Paris, Barry - 1998 - Tape 1, Side 1

Description

[T1S1] Respondent provides background information: born, Pittsburgh, 1948; gives names of parents: father, Wyoming Benjamin Paris, mother, Claire Gill Paris; two siblings. Respondent discusses attendance at Turner Grade School, Wilkinsburg Jr. High School, move to Wichita, Kansas; attended Jesuit Catholic High School, Columbia University, studied film and Slavic languages. Respondent discusses marriage to wife Myrna, opera singer and journalist and return to Pittsburgh, both on fellowships: Respondent at University of Pittsburgh: Slavic languages; wife at Carnegie Mellon University: opera. Respondent notes interest in film at early age, mother took children to cultural events. Respondent describes grandparents from Kiev and Odessa; gives names and birth date of Respondent's father, Wyoming; explains family move to Torrington, Wyoming; father given name Wyoming in honor of State; first Jewish boy born in State. Respondent details religious observance of parents: father: Orthodox Jew, mother: Roman Catholic, discusses conflicts: stressful; Respondent's wife Methodist. Respondent discusses father's involvement with Enoch Rauh Club: skilled basketball player, describes approaching Mrs. Enoch Rauh for funding to provide uniforms, received money, no other contributions given from Rauh family; interviewer reads letter sent by Wyoming Paris describing incident (see Collateral Materials); comments on father's forthcoming visit to Pittsburgh to attend Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and mothers death: 1994. Respondent reflects on writing biographies: how subjects are chosen, provides names: Louise Brooks, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn and Tony Curtis.