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The Movie Simon West Has 'Seen A Million Times'

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British actors Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann posing for the cover art of the movie 'Withnail & I' in Cumbria, 1986.

Credit Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

Director Simon West

By editor

Originally published on Sat August 18, 2012 7:14 pm

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The weekends on All Things Considered series Movies I've Seen A Million Times features filmmakers, actors, writers and directors talking about the movies that they never get tired of watching.

For director Simon West, whose credits include Con Air, The Mechanic and The Expendables 2, which opened in theaters this weekend, the movie he could watch a million times is the cult British film, Withnail and I. "I instantly fell in love with it," West says.

5:01 pm

Sat August 18, 2012

In Weak Economy, College Grads 'Surge' Into Military

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When his parents Tuy (center) and Mydung (right) Lam lost their jobs, electrical engineering major Louis Lam enlisted in the Navy.

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Originally published on Sat August 18, 2012 7:14 pm

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The weak economy is helping to drive thousands more college graduates into the U.S. military.

Since the recession began in 2007, there's been a steady increase in the number of college graduates joining the armed forces. The Navy and Army have seen the biggest jumps. About 60 percent more college grads joined the Navy last year than in 2007.

For some of them, it's a job some would never have imagined for themselves just a few years ago.

Not 'What I Thought I'd Be Doing'

5:01 pm

Sat August 18, 2012

Political Spotlight Heats Up In Wisconsin

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Originally published on Sat August 18, 2012 7:14 pm

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Transcript

CHERYL CORLEY, HOST:

It's WEEKENDS on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Cheryl Corley. Guy Raz is away.

Over the last two years, Wisconsin seems to have suddenly become an epicenter of national politics and, even more so, conservative politics. Governor Scott Walker survived a hotly contested recall effort following a big battle with the unions.

3:23 pm

Sat August 18, 2012

Rhiannon: An Improviser Resists The Urge To Reuse

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"There was this sensation of going on a journey together, without seat belts," says Rhiannon of her band's first totally improvised performance. Her newest album is called Spontaneous.

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Originally published on Sat August 18, 2012 7:14 pm

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If you ever listened to jazz vocalists and wondered if you could ever in your life scat like them, there's someone who's willing to teach you. The vocalist Rhiannon has long held the importance of improvisation as a personal credo, and in her career has blended that art form with jazz, world music and storytelling.

1:19 pm

Sat August 18, 2012

3 Celebrity Friendships That Weren't Meant To Be

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Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon prepare to take off for a U.S. tour on Aug. 13, 1965. Fourteen days later, they'd find themselves in a much-anticipated but very awkward meeting with Elvis Presley.

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Craig Brown has been a columnist for London's Private Eye since 1989.

By editor

Originally published on Sun September 2, 2012 11:32 am

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Years ago, when NPR's Susan Stamberg was working for the wife of an American ambassador in New Delhi, she answered the door to the ambassador's home to find the maharajah of Jaipur standing outside.

"Your highness," she said, "what gorgeous pearls you're wearing."

"Oh, thank you," the maharaja replied. "On Tuesdays I wear pearls; on Wednesdays it's emeralds; Thursday, rubies."

12:18 pm

Sat August 18, 2012

Sitting With Books In Oklahoma City, Okla.

Credit Courtesy of Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones, children's librarian.

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Some Oklahoma City parents use the Capitol Hill public library as a babysitting center. They drop children off when the library opens; they pick them up when it closes.

Certain librarians might see this as a nuisance. My girlfriend, Jennifer Jones — the children's librarian — sees it as an opportunity. And she is developing the Safari After-School Project, a program for the kids that includes mentoring and tutoring.