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PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: AN EVENING WITH CLORIS LEACHMAN {LONG VERSION}

Summary

One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media. This evening honors Emmy- and Oscar-winning actress Cloris Leachman. Held at the Paley Center in New York, curator Ron Simon offers opening comments on her career of 60-plus years before introducing moderator Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies.

A highlight tape of Leachman's dramatic performances is shown, including clips from "Philco Television Playhouse: Nocturne" (1950); "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Forgotten Children" (1952); "A Brand New Life" (1973); "CBS Playhouse 90: The Migrants" (1974); "It Happened One Christmas" (1977); "ABC Afterschool Special: The Woman Who Willed a Miracle"; and "Mrs. Harris" (2005). Another highlight tape is shown of Leachman playing Phyllis Lindstrom on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1975, 1977); "Rhoda" (1974); and "Phyllis" (1975-1977). A third reel highlights Leachman's series work, including clips from" "Lassie" (1957); "The Facts of Life" (1987); and"Malcolm in the Middle" (2001). Lastly, a highlight montage spotlights Leachman's musical endeavors, including: "Of Thee I Sing" (1972); "America Salutes Richard Rodgers: The Sound of His Music" (1976); "The Muppet Show" (1978); "Perfectly Frank" (1978); "Dancing With the Stars" (2008); and "Screen Actors Guild 50th Anniversary Celebration" (1984).

After Leachman takes the stage, Osborne questions on such topics as: the new book, "Cloris: An Autobiography"; her recent appearance on Howard Stern's radio show; her career goals after graduating from Northwestern University; how, as a young woman, she moved to New York City after winning a Chicago-based beauty contest; her emergence into acting and the hubbub of performing on live television; how she segued from dramatic acting roles into comedy; if she has good memories of playing Phyllis Lindstrom; why she didn't get jobs for a year after winning an Oscar for "The Last Picture Show"; her thrill at winning nine Emmy awards and a Golden Globe; how she first met Mel Brooks and why it eventually led to her being cast in "Young Frankenstein"; being the mother of five children; the ways in which she juggled her children and career; what happened when she'd get "laughing too loud" on "Dancing With the Stars"; and replacing Mary Martin for a month as the lead in "South Pacific" on Broadway.

Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: the favorite period in her career; working with Ron Howard and Sissy Spacek on "The Migrants"; how some of her roles have had lasting effects; coveted roles for which she wasn't hired; recollections of Maureen Stapleton's "dirty mouth"; why she "adores" her ex-husband, George Englund, and continues to collaborate with him professionally; celebrating the 85th birthday of Judith "Mother Dexter" Lowry on the set of "Phyllis"; being pregnant during a pivotal scene in the classic film noir "Kiss Me Deadly"; and her "horrible experience" working with Katharine Hepburn, and why she considers their backstage confrontation to be "the worst moment" of her life.

Details

  • NETWORK: N/A
  • DATE: March 31, 2009 6:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:24:26
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:94018
  • GENRE: Seminars
  • SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
  • SERIES RUN: N/A
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Ron Simon … Host
  • Robert Osborne … Moderator
  • Cloris Leachman … Guest
  • Mel Brooks
  • George Englund
  • Katharine Hepburn
  • Ron Howard
  • Judith Lowry
  • Mary Martin
  • Mary Tyler Moore
  • Richard Rodgers
  • Sissy Spacek
  • Maureen Stapleton
  • Howard Stern