Backdrop image for movie Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television

Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television (2011)

Even though her program was only seen in four Midwestern cities, Ruth Lyons presided over America's highest-rated daytime TV talk show for nearly two decades! This documentary draws upon rare and previously undiscovered footage, along with comments from associates and admirers to create a portrait of an outspoken, multi-talented woman who became one of the most beloved and influential figures in TV history. Featuring the Recollections Of: Carol Channing, John Davidson, Phyllis Diller, Phil Donahue, David Letterman, Johnny Mathis, Peter Nero, Bonnie Lou, Nick Clooney, Oscar Robertson and many others, along with archival audio and video of Ruth Lyons' 50-50 Club.

  • Documentary

Top billed cast

  • Photo of Ruth LyonsRuth LyonsSelf (archive footage)
  • Photo of David LettermanDavid LettermanSelf
  • Photo of Nick ClooneyNick ClooneySelf
  • Photo of Carol ChanningCarol ChanningSelf
  • Photo of John DavidsonJohn DavidsonSelf
  • Photo of Phyllis DillerPhyllis DillerSelf
  • Photo of Phil DonahuePhil DonahueSelf
  • Photo of Johnny MathisJohnny MathisSelf
  • Photo of Peter NeroPeter NeroSelf
  • Photo of Bonnie LouBonnie LouSelf

Similar to Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television

Backdrop image for movie Exporting Raymond

Exporting Raymond (2011)

A documentary on Phil Rosenthal's experiences during the making of "Voroniny," the Russian-language version of "Everybody Loves Raymond".

  • Comedy
  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie VHS Revolution

VHS Revolution (2017)

Using testimonies by pioneers and witnesses of the times, delve into the feverish visual culture the media generated – with far-fetched examples of canine television games, seduction manuals, aerobics class while holding a baby, among others.

  • Documentary
  • History
Backdrop image for movie Disclosure

Disclosure (2020)

An investigation of how Hollywood's fabled stories have deeply influenced how Americans feel about transgender people, and how transgender people have been taught to feel about themselves.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story

The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story (2018)

A journey behind the scenes of the Nickelodeon television network to chronicle its unprecedented success, from its humble origins as a small local channel to its status as an international phenomenon that helped shape an entire generation of children.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession (2004)

A documentary on the Z Channel, one of the first pay cable stations in the US, and its programming chief, Jerry Harvey. Debuting in 1974, the LA-based channel's eclectic slate of movies became a prime example of the untapped power of cable television.

  • History
  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Sheldon Leonard's Wonderful Life

Sheldon Leonard's Wonderful Life (2011)

A loving tribute to a forgotten pioneer of the golden age of television. Starting out as a Runyonesque character actor, Sheldon Leonard went on to produce some of the most beloved and groundbreaking shows of all time, such as The Andy Griffith Show, The Danny Thomas Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Spy. A rare treat, this film is a delightful retrospective of Leonard’s body of work, including priceless clips from his productions— as well as his hilarious appearances on shows such as The Jack Benny Program—and interviews with many of his friends and colleagues, including Mary Tyler Moore, Andy Griffith, Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Ron Howard and Leonard himself.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (2021)

Take a stroll down Sesame Street and witness the birth of the most influential children's show in television history. From the iconic furry characters to the classic songs you know by heart, learn how a gang of visionary creators changed the world.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work

Jackie Gleason: Genius at Work (2006)

This special is a thorough retrospective of Jackie's most popular characters from his 1950's television series, characters that include: Ralph Kramden, Reginald Van Gleason, III, the Poor Soul, Fenwick Babbit and Joe The Bartender. Many of the sketches have not been available or even viewed since their original live broadcasts. Jeff Garlin of Curb Your Enthusiasm hosts the program with feature commentary from Mrs. Marilyn Gleason.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (2016)

Arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the history of television, Norman Lear brought primetime into step with the times. Using comedy and indelible characters, his legendary 1970s shows such as All In the Family, Maude, Good Times, and The Jeffersons, boldly cracked open dialogue and shifted the national consciousness, injecting enlightened humanism into sociopolitical debates on race, class, creed, and feminism.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie The Story of Soaps

The Story of Soaps (2020)

This ABC/PEOPLE television special highlights the impact of the soap opera. In today's shifting television landscape, "The Story of Soaps" traces how female creators migrated from radio to television to become the dominant force in daytime for more than three decades. Today, the legacy of the soap opera continues all over prime time and reality t.v. An extensive look is taken at this iconic, impactful genre.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Eurovision Secrets & Scandals

Eurovision Secrets & Scandals (2022)

A revelatory documentary uncovering amazing stories about what really goes on behind the scenes at Eurovision. With contributions from former winner Cheryl Baker, former loser Andy Abraham and former host Jan Leeming.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Grierson

Grierson (1973)

A portrait of John Grierson, the first Canadian Government Film Commissioner and founder of the National Film Board in 1939. Interweaving archival footage, interviews with people who knew him and footage of Grierson himself, this film is a sensitive and informative portrait of a dynamic man of vision. Grierson believed that the filmmaker had a social responsibility, and that film could help a society realize democratic ideals. His absolute faith in the value of capturing the drama of everyday life was to influence generations of filmmakers all over the world. In fact, he coined the term 'documentary film'.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project

Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project (2019)

Marion Stokes secretly recorded television 24 hours a day for 30 years from 1975 until her death in 2012. For Marion taping was a form of activism to seek the truth, and she believed that a comprehensive archive of the media would be invaluable for future generations. Her visionary and maddening project nearly tore her family apart, but now her 70,000 VHS tapes are being digitized and they'll be searchable online.

  • Documentary
Backdrop image for movie La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président (2022)

In May 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing became President of the Republic and wanted to bring about a new era of modernity. One of his first decisions was to break up the ORTF with the creation of three new television channels: TF1, Antenne 2 and FR3. Three new public channels but autonomous and competing. It is a race for the audience which is engaged then, and from now on the channels will make the war! This competition will give birth to a real golden age for television programs, with variety shows in the forefront. The stars of the song are going to invade the living rooms of the French for their biggest pleasure. This unedited documentary tells the story of the metamorphosis of this television of the early 1970s, between freedom of tone, scandals, political intrigues and programs that have become mythical.

  • History
  • Documentary
  • TV Movie
Backdrop image for movie Lucy and Desi

Lucy and Desi (2022)

Explore the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz risked everything to be together.

  • Documentary