Storyline
How did a poor Jewish kid from Connecticut bring us Archie Bunker and become one of the most successful television producers ever? Norman Lear brought provocative subjects like war, poverty, and prejudice into 120 million homes every week. He proved that social change was possible through an unlikely prism: laughter. World Premiere -Opening night selection, Sundance, 2016.
Cast: John Amos -
Himself
Bea Arthur -
Herself
(archive footage)
Adrienne Barbeau -
Herself
Valerie Bertinelli -
Herself
Todd Bridges -
Himself
Gloria Calderon Kellett -
Herself
George Clooney -
Himself
Dabney Coleman -
Himself
Keaton Nigel Cooke -
Young Norman
Kim Fields -
Herself
Marla Gibbs -
Herself
Alan Horn -
Himself
Louise Lasser -
Herself
Norman Lear -
Himself
Jay Leno -
Himself
Taglines:
The legendary creator of All in the Family and The Jeffersons
Greetings again from the darkness. Very few people have achieved the
level of career success of Norman Lear. Very few people have had the
impact on culture as Norman Lear. Very few people have led a life as
interesting as Norman Lear. And if all of that somehow doesn't impress
you … Norman Lear is 93 years old and still working! It's no wonder
that co-directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady decided to tell his
stories.
This is a man who served in WWII and flew 52 combat missions. He also
purchased a copy of the U.S. Constitution so that it could tour the
country and citizens could see it up close. He is regarded as the most
influential TV producer ever. His roster of hit shows includes: All in
the Family; Maude; Good Times; The Jeffersons; and Mary Hartman, Mary
Hartman. These weren't just popular or funny shows. They were
ground-breaking and controversial … they changed TV and they changed
society.
At one point, Mr. Lear was producer on 6 of the Top 10 shows on
television. His "Good Times" series was the first to put an
African-American family front and center. "Maude" was the first TV show
to seriously discuss abortion, while "All in the Family" brought Archie
Bunker (the great Carroll O'Connor) and the generation gap with
changing societal mores right into our living rooms.
The film features a great deal of interview time with Mr. Lear, but
also with others who worked with him and/or were influenced by him. The
Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner segment is especially poignant, as it's
three comedy trailblazers who made such a difference in how we are
entertained. At one point, Lear states "I never lost my childlike view
of the world", and he says that contributed to always having a fresh
approach.
Frances Lear, the feminist activist, is the perfect life partner for
Norman, and the film captures their magic. They make such an impressive
team committed to their causes, yet still maintaining a solid marriage.
In fact, a documentary focusing on Frances would also be quite
interesting.
In the world of television programming, there is BN (Before Norman) and
AN (After Norman), and the timeline is not only obvious, but also
important. Norman says he worked to deliver "serious people comedy … we
had something on our mind". The proof of his influence is that he was
able to inspire TV viewers to further discuss and consider the issues
he found important.
0