Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

From the Archives: On Accents in Movies.

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg considers why actors adopt foreign or regional accents in film -- and why they sometimes speak in their natural voice, regardless of the part they play. (REBROADCAST FROM 04/29/1987)

03:31
Queue

Contributor

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on March 25, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 25, 1994: Interviews with Charlton Heston, Martin Scorsese, and Elmer Bernstein; Commentary on foreign accents in Hollywood films; Interviews with Kirk Douglas and…
Queue
18:37

From the Archives: Hollywood's Biblical Epics.

Actor Charlton Heston. A consistent lead in the biblical epics of the 1950's and 1960's, Heston had starring roles in " The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "The Ten Commandments"; Heston also covered the Roman era in epics like "Ben Hur", "Julius Cesar", and "Antony & Cleopatra." Medieval Spain was not beyond his ken: HESTON had the lead as well in "El Cid." (REBROADCAST FROM 11/30/90).

Interview

Transcript

Transcript currently not available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
26:46

"The Ragman's Son" Remembers

Kirk Douglas says that growing up in abject poverty was an advantage: he had nowhere to go but up. Often known for his tough guy roles, he also enjoys playing men who are weak, lost and vulnerable. He started his own production company to make movies he believed had depth and substance. His new autobiography looks back on his career so far.

Interview
Queue
09:32

A "Wordstruck" Journalist's New Memoir

Robert MacNeil hosts the Newshour program with Jim Lehrer. His latest book is about how his childhood experiences led him to a career in the news, and the importance of language and diction in his professional life.

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue