William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia
Clip: 4/5/2024 | 2m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship.
William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.
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...
William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relationship with wife Patricia
Clip: 4/5/2024 | 2m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship. The two "annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other." They held grand parties at their home with many distinguished guests.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- [Jeff] She, I always thought, was a character out of a Noel Coward play.
I mean, nobody talks that way.
Pat would say, "Duckie, are you going to smoke one of those awful communist cigars?"
- And Bill said, "Duckie, I adore you, and you're totally right," and does whatever he is about to do.
- [Peter] They annoyed each other intensely and absolutely adored each other.
And I made some joke to Bill about what's the secret to marriage?
And Bill said, "Preemptive capitulation."
- [Christopher] My mother, my dear, glamorous, chic and stunning mom, served her time as a galley slave on those Maine cruises that we would go on.
Imagine a 38 foot sailboat, six men, one woman.
She'd be cooking for us, scrubbing the toilet, and she would mutter darkly, "I was made for better things".
(laughing) - [Jeff] It was wonderful to go to a party at the Buckley's.
You had political figures, yes.
You could also meet the King of Greece one night, some writer or singer the next.
- [Peter] I can remember at dinner in San Francisco with Milton Friedman.
There were four or five of us around the table, Milton said to the whole table, "What was Bill's greatest attribute?
What was his greatest talent?"
And of course, somebody said, "He was an essayist."
And somebody else said, "He was a television personality."
And Milton then said, "You're wrong.
You're all wrong.
Bill Buckley's greatest talent was for friendship."
5 Firing Line moments that are still relevant today
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This Firing Line compliation shows Buckley in conversation with five of his most memorable guests. (15m 34s)
Buckley's Yale criticism fueled the conservative movement
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Yale administration feared Buckley's outspoken criticism of the university. (1m 47s)
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Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview. (10m 12s)
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Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. (2m 31s)
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When William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City
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William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party. (2m 56s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport 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...