Southern Culture Films
by Max Shores

All titles are for sale unless otherwise noted.
See bottom of page for how to order.

The Amazing Story of Kudzu
There's so much of this fast-growing vine in the Southeastern U.S., you might think it was a native plant. Actually, it has taken a lot of hard work to help kudzu spread so widely. Now that it covers over seven million acres of the deep South, many people consider it a pest, but kudzu is used in ways which might surprise you. An online press release is available.

The American Spiritual Ensemble
The American Spiritual Ensemble tours the world performing stirring renditions of traditional African-American spirituals. My associates and I recorded them in Tuscaloosa and their stunning performance aired on Alabama Public TV. Click for more...

The Chief: Calvin McGhee and the Forgotten Creeks
The Creeks Indians of south Alabama lived in isolation and poverty until Calvin McGhee came along. Despite treaty promises, they had been abandoned by the federal government. A farmer with only a fifth grade education, McGhee fought tirelessly for his people. Through court battles and meetings with government officials in which he wore traditional plains Indian clothing, McGhee brought the forgotten Creeks of the southeastern states to national attention.

The Ghosts of Selma
"History Lives in Selma," says a local Chamber of Commerce brochure, and some folks there say they have seen people from Selma's history come alive in the form of ghosts. Hear the stories of ruined banker John Parkman who opens doors at Sturdivant Hall; Miz Eliza, who greets guests at Grace Hall Bed and Breakfast; and Jeffery, who haunts Kathryn Tucker Windham, a Selma resident and author of ghost stories.

Holy Smoke over Birmingham
Public broadcasting consultants TracOne Media took note when Alabama Public TV aired this documentary featuring nine Birmingham BBQ restaurants. They suggested other stations follow the example by creating programs about local foods and the people who make them.  Click for more...

How Sweet the Sound
Hard-driving rhythms and sweet harmonies from the ninth annual American Gospel Quartet Convention held in Birmingham during January of 2001. (This program is not available for sale.)

La Boheme at UA
The University of Alabama produced the first full-length opera for television in 1955. In 2005, the University celebrated the golden anniversary with a special concert which I edited for television.  Click for more...

Miller's Pottery -- Turning For Generations
The Miller family has been making pottery in Alabama since the end of the Civil War. They supplied much-needed churns, jugs, and pots to customers of the past, and now their products appeal to collectors of folk art. Follow Eric Miller and his son Steve through the process of making Southern Stoneware, from digging the clay to firing the kiln in Brent, AL.

A Taste of Hog Heaven
Public TV viewers in Alabama were treated to a tour of some of Alabama's finest BBQ restaurants in this documentary. I actually got to sample the food, but they had to settle for mouth-watering images when "A Taste of Hog Heaven" aired on Alabama Public TV.  Click for more...


Images above are used courtesy of the University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. Copyright 2005-2009, All Rights Reserved.

VHS videotapes may be purchased for $21.00 each
and DVDs for $26.00 each
using Visa, MasterCard, or Discover by calling:
1-800-463-8825
(Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Time)

Mail orders send check or money order to:
University of Alabama Center for Public Television & Radio
P. O. Box 870150
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0150