Television Shep on TV

The Phantom of the Open Hearth Lives - Somewhere in Indiana Jean Shepherd's America April 11, 1971 Season: 1 - Episode: 1

"...THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN HEARTH LIVES - SOMEWHERE IN INDIANA." There's a lot of folks in America who don't bel1ev7 in ghosts or phantoms of any size or shape. It's a cinch they've never seen the open hearth at Inland Steel. Jean Shepherd has ( he worked there back in '41 and '42), and he claims that the Phantom of the Open Hearth is a sight you'll never forget. So, non-believers, now's your chance. Jean Shepherd is planning to reveal that fabulous phantom on JEAN SHEPHERD'S AMERICA. While the Phantom of the Open Hearth is a featured performer, Jean Shepherd has actually put together a different kind of program. It's not the usual documentary style, where the camera shows a machine and a narrator tells you, "This is a machine." Instead, Jean captures the mood of the mills in a virtual bombardment of visual images, and in the great stories he tells. He knows how it feels to get that new pair of "safety shoes" and he describes it with love. And he knows what it's like to be the man behind the safety goggles - "You see the world like you're looking through a brlllo pad." Sometimes he gets downright poetic. With great affection, Shepherd tells what it's like to punch in at dawn on the day before a day-off. Or that first swallow of coke after 3000 0 of fire and brimstone. And, did you know that steel-mill workers are great lip-readers? They have to be. Fan Comments [ Courtesy: Pete Delaney - 09-18-2016 ] Over 100 shows 1972-74. Also contributed photos of a Shep book signing, his Greenwich Village townhouse, and screen shots of his live show. Also he supplied a variety of radio and TV commercials that Shep did. And much, much, much, more! Additional Comments: Music played during the show - Sonic Contours

Production Information:

Studio / Network: WGBH - Snow Pond Productions Exec Director:   Executive Producer: Running Time: Director: Fred Barzyk Producer: Olivia Tappan, Leigh Brown Asst Director: Asst Producer: Contr Director: Contr Producer:

Associated Documents

Type File Name Description • 1971-mm-dd_025_Jean_Shepherds_America-Season_1_Press_Kit.pdf Season 1 Press Kit