Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
From 1952 to 1965, NBC produced a series of half-hour interviews with cultural icons in their later years. The Wisdom Series, also known as Conversations with Elder Wise Men, profiles men and women who made important contributions to society in the arts and social sciences.
These luminaries share the details of their lives, creative processes, and philosophies that helped shape their roles in our culture. Many of these figures are interviewed in their own workspaces or homes, often by people they know, giving the viewer a more intimate portrait of each progenitor's lifestyle. There is little to no b-roll and therefore few distractions from the stories. Rather, the minimalist interviews offer a more personal perspective and rare, unique instances of these people on camera.
This montage includes excerpts from a diverse selection of interviews from the series. Composer Igor Stravinsky talks about his childhood piano lessons and a crush he had on his teacher. Writer Pearl Buck reminisces about her childhood among willow trees in China and the role of women in Chinese society. Poet Robert Frost credits his life experiences with giving him discipline for his poetry. Frank Lloyd Wright explains his philosophy behind his architecture. Pablo Picasso remains a controversial yet dynamic art figure at seventy-five years of age. Others such as Margaret Mead, Carl Sandburg, Somerset Maugham, Robert Moses and Marcel Duchamp, tell personal tales in these excerpts and in the series.
These interviews take us back to an era when TV was at a slower pace, conversations were in-depth and "celebrities" were Elder Wise Men...
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Like Us on Facebook.com/NBCUArchives
Follow us on Twitter.com/NBCUArchives
From 1952 to 1965, NBC produced a series of half-hour interviews with cultural icons in their later years. The Wisdom Series, also known as Conversations with Elder Wise Men, profiles men and women who made important contributions to society in the arts and social sciences.
These luminaries share the details of their lives, creative processes, and philosophies that helped shape their roles in our culture. Many of these figures are interviewed in their own workspaces or homes, often by people they know, giving the viewer a more intimate portrait of each progenitor's lifestyle. There is little to no b-roll and therefore few distractions from the stories. Rather, the minimalist interviews offer a more personal perspective and rare, unique instances of these people on camera.
This montage includes excerpts from a diverse selection of interviews from the series. Composer Igor Stravinsky talks about his childhood piano lessons and a crush he had on his teacher. Writer Pearl Buck reminisces about her childhood among willow trees in China and the role of women in Chinese society. Poet Robert Frost credits his life experiences with giving him discipline for his poetry. Frank Lloyd Wright explains his philosophy behind his architecture. Pablo Picasso remains a controversial yet dynamic art figure at seventy-five years of age. Others such as Margaret Mead, Carl Sandburg, Somerset Maugham, Robert Moses and Marcel Duchamp, tell personal tales in these excerpts and in the series.
These interviews take us back to an era when TV was at a slower pace, conversations were in-depth and "celebrities" were Elder Wise Men...
Go to NBCUniversalArchives.com to license any portion of this video.
Like Us on Facebook.com/NBCUArchives
Follow us on Twitter.com/NBCUArchives
