Brendan Gill

Stuart Scheftel talks with author, critic, and civic leader Brendan Gill. Gill is a fan of Mark Twain and he goes on about the author and his desire to be seen. They also discuss the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Landmarks Conservancy and the saving of Grand Central Station. Gill says landmarking increases the value of neighborhoods and districts.

Gill also talks about his time at The New Yorker. The discussion turns to favorite restaurants in the city and the three best plays he has every seen: Long Day's Journey into Night, My Fair Lady, and works by Sam Shepard. He goes on to talk about Broadway theater performances and directors he has favored. The amount of money the theater brings into the city.

The Ben Sonnenberg house and fortune in Gramercy Park is discussed briefly.

Gill talked about working with Maxwell Anderson on the play The Day the Money Stopped as well as the writing of his first novel and his time at Yale.

There is some discussion Charles Lindbergh, the Nazis and the America First movement.

WNYC archives id: 152298