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American Masters

Althea - Preview

The story of Althea Gibson, queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s.

09/04/2015 | Rating NR

American Masters

Althea - Preview

Preview: 9/4/2015 | 2m 24sVideo has Closed Captions

The story of Althea Gibson, queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s.

This is the story of Althea Gibson (1927-2003), a truant from the rough streets of Harlem, who emerged as the unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world in the 1950s. She was the first African American to play and win at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals (precursor of the U.S. Open) — a decade before Arthur Ashe. Interviewees include Wimbledon champion Dick Savitt and Billie Jean King.

09/04/2015 | Rating NR

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Funding for American Masters is provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, The Blanche & Irving Laurie...

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Althea Gibson at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 9/4/2015 | 1m 49s | Home movies of Althea Gibson practicing at the esteemed club in New York City. (1m 49s)

Althea: Race in the Sport of Tennis

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: 9/4/2015 | 1m 21s | Althea Gibson wasn't concerned with representing her race, she just wanted to play. (1m 21s)

Filmmaker Interview with Rex Miller: Making "Althea"

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Clip: 9/4/2015 | 2m 45s | A photo Althea Gibson with his mother was the film director's original inspiration. (2m 45s)

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Funding for American Masters is provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Rosalind P. Walter, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, The Blanche & Irving Laurie...

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