Official website: http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters | #AmericanMastersPBS
"Ten Times Better" tells the astonishing and heartwarming story of George Lee, a pioneering Asian dancer who originated a featured role in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker 70 years ago as a teenage immigrant from China.
George Lee grew up in wartime Shanghai, dancing novelty acts in nightclubs for rice while also learning classical ballet from his mother, a Polish dancer trained by Russians. Fleeing war in 1949, they spent two years in a Philippine refugee camp before ending up in New York City. George earned a scholarship at the School of American Ballet and caught the eye of Balanchine as he choreographed The Nutcracker. George’s spins and leaps in the “Tea” divertissement dazzled critics, but he was not granted a spot in the New York City Ballet. A few years later, Gene Kelly cast him in Flower Drum Song and he embarked on a career in musical theater. Upon retirement, he learned to deal blackjack, which he did up until he passed away on April 20, 2025.
Directed by Jennifer Lin.
Find more documentaries in the American Masters Shorts series here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/shorts/american-masters-shorts/
Subscribe to the American Masters channel for more clips: http://bit.ly/1JmUCu5
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite American Masters films: http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters
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Now in its 39th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.
"Ten Times Better" tells the astonishing and heartwarming story of George Lee, a pioneering Asian dancer who originated a featured role in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker 70 years ago as a teenage immigrant from China.
George Lee grew up in wartime Shanghai, dancing novelty acts in nightclubs for rice while also learning classical ballet from his mother, a Polish dancer trained by Russians. Fleeing war in 1949, they spent two years in a Philippine refugee camp before ending up in New York City. George earned a scholarship at the School of American Ballet and caught the eye of Balanchine as he choreographed The Nutcracker. George’s spins and leaps in the “Tea” divertissement dazzled critics, but he was not granted a spot in the New York City Ballet. A few years later, Gene Kelly cast him in Flower Drum Song and he embarked on a career in musical theater. Upon retirement, he learned to deal blackjack, which he did up until he passed away on April 20, 2025.
Directed by Jennifer Lin.
Find more documentaries in the American Masters Shorts series here: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/shorts/american-masters-shorts/
Subscribe to the American Masters channel for more clips: http://bit.ly/1JmUCu5
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite American Masters films: http://www.pbs.org/americanmasters
FOLLOW AMERICAN MASTERS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americanmasters
X: https://twitter.com/PBSAmerMasters #AmericanMastersPBS
Instagram: https://instagram.com/pbsamericanmasters #AmericanMastersPBS
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsamericanmasters
FOLLOW PBS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pbs/
X: https://twitter.com/PBS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PBS
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbs
___________________________________
Now in its 39th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.