The Archive of American Television has been compiling an oral history of television. The organization has spent the last decade or so filming in depth interviews with icons of the medium discussing every aspect of their life from birth to the present. You get a glimpse at actor’s childhood experiences, what made them become actors, their experiences in training and the various stepping stones of their careers. This week in a department from the norm, I’m going to be posting one clip of the Archive’s 1998 interview with Angela Lansbury each day leading up to her opening night in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music this Sunday. Though, given all that the acclaimed actress has achieved in the last eleven years, I think the AAT should consider giving Ms. Lansbury another reel.
This first part covers the actress’ childhood and early life in England up until her family’s emigration to America in 1940: