Frost/Nixon Exhibit
Dates: Dec 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009
Description: The display highlights the up coming movie Frost/Nixon directed by Ron Howard and released by Universal Studios. In August 1974, Richard Nixon resigned his Presidency over the Watergate scandal and was pardoned that September by President Gerald Ford. This precluded the spectacle of a having public trial for such a towering political figure, but also left the American public with many unanswered questions as to Nixon’s motive and role in the Watergate scandal.
In 1977, after several years of negotiation with Mr. Jack Brennan, Nixon’s Chief of Staff, and other Nixon staffers, British television reporter David Frost arranged for a paid interview with the former President. Frost specifically wanted Nixon to admit to his role in the Watergate break-in and cover-up, which Nixon never did. Over a period of four weeks in March/April 1977, approximately 28 hours of interviews were recorded at a private home near Nixon’s California residence.The interviews, which were broadcast on national television, reportedly drew upwards of 50 million viewers.
The story of these interviews and Frost’s attempt to get Nixon to admit his guilt in the Watergate affair was made into a play by British screenwriter Peter Morgan. The play, Frost/Nixon opened in London in 2006, and came to Broadway in 2007. The play has been made into a movie, directed by Ron Howard and will be released by Universal Studios in December 2008. Providence College alumni Jack Brennan ’59 is portrayed in the movie by actor Kevin Bacon. We are grateful to Mr. Brennan for many of the items displayed here.
The materials for this display are drawn in part from the John V. Brennan Collection – Providence College Class of 1959. Additional materials for the display were provided by NBC Universal. The featured collection is part of the Special and Archival Collections Department of Providence College.
Location: Phillips Memorial Library foyer
Sponsor: Providence College , Phillips Memorial Library - Special and Archival Collections Department.
Announcement prepared for the Web by
Librarian Russell Franks
Special and Archival Collections
Phillips Memorial Library
Providence College
3 December 2008; revised 23 April 2009