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| Lonely Island: Hidden Alcatraz: Press Release |
No One Escapes the Rock!
KQED Program Gives Unprecedented Access to Alcatraz
LONELY ISLAND: HIDDEN ALCATRAZ Gives Inside Look at the History of "The Rock"
HDTV Production to Air Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco, California, February 22, 2002 -- When most people think of Alcatraz, their first thought is of a prison that held some of the nation's most notorious criminals of the 1930s, like Al Capone and cohorts of Baby Face Nelson. Alcatraz, the lonely island in the middle of San Francisco Bay, was also, at one time, an U.S. fort built to protect San Francisco and later, the place where the seed of change was planted that forever altered U.S. government policies on Native Americans. But, despite its enigmatic history, the island has always been a place of great beauty, where unique flowers grow and birds nest.
Airing on Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. (and repeating on Sunday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.), KQED will present Lonely Island: Hidden Alcatraz -- broadcast digitally in HDTV on Digital Television 30, as well as in analog on Public Television 9 -- which explores the island in depth and takes viewers on a tour of Alcatraz like no other. Host Greg Sherwood, joins tour guide, U.S. Park Ranger John Cantwell and other experts, on a truly unique tour of the island.
Viewers will accompany Sherwood and Cantwell for a walking tour of "The Rock." Sherwood and Cantwell trace the history of Alcatraz by exploring areas of the island that are normally off-limits to visitors, from the dungeon-like tunnels that date back to the fort built in the 1850s to the lighthouse that still guides ships in San Francisco Bay.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been in love with San Francisco," says Sherwood. "And Alcatraz is one of those places that people from all over the world identify with San Francisco -- and rightly so. This island has such a ripe and layered history -- in a way, it is a reflection of San Francisco's own richly variegated story."
Host Greg Sherwood is a fifth-generation San Franciscan. His career in local television stretches back to the age of three when he made his first appearance with his father, legendary San Francisco broadcaster Don Sherwood, on his nightly television show.
Ranger John Cantwell began his career with the National Park Service in 1973 as a 14-year-old volunteer at Fort Point in San Francisco. He worked for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for the next ten years. Cantwell then worked for Bill Graham Presents and subsequently tried his hand at promoting concerts in San Francisco. This, along with his famous beach parties, later earned him the nickname the "Rock 'n' Roll Ranger." In 1991, Cantwell returned to his first love the National Park Service as a ranger on Alcatraz where he has remained ever since. Cantwell's historical grasp and enthusiasm for Alcatraz are peerless and he is recognized as one of the leading authorities on 'The Rock'. Cantwell also serves as National Park Service liaison for many of the film projects that are shot on Alcatraz. His wide-brimmed ranger hat is lined with personal notes and autographs from the world’s rich and famous.
Funding for Lonely Island: Hidden Alcatraz has been provided by the KQED Campaign for the Future Program Venture Fund, comprised of individuals, foundations and corporations committed to the production and acquisition of quality programs. Additional funding provided by Clint and Esther Jennings, recipients of the 2001 Robert and Carole McNeil Volunteer Awards.
KQED operates KQED Public Television 9, the nation's most-watched public television station, and Digital Television 30, Northern California's only public television digital signal; KQED Public Radio 88.5 FM, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation; the KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources; and www.kqed.org, which harnesses the power of the Internet to bring KQED to communities across the Web.
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