BELL & HOWELL CLOSE-UP!: GAMBLE AT THE KEYBOARD (TV)

Summary

One in a series of topical documentaries presented by Bell & Howell. This program focuses on a young pianist, Donn-Alexandre Feder, as he works toward his goal of becoming a concert pianist. Highlights of this program include the following: from around the world, pianists arrive in Fort Worth, Texas, to compete in the Van Cliburn International Competition; Feder, at home with his family on New York City's West Side, prepares for the competition; Feder describes the struggle to become a concert pianist and is shown practicing; residents of Fort Worth entertain the Van Cliburn contestants; artist manager Michael Ries discusses the financial burdens of musical artists and the need for patronage; Feder rehearses for the competition; contestant Arthur Fenimore and the eventual winner, Ralph Votapek of Milwaukee, play during the competition; Van Cliburn congratulates the winner and other contestants; and Feder plays at home and discusses what he learned from the Van Cliburn competition. Includes commercials.

Preservation of the Post–World War II American Television Documentary Collection is supported in part by a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: December 4, 1962 10:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
• COLOR/B&W: B&W
• CATALOG ID: T83:0017
• GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
• SUBJECT HEADING: Music as a profession; Piano music; Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1960-1963
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - Bell and Howell

CREDITS

• John H. Secondari … Executive Producer
• Leo M. Swaim, Jr. … Producer, Writer
• Nicholas Webster … Director
• Van Cliburn
• Donn-Alexandre Feder
• Arthur Fenimore
• Michael Ries
• Ralph Votapek