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Lafayette Journal and Courier Purdue professor, History Channel look at Hollywood
Hollywood often puts out movies about history. Sometimes they get it right; other times they miss the mark. A Purdue University professor is explaining his take on a number of popular films, new and old, on a History Channel series this month. Randy Roberts, professor of history and American studies, taped segments for the History Channel's Reel to Real series in January. He and other historians looked at the movies Jaws, MacArthur, JFK and Cool Hand Luke, to try to assess their places in American culture. The JFK and Cool Hand Luke shows aired this past weekend. MacArthur and Jaws aired earlier in the month and in February. But anyone who missed them will likely get a second chance. "They air those shows over and over," Roberts said. Roberts has written and co-written many books about history and pop culture on topics such as Vietnam, John Wayne and boxers Jack Johnson and Mike Tyson. "I write narrative history," he said. "To me, history is a very human process." He tries bring that humanity into his teaching, doing all he can to keep his students interested. "If they're not interested, there's no teaching going on," he said. Question: How did you become involved in this series for the History Channel? Answer: I have been involved with the History Channel for more than a decade. The Reel to Real program combines movies and history, my two academic passions. It's a natural. Q: What's the format of the show? A: It combines a movie with a documentary that touches on the subject of the movie, thus Reel to Real. I contribute comments that expand on the subject of the film, always asking, "Is this good history or not?" Of course, some movies are bad history but great Hollywood. Q: What's your take on the movie Cool Hand Luke? A: I consider Cool Hand Luke as a reconfiguration of the New Testament. The film has a crucifixion scene, a last supper, a denial, and ends in a church. Note, especially, the crosses in the last scene. Q: What other types of shows have you done? A: I've appeared a number of times on the History Channel, worked with Ken Burns on his award-winning documentary on Jack Johnson, contributed to two documentaries on John Wayne, and been involved on shows for ESPN, HBO, E-TV, NBC, CBS, and BBC. I like the work. It's just a bigger classroom, with smart people who can edit out my mistakes. |