Real Time 1960s

President Kennedy defends his foreign aid program; a changing of the guard in South Vietnam; the pushbutton telephone arrives; the nation honors its war veterans; George C. Scott solicits feedback; Cassius Clay hears from the military draft board. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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In Indianapolis, an explosion kills at least 62 people; in Philadelphia, President Kennedy is met by protestors; in South Vietnam, three Americans are captured; demonstrators assault Chief Justice Warren; Madame Nhu is snubbed in Los Angeles; Sandy Koufax wins another big award. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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In this episode, we move on to our sixth-ranked film of 1963, "The Organizer," an Italian strike drama directed by Mario Monicelli and starring the great Marcello Mastroianni ("8½").

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The South Vietnamese crisis deepens; state troopers go on the attack at a voter registration drive in Alabama; President Kennedy talks 1964; the nuclear test ban treaty is signed; the Valachi Hearings are criticized; the Dodgers are set for a big payday. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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Twenty-two U.S. Senators speak out on Vietnam; in the Deep South, schools in four states are integrated; a serial strangler terrorizes Boston; Robert Kennedy speaks to American Indians; Frank Sinatra is linked to a mobster; the Yankees clinch their 28th pennant. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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In this episode, we move on to our seventh-ranked film of 1963, "The Great Escape," which marked career turning points for Steve McQueen, James Garner, and James Coburn.

In this episode:

- Background on director John Sturges [2:07] - Difficulties with Steve McQueen [5:58] - How Sturges helped viewers remember so many characters [8:31] - Where the filmmakers deviated from the facts of the 1944 escape [11:44] - Placing the film in the context of 1963 [15:15] - Scenes deleted from the final cut [18:38] - Facts on casting, storytelling structure, musical soundtrack [22:30]

For an additional podcast on McQueen's role in this film and in two others, click here.

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President Kennedy speaks out on Vietnam; Governor Wallace blocks integration of Alabama public schools; two young women are brutally murdered in New York City; the Beatles take Britain by storm; Whitey Ford joins an elite group; a blast from the past at the Polo Grounds. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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The South Vietnamese Buddhist crisis worsens dramatically; a Birmingham civil rights leader's home is bombed; security measures are announced for next week's March on Washington; the Castro regime is charged with kidnapping; General Eisenhower signals support for the test ban treaty; a massive brawl breaks out at Yankee Stadium. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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In this episode, we move on to our 8th-ranked film of 1963, "Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment," a groundbreaking example of "direct cinema" that provides fly-on-the-wall coverage of the the 1963 integration crisis at the University of Alabama. In addition, we discuss the other Kennedy films of Robert Drew and offer recommendations of some other direct cinema films of the '60s, including "Mills of the Gods: Viet Nam" (1965).

Link to documentary: "Mills of the Gods: Viet Nam"

President Kennedy speaks at the Naval Academy; Barry Goldwater hits the radical left; possible coup in South Vietnam; Marlon Brando is heckled; Cassius Clay cuts a record; Sonny Liston has a spiritual guide. Newscaster: Joe Rubenstein.

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