About
“If live television was still around - that kind of excitement, I’d rather do that than film.”
In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Arthur Hiller (1923-2016) speaks about his extensive career as a director of theater, film, and television. He describes his early years in television working at the CBC in his native Canada. He discusses his work in television in the United States that began on the "live" anthology shows Matinee Theater and Playhouse 90. For each series, he describes the production and memorable episodes he directed. He talks about filmed series he directed in the 1950s and '60s including The Rifleman, The Detectives starring Robert Taylor, and Naked City. He discusses his work in feature films and briefly mentions several of the classic films he helmed. Finally, he talks about his long association with the Directors Guild of America. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the two-part interview on August 15 and September 23, 2003 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City and Route 66, and the difference between the two
Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Perry Mason over the phone from the hospital while his wife was in labor with his son
Arthur Hiller on making the transition from directing television to directing feature films
Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on his childhood love of radio and movies
On early television he enjoyed watching; on working for CBC Radio and Television, and leaving to work in the United States; on directing NBC Matinee Theater
Chapter 2
On his love of directing "live" television; on leaving NBC Matinee Theater and his first experience with film cameras
On the high quality of NBC Matinee Theater and issues with its sponsors; on directing Climax! and Playhouse 90
Chapter 3
On directing NBC Matinee Theater; on moving from "live" to film television
On the differences between early television in Canada versus the United States; on producer Albert McCleery; on censorship issues on NBC Matinee Theater
Chapter 4
On directing Climax!; on directing Playhouse 90; on the excitement of "live" television
On the production schedule for Playhouse 90; on specific episodes of Playhouse 90; on the Hollywood Blacklist
Chapter 5
On directing episodes of Telephone Time and Thriller; on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr; on directing the pilot of I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
On directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents; on directing Gunsmoke; on directing The Rifleman
Chapter 6
On directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Conners and Johnny Crawford; on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness
On directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents; on the production of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and on the tone of the show
On directing Thriller; on directing The Third Man; on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert
Chapter 7
On directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West; on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show
On directing the pilot for The Addams Family; on the cast of The Addams Family including John Astin with whom he'd also worked on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
On directing Route 66; on working with George Maharis and Martin Milner on Route 66 and on working with the writers of the show; on directing Naked City
Chapter 8
On directing Naked City and Route 66, and the difference between the two; on directing the guest stars of Naked City and on directing other anthology shows like Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse with stars like Errol Flynn; on his Emmy Award nomination for Naked City
On making the transition from directing television to directing feature films; on directing "Love Story" and on being nominated for an Oscar; on directing "Hospital," "Silver Streak," "The In-Laws," and "The Lonely Guy"
Chapter 9
On directing "Outrageous Fortune," "See No Evil, Hear No Evil," and "The Babe"; on directing "An Alan Smithee Film" and working with John Astin; on directing "Love Story"
On his involvement in the Directors Guild of America and on the various issues they deal with; on the status of a feature director versus the status of a television director; on his stint as President of the Directors Guild of America
Chapter 10
On preparing to direct a television show or a feature; on dealing with the casting process as a director; on how he chooses projects to direct
On what he loves about the directing process; on his style of directing and working with actors; on working with difficult actors and dealing with various personalities as a director
On collaborating with directors of photography and lighting designers as a director; on various people he's worked with in his career
On advice to aspiring directors; on career highlights and regrets; on his creative influences
Chapter 11
On people he has mentored; on his trademark hairstyle; on his then-current life and projects and on ageism in the industry; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Addams Family, The
Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot for The Addams Family
Arthur Hiller on the cast of The Addams Family including John Astin with whom he'd also worked on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents and working with and for Alfred Hitchcock
Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Arthur Hiller on the production of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and on the tone of the show
Barbara Stanwyck Show, The
Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert
Cameo Theatre
Arthur Hiller on the lack of sets on both NBC Matinee Theaterand Cameo Theatre
Climax!
Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct for Climax!
Arthur Hiller on the first episode of Climax! he directed and dealing with the writer of the episode
Arthur Hiller on directing actors on an episode of Climax! and forgetting an important detail because of his nerves
Arthur Hiller on directing Climax!
Detectives, The
Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West
Dick Powell Show, The
Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Arthur Hiller on his Emmy nomination for Naked City
Gunsmoke
Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke
Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness
I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Arthur Hiller on the cast of The Addams Family including John Astin with whom he'd also worked on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Naked City
Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City
Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City and Route 66, and the difference between the two
Arthur Hiller on directing the guest stars of Naked City and on directing other anthology shows like Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Arthur Hiller on his Emmy Award nomination for Naked City
NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct NBC Matinee Theater, based on a show he had directed in Canada for the CBC
Arthur Hiller on his first time directing NBC Matinee Theater and his nerves on the set
Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television
Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television
Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on leaving NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on the opportunities and limitations of NBC Matinee Theater due to the fact it was a daily show, and interference from the sponsors
Arthur Hiller on the lack of sets on both NBC Matinee Theaterand Cameo Theatre
Arthur Hiller on NBC Matinee Theater being broadcast in color
Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper appearing on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on the rehearsal process for NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on moving from "live" television on NBC Matinee Theater to film television
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr
Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Arthur Hiller on directing the guest stars of Naked City and on directing other anthology shows like Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program
Arthur Hiller on getting the opportunity to direct on Playhouse 90 through Martin Manulis and working with Manulis
Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on production schedule for Playhouse 90 and some memorable moments on the show
Arthur Hiller on being the only director who directed both "live" and filmed episodes of Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on specific episodes of Playhouse 90 and working with guest stars - both actors and non-actors
Rifleman, The
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Conners and Johnny Crawford
Route 66
Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66
Arthur Hiller on working with George Maharis and Martin Milner on Route 66 and on working with the writers of the show
Telephone Time
Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Telephone Time
Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert
Thriller
Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of the series Thriller
Arthur Hiller on directing Thriller
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Arthur Hiller on the "don't dos" list from the sponsors and the networks in early television
Advice
Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors
Anthology Drama
Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television
Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television
Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90
Bloopers
Arthur Hiller on mishaps that occurred while directing "live" television, including NBC Matinee Theater and early CBC shows in Canada
Arthur Hiller on losing a camera while filming a "live" television show in Canada
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Arthur Hiller on the list of "don't dos" they had from the sponsors and the network on NBC Matinee Theater, and a near-controversy when he cast an African American actor as a doctor
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Arthur Hiller on how his parents and a high school drama teacher inspired his love of theater
Arthur Hiller on his creative influences
Arthur Hiller on people he has mentored
Emmy Awards
Arthur Hiller on his Emmy nomination for Naked City
Hollywood Blacklist
Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist
Industry Crossroads
Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist
Pivotal Career Moments
Arthur Hiller on how his parents and a high school drama teacher inspired his love of theater
Arthur Hiller on his creative influences
Arthur Hiller on people he has mentored
Representation on Television
Arthur Hiller on the list of "don't dos" they had from the sponsors and the network on NBC Matinee Theater, and a near-controversy when he cast an African American actor as a doctor
Technological Innovation
Arthur Hiller on what he felt was lost when the technology changed from "live" television to tape
Arthur Hiller on NBC Matinee Theater being broadcast in color
Arthur Hiller on moving from "live" to film television
Arthur Hiller on the difference between working in "live" television and taped television
Television Industry
Arthur Hiller on the list of "don't dos" they had from the sponsors and the network on NBC Matinee Theater, and a near-controversy when he cast an African American actor as a doctor
Arthur Hiller on the "don't dos" list from the sponsors and the networks in early television
Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist
Arthur Hiller on the status of a feature director versus the status of a television director
Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors
Arthur Hiller on his then-current life and projects and on ageism in the industry
TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)
Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television
Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television
Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on the excitement of "live" television
Underrepresented Voices
Arthur Hiller on the list of "don't dos" they had from the sponsors and the network on NBC Matinee Theater, and a near-controversy when he cast an African American actor as a doctor
Professions
Directors
Arthur Hiller on the decisions he made while directing his first television drama, which took place on a ship
Arthur Hiller on the rehearsal process for NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on how he approached directing different styles of television shows
Arthur Hiller on making the transition from directing television to directing feature films
Arthur Hiller on preparing to direct a television show or a feature
Arthur Hiller on dealing with the casting process as a director
Arthur Hiller on how he chooses projects to direct
Arthur Hiller on what he loves about the directing process
Arthur Hiller on his style of directing and working with actors
Arthur Hiller on working with difficult actors and dealing with various personalities as a director
Arthur Hiller on collaborating with directors of photography and lighting designers as a director
Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct NBC Matinee Theater, based on a show he had directed in Canada for the CBC
Arthur Hiller on his first time directing NBC Matinee Theater and his nerves on the set
Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television
Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television
Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on working with host John Conte and producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on leaving NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct for Climax!
Arthur Hiller on the opportunities and limitations of NBC Matinee Theater due to the fact it was a daily show, and interference from the sponsors
Arthur Hiller on the first episode of Climax! he directed and dealing with the writer of the episode
Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on directing actors on an episode of Climax! and forgetting an important detail because of his nerves
Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program
Arthur Hiller on directing NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on directing Climax!
Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on the production schedule of Playhouse 90 and directing both "live" and filmed versions of the show
Arthur Hiller on specific episodes of Playhouse 90
Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Telephone Time
Arthur Hiller on directing Boris Karloff in the pilot of the series Thriller
Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents and working with and for Alfred Hitchcock
Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Arthur Hiller on directing Thriller
Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert
Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show
Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Comedy Series
Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Arthur Hiller on directing The Addams Family
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr
Arthur Hiller on directing The Third Man
Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West
Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66 and Naked City
Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Drama Series
Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66 and Naked City
Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
Western Series
Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman
Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness
People
Judith Anderson
Arthur Hiller on directing and episode of Telephone Timestarring Judith Anderson
Julie Andrews
Arthur Hiller on James Garner and Julie Andrews
James Arness
Arthur Hiller on directing James Arness on an episode of Gunsmoke
Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness
John Astin
Arthur Hiller on the cast of The Addams Family including John Astin with whom he'd also worked on I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster
Arthur Hiller on working with John Astin
Jack Benny
Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90
Robert Blake
Arthur Hiller on Robert Blake
Raymond Burr
Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr
Johnny Carson
Arthur Hiller on the Playhouse 90 episode "Three Men on a Horse," featuring Johnny Carson
Chuck Connors
Arthur Hiller on directing Chuck Connors on The Rifleman
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford
John Conte
Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater
Johnny Crawford
Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford
Bob Cummings
Arthur Hiller on Bob Cummings
Errol Flynn
Arthur Hiller on directing the guest stars of Naked City and on directing other anthology shows like Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse with stars like Errol Flynn
James Garner
Arthur Hiller on James Garner and Julie Andrews
John Goodman
Arthur Hiller on directing "The Babe" and working with John Goodman
Dennis Hopper
Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper appearing on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater
Rock Hudson
Arthur Hiller on Rock Hudson
Boris Karloff
Arthur Hiller on directing Boris Karloff in the pilot of the series Thriller
Sophia Loren
Arthur Hiller on Sophia Loren
Ali MacGraw
Arthur Hiller on working with Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw on "Love Story"
George Maharis
Arthur Hiller on working with George Maharis and Martin Milner on Route 66 and on working with the writers of the show
Delbert Mann
Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater
Martin Manulis
Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program
Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90 and working with Martin Manulis
Albert McCleery
Arthur Hiller on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater
Arthur Hiller on producer Albert McCleery, who Hiller credits with bringing him to the United States from Canada
Nick Nolte
Arthur Hiller on Nick Nolte
Ryan O'Neal
Arthur Hiller on working with Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw on "Love Story"
Peter O'Toole
Arthur Hiller on Peter O'Toole
Al Pacino
Arthur Hiller on Al Pacino
Richard Pryor
Arthur Hiller on directing "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder
Mickey Rooney
Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show
Barbara Stanwyck
Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert
Robert Taylor
Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West
Dennis Weaver
Arthur Hiller on directing Dennis Weaver on an episode of Gunsmoke
Adam West
Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West
Gene Wilder
Arthur Hiller on directing "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder
Natalie Wood
Arthur Hiller on Natalie Wood