Talking Pictures: Dodger Storie's Six Decades in LA (PBS Advanced Review)

Host Paul Booth and Co-Executive Producer Carolyn Booth review this new documentary. The Dodgers have been in our family for (now) a third generation.

PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California's home for award-winning public media programming and premieres of new PBS programs, announced today the debut of a new documentary DODGERS STORIES: 6 DECADES IN LA. The special is a look back at the colorful history of the team through the eyes of the fans, as well as the players. Through archival footage, interviews and historical photos, the program will explore the rich saga of the team that has been in LA since 1958. The program premieres this Thanksgiving on Thurs., Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal and will also air at 8:30 p.m. on KCET. Following the broadcast, the film will be available for streaming exclusively on PBS Passport, the member-supported streaming service.

The list of Dodgers greats featured in the program is prolific, from Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson to Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax, as well as Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela. The film will include interviews with former all-star players including Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, Steve Yeager, Manny Mota, Steve Sax, Nomar Garciaparra, Kenny Landreaux and others about their most memorable games. Current Dodgers player Justin Turner shares his thoughts about being part of the Dodgers history. Other Dodgers legends featured include former manager Tommy Lasorda and former LA mayor James Hahn, who was a Dodgers batboy. Also included are celebrated sportscasters Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrin, as well as in-depth interviews with Dodgers historian Mark Langill and former LA councilmember Rosalind Wyman, who was influential in bringing the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

Rather than a chronological history of the team in LA, the program is divided into themes such as “The Stadium,” “Rivalries,” and “Trailblazers.”