By Dr. Laura Wilhelm, LauraWil Intercultural
Actress/Producer Kat Kramer presented a double feature of her father, legendary director Stanley Kramer’s Judgment at Nuremberg and On The Beach on Sunday, November 23rd at theFine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, as part of ‘Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World’ series.
Dr. Laura Wilhelm of LauraWil Intercultural had the chance to interview Kat Kramer after the special double feature presentation.
What did you hope to accomplish with your screening of Judgment at Nuremberg and On The Beach? Do you believe their sobering themes remain relevant?
I decided to present a Stanley Kramer “Double Feature” to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials and the Atomic Bomb drop on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Both films are timely, relevant and both tie together. In fact, the bomb drop on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is mentioned in Judgment at Nuremberg. Sadly, we are living through it again in 2025. On The Beach was made in 1959, and Judgment at Nuremberg in 1961. Both were made by my late father, Stanley Kramer. I moderated a “think-tank” panel in between both films. It was to wake people up and educate audiences that history repeats itself. It’s the first time I’ve ever presented his films via “Kat Kramer’s Films That Change The World” because I usually present new films and documentaries to give other filmmakers a ‘voice.’
The themes are still relevant as proven in two new films that are getting critical acclaim in 2025; Nuremberg (Sony Pictures Classics) and House of Dynamite (Netflix).
Both of these films feature outstanding performances by many major Hollywood stars of the time. Please comment on parts that particularly moved or shocked you.
Of course, Spencer Tracy and Maximilian Schell were extraordinary, and Max won Best Ator Oscar for Judgment at Nuremberg. Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland did their best dramatic work in my father’s film classic. I’m partial to the current film Nuremberg and it’s a great companion piece. Russell Crowe is fantastic as Herman Goering. On The Beach is very moving and Donna Anderson is superb. She was on the Host Committee for my Stanley Kramer “Double Feature” as was William Shatner who was in Judgment at Nuremberg.
She made her film debut for my father with On The Beach andlater worked with him on Inherit The Wind.
Do you think filmmakers have a moral duty to portray and even judge major world events?
I feel that filmmakers have a responsibility to portray the truth on screen. They aren’t obligated to make “socially conscious” films unless they are compelled to do so. Stanley Kramer was a rare breed, who put his career and life on the line to explore controversial subject matter. At one point, my father was the most picketed producer in history. After Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner was released, my parents’ lives were threatened. Making “social justice” films isn’t kid stuff, and it takes sacrifice and courage.
Which other Stanley Kramer films would you like to screen and why?
He made 35 films of social content, with some more relevant than others. Obviously classic Stanley Kramer classics The Defiant Ones and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner during Black History Month. Bless The Beasts And Children, about animal rights and gun control. I re-imagined the theme (song has same title) as an anthem for wildlife conservation. Also, a more obscure film of my father’s from 1973 called Oklahoma Crude. It was about female empowerment and might be a good fit for my upcoming #SHEroesForChange Festival. A popular idea is to present one of his most famous films, the all-star- comedy classic – It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Photos: Scott Mitchell Photography