KENNEDY CENTER HONORS - 3RD ANNUAL (CBS 12/27/80) RARE TV SPECIAL!!! Leonard Bernstein, James Cagney, Agnes de Mille, Lynn Fontanne, Leontyne Price, Lauren Bacall, John Travolta, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Pat O’Brien, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Jason Robards

The 3rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors celebrates five cultural giants whose extraordinary talents transformed American music, theater, dance, film and opera: composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, legendary actor James Cagney, dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille, celebrated stage actress Lynn Fontanne and acclaimed soprano Leontyne Price.

Lauren Bacall, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Jason Robards and Zubin Mehta introduce specially staged tributes to the distinguished honorees. Highlights include the overture from Bernstein’s Candide and a performance of “New York, New York” by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; nostalgic selections from the Broadway musical Tintypes; and personal reflections on James Cagney from Pat O’Brien and John Travolta.

Agnes de Mille is honored with a spirited performance of her ballet Texas Fourth, while Lynn Fontanne’s remarkable 60-year acting career is remembered through rare film clips and photographs. Donald Gramm salutes Leontyne Price with “Non più andrai” from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

The gala also features appearances by Beverly Sills, Art Buchwald, Joe Namath and President Jimmy Carter, along with a dance selection from Manon. Florence Henderson can also be spotted among the audience members during this memorable celebration of five towering figures in the performing arts.