Watch The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story
- NR
- 1996
- 1 hr 26 min
-
7.3 (432)
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story is a 1996 documentary film directed by his son, Jeff Hirschfeld. The film is a celebration of the well-known caricaturist and illustrator, Al Hirschfeld. It features interviews with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, such as Julie Andrews, Lauren Bacall, Carol Channing, and many others.
The documentary takes the viewers on a journey through Hirschfeld's life, from his birth in St. Louis, Missouri, to his early years in New York City. The film provides insights into the artist's creative process, his relationships with various personalities in the entertainment world, and his life-long experiences in the industry.
The Line King showcases Hirschfeld's signature style of drawing, including his famous single-line caricatures. Through the impressive collection of archival footage and interviews with his colleagues and friends, the movie showcases Hirschfeld's artistic evolution over the course of his seven-decade career, and his influence on popular culture.
The movie provides a deep look at the man behind the artwork with rich anecdotes about Hirschfeld's unique philosophy and work ethic. The viewer is introduced to his approach to art, as well as several entertaining stories of his humorous and insightful interactions with the stars he drew.
The film's narration is interspersed with clips from Hirschfeld's various projects, including his work for The New York Times, which he started in the 1920s. His illustrations captured the essence of the theater and entertainment industry, and his gallery of stars, the Hirschfeld collection, is a testament to his artistic talents, reaching the heights of popular culture.
In The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story, Julie Andrews shares her personal experience of being a subject of Hirschfeld's work, and her admiration for the artist. Lauren Bacall delights the audience with her nuanced account of working with Hirschfeld while reminiscing about her life-long friendship with the artist.
The movie is also peppered with humor as Carol Channing recalls a particularly funny experience with Hirschfeld. During one of his caricature sessions, Channing had such a good time that she needed Hirschfeld to spoon-feed her matzo ball soup!
The documentary transcends Hirschfeld's life and work to the wider world of art, capturing the spirit of an era in which entertainment, theater, and art blended together in a vibrant and unique way.
The Line King leaves the viewer with a feeling of awe and admiration for an artist who captured the essence of his subjects while earning the respect and admiration of his peers. Whether youâre a fan of performing arts, illustration or art in general, this is a must-see documentary, which will undoubtedly surprise you with its breadth and depth. The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story offers a valuable insight into an artistâs process and the theater of the times, making it a must-watch for every generation.
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story is a 1996 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.