This recording contains a speech by Gustave Eiffel (in French).

Al Capp argues the pro-television position; Norman Cousins argues the con. Cousins opens by arguing that television talks down to the American population. He calls television programming an 'attack on the intelligence.' Capp counters by saying that television does provide 'entertainment, delight, and culture.' He goes on to list examples of quality programming. The question-and-answer period includes comments on television's economic viability, public broadcasting, television and adolescents, violence, propaganda, corporate sponsorship and advertising, and television as a babysitter.

John Mason Brown uses comic books with his kids as a last resort and wishes they would read something with deeper intellectual content. George Hecht praises the entertainment value of the comics in a 'troubled' world and views them as a new means of communication. Marya Mannes discusses the bad effect of the comics on children's growth. She feels they work as a substitute for the imagination and goes on to deplore their violence and grammar. Al Capp implies that the comics have the same content as the news on the front page and in books.

Capp continues his comments from reel one and characterizes comic book artists as storytellers. Brown rushes to the defense of the classics. Capp responds by describing the comics as a form for expression and says that many great contemporary artists work in the comics. Topics from the question-and-answer portion of the program include: the intellectual content of the comics, condensing literature into comic book form, and comics as an educational tool.

William Faulkner accepts the Nobel Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He speaks of writing of the heart, saying that modern authors must learn do to this again. Faulkner professes optimism in regards to the fate of mankind, because man has a soul, a spirit capable of many things. This, he says, is what writers should write about.

William Faulkner accepts the Nobel Prize in Stockholm, Sweden. He speaks of writing of the heart, saying that modern authors must learn do to this again. Faulkner professes optimism in regards to the fate of mankind, because man has a soul, a spirit capable of many things. This, he says, is what writers should write about.

Portrait of Marlon Brando, in A Streetcar Named Desire

Portrait of Marlon Brando, in "A streetcar named desire."

A photograph of Al Capp, American comic strip cartoonist.