Terry Gross

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. We feature an interview with biologist Robert Sapolsky about the effects of stress on humans and animals. Sapolsky is one of the first researchers to chart the effects of chronic stress, digestive problems and loss of libido, to name just a few. (Rebroadcast from 08/17/98)

Producer Rick Schmidlin. He's reconstructed the masterpiece 1924 silent film "Greed" by director Erich von Stroheim, which has been considered the "Holy Grail" of lost films. The American Film Institute deemed it number one on it's list of the Ten Most Wanted Lost Films. The director's first cut of the film was over nine hours long; he then cut it down to be released as a four and 1/2 hour, two-part film. However, the studio insisted on a shorter cut and the final edit was two hours. None of the original cut footage was saved.

Retired CIA intelligence officer, Antonio J. Mendex was the agency's Chief of Disguise. He retired in 1990. In his 25 year career with the agency, he participated in many missions. In 1980 he helped six American diplomats escape from Tehran. Masquerading as a movie producer, he entered Iran supposedly to scout locations for a science-fiction movie. He then coached the diplomats to pose as the film crew, allowing them to leave the country. His new book is "The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA." (William and Morrow Company).

Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton is an expert on cult groups. His new book is about the Japanese cult group that released sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subways: "Destroying the World to Save It: Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence, and the New Global Terrorism" (Metropolitan Books).

Film writer and director Kevin Smith. His controversial new independent film "Dogma" is a comedy/parable about faith and the Catholic Church. It stars Ben Affleck, Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, and George Carlin. Smith also wrote and directed the films "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy."

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. He stars as a drag-queen in the new movie "Flawless" which also stars Robert DeNiro. Hoffman also had parts in the films "Happiness," "Next Stop Wonderland," and "Boogie Nights."

The Manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Torre. He just clinched his third World Series as the manager of the Yankees. Torre is the author of the new book, "Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success" (Hyperion).

The Divine Miss M, otherwise known as Bette Midler. She made a name for herself in the early 1970s at New York's Continental Baths, a club for gay men. Since then she's been nominated for two Academy Awards, and earned Emmy and Grammy awards. She's in the midst of a concert tour and will be starring in the upcoming film about novelist Jacqueline Susan entitled "Isn't She Great." (Rebroadcast from 11/18/98.)

This year marks the centennial of the birth of British actor Charles Laughton. To celebrate, we feature a 1988 interview with Laughton's biographer, Simon Callow. Laughton started in such films as the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Mutiny on the Bounty. The Brooklyn Academy of Music will begin a Laughton film retrospective in December. Simon Callow is an actor in his own right. He has starred in such films as Four Weddings and a Funeral and a Room with a View. Callow has also written a biography of Orsen Welles. (REBROADCAST from 8/25/1988)