AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, THE: THE KENNEDYS, PART 1: THE FATHER (TV)
Summary
One in this documentary series. This program, part one in a two-part program about the Kennedy family, concentrates on patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy's political career and the influence he had on the lives of his sons. The following people give their opinions on the life of Joseph P. Kennedy: historian Michael Beschloss; Richard Bissell, Deputy Director of Plans for the Central Intelligence Agency; Henry Brandon of the London Sunday Times; Judith Campbell Exner, John F. Kennedy's mistress; Pamela Churchill-Harriman, daughter-in-law of Winston Churchill; Blair Clark, a college friend of John F. Kennedy; Clark Clifford, personal counsel to Sen. John F. Kennedy; Rita Dallas, Joseph P. Kennedy's nurse; campaign publicist Mark Dalton; political essayist Midge Decter; the Duke of Devonshire; Robert Drew, producer of the film "Primary"; presidential aide Fred Dutton; Paul "Red" Fay, Kennedy family friend; economist John Kenneth Galbraith; Sen. John Galvin; author Doris Kearns Goodwin; author Nigel Hamilton; Professor Milton Katz of Harvard; Sen. Edward M. Kennedy; Harvey Klemmer, an aide to Joseph P. Kennedy; Priscilla McMillan, researcher for Sen. Kennedy; Larry Newman, journalist and Kennedy neighbor; Rep. Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill; Kennedy campaign aide Dave Powers; James Roosevelt, the eldest son of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., special assistant to President Kennedy; John Seigenthaler, administrative assistant to Robert F. Kennedy; Sen. George Smathers; Theodore Sorensen, legislative assistant to Sen. John F. Kennedy; Charles Spalding, a friend of John F. Kennedy; campaign aide Billy Sutton; Sen. John Tunney, a friend of Sen. Edward Kennedy; Frank Waldrop, editor of the Washington Times-Herald; William Walton, a friend of the Kennedy family; and John White, a friend of Kathleen and John F. Kennedy. Topics of discussion include the following: Joseph P. Kennedy's feelings about Harvard; the relationship between Rose Fitzgerald and Joseph P. Kennedy; Rose Fitzgerald's family's political connections as an asset to the Kennedy family; the Kennedy children; Joseph Kennedy's affair with actress Gloria Swanson and his lust for political power; his appointment as the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; his political accomplishments as Maritime Commissioner; his sons' education; his political mistakes while U.S. Ambassador to Britain; Churchill's feelings toward Kennedy; Kennedy's household role; his aspirations for his son Joseph, Jr.; World War II's effect on the Kennedy family; Kathleen Kennedy's marriage and untimely death; Kennedy, Sr.'s use of money and power to help John F. Kennedy's political aspirations; John F. Kennedy's illnesses and struggle with chronic back pain; the role of John F. Kennedy's siblings in his races for seats in the House and Senate; the life of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy; John F. Kennedy's decision to get married; why his family kept his Addison's disease a secret; his almost fatal spinal surgery; his attempt to become Adlai Stevenson's running mate in 1956; the accusations surrounding his Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Profiles in Courage"; the role of his family members during his campaign for the presidency; his association with the "Rat Pack" -- a group of Hollywood entertainers led by crooner Frank Sinatra; his choice of Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate; the effect of the drug cortisone on his life; the religious issues that played a part in his campaign; Robert Kennedy's accomplishments as his brother's campaign manager; Joseph P. Kennedy's desire that Robert Kennedy be appointed attorney general; the Bay of Pigs; the Kennedy family's connections with organized crime; President John F. Kennedy's meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev; Kennedy's reasons for sending troops to Vietnam; Edward M. Kennedy's start in political life; and Joseph P. Kennedy's catastrophic stroke. Also included are footage and photos of the following: the Kennedy family at home; a feature film made by Joseph Kennedy, Sr. for Gloria Swanson, which was banned by the censors; a newsreel covering Kennedy's accomplishments as Maritime Commissioner; the Kennedy family in London; Kennedy, Sr. giving a speech in support of Franklin D. Roosevelt; John F. and Joseph Kennedy during World War II; John F. Kennedy campaigning, making commercials, and appearing on a talk show; Robert F. Kennedy at work as his brother John's campaign manager; the parties given by the Kennedy women to rally more votes for John F. Kennedy. John F. Kennedy appearing in home movies, on a talk show promoting his book "Profiles in Courage," giving a speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1956, and with his daughter and his wife; Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy at the beach with her children; John F. Kennedy campaigning; Robert Kennedy giving a speech on behalf of his brother; Hubert Humphrey talking about the primary; John F. Kennedy addressing the religious issues facing him; John F. Kennedy's inaugural gala; Frank Sinatra singing at the gala; President Kennedy speaking at his inauguration; Kennedy signing autographs at the White House, returning to the White House after undergoing spinal surgery, and meeting with Khrushchev; and Edward M. Kennedy dealing with foreign affairs.
Acquisition and cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: September 20, 1992 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:54:55
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:34414
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; She Made It Collection (Judy Crichton); She Made It Collection (Margaret Drain); U S - Officials - Talk/Interviews; U S - Politics and government
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1988-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Judy Crichton … Executive Producer
- Elizabeth Deane … Executive Producer
- Susan Mottau … Coordinating Producer
- Margaret Drain … Senior Producer
- David Espar … Senior Producer, Director, Writer
- Radharc Films, Dublin … Producer
- Marilyn H. Mellowes … Producer, Director
- James A. DeVinney … Producer, Director
- Phillip Whitehead … Producer, Director, Writer
- Carter Harrison … Co-Producer
- Geoffrey C. Ward … Writer
- Michael Bacon … Music by
- Charles Kuskin … Theme Music by
- David McCullough … Host
- Stacy Keach … Narrator
- Mary C. Brockmyre … Researcher
- Valerie Linson … Researcher
- Karen Cariani … Researcher
- Lewanne Jones … Researcher, Film Research
- Gail Macfarquhar … Researcher, Film Research
- Alexandra Pollyea … Researcher, Film Research
- Dee Ann Dart … Researcher, Film Research
- Susan Haven Scheer … Researcher, Film Research
- Anthony Slide … Researcher, Film Research
- Elena Talton Hineck … Researcher, Film Research
- Adrian Wood … Researcher, Film Research
- Michael Beschloss
- Richard Bissell
- Henry Brandon
- Campbell Exner, Judith
- Pamela Churchill-Harriman
- Blair Clark
- Clark Clifford
- Rita Dallas
- Mark Dalton
- Midge Decter
- Duke of Devonshire
- Robert Drew
- Fred Durron
- Fay, Paul "Red"
- John Kenneth Galbraith
- John Galvin
- Doris Kearns Goodwin
- Richard Goodwin
- Nigel Hamilton
- Milton Katz
- Edward M. Kennedy
- Harvey Klemmer
- Priscilla McMillan
- Larry Newman
- O'Neill, Thomas P. "Tip"
- Dave Powers
- James Roosevelt
- Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur, Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur
- John Seigenthaler
- George Smathers
- Sorensen, Theodore (See also: Sorensen, Ted)
- Charles Spalding
- Billy Sutton
- John Tunney
- Frank Waldrop
- William Walton
- John White