The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
| 27 September 1996 (USA)
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story Trailers

The childhood, adolescence, and incredible adult years of Al Hirschfeld, celebrated creator of thousands of line drawings of famous people - many in the entertainment industry - over a span of more than sixty years. He is still drawing in his nineties. His interesting domestic life, political, and cultural views are highlights. In addition, he talks about himself a bit - seriously and lightly.(At one point he he claims that his only form of exercise has been to live in his Manhattan townhouse: stairs). He drives his car around Manhattan - an adventure in itself. Brief interviews with, and reminiscences of many friends and associates.

Reviews
WasAnnon

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

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Palaest

recommended

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ReaderKenka

Let's be realistic.

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Taraparain

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

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Lorene Anderson

Amid the entertainment super-stars of the twentieth century—Carol Channing, Lauren Bacall, Joan Collins, Barbara Walters, and more—the white-bearded, bright-eyed Al Hirschfeld cuts a humorous and humble figure. This visual historian doesn't make the stars beautiful in his drawings; he makes them interesting. ESP-like, the line of Hirschfeld's pen reveals an essential and vital character within each of the performers he draws, capturing the rare exuberance with amazing specificity: the gestures, the movements, the facial expressions—all become playfully recognizable as the spirit manifest. What the documentary does especially well is show Hirschfeld at work, and talking about the work. He was 90 years old when interviewed in the film, but seems almost childlike in his delight for his life-long passion. Hirschfeld emerges as the century's most beloved cartoonist, truly earning him the title of The Line King.

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