Jan Hartman

In a rare instance of literary adaptation, Chytilová was inspired by Franz Kafka’s writings. Mr. K stashes stolen jewelry away at home and seldom allows his wife to wear it. A nosy neighbour, Mr. B, drops in. A cat observes it all.

Calcutta, 1946. Violence rages in India. Sister Teresa teaches at a convent, but is haunted by the faces of the starving, the poor and the homeless; the faces of those less fortunate than her. With only her faith in God, she leaves the convent to live in the slums and care for the poor. An surprisingly, even one of the most revered, selfless heroes questioned her purpose.

Builder Robert is visiting his ailing wife in a nursing home and is having problems getting a taxi home due to an intense snow storm. One of the doctors, Katherine offers him a lift home however their car gets stuck and they have to spend the night in an empty cabin nearby. They talk and bond, but afterwards seem to have difficulty beginning a relationship.

Common farm animals in the stable of Christ's birth begin to talk and communicate for the first time upon Mary and Joseph's arrival. They realize a miracle is about to take place, but lose their ability to speak following the birth of Christ as they rush to tell all about the Savior's birth.

From the pen of Pulitzer Prize winning author John Updike ("Witches of Eastwick," "Rabbit Run"), comes the story of a young man's search through the questions of life and death, and the wondrous discovery of living in the soaring beauty of one of nature's simplest creations. A family returns to life on a farm and finds some answers to the paradox of living.

Drama based on the legendary circus family, its spectacular but tragic career, and its unique aerial act that includes the seven-member pyramid that led to the 1962 accident in which two of the troupe were killed and another permanently paralyzed.

Three separate short stories by Jan Drda from the collection The Dumb Barricade: The Dynamite Watchman, Hatred and Traces.

American Playhouse is an anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.