William Wyler 1965-1971 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 10)

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For over 40 years, William Wyler was one of Hollywood’s most dependable classicists, culminating in 1968 with the ultimate New Hollywood-era throwback to Old Hollywood, Funny Girl. Then, for his final film in 1970, Wyler uncharacteristically directed a searing indictment of contemporary race relations, called The Liberation of LB Jones.

SHOW NOTES:  

Sources:

William Wyler: Interviews edited by Gabriel Miller

The American Cinema by Andrew Sarris

Bette: The Life of Bette Davis by Charles Higham

William Wyler: The Life and Films of Hollywood’s Most Celebrated Director by Gabriel Miller

Cahiers du Cinéma: The 1950s: Neo-Realism, Hollywood, New Wave edited by Jim Hillier

Five Came Back by Mark Harris

A Talent for Trouble: The Life of Hollywood’s Most Acclaimed Director, William Wyler by Jan Herman

Bette Davis Black and White by Julia A. Stern

“Screen: 'The Liberation of L.B. Jones':Wyler Directs a Vivid Post-Poitier Drama Bleak Picture Painted of Racial Situation,” Vincent Canby, New York Times, March 19, 1970

 “A Tribute to Manny Farber’s ‘Termite Art,’” Jonathan Griffin, Frieze, January 31, 2019

“What to Stream: ‘The Liberation of L. B. Jones,’ a 1970 Film About the Agonies of Racial Injustice,” Richard Brody, New Yorker, May 21, 2020

“Liberation of L.B. Jones – An Evolutionary Lesson Returns,” Armond White, National Review, April 27, 2022

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Music:
The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.  

Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode:

Levanger - Lillehammer

Piano Spa - Musique Libre de Droit Club

Vernouillet - The Sweet Hots

Trois Gnossiennes 3 - The Nocturne

True Blue Sky - Bitters

After Work (Piano Elevator Music) - Musique Libre de Droit Club

Lick Stick - Nursery

Li Fonte - Architect

Junca - Orange Cat

Laser Focus - TinyTiny Trio

Maisie Dreamer - Nursery

Trailrunner - Zander

Asian Relax (New Age) - Musique Libre de Droit Club

Thumbscrew - Sketchbook

Trenton Channel - Reflections

This episode was written, narrated, edited and produced by Karina Longworth.

Our editor this season is Evan Viola.

Research, production, and social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.

Logo design: Teddy Blanks.