Journalist John Dinges (pronounced DING-gess, with a hard G in the second syllable). Dinges' new book, "Our Man in Panama," traces the history of Manuel Noriega's relationship with the United States, from his recruitment by the CIA in the 60s to his fate in the wake of the U. S. invasion of Panama. Dinges has covered Central and South America for many years. Currently he's a foreign editor for National Public Radio. ("Our Man in Panama" is published by Random House).
Actor Peter Riegert. In "Local Hero" he co-starred with Burt Lancaster, playing a young oil executive who goes to Scotland with the intent of buying a Scottish village. And in the romantic comedy "Crossing Delancey," he played a Lower East Side pickle merchant smitten by an ambitious and literary single Manhattan woman. He's also acted in "Animal House," and "Chilly Scenes of Winter." He'll soon be appearing in the film, "A Shock to the System," with Michael Caine and Elizabeth McGovern.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews the new comedy, "Joe Versus the Volcano." It stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. John Patrick Shanley is the writer/director. He also wrote "Moonstruck."
Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg tells us why cursing ain't what it used to me. He explains how in Elizabethan times an oath carried with it the true fear of God. (Note: Nunberg uses some examples in this commentary, for example "Jesus Christ!" "Goddamn it," and "son of a bitch.")
Actor Michael Moriarty. He's best-known for his roles in the films "Bang the Drum Slowly" and "Who'll Stop the Rain," and in the TV miniseries, "Holocaust." Moriarty is the star of a new TV series called "Law and Order," and he's also just produced an album of original jazz songs, called "Reaching Out."
Film historian Leonard Leff. His new book is "The Dame in the Kimono: Hollywood, Censorship and the Production Code from the 1920's to the 1960's. It's a history of the Motion Picture Production Code and its impact on American life. The Production Code was a set of Hollywood guidelines to help regulate morals in the movies. (The Dame in the Kimono is published by Grove Weidenfeld).
Rock critic Ken Tucker gives an update on the hard-rock scene and plays some music by three talented new groups: the Southern band "The Black Crowes," the Irish folk-influenced "Raindogs," and the "Rave-Ups," who aren't really new, but have just released their first album on a major label.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a reissued series of performances by German conductor Otto Klemperer. Klemperer was a disciple of Gustave Mahler, and Lloyd says his performances of classical German pieces are one of this century's greatest musical legacies. The series has been digitally remastered by Angel Records.
Lester Brown, president of the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based think tank that monitors the state of the environment. The Institute has just issued it's 7th annual "State of the World" report. Brown's been nicknamed "Doctor Doom," for his dire predictions about subjects such as the dwindling forests and the global warming trend. But critics use that term less and less these days as more of Brown's predictions have come true. The 1990 edition of "State of the World" is published by Norton. (Part 2 of a two-part interview.
Film director John Frankenheimer. His films include The Manchurian Candidate, French Connection 2, and The Birdman of Alcatraz. Frankenheimer's latest film, The Fourth War, stars Roy Scheider and Harry Dean Stanton.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews "The Secret Life of Ian Fleming," a telemovie on the man who created James Bond. It stars Jason Connery, the son of Sean Connery, the first 007. And it shows the real-life inspirations for some of the characters who peopled the 007 movies and stories. Bianculli says it's enjoyable if you approach it with the right attitude. It airs over the TNT cable network.
Lester Brown, president of the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington-based think tank that monitors the state of the environment. The Institute has just issued it's 7th annual "State of the World" report. Brown's been nicknamed "Doctor Doom," for his dire predictions about subjects such as the dwindling forests and the global warming trend. But critics use that term less and less these days as more of Brown's predictions have come true. The 1990 edition of "State of the World" is published by Norton. (Part 1 of a two-part interview.
Singer and actress Annie Ross. Ross is best-known as a member of the jazz vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. She also wrote "Twisted," which was recorded by both Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler. She made her acting debut in the 1974 play "Kennedy's Children," and has appeared in such films as The Homecoming, Yanks, and Superman III. Her latest role is in the film "Basket Case 2."
The recent suicide of rocker Del Shannon triggered rock historian Ed Ward's reflections on his early fame and later obscurity. Shannon's fame came with his 1960 hit, "Runaway."
Short story writer Stephanie Vaughn. Her first collection of stories is "Sweet Talk." Most of these stories chronicle the childhood, youth, and adulthood of Gemma, the daughter of a career army man. The New York Times says Vaughn "emerges as a thoroughly original writer, blessed with a distinctive voice, by turns witty and lyrical, wisecracking and nostalgic." Vaughn's stories first appeared in "The New Yorker," and in the O. Henry and Pushcart Prize collections. ("Sweet Talk" is published by Random House.)
Judge Robert Satter. Satter is a judge on the Connecticut Superior Court, and in his new book, "Doing Justice: A Trial Judge At Work," he explains such things as how a judge operates, what influences him, and how he deals with conflicting evidence. Satter also gives his ideas on reforms of the jury system that he thinks are necessary to improve the judicial process. ("Doing Justice" is published by Simon & Schuster.)
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews, "Mountains of the Moon," the movie about the expedition in the late 1800's to the source of the Nile. It's directed by Bob Rafelson. Rafelson's other movies include "Five Easy Pieces," and "Black Widow."
