BBC Four

Arena

The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day.

The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day. A cultural map of the world’s greatest artists and musicians, as captured by exceptional film-makers.

Arena: Chelsea Hotel

Chelsea Hotel

BBC Four - Arena, Chelsea Hotel

Chelsea Hotel in New York, a haven for some of the 20th Century's greatest talent. (1981)

First transmitted in 1981, this documentary looks at the New York's Chelsea Hotel - a haven for some of the 20th Century's greatest talents, from Mark Twain to Dylan Thomas.

First transmitted in 1981, this documentary programme looks at New York's Chelsea Hotel, a legendary haven for some of the 20th Century's greatest talent, from Mark Twain to Dylan Thomas. With appearances from Andy Warhol and William Burroughs, who have dinner in the room where Arthur C Clarke wrote 2001, and Quentin Crisp, who lived in the hotel for more than 35 years.

From Mark Twain to Sid Vicious , New York's Chelsea Hotel has been a haven for performers and artists. In the first of a week of repeats celebrating Arena's 30th birthday, the BBC documentary strand explores the offbeat worlds created behind the Chelsea's drab doors.

Arena: Masters Of The Canvas

Masters Of The Canvas

BBC Four - Arena, Masters Of The Canvas

Pop artist Peter Blake's fascination with masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki. (1992)

When pop artist Peter Blake confessed that his fantasy was to be the mysterious masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki, little did he know what the consequences would be. (1992)

When pop artist Peter Blake confessed that his fantasy was to be the mysterious masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki, who never speaks and never removes his mask, little did he know what the consequences would be. 

Poet and television producer Paul Yates, also fascinated by the persona of Nagasaki, read the article and proceeded to research the possibility of Blake painting Nagasaki's portrait as a centrepiece for a film which would also, he hoped, include an exclusive interview with Nagasaki himself. Does he exist outside the ring and, if so, who is he? (1992)

Arena: Masters of the Canvas

Fascinated by wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki, Paul Yates learned that pop artist Peter Blake shared this interest. Could he get the men together for a portrait of - and interview v.ith - the mysterious Nagasaki?

Arena: At 30

03/09/2005

At 30

BBC Four - Arena, At 30

Documentary looking at some of the most memorable Arena programmes of the past 30 years.

Documentary looking at some of the most memorable Arena programmes of the past 30 years. With contributions from Anthony Wall, Alan Yentob, Lesley Megahey and Nigel Williams.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Arena at 30

Bob Dylan , 
Jean Genet , Orson Welles and Francis Bacon are among the subjects in a look back at memorable edilions of the past 30 years. With film makers Alan Yentob , Anthony Wall and Nigel Williams. New.  The Inside Story: page 60

Arena: The Burger and the King

16/08/1997

The Burger and the King

BBC Four - Arena, The Burger and the King

A remarkable guided tour through the culinary world of Elvis Presley. (1996)

Fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are on the menu as Arena documents the life and cuisine of Elvis Presley - whose talent was matched by his appetite. (1996)

A remarkable guided tour through the culinary world of Elvis Presley, in his later years famed as much for his appetite as for his music. The King's passion for food is recounted by close friends, relatives and personal cooks who share the recipes that kept their idol happy. From the squirrel and raccoon dishes of his youth to the fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches that contributed to his demise. (1996)

Fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are on the menu as Arena documents the life and cuisine of Elvis Presley - whose talent was matched by his appetite.  Elvis also features in Arena: My Way on Tuesday at 10.30pm

Arena: James Ellroy's Feast

of Death A noir romp through the crime writer's mind and landscapes, including his mother's murder, from which sprang hard-boiled work such as LA Confidential and American 
Tabloid.

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Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus: 
Jim White 's 2003 road trip throtgh the Deep South. Featuring the Handsome Family, David Johansen and Cat Power

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Arena: James Ellroy's Feast

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