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From the Archives: More On Hollywood's Biblical Epics.

Actor Kirk Douglas. The star of "Lust for Life," "Paths of Glory," "Champion" and Stanley Kubrick's epic, "Spartacus," the story of a slave uprising during the Roman Empire. (REBROADCAST FROM 8/22/88).

Actor Tony Curtis. In 1960 he starred in the film, "Spartacus" about a leader of slaves revolting against Republican Rome. A restored version of the film has been released that includes previously cut scenes, including one where Laurence Olivier --as a general-- tries to seduce his slave, played by Curtis. (REBROADCAST FROM 4-19-91).

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Other segments from the episode on March 25, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 25, 1994: Interviews with Charlton Heston, Martin Scorsese, and Elmer Bernstein; Commentary on foreign accents in Hollywood films; Interviews with Kirk Douglas and…
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18:37

From the Archives: Hollywood's Biblical Epics.

Actor Charlton Heston. A consistent lead in the biblical epics of the 1950's and 1960's, Heston had starring roles in " The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "The Ten Commandments"; Heston also covered the Roman era in epics like "Ben Hur", "Julius Cesar", and "Antony & Cleopatra." Medieval Spain was not beyond his ken: HESTON had the lead as well in "El Cid." (REBROADCAST FROM 11/30/90).

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03:31

From the Archives: On Accents in Movies.

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg considers why actors adopt foreign or regional accents in film -- and why they sometimes speak in their natural voice, regardless of the part they play. (REBROADCAST FROM 04/29/1987)

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"The Ragman's Son" Remembers

Kirk Douglas says that growing up in abject poverty was an advantage: he had nowhere to go but up. Often known for his tough guy roles, he also enjoys playing men who are weak, lost and vulnerable. He started his own production company to make movies he believed had depth and substance. His new autobiography looks back on his career so far.

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Actor Tony Curtis on the Re-Release of "Spartacus"

In 1960, Curtis starred in the film, "Spartacus," about a leader of slaves revolting against Republican Rome. A restored version of the film is being released that includes previously cut scenes, including a homoerotic exchange between Curtis and co-star Laurence Olivier.

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