Search results for

In January 1940, Irving Berlin, the most popular songwriter in America, raced into his office and asked his musical secretary to take down a new song. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on the history of "White Christmas," a song Berlin said was the best he — or anyone — ever wrote.

The Great White Way embraces the hip-hop roots of slam poetry with Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. It's part of entrepreneur Russell Simmons' mission to bring hip-hop culture to the masses. He owns a record company, a film company, and the clothing line Phat Farm. Karen Michel reports.

Choosing a holiday gift can be a challenge and selecting an appropriate gift book can be especially difficult. NPR's Susan Stamberg talks with independent bookstore owners and gets their suggestions for adult and children's titles this holiday season.

Edouard Vuillard was not as widely known as the Impressionist masters, but he created more than 3,000 paintings between the late 1800s and his death a half-century later. NPR's Susan Stamberg tours the most comprehensive exhibition of the French artist's works, premiering at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Annie Proulx (The Shipping News) writes about strange people in lonely places. Her latest novel, That Old Ace in the Hole, explores the vanishing Texas panhandle. Proulx, 67, says it may be her last novel, though she'll keep writing short stories. Tom Vitale reports.

NPR's Mandalit del Barco profiles Lalo Alcaraz, the creator of America's first daily syndicated Latino political comic strip. The strip features an oddball cast of characters.

Bluesy Blind Pig Records has now been around 25 years -- a long life span for an independent. It grew from a basement operation in Michigan to one of music's top specialty labels. Hear from NPR's John Ydstie, Blind Pig co-founder Edward Chmelewski and singer Deborah Coleman.

The creators of the offbeat comedy Being John Malkovich have a new film out: Adaptation. Nicolas Cage stars as a screenwriter who struggles to adapt a non-fiction book into a screenplay. Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper also play key roles. Pat Dowell reports.

The new film The Quiet American -- based on the Graham Greene novel -- comments on western attitudes toward Vietnam in the 1950s. Michael Caine stars. Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan offers a review.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to writer Verlyn Klinkenborg about his new book, The Rural Life, a collection of essays about life in the countryside in different parts of America. Klinkenborg lives part of the week in New York City, and part of the week on a farm in upstate New York.