Metroplex Assembly

KETC-TV (Television station : Saint Louis, Mo.) · 1959

This episode's guest is documentary filmmaker Charles Guggenheim. In phase one, a portion of Guggenheim's "The Big City" is shown, and Iglehart and Guggenheim discuss aesthetics, economics and the theory of filmmaking, with particular emphasis on Guggenheim's perception of the St. Louis area. In phase two, Guggenheim is joined by author Martin Quigley, who produced several of Guggenheim's films. Hartzell, Iglehart and Sidney Light read the questions that were called in at the end of phase one, and the filmmakers answer them. "This is one of a series of six programs on the arts and artists in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Each program was produced in two half-hour segments on succeeding Tuesday evenings. The first half-hour (Phase I) featured an artist talking about his work, his world, his city and his intended audience. On the second half-hour (Phase II), the artist was joined by a fellow artist or critic in responding to questions phoned in by the viewers. Phase II was telecast one hour after the conclusion of Phase I. This hour-long span between programs was designed to allow home discussion groups ('Viewing Posts') to talk about the issues raised on Phase II. There were over 300 organized Viewing Posts (average size: 10 people) participating each week throughout the St. Louis area. On Phase II, the program moderator was joined by an additional questioner and a representative Viewing Post member, who was free to pursue the questions asked, and to ask his own questions when he wished."-- 1959 Peabody Awards entry form.