Ben Mankiewicz on TCM's 30th Anniversary (FULL INTERVIEW)

On April 14th, 1994, Turner Classic Movies went on the air. Since then it's built a strongly loyal fan base, devoted to preserving and exploring the world's best films. TCM Primetime Host Ben Mankiewicz joins me to discuss the network's future, how it's handled controversial films like "Gone with the Wind", and what makes a movie a classic. He also helped me win a longstanding argument: if you've never seen a black-and-white or "classic" movie, which ones should you start with?

[mark]

I didn't know that I needed an interview with Ben Mankiewitz until I watched this interview. Thank you, it was enthralling.

[kpkoopa]

Absolutely enjoyed this interview! I hope you will be having more guests on in the future. I haven't thought much about TCM since college, but this was just what I needed to remind me just how amazing of a network TCM is. I wish their partnership with Fathom Events would have come up, as that is how I mainly experienced TCM content (I used to buy the TCM pass and watch 2-3 films a week in theaters all re-released through TCM and Fathom) and how TCM really does seek to "present movies in their original format, as they were intended to be viewed. Absolutely incredible that as a young millennial I had the opportunity to see Casa Blanca and How The West Was Won in theaters in their original format.

[kpkoopa]

Excited to see this, not knowing anything about Mankiewitz. I really didnt realize until now how many odd subjects i was introduced to by your time hosting 1A.

[clincher]

TCM prides itself on playing its features unedited. Yet they edited Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Love the channel but that's hypocritical.