Arthur Hiller

Director

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

“If live television was still around - that kind of excitement, I’d rather do that than film.”

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City and Route 66, and the difference between the two

04:03

Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Perry Mason over the phone from the hospital while his wife was in labor with his son

02:40

Arthur Hiller on making the transition from directing television to directing feature films

03:06

Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90

02:29

Arthur Hiller on how he'd like to be remembered

02:19

Full Interview

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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

04:47

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

02:36

Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents and working with and for Alfred Hitchcock

04:35

Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents

06:05

Arthur Hiller on the production of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and on the tone of the show

02:54

Barbara Stanwyck Show, The

Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert

03:18

Cameo Theatre

Arthur Hiller on the lack of sets on both NBC Matinee Theaterand Cameo Theatre

03:15

Climax!

Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct for Climax!

00:28

Arthur Hiller on the first episode of Climax! he directed and dealing with the writer of the episode

02:53

Arthur Hiller on directing actors on an episode of Climax! and forgetting an important detail because of his nerves

00:57

Arthur Hiller on directing Climax!

06:03

Detectives, The

Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West

02:32

Dick Powell Show, The

Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show

04:40

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

Arthur Hiller on his Emmy nomination for Naked City

01:44

Gunsmoke

Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke

03:51

Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness

07:53

I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster

Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster

02:05

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

02:36

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

04:38

Arthur Hiller on his first time directing NBC Matinee Theater and his nerves on the set

01:20

Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television

02:17

Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television

02:32

Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater

01:02

Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater

00:33

Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater

00:27

Arthur Hiller on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater

01:12

Arthur Hiller on leaving NBC Matinee Theater

04:24

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

02:31

Arthur Hiller on the lack of sets on both NBC Matinee Theaterand Cameo Theatre

03:15

Arthur Hiller on NBC Matinee Theater being broadcast in color

01:31

Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper appearing on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater

01:48

Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater

00:40

Arthur Hiller on the rehearsal process for NBC Matinee Theater

03:01

Arthur Hiller on moving from "live" television on NBC Matinee Theater to film television

05:08

Naked City

Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City

05:02

Arthur Hiller on directing Naked City and Route 66, and the difference between the two

04:03

Arthur Hiller on directing the guest stars of Naked City and on directing other anthology shows like Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

08:57

Arthur Hiller on his Emmy Award nomination for Naked City

01:44

Perry Mason

Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr

07:01

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

08:57

Playhouse 90

Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90

00:51

Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90

02:59

Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program

01:38

Arthur Hiller on getting the opportunity to direct on Playhouse 90 through Martin Manulis and working with Manulis

01:13

Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90

02:29

Arthur Hiller on production schedule for Playhouse 90 and some memorable moments on the show

02:34

Arthur Hiller on being the only director who directed both "live" and filmed episodes of Playhouse 90

02:13

Arthur Hiller on specific episodes of Playhouse 90 and working with guest stars - both actors and non-actors

04:42

Rifleman, The

Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman

03:52

Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Conners and Johnny Crawford

04:18

Route 66

Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66

05:02

Arthur Hiller on working with George Maharis and Martin Milner on Route 66 and on working with the writers of the show

03:59

Telephone Time

Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Telephone Time

01:14

Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert

03:18

Thriller

Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of the series Thriller

03:03

Arthur Hiller on directing Thriller

01:32

Topics

Advertising and Sponsorship

Arthur Hiller on the "don't dos" list from the sponsors and the networks in early television

01:47

Advice

Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors

01:17

Anthology Drama

Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television

02:17

Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television

02:32

Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90

02:29

Bloopers

Arthur Hiller on mishaps that occurred while directing "live" television, including NBC Matinee Theater and early CBC shows in Canada

01:42

Arthur Hiller on losing a camera while filming a "live" television show in Canada

01:41

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

01:41

Creative Influences and Inspiration

Arthur Hiller on how his parents and a high school drama teacher inspired his love of theater

01:15

Arthur Hiller on his creative influences

00:44

Arthur Hiller on people he has mentored

01:29

Emmy Awards

Arthur Hiller on his Emmy nomination for Naked City

01:44

Hollywood Blacklist

Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:04

Industry Crossroads

Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:04

Pivotal Career Moments

Arthur Hiller on how his parents and a high school drama teacher inspired his love of theater

01:15

Arthur Hiller on his creative influences

00:44

Arthur Hiller on people he has mentored

01:29

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

01:41

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television

02:17

Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television

02:32

Arthur Hiller on camera tricks and fast changes he had to make while directing Playhouse 90

02:29

Arthur Hiller on the excitement of "live" television

01:04

Technological Innovation

Arthur Hiller on what he felt was lost when the technology changed from "live" television to tape

02:32

Arthur Hiller on NBC Matinee Theater being broadcast in color

01:31

Arthur Hiller on moving from "live" to film television

05:08

Arthur Hiller on the difference between working in "live" television and taped television

01:40

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

01:41

Arthur Hiller on the "don't dos" list from the sponsors and the networks in early television

01:47

Arthur Hiller on the Hollywood Blacklist

02:04

Arthur Hiller on the status of a feature director versus the status of a television director

01:05

Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors

01:17

Arthur Hiller on his then-current life and projects and on ageism in the industry

03:59

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

01:41

Professions

Directors

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Arthur Hiller on the decisions he made while directing his first television drama, which took place on a ship

01:26

Arthur Hiller on the rehearsal process for NBC Matinee Theater

03:01

Arthur Hiller on how he approached directing different styles of television shows

03:42

Arthur Hiller on making the transition from directing television to directing feature films

03:06

Arthur Hiller on preparing to direct a television show or a feature

02:48

Arthur Hiller on dealing with the casting process as a director

02:58

Arthur Hiller on how he chooses projects to direct

02:11

Arthur Hiller on what he loves about the directing process

01:08

Arthur Hiller on his style of directing and working with actors

03:04

Arthur Hiller on working with difficult actors and dealing with various personalities as a director

02:38

Arthur Hiller on collaborating with directors of photography and lighting designers as a director

03:18

Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors

01:17

Genres

Classic Anthology Series

Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90

00:51

Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct NBC Matinee Theater, based on a show he had directed in Canada for the CBC

04:38

Arthur Hiller on his first time directing NBC Matinee Theater and his nerves on the set

01:20

Arthur Hiller on the schedule for producing NBC Matinee Theater and the excitement of directing for live television

02:17

Arthur Hiller on dealing with an athlete who couldn't act appearing on NBC Matinee Theater, and his love of doing "live" television

02:32

Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater

01:02

Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater

00:33

Arthur Hiller on working with host John Conte and producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater

01:40

Arthur Hiller on leaving NBC Matinee Theater

04:24

Arthur Hiller on how he came to direct for Climax!

00:28

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

02:31

Arthur Hiller on the first episode of Climax! he directed and dealing with the writer of the episode

02:53

Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90

02:59

Arthur Hiller on directing actors on an episode of Climax! and forgetting an important detail because of his nerves

00:57

Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program

01:38

Arthur Hiller on directing NBC Matinee Theater

15:53

Arthur Hiller on directing Climax!

06:03

Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90

03:52

Arthur Hiller on the production schedule of Playhouse 90 and directing both "live" and filmed versions of the show

04:49

Arthur Hiller on specific episodes of Playhouse 90

04:42

Arthur Hiller on directing an episode of Telephone Time

01:14

Arthur Hiller on directing Boris Karloff in the pilot of the series Thriller

03:03

Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents and working with and for Alfred Hitchcock

04:35

Arthur Hiller on directing Alfred Hitchcock Presents

09:00

Arthur Hiller on directing Thriller

01:31

Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert

03:18

Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show

04:40

Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

14:47

Comedy Series

Arthur Hiller on directing the pilot of I'm Dickens ... He's Fenster

02:05

Arthur Hiller on directing The Addams Family

08:10

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr

07:01

Arthur Hiller on directing The Third Man

02:47

Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West

02:32

Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66 and Naked City

14:05

Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

14:47

Drama Series

Arthur Hiller on directing Route 66 and Naked City

14:05

Arthur Hiller on Route 66, Naked City, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

14:47

Western Series

Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke

03:51

Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman

03:52

Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman

04:18

Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness

07:53

People

Adam West

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Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West

02:32

Al Pacino

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Arthur Hiller on Al Pacino

00:21

Albert McCleery

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Arthur Hiller on working with producer Albert McCleery on NBC Matinee Theater

01:12

Arthur Hiller on producer Albert McCleery, who Hiller credits with bringing him to the United States from Canada

05:28

Ali MacGraw

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Arthur Hiller on working with Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw on "Love Story"

04:14

Barbara Stanwyck

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Arthur Hiller on directing The Barbara Stanwyck Show and Telephone Time with Claudette Colbert

03:18

Bob Cummings

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Arthur Hiller on Bob Cummings

00:28

Boris Karloff

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Arthur Hiller on directing Boris Karloff in the pilot of the series Thriller

00:34

Chuck Connors

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Arthur Hiller on directing Chuck Connors on The Rifleman

01:05

Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford

04:18

Delbert Mann

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Arthur Hiller on idea he "stole" from Delbert Mann while directing NBC Matinee Theater

01:02

Dennis Hopper

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Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper's appearance on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater

00:33

Arthur Hiller on Dennis Hopper appearing on an episode of NBC Matinee Theater

02:06

Dennis Weaver

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Arthur Hiller on directing Dennis Weaver on an episode of Gunsmoke

01:44

Errol Flynn

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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

08:57

Gene Wilder

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Arthur Hiller on directing "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder

01:18

George Maharis

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Arthur Hiller on working with George Maharis and Martin Milner on Route 66 and on working with the writers of the show

04:00

Jack Benny

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Arthur Hiller on meeting Jack Benny, one of his idols, while he was directing an episode of Playhouse 90

00:51

James Arness

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Arthur Hiller on directing James Arness on an episode of Gunsmoke

00:54

Arthur Hiller on directing Gunsmoke starring James Arness

07:53

James Garner

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Arthur Hiller on James Garner and Julie Andrews

00:28

John Astin

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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

03:24

Arthur Hiller on working with John Astin

01:29

John Conte

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Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater

00:27

Arthur Hiller on John Conte as host of NBC Matinee Theater

00:40

John Goodman

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Arthur Hiller on directing "The Babe" and working with John Goodman

02:38

Johnny Carson

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Arthur Hiller on the Playhouse 90 episode "Three Men on a Horse," featuring Johnny Carson

00:50

Johnny Crawford

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Arthur Hiller on directing The Rifleman starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford

04:18

Judith Anderson

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Arthur Hiller on directing and episode of Telephone Timestarring Judith Anderson

01:14

Julie Andrews

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Arthur Hiller on James Garner and Julie Andrews

00:28

Martin Manulis

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Arthur Hiller on working on Playhouse 90 with Martin Manulis, who created the show, and on the quality of the program

01:38

Arthur Hiller on directing Playhouse 90 and working with Martin Manulis

01:13

Mickey Rooney

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Arthur Hiller on working with Mickey Rooney on The Dick Powell Show

04:41

Natalie Wood

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Arthur Hiller on Natalie Wood

00:29

Nick Nolte

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Arthur Hiller on Nick Nolte

00:18

Peter O'Toole

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Arthur Hiller on Peter O'Toole

00:17

Raymond Burr

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Arthur Hiller on directing Perry Mason and working with Raymond Burr

07:01

Richard Pryor

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Arthur Hiller on directing "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder

01:18

Robert Blake

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Arthur Hiller on Robert Blake

00:17

Robert Taylor

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Arthur Hiller on directing The Detectives with Robert Taylor and Adam West

02:32

Rock Hudson

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Arthur Hiller on Rock Hudson

00:12

Ryan O'Neal

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Arthur Hiller on working with Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw on "Love Story"

04:14

Sophia Loren

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Arthur Hiller on Sophia Loren

00:17