NEWSMAN
From Eight Minutes Twice a Week …
The Transformation of Television News in the 20th century.
Burt Reinhardt was at the forefront of the evolution of television news: from the newsreels of WWII through to the making of 24 hour news. He captured MacArthur coming ashore and was the first person in the door of the not yet built CNN. This film is my journey through the archeological dig of my father’s life and career.
I loved having my dad on this planet. Interviewing the many people whose lives he touched, my dad is alive again. Viewers will meet someone who worked hard, sought no recognition and never felt entitled, a man who was adored and feared, a man responsible for countless successful careers. My dad didn’t consider himself super smart and never would have called himself a pioneer – but he was. He held the bar for himself, his employees, me and my son, high. He didn’t imagine the tribute that would be paid to him.
I did.
This is the story of a man, a boss, a dad, a grandpa, a son, a husband and perhaps what formed him most of all: an identical twin. He was immensely respected and loved – a tough boss with a great sense of humor, notorious for his money saving skills, his smile, his mentoring and his heart of gold. My son asked me what did grandpa do that everyone loved him and respected him so. This film is my attempt to answer that question.
“I can’t live through that again.”
Burt, age 90
