Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story (1998) TV Movie

Dwayne Adway portrays Dennis Rodman in this biographical drama that begins with Rodman as a Dallas teen, follows him to college where he confronts racism, and then traces his NBA ascendancy (Detroit Pistons to San Antonio Spurs), ending with his 1995 leap to the Chicago Bulls. Rodman himself is intercut between scenes to comment on plot highlights. The screenplay was adapted by John Miglis and Gar Anthony Haywood from the book Badd As I Wanna Be by Rodman and Tim Keown. Filmed in Toronto, this drama premiered February 8, 1998 on ABC. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Bad As I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story (1998) TV Movie
Cast: Dwayne Adway, John Terry, Dee Wallace, Heidi Mark, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Art Hindle, Dennis Rodman

Beach Boys, The: An American Family (2000) TV Movie

Dramatization of the early years, from their formation in the early 1960s to their peak of popularity as musical innovators, through their late-60s decline (and Brian Wilson's beginning battle with mental illness), to their re-emergence in 1974 as a nostalgia and "goodtime" act.

The movie was shown in two parts on ABC Television, and featured a good deal of original studio and session material by the band, which forms the backdrop to the story. Music that couldn't be licensed for the production, but was important to the story (such as the Smile album sessions, and music by criminal Charles Manson, who had collaborated with Dennis Wilson), was filled in with sound-alikes, reminiscent of the original recordings.

The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000) TV Movie
Cast: Kevin Dunn, Frederick Weller, Alley Mills, Nick Stabile, Matt Letscher, Ned Vaughn

Mayor of Hollywood, The: Johnny Grant's 50th Anniversary in Show Business (1990) TV Special

Equal parts documentary, biography, anniversary show and tome this two hour title is beyond rare, it's non-existent. No information of any kind can be found regarding this title and that is unfortunate since it is far and away the most important offering in this archive. A tale of a simple man who went far using his gracious smile and winning personality, nobody didn't love Johnny Grant. For five decades Johnny Grant was almost everywhere, openings, red carpets, anything Hollywood. One thing made apparent here is the behind the scenes work of Mr. Grant. One example, The Hollywood Christmas Parade. That was Johnny's idea and it's a tradition that lives on today. Thank you Johnny.

On a personal note, when I lived in Hollywood (just north of the boulevard) Johnny Grant was very visible. You could see him toddling around all the time and if you hollered to him, "Hey Johnny" he would always turn and greet you with a "Hi there... " or a "How are you today?" always graciously. When he passed in 2008 a BIG part of Hollywood went with him, this production does well to show his humanity in a packed 90+ minutes. Look for anyone who was alive at this time to make an appearance in this five decade tour of Hollywood with all the trappings.

The Mayor of Hollywood: Johnny Grant's 50th Anniversary in Show Business (1990) TV Special
Cast: Bob Hope, Johnny Grant, Assorted

Being With John F. Kennedy (1983) (TV)

A documentary combining rare personal footage and well-known archive footage of President John F. Kennedy. AKA "A President to Remember: In the Company of John F. Kennedy" and "A President to Remember (2008)". There is a simple mention elsewhere on the internet that Alec Baldwin is the narrator, this is NOT accurate as this is evidence. The hosting duties are entirely handled by the late newswoman Nancy Dickerson who is also credited as a Co-Producer. Both on-camera and voiced-over, all narration is Ms. Dickerson.

Being With John F. Kennedy (1983) (TV)
Host: Nancy Dickerson

Mystery of Natalie Wood, The (2004) TV Movie

This three-hour TV biopic of actress Natalie Wood emulates Citizen Kane by beginning at the end -- the tragically ironic drowning death of the water-phobic actress in 1981 -- then recounts her life story in flashback. Justine Waddell plays the adult Natalie, with younger performers Elizabeth Rice, Candice Moore, and Nadia Scappa portraying the actress in various stages of childhood, adolescence, and puberty. Although little Natasha Gurdin's Russian-born mother and father (here played by Colin Friels and Alice Krige) had drive and ambition, it was the girl herself who energetically and enthusiastically promoted her career as a child star named "Natalie Wood," and it was Natalie herself who demanded that producer stop casting her in cute-kid and ingenue roles and take her seriously as an adult -- even before she technically was one. Naturally, the film recounts Natalie's marriage to actor Robert Wagner (Michael Weatherley), the breakup of the union as she pursued affairs with the likes of Warren Beatty (Matthew Settle), and Wood and Wagner's ultimate reconciliation and remarriage. One might assume that the "mystery" of the film's title is Natalie's death by drowning -- to this day, no one quite knows how she managed to end up in the water -- but it also manifested in the enigma of Natalie herself, a woman who despite her aggressive and unending pursuit of fame and stardom might well have willingly given it all up just to be a wife and mother. In fine old Hollywood-biography tradition, the movie boasts an endless parade of celebrity lookalikes impersonating such friends and colleagues of Natalie Wood as James Dean, Edmund Gwenn, Marilyn Monroe, and directors Irving Pichel, Elia Kazan, and Nicholas Ray, as well as several real-life celebs offering their reflections on the film's protagonist, notably Margaret O'Brien, Robert Vaughn, and Henry Jaglom. Directed by no less than Peter Bogdanovich, The Mystery of Natalie Wood first aired over ABC on March 1, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Mystery of Natalie Wood (2004) TV Movie

Cast: Justine Waddell, Michael Weatherly, Matthew Settle, Colin Friels, Elizabeth Rice, Grace Fulton, Robert Taylor, Alice Krige, Malcolm Kennard, Christopher Pate, John Noble, Barry Langrishe, Steven Vidler, Sophie Monk, Nathalie Roy

Bobby Darin: Beyond the Song (1998) (TV)

Documentary on the life and career of 1950s/'60s pop singer Bobby Darin, including photos from his childhood, clips from his concerts and TV appearances, and interviews with friends, family and colleagues.

Bobby Darin: Beyond the Song (1998) (TV)

Host: Keith Olberman

Audrey Hepburn Remembered (1993) (TV)

Audrey Hepburn was one of movies best-loved stars, blessed with beauty, talent, an elegant sophistication, and an enduring aura of youthful innocence. Hosted by Roger Moore.

Audrey Hepburn Remembered (1993) (TV)
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Richard Attenborough, Richard Brown, Sean Connery, Stanley Donen, Blake Edwards, Gene Feldman, Mel Ferrer, Sean H. Ferrer, Hubert de Givenchy, Henry Mancini, Roger Moore, Gregory Peck, George Peppard, Elizabeth Taylor, Connie Wald, Billy Wilder, Robert Wolders

Jane Fonda - Unauthorized Biography (1988) (TV)

Excellent work on a controversial topic.

Jane Fonda - Unauthorized Biography (1988) (TV)
Host: Barbara Hauer

South Bank Show, The (1978) TV series 1978-2009

A television arts magazine show, originally made by London Weekend Television (now part of ITV Studios), presented by Melvyn Bragg, broadcast on ITV1 and seen in over 60 countries worldwide — including Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden and the USA. Its stated aim was to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.

In May 2009, ITV announced that the show was to come to an end. Although it was originally reported that the show was ending due to Bragg's retirement, Bragg later made it clear that he decided to leave after they ended the show, and thought ending it was a mistake; according to him, "they've killed the show, so I thought, I'll go as well."

On Monday 28 December 2009 the final edition was broadcast featuring The Royal Shakespeare Company as its subject. Melvyn Bragg announced on this programme, after the final South Bank Show Awards in January 2010, there would be a series of ten 'South Bank Show Revisited' programmes transmitted in early 2010 featuring updates on previous South Bank Show subjects.

AVAILABLE EPISODES

Andy Warhol

Season 11, Episode 4

25 October 1987

The South Bank Show (1978) TV series 1978-2009
Host: Melvyn Bragg

Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote

Truman Capote (September 30, 1924 – August 25, 1984) was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1958) and "In Cold Blood" (1965), which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays.

Unanswered Prayers: The Life and Times of Truman Capote
Cast: Assorted