Mark McLaughlin

The history of the comic book superhero, Superman, in his various media incarnations.

The history of Hollywood musical movies, from the very beginning until the 21st century, hosted by Shirley Jones.

During the 1950s, musical masterpieces that have yet to be equaled were produced in Cinemascope with stereophonic sound. These two episodes explore how the post-war years were alive with bold experimentation in musical film. Later in the decade, Rock & Roll became the musical choice of the younger generation and movie musicals followed suit. Highlights of this 2-part program include: Films based on smash Broadway musicals become the rage. A pretty starlet with no musical training named Marilyn Monroe takes the country by storm in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." With favorites from the previous decade continue to delight audiences: Rock & Roll films, songs and musical numbers.

"Getting The Knack" chronicles the controversial career of power pop stars, The Knack. Viewers will witness a compelling tale of instant stardom and spectacular failure, a story marked by heroin addiction, alcohol abuse, vicious inner-band feuding and massive critical backlash. "Getting The Knack" explores the group's career via candid interviews with the original band, producers Mike Chapman and Jack Douglas, Sharona Alperin, (the inspiration behind their biggest hit), Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, Rick Springfield, Elliot Easton of The Cars, Devo's Bob Mothersbaugh, comedian Weird Al Yankovic and many more. Narrated by Cherie Currie of The Runaways, "Getting the Knack" is augmented by scores of rare photos and previously unseen archival footage providing a no-holds barred look at the rise and fall and ultimate resurrection of the group.

This is a two-hour in-depth exploration into the Hollywood musicals of the 1940s.

Documentary looking at the history of Hollywood musicals in the 1960s. This decade saw independent film companies becoming more prominent as the bigger Hollywood studios, who produced the mainstream musicals, experienced a decline. This brought the emergence of more realistic story lines and the use of contemporary music like rock 'n' roll. This programme features songs from the musicals 'West Side Story' (1961), 'The Music Man' (1962), 'Mary Poppins' (1964), 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg' (1964), 'Funny Girl' (1968), 'Oliver!' (1968) and 'Sweet Charity' (1969).

Narrated by the legendary Shirley Jones, this installment of the Hollywood Singing and Dancing series shines a light on the musicals of the 1970s, a time when the very look of the genre was changing. Highlights include clips from squeaky-clean family fare such as Fiddler on the Roof, as well as more envelope-pushing options like Cabaret, Grease, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair.

Becoming Queen chronicles the majestic rise of rock's most flamboyant and revolutionary outfit. Fronted by Freddie Mercury, Queen blended stylistic elements of hard rock, opera, and Tin Pan Alley to create their own unique tapestry of musical magic. Featuring extensive interviews with friends, members of pre-Queen outfits, Smile and Ibex/Wreckage, musical peers, rare archival interviews with Queen, scores of previously unseen photos and vintage memorabilia.