Mike Nichols

From the humble beginnings of a frontier army camp, Fort Worth transformed into a city as cattle drives, railroads, oil, and national defense drove its economy. During the tremendous growth, the landscape and cultural imprint of the city changed drastically, and much of Cowtown was lost to history. Witness the birth of western swing music and the death of a cloud dancer. See mansions of the well-heeled and saloons of the well-armed. Meet two gunfighters,...

"With unfettered access to the Zappa Vault and all its archival footage, ZAPPA explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Alex Winter's assembly features appearances by Frank's widow Gail Zappa and several of Frank's musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood,...

In the early 1980s, Charlie Wilson is best known as a womanizing US congressional representative from Texas. He seemed to be in the minor leagues, except for the fact that he is a member of two major foreign policy and covert-ops committees. However, once Charlie is prodded by his major conservative supporter, Joanne Herring, Wilson learns about the plight of the people who are suffering from the effects of the brutal Soviet occupation of Afghanistan....

Armand and Albert are a middle-aged gay couple who own and star at a gay nightclub in South Beach. When Armand's son announces his intention to marry the daughter of a conservative Senator, the whole household is turned upside down for a family visit.

An English professor, who alienates her students, has always had control over her life. That is until she is diagnosed with a devastating illness. She agrees to undergo a series of procedures that are brutal, extensive and experimental. She finds that the fine line between life and death can only be walked with wit.

God has abandoned Heaven. It's 1985 and the Reagans are in the White House. Death is swinging the scythe of AIDS. In Manhattan, Prior tells Lou, his lover, he's ill and Lou decides to bolt. As disease and loneliness ravage Prior, guilt invades Lou. Joe is an attorney, who is Mormon and Republican, is pushed by right-winger Roy toward a job at the Justice Dept. Both Joe and Roy are in the closet: Joe out of shame and religious turmoil; Roy to preserve...

A couple is invited to the home of a professor and his sharp-tongued wife, and are treated to verbal battles by their hosts.

The story of blind devotion and repressed love between a fanatically proper butler and a high-spirited, strong-minded young housekeeper employed by a British lord who is unwittingly a Nazi dupe.

An evening of readings and discussion: Heller's friends and colleagues including Christopher Buckley, Robert Gottlieb, and Mike Nichols. They revisit his classic black comedy set at the end of World War II, one of the most important books about patriotism, honor, and the absurdities of war and beauracracy of the 20th century. The conversation is led by Lesley Stahl. An excerpt is performed by Scott Shepherd (Gatz).