Journalism
Frank Deford on Bloggers, the Olympics and 51 years of Sportswriting
The legendary writer for Sports Illustrated dishes on, among other things, the changing relationship between athletes and the journalists who cover them
June 27, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The “Latin Lover” and His Enemies
Rudolph Valentino fought a long battle against innuendo about his masculinity right up until he died. But now he seems to have won
June 13, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Hitler’s Very Own Hot Jazz Band
American troops tuning in to wartime German radio broadcasts found themselves listening to one of Hitler's strangest experiments: the swinging sounds and virulently pro-Nazi lyrics of Charlie and His Orchestra
May 17, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
The Senator and the Gangsters
In the early 1950s, few Americans knew much about organized crime. But Sen. Estes Kefauver, a Democrat from Tennessee, changed that with a series of hearings that turned into a television extravaganza.
April 18, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Salk, Sabin and the Race Against Polio
As polio ravaged patients worldwide, two gifted American researchers developed distinct vaccines against it. Then the question was: Which one to use?
April 03, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Colonel Parker Managed Elvis’ Career, but Was He a Killer on the Lam?
The man who brought The King to global fame kept his own past secret. But what exactly was Tom Parker hiding?
February 24, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
The Civil War in Black and White
A collection of historic front pages shows how civilians experienced and read about the war
January 10, 2012 |
By Jeanne Maglaty
Friends in the House, Hostility at Home
Coya Knutson won a seat in the U.S. House in 1954 but was undone by a secret she brought to Washington
December 29, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
The Skinny on the Fatty Arbuckle Trial
When the million-dollar movie comedian faced a manslaughter charge, the jury was indeed scandalized—at how his reputation had been trashed
November 08, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
Paranormal Activity and the Roots of Faked Footage
The horror movie franchise is just the latest in a long history of movies using so-called "recovered" films
November 02, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
Mixing Movies and Politics
From Mrs. Miniver to Avatar, how big studio films have influenced public opinion
October 24, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
Out Where the West Begins
A new boxed DVD set examines the history of the West in films.
September 21, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
What Paul Robeson Said
After the singer and activist spoke at a Soviet-sponsored peace conference, he was reviled in the United States. But was the most widely reported version of his remarks accurate?
September 13, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
Pablo Fanque’s Fair
The showman whom John Lennon immortalized in song was a real performer—a master horseman and Britain's first black circus owner
September 08, 2011 |
By Mike Dash
Where to Find Old Films Online, Streamed Legally and for Free
Thousands of fascinating films are available for free streaming and download, if you know where to look
August 31, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
The Knife in Ty Cobb’s Back
Did the baseball great really confess to murder on his deathbed?
August 30, 2011 |
By Gilbert King
Screening “I Have a Dream”
It may be difficult to view the entire 17-minute speech online, but two noteworthy films were made about the March on Washington that highlight that momentous day
August 26, 2011 |
By Daniel Eagan
Odd McIntyre: The Man Who Taught America About New York
For millions of people, their only knowledge about New York City was O.O. McIntyre’s daily column about life in the Big Apple
April 25, 2011 |
By Greg Daugherty
Top 10 Unforgettable Editorials
These editorial voices rose above the America clamor with words we will never forget
March 16, 2011 |
By T.A. Frail
The Newsroom Rush of Old
Newsrooms may look different today, but their need for speed never wavers
March 2011 |
By Michael Shapiro
