As a Jewish immigrant from Hungary, Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) came to America with a burning hunger for freedom and democracy, eventually becoming convinced that newspapers were a tool to advance reform and inform the masses. Filmmaker Oren Rudavsky’s PBS-aired American Masters documentary, narrated by Adam Driver and featuring the voice of Liev Schreiber as Pulitzer, traces Pulitzer’s eventful life and his enormous influence on journalism, which is still felt today. After arriving during America’s Civil War, Pulitzer joined a German-speaking fighting unit. A workaholic, after the war he became part of the nation’s westward push, finding employment at a St. Louis paper. His reporter’s instinct led him to believe that stories should be "short, smart, and snappy," although his quick temper and crusading spirit made him lots of enemies, so he turned his attention to the New York World, where he could reach a national audience. Manhattan was a hub of commerce and politics, with dozens of papers serving immigrant and ethnic enclaves. Pulitzer won fame for his campaigns and crusades, notably championing a free-transit Brooklyn Bridge and sparking a fundraising drive to build a pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. While Pulitzer himself led an opulent lifestyle, his newspapers railed against the "privileged" classes and excesses of the Gilded Age. Always looking to dig up stories, Pulitzer was accused of sensationalism, yet he felt comfortable straddling the worlds of politics and journalism. He promoted the adventure-travel reporting of Nellie Bly, and attracted non-readers with comics (one strip character led to the term "yellow journalism"), while also including sheet music and cut-out dress patterns. Later years were marked by a rivalry with newspaper owner William Randolph Hearst, Pulitzer’s promotion of a war with Spain, and growing blindness and sensitivity to noise that ultimately led to a reclusive life. Interviews with historians offer insights on Pulitzer’s life and legacy. Extras include an interview with the director and additional scenes. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People
(2018) 90 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-1002-6. Volume 34, Issue 5
Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People
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