 1959, Dave Brubeck released one of the landmark recordings of the 20th century: Time Out, which played with off-beat time signatures. Our archival piece, Five Four Time, considers unconventional musical time – and its persistent coolness, here in the west. (Produced in 2008)