The Men Who Made The Movies
This week BBC2 highlights the work of William A. Wellman - one of Hollywood's most independent-minded film makers. From his early success with Wings (winner of the first-ever Oscar in 1927) and Public Enemy (the greatest of the gangster films which gave Cagney his first starring role), Wellman's films, whether melodrama or comedy, have been outspoken in their moral judgment of social issues while recognising human frailty and hypocrisy. With excerpts from Wings, Public Enemy, Wild Boys of the Road, Beau Geste , A Star is Born, The Ox-Bow Incident, Buffalo Bill and The Story of GI Joe.
Narrated by CLIFF ROBERTSON
Written, directed and produced by RICHARD SCHICKEL
A WNET production