1970-1996- Nationally Syndicated.
In 1977 Phil Donahue shifted his base of operations to Chicago from Dayton, Ohio and the show's title became known simply as "Donahue," a one-hour show usually devoted to a single topic or guest.
The guest is German architect and former World War II German minister of armaments and war production Albert Speer.
A rare one on one interview with Albert Speer, one of the few Nuremberg accused admitting guilt to war crimes, serving twenty years in prison. While incarcerated Speer wrote "Behind the Third Reich" on toilet paper.
NOTE:
ATA#9086 contains both part one, broadcast on November 20, and part two broadcast on November 21, 1975.
Albert Speer became Adolf Hitler's Minister for Armaments after being his favorite architect and designing many famous Reich buildings. At the 1945-1946 war-crimes trial of Nazi leaders in Nuremberg, Speer was sentenced to 20 years in Berlin's Spandau prison for his complicity in Hitler's atrocities, and for his use of slave labor. He served his time and was released in 1966. Unlike his co-defendants, Speer readily accepted responsibility for crimes committed by a government in which he played a leading role, although he always denied knowing about the Holocaust even though he attended a speech on the subject by Heinrich Himmler in 1943.
Phil Donahue and a 16mm film crew went to Heidelberg Germany and filmed Speer in his home. The interview lasted for 103 minutes and was used in two parts back-to-back telecast, November 20, and November 21, 1975.
Two-part rare broadcast (combined part 1 ATA#9086A and part 2 ATA#8097B) interview with former Nazi Minister of Armaments, Albert Speer. Phil Donahue visits him at his home in Heidelberg Germany where a 103-minute interview is recorded on 16mm film.
In the first of two parts (second part broadcast November 21, 1975) Speer discusses Adolf's Hitler's personae charisma and his plans for world domination. Also discussed is Albert Speers forthcoming book "Inside Spandau Prison," a record of his Nuremberg conviction and subsequent 20 year imprisonment.
Also discussed:
-last hour meeting with Hitler prior to his own suicide.
-issue of the Jews (Speer states that he was not an anti-Semite).
-12 years Hitler's architect yet not being aware of the death camps until 1944.
-10 years freedom following 20 years in prison.
NOTE: In part ONE the broadcast is interrupted for a SPECIAL REPORT press conference lasting four minutes. Governor Ronald Reagan has officially stated that he will run for President of the United States in 1976. He states his campaign will revolve around the principle of the people determining their government’s role in spending.
Returning to the Phil Donahue Show Albert Speer addresses many topics including:
-Hitler's captivating personality
-His real personality when not facing the public
-Hitler's goal for world domination
-Hitler's suspicious nature of other women wanting intimacy with him for only special favors
-diminishing sexual interest during his last years
-His eating habits...vegetarian...did not smoke or drink
-Hitler's exercise routines in front of an open window
PART 2 of this interview (ATA#9087B) broadcast November 21, 1975 was entitled, "Eyewitness to Hitler."
Topics discussed include:
-Hitler's thoughts about United States conquest...thoughts of destruction of New York City...Hitler, a negrophilic, Speer's attempt to kill Hitler...the Pope's failure to act in protest of what Adolf Hitler was doing...Hitler's view of the Church...Hitler's belief in God...How such madness and atrocities were able to happen...Rudolph Hess, last survivor of Hitler's leaders still in prison after 30 years...Speer's account of his own incarceration and limited visitation by his wife and children...courting his wife Margaret when he was a teenager...his wife waiting 20 years while Speer was incarcerated...current estranged relationship with his children...how Speer wrote his book on toilet paper...at 70 years of age, how Speer now sees himself...current speaking engagements at universities with students...when he first saw Adolf Hitler speak in 1931 and was motivated to go into politics...Jews responsible in 1917 for organizing a revolution which would affect Speer's view of Jews...repenting now for what he did, and not do...
Albert Speer states that if had to do it all over again he would not have followed Adolf Hitler if he would have been more educated in understanding history and humanity. Now, as a free man he states he is not happy, inwardly feeling guilt and responsibility of the times and of his involvement.
NOTE:
This complete two-part broadcast interview is not known to be extant in any audio, video, or transcript form to the public except for these original ATA off the air broadcast recordings, tape recorded (direct line for excellent sound reproduction) almost a half century ago off. Without these off the air recordings at the time of their original TV broadcasts, this incredible peerless historic interview document would be unavailable for research or for any related documentary or literary usage.