In 1950, when John Malcolm Brinnin -- a young poetry professor at the time -- set out to bring the brilliant and incendiary Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, to American audiences, he might as well have been chasing fire.

On the night of Nov. 9, 1964, the Grand Ole Opry’s renowned country-western showcase boasted its usual who’s who of country stars. But following the distinguished Johnny Cash, the audience received a happy surprise....

They say it’s often times the quiet ones. The ones you would never expect. The ones that seem harmless. Maniac’s Frank Zito (Elijah Wood) is one of “those.” The lone owner of a mannequin restoration shop,...