BBC World has announced the launch of a series of programs called The Hollywood Years. Tom Brook the host of the entertainment show Talking Movies explained the channels latest program strategy

The Hollywood Years brings programmes in the tradition of BBC documentaries. Deeply analytical in nature they will go behind the scenes and brings the inside story of some of Hollywood's iconic figures.

The action commences with Lee Strasberg. He created and taught method acting. His pupils have won over 100 Academy Awards between them. They include Al Pacino Scent of A Woman and Sally Field Norma Rae.

The same day will see one of the world's most famous jazz singers Frank Sinatra being scrutinised. His hits such as My Way and Strangers in the Night have become standard classics that show no signs of fading. Viewers can see rare footage of his first recorded performances as well as concerts together with interviews of the late singers friends, colleagues.

Two documentaries are dedicated to the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. Alfred the Auteur gives us insight into the famed director's lonely childhood. Alfred the Great shows the technique the master used in classics like The 39 Steps and Vertigo to create fright among the audience.

Quintessential western hero John Wayne will also feature. Tom Brook pointed out that his film The Sands of Ivo Jima is shown to fresh army recruits to bolster motivation.

The documentary series concludes with an examination of Vinnie Jones. The ex British football player has appeared in the Guy Ritchie films Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

In order to bring to viewers the harsh reality that exists behind the glamour the channel has lined up two specials. LA Stories examines the difficulty aspiring screenwriters face when they try to pitch ideas to studio bosses.

Beverly Pills reveals how some of Hollywood's brightest talents have fallen prey to the menace of drug abuse. Actors like Robert Downey Jr. Chaplin and Mathew Perry of television's Friends have been arrested in the recent past on charges of drug possession and abuse.

The program schedule for Hollywood years is as follows

Lee Strasberg - Method Man
2 March at 1:40pm, 5:40pm.
3 March at 2:40am, 8:40pm.

Frank Sinatra - Voice of the century
2 and 9 March at 2:40pm, 8:40pm
3 and 10 March at 5:40pm.
4 and 11 March at 1:40am.

Julie Andrews
9 March at 1:40pm, 5:40pm.
10 March at 1:40am and 8:40pm.

Hitch: Alfred the great
16 March at 2:40pm, 8:40pm.
17 March 5:40pm, 18 March 1:40am.

Hitch: Alfred the Auteur
23 March at 2:40pm, 8:40pm.
24 March at 5:40pm, 25 March at 1:40am.

John Wayne: The unquiet American
16 March at 1:40pm, 5:40pm.
17 March at 1:40am, 8:40pm.

Vinnie goes to Hollywood
23 March at 1:40pm, 5:40pm.
24 March at 1:40am, 8:40pm.

Rat Pack - A conference of cool
30 March at 1:40pm, 5:40pm.
31 March at 1:40am, 8:40pm.

LA Stories
30 March at 2:40pm, 8:40pm.
31 March at 5:40pm, 1 April at 1:40am.

Beverly Pills
29 March at 3:00pm, 8:00pm.

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