The Line King - Al Hirschfeld

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Summary: Everything you ever wanted to know about Mr. Hirschfeld.
Review: As fit as he is talented, Al Hirschfeld has lent his drawing skills to the faces of hundreds of theatrical actors for decades. This very enjoyable documentary captures the life and line of an American treasure. Even the most jaded artists and art lovers cannot deny the importance of Hirschfeld to 20th century American art. This piece proves that. END

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Summary: An engaging look at the popular celebrity caricaturist
Review: If you have been enjoying Al Hirschfeld's caricature drawings of Broadway and Hollywood stars in "The New York Times" and elsewhere the last 70 years, then you will want to check out this 126-minute documentary just because you get to see his daughter Nina (for those of you totally out of the loop on this one, Hirschfeld always puts "NINA" into his drawing someplace, making her the original Waldo in a way, I guess). Susan W. Dryfoos put together this completely engaging look at one of the nation's most beloved illustrators. Do not look for any controversy in this story, because it is as much a history of New York theater for most of the last century. "The Al Hirschfeld Story" is told not only through interviews, but also through home movies and interviews with some of the celebrities who have been captured by Hirshfeld's pen. Still, the most enjoyable part of this documentary is getting to meet the quirky and compassionate man behind the legion of famous drawings. "The Line King" was first telecast on PBS in 1999.