PBS American Experience: JFK Like No Other

October will mark the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, the PBS American Experience biographers are releasing a JFK DVD in their Presidents collection.  Tonight a portion of the new film was shown at Studio Movie Grill in Dallas to an audience of PBS and their local affiliate KERA supporters along with several of our friends from the Sixth Floor Museum.  

The documentary begins with Kennedy's childhood including his sickly youth, progresses through his mediocre academics, his early political career as a lackluster congressman and subsequent successful run for senate.  The movie featured interview with two of Kennedy's sisters and include a lot of footage never before seen.  

The movie covers his run for President and reluctant selection of LBJ as a running mate, and their one quarter of one percent will for the Presidency.  Kennedy's sister tells the story of the family playing football the morning the election results were announced and their father telling everyone to come in because it was time for lunch.  Kennedy turns to his sister and jokes that he's being told to come eat his dinner by his father, doesn't he know I'm the President-elect!   

There was a Q & A with the Executive Director of PBS and the films Director.  They didn't really set out to unearth new, never released secrets, it was more and effort to combat the larger than life myths that have taken on their own life and depict an actual picture of the man.  

This four hour series will run on PBS November 11th & 12th and then be available on DVD.  I was born after the Kennedy assassination and have really enjoyed learning the history we have had access to through the Sixth Floor Museum.  I especially like that my children can have direct access to American History.  And regardless of your political affiliation when you can put a story of physical struggle, determination, ,and hard work in front of our children, that is always great.  The film does not omit Kennedy's silver spoon or his faults, but the overall tone is one of perseverance, hard work and determination.  

A lot of what is seen is this film is what the Sixth Floor Museum has really evolved into.  It is not a place to remember the assassination, but it is a place to remember a man's life and legacy.  

Sissy even joined us on tonight's outing, I'm thinking the bacon and cheese loaded french fries at Studio Movie Grill was the extra incentive needed.  I'm loving the selfie photos the kids took at the theater.  Caleb took the picture while I was chatting with other movie goers, how did he know Mom would want a picture? hmmm! 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8