nicholas latkovic

“I can’t bear quarreling. I can’t bear feelings between people. I think hatred is wasted energy. And it’s all non-productive. So, I’m very sensitive. A sharp word said by, say, a person who has a temper — if they’re close to me — hurts me for days.”

- Alfred Hitchcock, director

“A Talk with Hitchcock”. Hosted by Fletcher Markle. Telescope. CBC. 1964.

The New Music Seminar (NMS) was a series of multi-venue music showcases held annually in New York City from 1980 to 1995 (and relaunched in 2009). In footage from the 1984 seminar, up-and-coming recording artist Madonna participates in a debate with John Oates [of Hall & Oates], addressing the then-new medium of music videos, and whether or not it has affected — for better or worse — the definition of a musician.

“I feel that if we, in public television, can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.

I think that it’s much more dramatic that two men can be working out their feelings of anger — much more dramatic — than showing something of gunfire. I’m constantly concerned about what our children are seeing, and for 15 years I have tried in this country and Canada to present what I feel is a meaningful expression of care.”

- Fred Rogers, educator

Above: Fred Rogers appears before the United States Senate Subcommittee on Communications. His goal was to support funding for PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, in response to significant proposed cuts by President Nixon.

Extension of authorizations under the Public broadcasting act of 1967. Hearings, Ninety-first Congress, first session, on S. 1242 … April 30 and May 1, 1969, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce. Subcommittee on Communications , Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1969; Y 4.C 73/2:91-5.

“On their side, no affection. I finished 18 years at Warner — built many sound stages there — never got a letter of goodbye, ended up in the backlot with the soundman, [inaudible] our producer till dawn having drinks, and that’s how I left the Warner lot.

If you go into this business and expect gratitude, or thanks… This is why we all have to get very tough about what we will and won’t do, because if we don’t, they will just take advantage of you till it’s unbelievable. There is no affection from there to here. But, for many actors, great gratitude here to there.

And you know, four compliments a year… we never would have asked for so much money. Truthfully. They never knew it! Actors are complete suckers for good parts, you know. And just saying, ‘You did a good job, Bette.’ … Never, never, never.”

- Bette Davis, actress

The book Bette refers to:

Schulberg, Budd. What Makes Sammy Run?. New York: Random House, 1941.

“Bette Davis”. The Dick Cavett Show. ABC, Los Angeles. 18 Nov. 1971.