American Masters: Season 20 (2006 - 2007)

The enduring relationship between two of the biggest names in Hollywood history is explored in this 2006 documentary from director Sam Pollard. Produced for PBS's American Masters series, the film combines interviews with clips from the fourteen films the John Ford and John Wayne collaborated on, tracing their friendship through such ups and downs as World War II, the McCarthy era and when the Wayne's star eventually eclipsed Ford's.

"The World of Nat King Cole" (1919-65), including his fight against racism in the entertainment industry. Also: his musical origins as a young Chicago jazz pianist; clips of him singing "Mona Lisa," "Too Young" and "It's Only a Paper Moon"; the civil-rights movement; his eye for women; his funeral (Cole succumbed to cancer at 45); comments from his widow, daughters and such stars as Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett and Whoopi Goldberg.

"The music is at the core of what it means to be an American," says Bruce Springsteen of the work of folk-music icon Woody Guthrie (1912-67), who is recalled via archival footage, photos and recordings. Included in this thoughtful profile are his 1930s contact with Dust Bowl refugees, inspiring many of his most memorable songs; and his battle with Huntington's disease. Included: insights from his sister, Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon; daughter Nora Guthrie; Pete Seeger; and biographer Joe Klein.

"Marilyn Monroe: Still Life" recalls the icon through still photographs. Included are the works of Richard Avedon (for whom she posed in 1958) and Inge Morath (who married Arthur Miller after his divorce from the star.) Also: Henri Cartier-Bresson (who photographed Monroe on the set of "The Misfits," her last film) and Andy Warhol (who created pop posters of Monroe in the 1960s). Monroe (1926-62) was one of the most-photographed celebrities ever.

A wealth of archival footage accents this genial profile of former "CBS Evening News" anchorman Walter Cronkite, which also serves as a look at TV news history. The episode highlights Cronkite's coverage of the U.S. space program; his visits to Vietnam and 1968 commentary critical of the war; and the 1968 Democratic National Convention; Insights are provided by Tom Brokaw, David Halberstam, Don Hewitt, Robert MacNeil, Morley Safer, Lesley Stahl and Mike Wallace.

Part 1 of two. Ric Burns' absorbing profile of Andy Warhol (1928-87) traces the pop icon's rise from poverty to an artist who, said art critic Dave Hickey, "changed the world." Included: clips of Warhol; his silk-screen art; his underground films. Also: comments from art historians, writers (including Stephen Koch and George Plimpton) and Warhol's brother John Warhola on the man who predicted that "in the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes."

Conclusion. Ric Burns' fine study of Andy Warhol (1928-87) traces the pop artist's rise to fame. Included: his working habits; clips from his films; the 1968 shooting that almost killed him. Also: comments from writers, including Stephen Koch, and art critics, among them Dave Hickey.

"Sketches of Frank Gehry" is director Sydney Pollack's absorbing profile of architect Gehry. It includes conversations at Gehry's home, studio and construction sites; his erratic drawings and their development into completed structures, including the new Disney Concert Hall in L.A.. Also: other Gehry-designed buildings; comments from, among others, architect Philip Johnson, Dennis Hopper, Michael Eisner, Barry Diller and Bob Geldof. The effort is Pollack's first feature-length documentary.