I love TCM and Kirk Douglas as well. He was not only a brilliant, dynamic actor, he was also a brilliant producer. He produced Spartacus! I’m surprised he got on Joe McCarthy’s case because that was not HUAC, that was the Senate. McCarthy had nothing to do with Hollywood - but if he’s now 93, he’s probably dotty. And he did have that bad stroke.
As a suggestion, if you can You Tube, try a British interview with Douglas from the 1980s with Michael Parkinson. Kirk was in great shape for the interview and he tells some very funny stories.
RE Spartacus:
Yes, he brought that up... about crediting Dalton Trumbo as well. He had a large screen display behind him, and showed pictures of McCarthy (unflattering ones, naturally). It just rankled me.
I think it was called “Before I Forget” or “While I Still Remember” or something like that - a play on the Alzheimer’s theme - he founded and funded an Alzhemier research facility, I believe. It’ll probably be on again, so you’ll get a chance to see it.
“In Harm’s Way”, “Paths of Glory”, “Spartacus”, and the “The War Wagon” are a couple of my favorite flicks. he brought up The Duke too, said he was a dear friend - no politics talk about Duke, though.
Talked about his friendship with Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, The Duke, a couple of other stars as well. It was a nice retrospective, and at 93, damn, I give the credit for getting up there and having the spunk...
Worth a watch if it comes on again.