georgestevens

New Bureau Division: Leaf Blower Brigade. Im cold. Deadguy? More like NICEguy(s)! I saw Johnny Depp, then I went to watch Giant, and spend probably way too much time ruminating and analyzing a movie from 1956. Stand up as therapy? (That's when you know you're in bad shape...)

We are thrilled to welcome back George Stevens Jr. to Front Row Classics this week. George joins Brandon to discuss the release of his autobiography, "My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington". The book delves into his experiences growing up with a legendary film director father. He, then, forged his own path into becoming one of the true warriors for the performing arts in America. In this interview, you'll hear great stories revolving around such legendary 20th century figures as John F. Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn. George also pays tribute to his late friend, Sidney Poitier.

"My Place in the Sun: Life in the Golden Age of Hollywood and Washington" is available from University Press on Kentucky wherever books are sold.

George Stevens, Jr. is a director, writer, producer, and playwright. He is the founder of the American Film Institute, creator of the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Kennedy Center Honors, and has served as co-chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities for President Obama. Awards and honors include fifteen Emmys, eight Writers Guild and two Peabody Awards, the Humanitas Prize, the Spirit of Anne Frank Award, an NAACP Legal Defense Fund Award, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2012. He is the author of Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood's Golden Age and the Broadway play Thurgood. Find out more at georgestevensjr.com and follow George on Twitter at @officialgsjr.

Front Row Classics kicks off June with a discussion of George Stevens' Oscar-winning film, A Place in the Sun. Allison Means joins Brandon and Eric to disucss this well-made drama from 1951. They discuss the bold direction from Stevens as well as the Oscar-nominated performances from Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters. The hosts also pay tribute to the legendary Elizabeth Taylor in her first mature role in a film. The discussion also turns to the central themes of the film, which amazingly are still relevant in 2022.

Front Row Classics kicks off November with a special conversation. Brandon recently had the the pleasure of speaking with George Stevens Jr. Mr. Stevens is the son of legendary director, George Stevens and forged his own way by becoming one the premier champions of film and the arts. He is the founder of the American Film Institute which has helped to advance the art of film for over 50 years. Stevens was also one of the driving forces behind the Kennedy Center Honors, which has become a national tradition.  We also discuss Stevens career as a producer and author, including a preview of his memoir which will be released in May.  Join Brandon as he sits down for an hour with this true hero of film.