A tribute to the three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and his half-century career
PAUL CONRAD: DRAWING FIRE is a documentary tribute to this legendary editorial cartoonist. A three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, Conrad has satirized eleven Presidents, from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. During a career that’s spanned fifty years, Conrad’s work has always been controversial and sometimes shocking, and epitomizes the power of editorial cartoons to force viewers to think about political, social and economic issues and what it means to be a citizen. It’s a very unusual film, featuring the graphic punch of nearly 200 Conrad cartoons—some of them laugh-out-loud funny, others that bring you to tears—all given context via interviews with Conrad (and family), as well as esteemed journalists, cartoonists, historians, and academics. The film pays tribute to a great journalist, provides a political pop history of the past five decades, and raises important questions about the future of editorial cartooning and the role of an independent press in our society.
PAUL CONRAD: DRAWING FIRE is a documentary tribute to this legendary editorial cartoonist. A three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner, Conrad has satirized eleven Presidents, from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. During a career that’s spanned fifty years, Conrad’s work has always been controversial and sometimes shocking, and epitomizes the power of editorial cartoons to force viewers to think about political, social and economic issues and what it means to be a citizen. It’s a very unusual film, featuring the graphic punch of nearly 200 Conrad cartoons—some of them laugh-out-loud funny, others that bring you to tears—all given context via interviews with Conrad (and family), as well as esteemed journalists, cartoonists, historians, and academics. The film pays tribute to a great journalist, provides a political pop history of the past five decades, and raises important questions about the future of editorial cartooning and the role of an independent press in our society.
in 1982 i was 18 and living in the soth bay area of LA.i answered an ad for a 67 vw bug.i went to see the car and turned out it was being sold by paul conrad,at this time i was not aware of really who he was but did ask my parents and learn more later.upon arriving at his rolling hills home i was invited inside and i remember he was working on a lost wax bronze bust .i could definitely see artistic talent.at the time libby was in college about a year older than me and visiting for the day.the bug had been hers,i still remember her ‘gods secret agent” pin on the visor, i ended up buying it and drove it for 3+ years until it was stolen and stripped.my impession of the man ,his house the way he acted was very down to earth and not the snobbish attitude of many wealthy and or famous people.living a modest home life in a comfortable LA suberb,and i remember finding libbey very attractive but was too shy to even think of asking her out.......this documentary educated me much more thoroughly on the mans achievments and brought up a memory of the first car i bought.i feel honored to have driven a car from such an influential person who did leave a lasting impession on me. during that one visit i had about a half hour one on one and at the time had no idea as to who he was.very strong personality
Posted 12/18/08 by filmgirl
This film is timeless! I love the rivalry between Conrad and Nixon. Seeing all the old editorial cartoons is fascinating - especially since most of them are pretty timeless. I only wish Mr. Conrad could be my personal political narrator.
With your support, your local PBS station provides all Americans with opportunities to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. More >