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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, December 03, 2007
  • A scene from "Bud's Recruit" directed by King Vidor, 1918
    A scene from "Bud's Recruit" directed by King Vidor, 1918

    Films and Bombs

    We look into how America's earliest movies dealt with social issues like abortion and racism. Also: big changes in the independent film industry over the last 20 years. Find out how the US helped Pakistan develop a nuclear arsenal, and why that could cause major problems in the near future. Plus, how France's geography has shaped its history.

    We want your favorite holiday cookie recipe! On Dec. 11, we're hosting a Christmas cookie recipe swap. Dig up your favorite recipe and submit here.

Nuclear Pakistan

Pakistan has built a nuclear arsenal with the tacit aid of the US and Europe. Now that military extremist factions are on the rise in Pakistan, the US could end up regretting that aid. David Armstrong and Joseph Trento have co-authored a new book called America and the Islamic Bomb: The Deadly Compromise.

America and the Islamic Bomb is available for purchase at amazon.com

Social Issues in America’s Earliest Films

America’s earliest movies didn’t shy away from social issues like abortion, racism, and homelessness. Steven Higgins, curator at MoMA’s Department of Film, talks about the new film series Treasures III: 1900-1934, running Dec. 2-8.

MoMA’s Treasures III website

How the Independent Film Business is Changing

We look into how the independent film industry has changed over the last 20 years. Jonathan Sehring is president of IFC Entertainment; he’s being honored at this year’s Gotham Awards.

Gotham Awards website
IFC Entertainment

A Historical Geography of France

As recently as 1890, large parts of France were divided by tribal allegiances; pre-Christian beliefs remained widespread; and French was even a minority language. Graham Robb is author of The Discovery of France.

The Discovery of France is available for purchase at amazon.com

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Let’s Go Swimming!

The Leonard Lopate Show

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Frank McCourt

The Leonard Lopate Show

Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

Science and Faith

The Leonard Lopate Show

Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

The Leonard Lopate Show

May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.