THE WEAVERS – WASN’T THAT A TIME!
March 2011
– “We felt that if we sang loud enough and strong enough and hopefully enough, somehow we would make a difference.” –
Before Peter, Paul and Mary, the Kingston Trio or Bob Dylan, there were The Weavers: Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman and Pete Seeger. The simple power and beauty of their songs — about love and work, hope and freedom — inspired artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Don McLean, Holly Near and Peter, Paul and Mary, all of whom appear to help The Weavers tell their story. With rare footage of the early days before their blacklisting, this 1980 film centers around a triumphant reunion performance of the older Weavers at Carnegie Hall.
This classic documentary will now appear for the first time in HD on PBS stations and will be available for the first time on DVD exclusively through PBS. THE WEAVERS – WASN’T THAT A TIME! is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning March 5, 2011 and airing throughout March (check local listings).
In addition to the music, the film features interviews with many of the performers and others, such as Harry Reasoner and Studs Terkel, who credits The Weavers with bringing the authentic folk songs of America into American popular music. Roger Ebert summed up the feelings of many when he wrote: “It is impossible not to feel a lump in your throat as the Weavers gather once again on stage, and it’s hard not to tap your feet when they start to sing. Seeing this film is a wonderful experience.” He gave the film Four Stars and called it “one of the year’s 10 Best.”
Featured songs and performers:
- “On Top of Old Smokey” – The Weavers
- “Guantanamera” – Pete Seeger
- “Tomorrow Lies in the Cradle” – Fred Hellerman
- “When the Saints Go Marching In” – The Weavers
- “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” – The Weavers
- “Miner’s Life” – The Weavers
- “Venga Jaleo” – The Weavers
- “Einstein Theme Music” – The Weavers
- “Wasn’t That A Time” – The Weavers
- “If I Had A Hammer” – Peter, Paul & Mary
- “Victor Jara” – Arlo Guthrie
- “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” – The Weavers
- “Hay Una Mujer” – Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near
- “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” – The Weavers
- “Wimoweh” – The Weavers
- “Get Up and Go” – The Weavers
- “Hay Una Mujer” – The Weavers
- “Goodnight, Irene” – The Weavers
- “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” – The Weavers
Jim Brown (Director)
Four-time Emmy Award-winning producer/director Jim Brown is responsible for some of the most popular and critically acclaimed musical documentary programs of the last three decades. Recent productions include: The Peter Yarrow Sing-Along Special, which premiered on PBS in December 2010; Pete Seeger: The Power of Song; Peter, Paul and Mary, Carry it On: A Musical Legacy, which was a record-breaking fundraising special for PBS; and The Three Pickers for PBS’ GREAT PERFORMANCES series, among others.
PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. To donate to your local PBS station, visit http://www.pbs.org/support.
Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS
Producers: Jim Brown, George C. Stoney, Harold Leventhal
Director: Jim Brown
Writer: Lee Hays
Editor: Paul Barnes
Photography By: Jim Brown, Daniel Ducovny, Tom Hurwitz
Format: CC Stereo HD
– PBS –
CONTACT: Cara White, CaraMar, Inc., 843-881-1480; cara.white@mac.com
For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom at pbs.org/pressroom.
