Charles S. Dubin

Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-and-a-half-hour interview, Charles S. Dubin (1919-2011) describes his lengthy career as a television director, which began in 1950 when he was hired at ABC as an associate director and culminated in his long association with M*A*S*H, for which he directed more episodes than any other individual director. Dubin details his early work in "live" television for such series as Pulitzer Prize Playhouse and Opera vs. Jazz. He speaks in great detail about the over twenty segments of Omnibus that he directed, including celebrated pieces with choreographer Agnes de Mille and conductor/composer Leonard Bernstein. Dubin then talks about how his association with Bernstein in this capacity led to his directing the first three concerts of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert. Additionally, Dubin discusses his work as a director on the quiz show series Twenty-One, which became the center of the Quiz Show Scandals, although Dubin was at the time unaware of the backstage practices that led to the show's demise. He discusses his appearance before the House of Un-American Activities Committee, at which he plead the Fifth and was blacklisted from the industry for five years. He describes his later work, directing multiple episodes of The Defenders, Kojak, Ironside, Hawaii Five-O, and the Father Dowling Mysteries. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on September 9, 2003 in Brentwood, CA.

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

"As a director, I try to do what the writers had in mind. What did the writers want the audience to know and how do I do that with the picture, the sound effects, the props, the costumes. I think that anything that's seen on that screen should be from the director and writer's point of view. That's, I think, the best way I can put it."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
09:05
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
04:43
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
02:00
Charles S. Dubin on the popularity of M*A*S*H, and on the end of the series and its legacy
02:33
Charles S. Dubin on going to work for ABC in 1950 as an assistant director
03:03
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on getting into acting, and learning to act and direct from Sanford Meisner; on the first time he saw television
On going to work for ABC in 1950 as an assistant director; on becoming a full-fledged director at ABC, and directing Pulitzer Prize Playhouse with actors like Sidney Poitier; on directing live television in the 1950s and on directing Opera vs. Jazz

Chapter 2

On Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek; on directing the Omnibus episodes "Jack Be Normal" and "The Azuma Kabuki Dancers"; on directing the Omnibus episodes "The Better Half" and "Plays of the Irish Renaissance"
On the technical aspects of Omnibus; on directing several classic episodes of Omnibus
On Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille; on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes

Chapter 3

On the legacy of Omnibus; on directing the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert and on directing Producers' Showcase; on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify
On being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years; on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin; on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series

Chapter 4

On directing episodes of The Defenders; on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show; on directing various series, made-for television movies, and specials
On directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr; on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord; on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas

Chapter 5

On directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level; on how he came to direct M*A*S*H; on a typical workweek directing an episode of M*A*S*H, and on the research involved in making the series
On directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H; on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H; on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
On directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H; on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H; on the episode "Point of View"

Chapter 6

On directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"; on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H, and on where the show was shot; on problems Standards and Practices had with M*A*S*H and on the use of the laugh track on the show, and on the end of the series
On his style of directing and how he works with actors; on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand; on directing The Belle of Amherst, starring Julie Harris
On directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain; on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show

Chapter 7

On directing the cast of Roots: The Next Generations, and on dealing with the subject matter; on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"; on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
On directing The Masterpiece of Murder, starring Bob Hope; on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries; on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from his career- newspaper clipping about the Roxy Theater in New York City; on the set of Hawaii Five-O with Jack Lord; drawing by Jack Lord; with Alan Alda on the set of M*A*S*H; with Mike Farrell and Alan Alda on the set of M*A*S*H; on the set of M*A*S*H with the actors and President Ford; Agnes de Mille with the cast of M*A*S*H; the cast and the producers of M*A*S*H throwing a party for Charles S. Dubin; Waiting for Godot; The Gathering Part II; with his wife Mary Lou; headshot of Charles S. Dubin
Shows

Amanda's

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47

American Playhouse

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
01:44

Big Valley, The

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34

Charlie's Angels

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Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
04:12

Cinderella (1965)

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
02:00

Defenders, The

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin
02:03
Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
03:02
Charles S. Dubin on directing episodes of The Defenders
00:44

Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34

Father Dowling Mysteries

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Hawaii Five-O

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord
08:33

Hotel

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47

Ironside

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
03:41

Jennifer Slept Here

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47

Judy Garland Show, The

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Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
01:38

Kojak

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas
07:38

Lou Grant

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
01:19

M*A*S*H

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Charles S. Dubin on how he came to direct M*A*S*H
03:10
Charles S. Dubin on a typical workweek directing an episode of M*A*S*H, and on the research involved in making the series
02:04
Charles S. Dubin on directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H
04:10
Charles S. Dubin on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
03:28
Charles S. Dubin on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
02:26
Charles S. Dubin on directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:36
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04
Charles S. Dubin on directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"
02:42
Charles S. Dubin on directing the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"
03:26
Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
01:34
Charles S. Dubin on where M*A*S*H was shot
02:20
Charles S. Dubin on problems Standards and Practices had with M*A*S*H and on the use of the laugh track on the show
01:26
Charles S. Dubin on the popularity of M*A*S*H, and on the end of the series and its legacy
02:33

Masterpiece of Murder, A

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Masterpiece of Murder starring Bob Hope
01:48

Matlock

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Medical Center

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
03:40

Murder, She Wrote

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47

New People, The

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25

New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert

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Charles S. Dubin on directing the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concert
03:58

Nurses, The

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Nurses
01:02

Omnibus

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Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
04:43
Charles S. Dubin on directing the Omnibus episodes "Jack Be Normal" and "The Azuma Kabuki Dancers"
01:46
Charles S. Dubin on directing the Omnibus episodes "The Better Half" and "Plays of the Irish Renaissance"
01:49
Charles S. Dubin on the technical aspects of Omnibus
01:33
Charles S. Dubin on directing several Omnibus episodes, including "Comedy and Song," "The Spirit of Freedom," "The Bigger Wheel," "The Ballad of Baby Doe," "Baptiste," "Children of Paradise," "And Joy is My Company," and "My Hearts in the Highlands"
06:52
Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
07:14
Charles S. Dubin on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes
05:48
Charles S. Dubin on the legacy of Omnibus
00:52

Producers' Showcase

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Producers' Showcase
03:49

Pulitzer Prize Playhouse

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Charles S. Dubin on becoming a full-fledged director at ABC, and directing Pulitzer Prize Playhouse with actors like Sidney Poitier
07:19

Room 222

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25

Roots: The Next Generations

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
04:06
Charles S. Dubin on directing the cast of Roots: The Next Generations, and on dealing with the subject matter
03:11

Sanford and Son

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25

Square One TV

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Starman

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Supertrain

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Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
04:12

Tarzan

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34

Trapper John, M. D.

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
04:12

Twenty One

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10

Virginian, The

View Show Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34
Topics

Advice

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Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
02:17

Hollywood Blacklist

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Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
09:05

Industry Crossroads

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Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
09:05
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10

Quiz Show Scandals

View Topic
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10

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

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Charles S. Dubin on directing live television in the 1950s
01:55

Television Industry

View Topic
Charles S. Dubin on being called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and being blacklisted for five years
09:05
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10
Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
02:17
Professions

Directors

View Profession
Charles S. Dubin on his style of directing and how he works with actors
02:50
Charles S. Dubin on knowing where to place the camera as a director
01:26
Charles S. Dubin on what makes a good script to direct, and on chemistry and actors
01:50
Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered
02:21
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing Omnibus
29:49
Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
01:44

Comedy Series

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25
Charles S. Dubin on directing M*A*S*H
25:43
Charles S. Dubin on directing M*A*S*H
11:20
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
03:40
Charles S. Dubin on directing Hawaii Five-O, starring Jack Lord
08:34
Charles S. Dubin on directing Kojak, starring Telly Savalas
07:38

Drama Series

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing The New People, Room 222, Of Men and Women, Sanford and Son, and The 10th Level
03:25
Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
01:19
Charles S. Dubin on directing various series including Charlie's Angles, Trapper John, MD, and Supertrain
04:12
Charles S. Dubin on directing Jennifer Slept Here, Amanda's, The Four Seasons, Murder, She Wrote, and Hotel
02:47
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Game Shows

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10

Legal Dramas

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing episodes of The Defenders
00:44
Charles S. Dubin on directing Matlock, Starman, Square One, and Father Dowling Mysteries
03:22

Medical Dramas

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Nurses
01:02
Charles S. Dubin on directing Medical Center, and on directing Ironside, starring Raymond Burr
03:40

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
01:38
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34
Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
02:00
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
05:18
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Masterpiece of Murder starring Bob Hope
01:51

Western Series

View Genre
Charles S. Dubin on directing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, The Virginian, The Meanest Man in the West, Tarzan, and The Big Valley
03:34
People

Alan Alda

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Alan Alda as "Hawkeye Pierce" on M*A*S*H
04:10

Edward Asner

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
01:19

Leonard Bernstein

View Person Page
Charles S. Dubin on working with Leonard Bernstein on several Omnibus episodes
05:48

Herbert Brodkin

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Defenders, produced by Herbert Brodkin
02:03

Gary Burghoff

View Person Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing Gary Burghoff as "Radar O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
02:27

William Christopher

View Person Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04

Alistair Cooke

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Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
07:14

Dan Enright

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Twenty One, produced by Dan Enright just before the Quiz Show Scandals broke, and on being called to testify about it
05:10

Jamie Farr

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Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04

Mike Farrell

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Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04

Henry Fonda

View Person Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing Roots: The Next Generations, and on working with Henry Fonda on that show
04:06

Judy Garland

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Charles S. Dubin on directing "Judy and Her Guests, Phil Silvers and Robert Goulet," the 1963 special that served as the pilot for The Judy Garland Show
01:38

Julie Harris

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Charles S. Dubin on directing The Belle of Amherst, starring Julie Harris
01:19

Larry Linville

View Person Page
Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04

Nancy Marchand

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Lou Grant with Ed Asner and Nancy Marchand
01:19

E. G. Marshall

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Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
03:02

Sanford Meisner

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Charles S. Dubin on getting into acting, and learning to act and direct from Sanford Meisner, and on appearing as an actor in several Broadway productions
04:38

Burt Metcalfe

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Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
01:34

Agnes De Mille

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Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus host Alistair Cooke, and choreographer Agnes De Mille
07:14

Harry Morgan

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Harry Morgan as "Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
03:28

Robert Reed

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Charles S. Dubin on working with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed on The Defenders, and on directing specific episodes of the series
03:02

Gene Reynolds

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Charles S. Dubin on working with Burt Metcalfe and Gene Reynolds on M*A*S*H
01:34

Robert Saudek

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Charles S. Dubin on Omnibus executive producer Robert Saudek
04:43

Telly Savalas

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Telly Savalas for the American Playhouse production of "My Palikari"
01:44

David Ogden Stiers

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Charles S. Dubin on directing William Christopher as "Father Mulcahy," Jamie Farr as "Max Klinger," Larry Linville as "Frank Burns," Mike Farrell as "B.J. Hunnicutt," and David Ogden Stiers as "Charles Winchester" on M*A*S*H
05:04

Loretta Swit

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Loretta Swit as "Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:36

Linda Bloodworth Thomason

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Dribble, an unsold pilot written by Linda Bloodworth Thomason
00:26

Lesley Ann Warren

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Charles S. Dubin on directing Cinderella, starring Lesley Ann Warren
02:00

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