In this speech from 1951, the beloved first lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, made her final address to her nation’s people. Perón uses this moment to specifically call out support for the poor people of Argentina and she praises them for being proactive. She also credits her capable husband, Juan … Continue reading
Upon Joseph Stalin’s death on March 5, 1953, Russians share their reaction to his death. Former dissidents such as Lev Kopelev even wept for the corrupt dictator who ruled Russia for over three decades: “It wasn’t the real Stalin that we…that I and others like me mourned in those days. It … Continue reading
Robert Meeropol discusses the execution of his parents, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, the only U.S. citizens to be executed under the Espionage Act of 1917. As one of the most contested death sentences in history, the Rosenberg case has inspired continued debate over the constitutionality of the Espionage Act. In … Continue reading
J.D. Salinger, one of America’s best known contemporary writers, is equally famous for his reclusive behavior. After 60 years of silence, a former lover, Jean Miller, finally shares the private details of her romance with the mysterious author of “Catcher in the Rye,” including his initial attraction to her and … Continue reading
Distinguished British photographer Cecil Beaton and his New York-based assistant Ed Pfizenmaier share memories on their famous 1956 shoot with Marilyn Monroe. Both men were impressed by how beautiful she was in-person and her “variety of moves” in front of the camera. Pfizenmaier explains how both he and Beaton knew … Continue reading
Famous television personality, Milton Berle, discusses Elvis Presley’s controversial performance of “Hound Dog” on “The Milton Berle Show” in 1956. He gives a light-hearted account of the media frenzy that criticized Elvis’s provocative hip gyrations, which was different from his own surprising response.
George O’Brien received the Medal of Honor from President Eisenhower for his heroism during the Korean War. “The medal is not mine. I wear it for all those young kid who never grew up to be grandfathers. I just hold it in trust… and hope I wear it well.” Second … Continue reading
Former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Holocaust survivor Yisreal Meir gives his account of what it was like for him to read “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Meir recalls being “forbidden” by his uncle and aunt to read the book because of the memories it was sure to bring back. He … Continue reading
To Budd Schulberg I’m not insane about Brando for this. In fact, in my opinion he is quite wrong. But he’s a fine actor and if he’s really excited about it and will work like a beginner trying to get a start, he can be fine. He’s got to be hungry … Continue reading
March 1954 To John Steinbeck I looked thru a lot of kids before settling on this Jimmy Dean. He hasn’t Brando’s stature, but he’s a good deal younger and is very interesting, has balls and eccentricity and a “real problem” somewhere in his guts, I don’t know what or where. He’s … Continue reading
