Content from American Public Television

Fire Chief John Damrell saves Boston from a firestorm like the one that destroyed Chicago only one year before(1871). He then launches a crusade to save America's cities from the conflagrations that plague them.

The documentary AMERICAN REDS provides a historical overview of 20th century Communism and the growth, decline and contemporary relevance of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA). Since its founding in 1919, the CPUSA has championed the struggles for democracy, labor rights, women’s equality, and racial justice. During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, it attracted millions of Americans to support its causes and almost 100,000 men and women to enlist in its ranks. The film begins with the Party's emergence as a small militant sect in the 1920s and documents its rise to the foremost radical group in the United States during the Great Depression, fighting against racism, sexism and fascism, as well as for the rights of workers to organize. It ends with the decline of the Party during the Cold War under the assaults of the FBI and anti- communist crusades.

Elmore Leonard, author of more than 40 novels, is renowned in the literary community. From his westerns and early novels of crime based in Detroit and South Florida, right through his complex and virtually plotless later work, Elmore Leonard dissected an America whose founding sins have continued to haunt it all the days. Leonard’s depiction of America is as real as Twain’s Hannibal, Faulkner’s Mississippi and Steinbeck’s Monterey. The new documentary ELMORE LEONARD: “But don’t try to write” explores the prolific author’s legacy and his influence on generations of writers. The documentary features exclusive images and previously unseen home movie footage, family photographs, and in-depth interviews with both literary experts and those who knew him well, including colleagues, family, and childhood friends.

A behind-the-scenes look at the beloved public television personality's journey from humble beginnings to an American pop-culture icon. "The Happy Painter" reveals the public and private sides of Bob Ross through loving accounts from close friends and family, childhood photographs and rare archival footage. Interviewees recount his gentle, mild-mannered demeanor and unwavering dedication to wildlife, and disclose little-known facts about his hair, his fascination with fast cars and more. Film clips feature Bob Ross with mentor William Alexander and the rough-cut of the first "Joy of Painting" episode from 1982. Famous Bob Ross enthusiasts, including talk-show pioneer Phil Donahue, film stars Jane Seymour and Terrence Howard, chef Duff Goldman and country music favorites Brad Paisley and Jerrod Niemann, provide fascinating insights into the man, the artist and his legacy.

Two years after a harrowing rescue from Hurricane Katrina, music legend Fats Domino headlined a 2007 benefit concert for New Orleans hometown, performing hits to an adoring audience. The special captures Domino's triumphant return to the stage and provides an up-close, biographical look at Domino's storied career.

Narrated by Tina Sinatra, this TV compilation brings together memorable moments from Frank Sinatra’s career on television, in the studio and in concert through the fifties, sixties, seventies and eighties. Many of his best loved songs are featured including Fly Me To The Moon, Witchcraft, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, My Way, Strangers In The Night, That’s Life, The Lady Is A Tramp and many more.

Families from across the U.S. discuss how they cope with loss and address common misconceptions about grief. Through candid personal stories and conversations with experts in the grief field, the film also presents ideas for how family and friends can better support each other through loss.

The full 2-hour performance of Liza's 2009 concert is available only as a part of this special collector's edition. This exciting midnight performance was recorded at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on October 1, 2009. Act One features favorite songs by Ms. Minnelli. Liza adds a new personal musical introduction to the fond remembrance of famous vaudevillians. Act Two is a very special tribute to Liza's godmother, Kay Thompson, a groundbreaking singer-dancer, songwriter, and vocal arranger/coach at the MGM Studios in the 1940s. This documentary captures Liza Minelli's award-winning 2009 Broadway concert that featured renditions of favorites from throughout her career. The setlist includes "Cabaret," "Liza," and "New York, New York."

Westminster Choir College presents their yearly holiday music concert in WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE: AN EVENING OF READINGS AND CAROLS. Recorded in the Princeton University Chapel, the program features more than 400 musicians in five different choirs. The musical numbers performed in the hour-long special encompass a variety of styles, including traditional Christmas carols with audience participation, beloved choral works, a diverse array of holiday standards, and contemporary arrangements that both surprise and delight. Together with a number of secular readings, the evening brings beauty and comfort to viewers at this special time of year.

Doolittle's Raiders pull off a one-way bombing run over Tokyo and ditch their planes in and along the coast of China, where they are rescued by Chinese villagers, guerrillas, and missionaries. That generosity triggers horrific retaliation by the Japanese that claims an estimated quarter-million lives and prompts comparisons to the 1937-38 Rape of Nanking. The memory of the Raiders and their rescuers is kept alive by their children and grandchildren.

Join Rick as he explores the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited: Iran. In a one-hour, ground-breaking travel special on public television, you'll discover the splendid monuments of Iran's rich and glorious past, learn more about the 20th-century story of this perplexing nation, and experience Iranian life today in its historic capital and in a countryside village.

An exploration of explores the history, lore, craft and haunting music of the Hardanger fiddle and the dances that accompany it as they are practiced in present day Norway. The national instrument of Norway, the Hardanger fiddle is similar to the violin, though it has eight strings, four of which resonate as drone strings. The instrument is often highly decorated with an extensive mother of pearl inlay on the fingerboard and black ink decorations on the body of the instrument. “The Devil’s Instrument” was the name given to the fiddle by religious leaders in the 19th century to discourage its use. The documentary interviews woodworkers who make the fiddle, the musicians who play it and the dancers who spin to it against the backdrop of the gorgeous Norwegian landscape.

Engineers, professors, students and scientists build one of the instruments for NASA's Osiris-REx, a spacecraft sent to rendezvous with the asteroid Bennu.

This documentary looks into the lives of people who have elevated science-fiction and comic book costuming to the professional level. It also explores why Atlanta has become an unlikely epicenter of the phenomenon.

The Big Comfy Couch is a Canadian children's television series about Loonette the Clown and her dolly Molly, who solve everyday problems on their "Big Comfy Couch". It aired from 1992 until early 2006. It was produced by Cheryl Wagner and Robert Mills, directed by Wayne Moss and Mills. It premiered on March 2, 1992 in Canada and in 1995 in the USA on public television stations across the country. There is also a Spanish version of the show titled, "El Sofa de mi Imaginacion". It also aired in the United Kingdom on GMTV's kids block. The show's format revolves around Loonette the Clown, who lives with her dolly Molly on the eponymous Big Comfy Couch. Episodes are generally focused on a theme or a lesson. For example, Season 3's episode "Full of Life" explored the concepts of "full" and "empty", while "Sticks and Stones" dealt with name-calling and teasing.

Bula, Zeeter and Multo, together with their pet Gorga, and fireflies Wizzy and Wigg, make up the Zula Patrol, a group of aliens who travel the galaxies exploring and getting in and out of danger, all the while teaching young children about science and astronomy.

Raggs stars five members of a canine band, Raggs, Trilby, Pido, B. Max and Razzles, and their wise-cracking pet cat, Dumpster.

Articulate connects audiences to the human stories behind art, offering a trustworthy, visually stimulating, never ordinary take on classical, contemporary, and popular art forms. From acclaimed musicians and best-selling authors to designers changing the way we live, each episode explores what great creative thinkers and doers can tell us about who we are, who we’ve been, and who we might become.

Films BYkids pairs teenagers from diverse cultures with accomplished filmmakers to create short personal documentaries that encourage understanding about universal issues and help foster empathy and global citizenry. Ashley Judd serves as series narrator, introducing each 30-minute film. The series is a collaboration between THIRTEEN and the non-profit, BYkids.

What is behind Artificial Intelligence? Discover the mechanics that make it possible for a robot to interact with its environment.

In this travel series, acclaimed performer and world-traveler Shari Belafonte immerses you in the romantic wonder of these exotic destinations.