© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

American Masters

Rare behind-the-scenes footage from "The Dick Van Dyke Show"

Season 39 Episode 8 | 50s

Larry Mathews, who played Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore's son Ritchie Petrie in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," discovered a trove of home movies his father shot while Mathews was on set.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Anita and Jay Kaufman, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The Charina Endowment Fund, The Marc Haas Foundation and public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 2:09
American Masters
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
Learn about Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize-winning author of Night.
Preview: S40 E1 | 2:09
Watch • 2:21
American Masters
Elie Wiesel on Palestine, trauma and suffering
Elie Wiesel vowed to always speak up whenever people were enduring suffering and humiliation.
Clip: S40 E1 | 2:21
Watch • 1:10
American Masters
How Elie Wiesel was reunited with his sister
Elie Wiesel reunited with his sister in France.
Clip: S40 E1 | 1:10
Watch • 1:56
American Masters
Elie Wiesel recounts the horrors of the Holocaust in "Night"
In "Night," Elie Wiesel recounts a memory of witnessing three victims being hung.
Clip: S40 E1 | 1:56
Watch • 2:40
American Masters
How Elie Wiesel's wife and son gave him a new lease on life
Before meeting his wife Marion, Elie Wiesel "shunned love" and didn't see himself having children.
Clip: S40 E1 | 2:40
Watch • 2:08
American Masters
Starring Dick Van Dyke
Ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of iconic actor Dick Van Dyke.
Preview: S39 E8 | 2:08
Watch • 0:54
American Masters
How "The Dick Van Dyke Show" took inspiration from its leading man
Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy was incorpoated into his main character's persona.
Clip: S39 E8 | 0:54
Watch • 1:49
American Masters
What made the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" special
Hear the origin story of one of televisions most iconic opening credits.
Clip: S39 E8 | 1:49
Watch • 2:33
American Masters
Why Dick Van Dyke is Ted Danson's hero
Ted Danson watched "The Dick Van Dyke Show" on his first television set.
Clip: S39 E8 | 2:33
Watch • 1:58
American Masters
Watch this footage from an unaired Dick Van Dyke pilot
Dick Van Dyke showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story.
Clip: S39 E8 | 1:58