Leonard Maltin talks with American Public Television
about upcoming classic film package

PRESS RELEASE


March 17, 2004 (Boston, Mass.) American Public Television is proud to distribute the WARNER/TURNER/MGM CLASSIC FILM COLLECTION comprised of 81 feature films combining the best of the Warner/Turner classics with classic and contemporary MGM features which are new to public television. The film package begins airing on public television stations nationwide beginning April 1, 2004. Forty-nine stations have committed to airing this movie collection.

Recently, APT spoke with Leonard Maltin, renowned film critic, historian and co-host of the weekly movie review program, Hot Ticket. Maltin shared his feelings on such film classics as The Miracle Worker starring Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft, who both won Oscars for their performances. He also discussed the Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire in That’s Entertainment II. When asked what it is about classic films that people enjoy, Maltin responded, “When people ask me why I like old Hollywood films so much (especially the films from the 1930s and ’40s), I say that there’s a joy in these films that is palpable. At one time, people used to put down old Hollywood movies as being nothing more than escapist fluff. Much of it was. But at its best Hollywood entertainment had a way of lifting your spirits. Not just in a button-pushing, superficial way that we associate with so-called feel-good movies nowadays, but in a way that left you walking on a cloud, and believing – if only for a short time – that life could be beautiful. Dreams were worthy of dreaming, and some things were worth shooting for – like romance and happiness. We don’t get much of that today because we live in such a cynical world. I don’t think people are all that cynical. I think many people have become cynical, but they really long for a lot of these emotions that the old 30s and 40s movies stir up. That’s why the films hold up so well.”

Some of the new Warner titles in the package include: All the President’s Men, Auntie Mame, Dial M for Murder and Casablanca. The MGM titles vary from comedies such as Some Like it Hot (the American Film Institute’s #1 comedy film of all time) and The Apartment, to great dramas like Inherit the Wind, The Miracle Worker, and In the Heat of the Night, to edgy contemporary Academy Award winners such as Raging Bull and Fargo.

About American Public Television
For 42 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation’s public television stations. APT has more than 10,000 hours of available programming including Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter, Globe Trekker, Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World, Rick Steves’ Europe, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, Ballykissangel, Brian Jacques’ Redwall and Sinatra: The Classic Duets . APT is known for identifying innovative programs and developing creative distribution techniques for producers. In more than four decades, it has established a tradition of providing public television stations nationwide with program choices that enable them to strengthen and customize their schedules. Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455 ext. 129 or via email to donna_hardwick@aptonline.org. For more information about APT's programs and services, log on to aptonline.org.