Thursday, February 16, 2006

 

Spotlight: The documentary film has long been used to impart information in a palatable and entertaining way. The man who has been called the "Father of the Documentary Film," Robert Flaherty, was born on this date in 1884. Flaherty produced Nanook of the North, the first feature length documentary film, in 1922. He was criticized for staging much of the film, but said "Sometimes you have to lie. One often has to distort a thing to catch its true spirit."

Quote: "There is a saying among prospectors: 'Go out looking for one thing, and that's all you'll ever find.' " – Robert Flaherty

Today in History:

• King Tut: burial chamber was first opened by Egyptologist Howard Carter (1923)
• Fidel Castro: became leader of Cuba after ousting dictator Fulgencio Batista (1959)
• 911: the first US emergency telephone system began, in Haleyville, Alabama (1968)

Today's Birthdays:

• Sonny Bono: singer, mayor, congressman (1935-1998)
• John McEnroe: tennis champ (47)
• Taylor Hawkins: drummer for the Foo Fighters (34)

Word of the Day:  edify: to enlighten or help to understand; documentaries are meant to edify.   (© )