Directing
In 1973 the American Film Institute initiated its Life Achievement Award, to be presented to a yearly recipient whose talent has fundamentally advanced the film art; whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.
In 1853 Japan, the story follows the Westernization of Japan, mainly through the story of Kayama, a samurai, and Manjiro, a fisherman. The lives of both men are radically changed by the coming of American ships to Japan.
A comedy/variety special hosted by Goldie Hawn featuring special guests Ruth Buzzi, Johnny Carson, Bob Dishy, and the Muppets.
Broadcast on NBC February 18, 1985, the Disneyland 30th Anniversary Celebration was hosted by John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore. The special is a look back into the first thirty years of Disneyland's history. Featuring footage from opening day in 1955, including the famous Walt Disney opening day speech.
Organist Korla Pandit was an alluring enigma, a television pioneer and the godfather of exotica music. He never spoke a word on 900 episodes of his groundbreaking 1950s TV program but captured the hearts of countless Los Angeles housewives with his soulful, hypnotic gaze and theatrical performance of popular tunes and East Indian compositions on the newly developed Hammond B3 organ. In the ’90s he resurfaced as a cult figure with the tiki/lounge music aficionados and ended up immortalized in the film Ed Wood. Often pegged as a “man of mystery,” Korla lived up to that billing when he took an amazing secret with him to his grave in 1998—one that is finally revealed in KORLA.
Broadcast live via satellite around the world on January 31, 1982, this special produced by the US International Communication Agency protesting the then recent imposition of martial law in Poland. Hosted by Charlton Heston, Max von Sydow, and Glenda Jackson, the program features multiple celebrity appearances, speeches by 21 world leaders, and several contributions Polish artists and intellectuals.
Disneyland's Summer Vacation Party (1986)
Stevie Wonder hosts a two-hour special with celebrity guests gathered to salute Martin Luther King Jr. on the first national holiday honoring the late civil rights leader. Participants include Elizabeth Taylor, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, Cyndi Lauper, Gregory Hines, Yoko Ono, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan, Patti LaBelle, Cicely Tyson, the Pointer Sisters, Andre Crouch, the Alvin Ailey Dancers, Quincy Jones, Dick Gregory, Joan Baez, Richard Dreyfuss, Peter, Paul and Mary, Amy Grant and Debbie Allen.
A special featuring celebrity guest stars and championship ice skaters from the United States and the Soviet Union. Notable for the Mario Ice Capades segment.
Musical comedy stars of the past and present bridge the musical generation gap as they perform their particular specialties and re-create some memorable moments in show business. Highlights include Broadway's two great "Dollies", Pearl Bailey and Carol Channing, performing the top songs from "Hello Dolly!"; Patti Andrews of the Andrews Sisters joining the Pointer Sisters in the runaway hit of 1937, "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon"; the musical blending of the Mills Brothers and the Jackson Five.
A 1973 concert by Elvis Presley that was broadcast live via satellite on January 14, 1973. The concert took place at the Honolulu International Center in Honolulu and aired in over 40 countries across Asia and Europe. Viewing figures have been estimated at over 1 billion viewers world wide, and the show was the most expensive entertainment special at the time, costing $2.5 million.
Enjoy the Beach Boys in a 90 minute concert celebrating their 25 year anniversary with guest artists like Glen Campbell, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, Jeffery Osborne, Belinda Carlisle and Three Dog Night. The concert was recorded in December 1986 on the sunny Waikiki beach in Hawaii.
The Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus originally aired November 27, 1987. Join Mickey Mouse, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Lisa Bonet, Tony Randall, Kim Fields, Tim Conway, and Jim “Earnest” Varney along with 500 Clowns, lions and elephants for this once in a lifetime event. EPCOT Centers World Showcase plays host for the breathtaking performances.
Entertainment variety special with Bing and special guests Dean Martin, Bernadette Peters, and Flip Wilson.
Bing Crosby hosts this music holiday special featuring performances by Mary Costa, Robert Goulet, the Mitchell Boys Choir and the Crosby family.
A musical TV special with Vince Edwards as a hero who must stop gold-greedy villains, Jill St. John and Zero Mostel, and prove his love to his girl, Lesley Ann Warren.
On Jan. 14, 1973, the Once and Future King of rock & roll bounded before TV cameras for a first-ever live satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, that beamed him to one billion viewers and stands as one of his more acclaimed performances. Two days earlier, he had taped this full dress rehearsal concert, calling for a radical haircut and restyling when he saw the playback. Elvis takes far too long to warm up and occasionally looks bored. Still, Elvis Presley: The Alternate Aloha Concert offers a fascinating glimpse — replete with slurred speech and the exquisite nailing of high notes.
Sandy Duncan hosts an all-star Hollywood cast as she takes us on a tour of Disneyland. But not just any tour, Sandy Performs inside It’s a Small World, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and more. She finds Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Additional performers include Ernest Borgnine, Ruth Buzzi, Ted Knight, John Davidson, Lorne Green, Kenny Loggins, Jim Messina, The Jackson Five, Doc Severinsen, Marty Ingels and Alan Sues among others.
It stars Art Carney, Sandy Duncan and Glen Campbell, each playing a dual role. Art Carney plays both a miserly grandfather referred to as "Gramps" and a jolly magician named Dr. Wunderbar. Sandy Duncan plays a Disneyland tour guide and Snow White. Glen Campbell plays a Disneyland cast member and Santa Claus.
Filmed in front of a live audience on a soundstage in Hollywood, but with the feel of an intimate concert, this "comeback" special proves the Chairman hadn't lost a step.
