Walter Winchell: The Power of Gossip

Walter Winchell: The Power of Gossip traces the life and career of the syndicated columnist, radio news commentator, and television host Walter Winchell. Winchell pioneered the genre of media that dominates in culture today, producing content that was fast-paced, gossip driven, and politically charged. Winchell’s own words comprise nearly a quarter of the script as the film tracks the trajectory of his career and his continued influence on today’s media.  

This 2-hour documentary features rare recordings and a recently digitized collection of Winchell’s work from the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The NEH-supported PBS’ American Masters documentary Walter Winchell: The Power of Gossip is available to stream at PBS.